Statement of Purpose

You have various reasons for wanting to apply to graduate school. The programs to
which you are applying want to know what those reasons are. So they ask you to write a
statement, variously known as a Statement of Purpose, Statement of Intent, Statement of
Reasons for Graduate Study, etc.

The statement also serves other purposes. It is an example of your ability to express
yourself clearly in writing. It helps the program faculty to determine whether or not your
goals and interests fit with theirs. And it can be expanded to include additional
information which can affect your admissibility.

The statement is usually the only opportunity you as an applicant have to present yourself
as a person distinct from your gradepoint average or test scores.

• What Information should I include?

• How Long Should My Statement Be?
• Is There a Preferred Format or Style?
• What do Colleges Look for in an SOP?
• How do I start?
• Start Writing
• Editing and Rewriting
• Structuring Your SOP
• Tips for better writing
• Words to Avoid

To make your writing effective, review these English & Grammar Lessons

What Information Should I Include?

The instructions which come with the application form should be your first guide as
to what to include in your statement. The instructions should give you a good idea as to
what information the program needs from you: your area of interest in the field (both
what it is and why you are interested in studying it), your background preparation
(education, training, work experience), and other relevant information. Often applicants
are asked to list notable academic or work accomplishments that relate to the field of
study.

You may also be asked to indicate possible thesis or dissertation topics or to indicate the
names of faculty members with whom you would like to work. If you don't have a
general idea of possible topics, you should at least mention about the area of
concentration with in the field that you wish to pursue.
If there is additional information that you feel ought to be taken into consideration in the
evaluation of your application, you can include it, either as part of the statement itself, or
by attaching a supplementary statement.

How Long Should My Statement Be?

How Long Should My Statement Be?

Check the application instructions to see whether a minimum and/or maximum length is
specified. If no guidelines are given, you need to balance two concerns:

• Providing your proposed program with the information sought, and

• Keeping your statement concise enough to be readable.

How long a statement is does not seem to matter nearly as much, in my experience, as
how well it is written. Every day I see statements of varying lengths come in with
applications. Most of them are one to two pages in length. I have also seen statemen ts
that were only a few sentences long and multipage statements. In my experience there
isn't a strong correlation between statement length and acceptance rate. Common sense
would suggest that if you are applying to a highly competitive program, and if your
statement is going to be long, you need to write it especially well so as to hold your rea
ders' attention.

Is There a Preferred Format or Style?

All the rules of good writing apply to the writing of your statement. Unless you
write final-draft quality prose on the first attempt, be prepared to revise your statement. It
may be helpful to have other people read and critique a draft of your s tatement.

Format

Check the application instructions. In most cases, the specific format is left to the
applicant. I use the term "statement" in these pages only because that's what we call it
where I work. Unless you are instructed to the contrary, you can use a letter format if that
helps you to write better. (It may help you to think of the statement as being similar in
purpose to a cover letter that you would send with your resume to a prospective
employer.) The best hint I can give is this: use the format that allows you to organize your
thoughts to communicate to your best advantage.

The vast majority of statements which I see are at least typed, if not written with a word-
processor. The wide availability of such technology means that it is easy to produce a
statement that is free of typographical errors and easy to read. Even if you have very
legible handwriting, it is probably better not to submit a hand-written statement.
Style

The application instructions may or may not specify how the statement is to be written.
As with any writing, it is important to consider your audience, but it is also important to
write in your own voice. Affectation in word choice or syntax usually shows up very
clearly.

Your chosen field of study will have a lot to do with what constitutes appropriate style.
An applicant to a literature program will be expected to write in a different style than will
an applicant to an engineering program. Another factor is whether or not you are required
to submit work samples as part of your application. If you are not required to submit
separate samples of academic w ork you have done, then it is more important that your
statement be well written, as it will be your sole opportunity to demonstrate your writing
proficiency.

What do Colleges Look for in an SOP?

The primary question admissions committee members ask themselves when they
read a Statement of Purpose is: What does this essay tell me about the person who wrote
it?

Put yourself in an admission officer's shoes. From among thousands of applications, you
have to choose the fraction of students that will comprise next year's incoming class. A
mix of interesting, confident and enthusiastic people who will make the class a
stimulating place. Academic achievements and good test scores are important. But in an
era where the majority of applicants have good academic records, it becomes increasingly
difficult to distinguish between individuals and decide who gets the offer of admission.

