3.4 Writing Skill - Statement Of Purpose (SOP)

 What is SOP?

- A Statement of Purpose (SOP) is an application made to a university to seek admission to a particular course.

- It is an essay which describes you as a person, your aims and ambitions.

- It speaks about your journey of life and the qualities you have nurtured in the       process. 

- The SOP gives an idea about your innate qualities and is subjective in nature.

- The SOP gives you an opportunity to show the special qualities which make you distinct from others.

- It explains why you want to join the course, what is your liking, how you have developed your liking.

- The SOP is a gateway to your career as the admission committee judges you or screens the applications on the basis of the SOPs received. Hence, it is a very important document.

- The SOPs for undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate levels would be different.

FORMAT OF THE 'SOP'

The Statement of Purpose should be written in around 500 words, tentatively

in five/six paragraphs.

I paragraph -- Your introduction,  personal background, your mental make-up and your aim in life.

II paragraph -- Speak about why you wish to join this specific programme/course, your area of interest.

III paragraph --Write about your qualities,  hobbies and extracurricular activities which would be helpful in strengthening your goals.

IV paragraph -- Mention your experience, internship/ project you have done. State something which makes you distinct from the other applicants.

V or Concluding paragraph --State how admission to this particular course, university would be beneficial to you and how you look at it from a long term career perspective.

Dos and Don'ts -

Dos :

1) Use clear and lucid language.

2) Should be convincing

3) Clear purpose of choosing a particular course or programme.

4) Personality should be reflected.

5) Highlight your qualities and life experiences.

6) Prefer typed SOP.

7) Edit and Re-edit.

Don'ts :

1) Do not make spelling or construction mistakes.

2) Should not be too small or too Lengthy.

3) Avoid complex sentences.

4) Don't copy.

5) No exaggeration.