A Good Statement Of Purpose Cheat Sheet

Writing The Statement of Purpose

If you are like me who doesn’t like wahala and you’ve wondered what SOP means and the easiest, most straightforward way to write your SOP which is needed as part of the requirement for your japa plans, you should read on because here you have got all the hacks, tips and guide.

When you apply to universities abroad, part of the requirement in the application process is your statement of purpose. Your personal statement highlights your career progression and goals for your academic and career path. All of these would help the institutions to select the right candidates that they feel fit into the school and its culture.

A statement of purpose should express how much you want to be a student of the institution and how it is going to be a beneficial relationship.

What Is A Statement Of Purpose (SOP)

SOP is short for Statement Of Purpose. It is also sometimes described as a Personal Statement. It simply highlights to the university why you want to be a part of their institution, why you think you’ll fit and why they should select you instead of the myriad of other candidates applying to the same institution.

 It helps the university understand the reasons for your choice of the university, and the course of choice and also goes to show your academic and career goals and how and if the university can help you achieve them. 

Your personal statement is like a sales pitch except you don’t want to sound like and come across like an oily salesman who just wants to sell, you do but you don’t want to come across like that.

You want to be remembered, and for that to happen, you want to see that you leave a good unforgettable impression with a personal statement that reels them in. 

How long should a statement of purpose be? It should be between 3-6 pages, which would be between 1500-3000 words, single-spaced or double-spaced if demanded by the institution. 

How To Write A Statement Of Purpose.

Even though you do not want to come across as generic, there are still some basic questions that should be answered in your personal statement. Answering these questions will help 

Some of these questions include

• Why did you choose the institution?
• Who are you?
• Your hobbies and interests?
• What makes you unique and sets you apart?
• The chosen course of study?
• Reasons for the course of choice?
• Your academic progress so far?
• Professional and academic experience?
• What are the things you wish to gain from your experience in the institution?
• What are your future plans after the degree?
• How do you fit into the school culture?

And so much more.

Tips To Make Your Statement Of Purpose Stand Out

As stated earlier, you don’t have to be so stressed out of your mind writing a personal statement that will get you in the door. We have curated a few tips to help you write an amazing personal statement that will help you stand out and get you that admission you want.

In no particular order-

• Read about and find out the university’s requirements for a statement of purpose. Some universities might ask for a 3-page, 1500 single-spaced essay, while another might ask for a 6-page, 3000 words double-spaced statement of purpose.

Knowing all the necessary requirements will help you write a great and acceptable essay.

• Note down the requirements and go back to them at intervals while you write your essay. You want to keep in sight the requirements, so you don’t forget and veer off course.
• Do your research. You want to make sure you conduct your research. Know as much as you can about the university, the culture, your course of choice, the lecturers and professors in the department and how you fit into the culture.
• The knowledge from the research will help in the entire application process and not just in the writing of the statement of purpose.
• Be truthful. As you write your essay, don’t fall into the temptation of telling tall tales you feel will make you look good. You want to be as honest as possible. Tell your story with honesty.
• Write in your own voice. You have to ensure your personal statement is not coming across as stilted and stiff. The essay should be written in your voice, your words, while still interesting and attention-grabbing.
• Be original in your ideas. As much as you can use samples to guide you in writing your essay, you should not just copy and paste. You need original ideas, examples and experiences that are true to you and your life.
• Have a catchy introduction/opening line. You want your opening line to carry a punch. Take your time with this. Throw ideas around in your head until you find something that fits and grabs attention.
• Do not write in a passive voice. Your personal statement should be written in an active voice that is confident and sure.
• Get someone else to proofread for you. Even after your edit, you might miss something. Getting someone else to proofread for you might show you something you missed or provide a fresh perspective.
• Be concise in your writing. You don’t want to drag it on for too long. Find ways to get your points across as succinctly as possible, remembering not to exceed the word limit if this is provided by the university.

Remember that your personal statement is supposed to prove to the university without any doubt that you love and want to be a student in the institution, so you have to put your best foot forward.

All the best.