When you apply, each of the items in the application packet -recommendations, extra-
curricular achievements, work samples - adds an extra dimension to your personality. But
it is the SoP that brings you to life. Which is why each essay is read carefully by at least
two and often four or five people before a decision is taken on the application.

Does this mean that the SoP is the main deciding factor? No. Your academic record .
grades and the courses you took- are the first section admission committee members turn
to. Standardized test scores are useful to know where you stand in the applicant pool. For
graduate schools, relevant work or academic experience is important. Being from a
reputed school or college confers a distinct advantage. What your teachers or boss think
of you goes a long way towards the school's opinion. A good work sample can show your
creativity, skill and professionalism.

However, only the SoP or application essays can bring out your uniqueness. And
therefore make or break your application. An applicant who does not take the essay
seriously is throwing away the best opportunity available.

So are the admission officers looking for specific personality sorts? Well, yes and no.
Creativity, curiosity, pride in your work, an enthusiasm for learning, a capacity for
teamwork, the ability to think independently and so on are all good attributes, and most
of us share these in varying proportions. But what schools look for is a mix of individuals
that together, form a well-balanced class. This would include several personality types.

It is good to go through the school's brochure or web site, speak to people about it, visit if
that is possible; get a feel of the student mix that they look for and decide if this is the
school for you. However, trying to tailor your SoP to reflect what you think the school is
looking for is dangerous business. The people who read your application have been doing
so for years and are skilled at spotting fakes. They are likely to know soon if a particular
author is saying something for effect or if an essay does not ring true. And that means
almost certain rejection.

What is this, you might ask. Of course we want to have an effect on the admissions
officers. The important thing is to do so without appearing dishonest. If, for instance, you
talk about your deep desire to make society a better place, your application should reflect
it. Have you done anything about this desire? Can you talk about your actions and
experiences? A small example of something you did, not necessarily spectacular, can do
more towards boosting your chances than the noblest platitude can.

Don. t try to be something you are not. Don. t try to tell the admissions committee what
you think they want to hear. Be honest, look inside yourself and do your best.

Which brings us to the next point - self-knowledge. The people who read your essay want
to be convinced that you have thought long and hard about who you are, what are the
things you appreciate, what inspires you. What you want out of life, and where you are
going from here. It is not necessary to have all the answers . after all, several admirable
people have no idea where they are going even at age 40 or 50. It is necessary to show
that you have thought about this. And that these life experiences have taught you
something. Finally, you have to show a desire to learn. From your books and teachers,
from your classmates, from music or art, from life itself.

How Do I Start?
EXERCISES:

A. Recalling and analyzing experience - write short paragraphs on the following:

1. Pick a memorable accomplishment in your life. What did you do? How did you
accomplish it?

2. What sort of important activities have you engaged in? With whom? what role did you
play?
3. What work experiences have you had? What was your job? responsibility? How did
you carry it out?

• Now look over your paragraphs. What skills and qualities do you see that you
possess? For example, consider working with others. Were you a leader?
important "team" player?
• Looking at what you have found, you can now look for skills and qualities that
will help you in graduate school. What factors stand out?
• NOTE: You will undoubtedly have more material than you can use. This is good,
but you need to make strategic choices.

B. Your career goals - write two short paragraphs:

1. What career have you chosen? What factors formed this decision?

2. What evidence shows that this is a correct choice? That is, how can you show that this
choice is realistic? (Personal experience in the field is a good place to begin.)

ASK YOURSELF

1. Why are you interested in your chosen field of study? How and whendid you begin to
get interested?

2. Why do you want a graduate degree?

3. Why do you want to study abroad?

4. What was the most rewarding class you took in college and why?
What was the most rewarding assignment you did and why?

5. In addition to classes, how else did you learn about your field of interest (e.g. books,
seminars, lectures, conversations)?

6. Do you feel your grades (university and graduate school if applicable) and test scores
(GRE, GMAT, LSAT, TOEFL, etc.) accurately reflect your academic ability and potential?
Why or why not?

7. What kinds of academic skills (research, lab, etc.) did you learn in college?

8. Were you involved in any especially memorable academic accomplishments in

college? Describe them.

9. Who or what has been the biggest influence on your academic development and why?
Career Plans:

1. What are your short and long-term career plans? How certain are you of them?

2. How will pursuing a graduate degree help you reach your career your goals?

3. What current and past work experiences have you had? What were the most important
things that you learned from them?

Extracurricular activities:

1. What hobbies do you do in your free time?

2. What clubs or other extracurricular activities did you participate in during college? Did
you hold any leadership positions?

3. Have you won any awards for your extracurricular achievements?

4. Have you done any volunteer work?

Background:

1. Is there anything impressive about your background (e.g. experiences,

accomplishments, family history, cultural background)?

2. Did you have to overcome any unique obstacles growing up?

Personality Questions:

1. Are you responsible? If yes, describe how.

2. Are you creative? If yes, describe how.

3. Are you honest? If yes, describe how.

4. Are you independent? If yes, describe how.

5. Are you mature? If yes, describe how.

6. Are you hard-working? If yes, describe how.

7. Are you confident? If yes, describe how.

Start Writing
Read the essay question carefully to find out what the university expects you to
write about. While you don't have to stick to the questions asked, you must be sure to
answer them all in your Sop. Refer to your lists of background research and write about
two handwritten pages in response to the essay question. Go through them the next day.

Remember that your essay has the following objectives:

Show your interest in the subject. Rather than saying that you find electronics interesting,
it is more convincing to demonstrate your interest by talking about any projects you may
have done and what you learnt from them. If you have taken the initiative to do things on
your own, now is the time to talk about them

Show that you have thought carefully about further studies, know what you are getting
into, and have the confidence to go through with it. Have the admissions committee like
you! Avoid sounding opinionated, conceited, pedantic or patronizing. Read your essay
carefully, and have others read it to find and correct this.

Demonstrate a rounded personality. Include a short paragraph near the end on what you
like to do outside of your professional life. Keep the essay focussed. Each sentence you
use should strengthen the admissions committee's resolve to admit you. So while you
may have done several interesting things in life, avoid falling into the trap of mentioning
each of them. Your essay should have depth, not breadth. The resume is where you
should list achievements. Remember that you have very little space to convey who you
are, so make every sentence count.

Pitfalls your essay must avoid : It is a repetition of the resume or other information
available from the application form, It could have been written by just about anybody;
your individuality does not come through, It is not a honest account in response to the
essay question (why you want to study what you do, what you have learned from an
event/person in your life and so on) It has embarrassing, highly personal and emotional
content that should be avoided unless it makes a unique, creative point. The admissions
committee would not appreciate reading about the pain you went through after breaking
up with your boyfriend. An account of how you overcame difficult family circumstances,
illness, or a handicap, would be a valid point to include in your essay. However, avoid
emotional language.

Editing and Rewriting

Take another 7-8 days to write 3-4 more drafts. Go through the objectives and
pitfalls often. Refer to, and edit your lists as you go along.
Flow
While each paragraph should make a complete statement on its own, the essay should
logically progress from paragraph to paragraph. Read your essay for flow, or have
someone else read it, and ask yourself if there seems to be an abrupt shift between ideas
in two consecutive paragraphs.

Structure
This follows naturally from flow. Do all the paragraphs mesh together to form a cogent
whole? Does the essay, through a logical progression of ideas, demonstrate your interest,
enthusiasm, and fit in the department you have applied to?

Language
Avoid slang and abbreviations. For acronyms, use the full form the first time and show
the acronym in parentheses. Use grammatically correct English and ALWAYS read your
essay carefully for spelling mistakes before you send it off - your computer's spellcheck
may not flush out all the errors. Try to make your essay crisp, cutting out unnecessary
adverbs, articles and pronouns (for instance, a careful reading may yield several "the's"
that are superfluous).

Tone
Use a consistent tone throughout the essay - it will only confuse the admissions officers if
you alternately sound like Ernest Hemingway and Shakespeare, and is hardly likely to
endear you to them! While you should avoid flowery language and cliches, there is no
harm in looking for the most apt phrase or sentence. Be careful while using humor - it can
misfire and harm your chances.

Structuring Your Personal Statement

You're sitting in front of the computer screen. Your word processing program is
open, but the screen is blank. You've been staring at it for what seems like an eternity.
You don't know where to start or where to go. What are they looking for? How are you
supposed to write it?

The cause of your frustration? An application essay. You can write application essays in
many different ways, but the human interest story provides an effective model for writing
your essay and easing your frustration. You read human interest stories in newspapers and
magazines all the time. They are popular and effective because they engage the reader's
interest, persuade him or her of the writer's point of view, and sell periodicals. Similarly,
an application essay or personal statement must engage the admissions staff, convince
them of your viewpoint, and sell you.

Human interest stories typically have the following structure: lead, thesis, body,
conclusion. Using that structure for your personal statement provides you with a
framework around which to build your essay.
Begin with a lead, also called a hook. A lead is usually a brief anecdote, a question, a
startling statistic or quote, or a gripping description of a scene. The lead has a very
important job: hooking the reader. Any writer will tell you that the first few lines of an
article, ad, or letter determine the success of that piece. And the same is true for your
essay. Put your most interesting tidbit at the beginning.

Now that you have the reader's attention, tell him/her the point of your essay--the thesis.
The thesis can be a one-sentence summary or road map of your personal statement. It
typically follows the lead and introduces the body, the longest section of your paper.

The body provides evidence to support your thesis. In writing the body avoid generalities
and platitudes; give concrete examples from your life. Writing about specific experiences
has a number of advantages:
- Specifics keep the reader's attention more effectively than generalities.
- Drawing on situations in your life will distinguish you from other applicants who
superficially may be very similar to you.

All good things must end; so too must your essay end with a conclusion. The conclusion
ties up the essay by briefly referring back to the lead, restating the thesis, and if relevant,
mentioning some long term goals.

Lead, thesis, body, conclusion. That is the structure of a successful human interest story
and personal statement. After all, the effective personal statement really tells a human
interest story--a human interest story about you.

Tips For Better Writing

1. Express yourself in positive language. Say what is, not what is not.

2. Use transitions between paragraphs. Transitions tie one paragraph to the next.

A transition can be a word, like later, furthermore, additionally, or moreover; a phrase like
After this incident...; or an entire sentence.
If you are writing about Topic A and now want to discuss Topic B, you can begin the new
paragraph with a transition such as "Like (or unlike) Topic A, Topic B..."
3. Vary your sentence structure. It's boring to see subject, verb, object all the time. Mix
simple, complex, and compound sentences.

4. Understand the words you write. You write to communicate, not to impress the
admissions staff with your vocabulary. When you choose a word that means something
other than what you intend, you neither communicate nor impress. You do convey the
wrong message or convince the admissions officer that you are inarticulate.

5. Look up synonyms in a thesaurus when you use the same word repeatedly. After the
DELETE key, the thesaurus is your best friend. As long as you follow Tip 4, using one
will make your writing more interesting.

6. Be succinct. Compare:
- During my sophomore and junior years, there was significant development of my
maturity and markedly improved self-discipline towards school work..
During my sophomore and junior years, I matured and my self-discipline improved
tremendously.
- The first example takes many more words to give the same information. The admissions
officers are swamped; they do not want to spend more time than necessary reading your
essay. Say what you have to say in as few words as possible. Tips 7, 8, and 9 are tools for
implementing this suggestion.

7. Make every word count. Do not repeat yourself. Each sentence and every word should
state something new.

8. Avoid qualifiers such as rather, quite, somewhat, probably, possibly, etc.

- You might improve your writing somewhat if you sometimes try to follow this
suggestion.
The example contains nonsense. Deleting unnecessary qualifiers will strengthen your
writing 1000%. Equivocating reveals a lack of confidence. If you do not believe what you
write, why should the admissions staff?

9. Use the active voice. Compare:

- The application was sent by the student. Passive voice
- The student sent the application. Active voice
They both communicate the same information. The active voice, however, is more
concise; it specifies who is performing the action and what is the object. The passive
voice is wordier and frequently less clear.

10. Read and reread Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White. Containing
basic rules of grammar, punctuation, composition, and style, this indispensable classic is
available in paperback and is only eighty-five pages long.

Words to Avoid
Significant fascinating

Invaluable gratifying

appealing to me helpful

interesting appreciate

exciting, excited meaningful

appealing aspect useful

challenging helping people

enjoyable, enjoy meant a lot to me

I like it feel good

satisfying, satisfaction I like to help

I can contribute stimulating

it’s important remarkable

rewarding people

valuable incredible

The list is good..

If you have interacted with Americans you will know that they generally dont like being "
Helped " and they dont like people saying "I am so sorry ". They are more practical
people and dont like fake emotions.. They know for sure that as a student u cant help
build american economy or build the institution, so, better not include such words.. Just
be normal and dont have too many high sounding words, cos they are not British !
This list looks very exhaustive for me.. and I appriciate the hardwork put !