Writing an SOP takes a spirit of professionalism and tack. It is not something as simple as journaling your thoughts but a piece of paper that will play a vital role in determining your selection in your dream college.
It is certainly not tough to work on an SOP; however, this is where most students end up with a sloppy job. Lack of proper knowledge regarding a Statement of Purpose can cost you years of hard work! A couple of tips on penning down your SOP will surely guide you through.
Not focusing on the introduction
With hundreds of SOPs piling on the admission desk, no one will care to read through the entire piece unless the introduction sounds impactful and riveting for the reader. The first impression is always the last; often, we have heard so! You shall be introduced through your SOP, and unless it makes a person inclined to read it, they will not be interested in going and finding out more about you.
Never entertain last-minute job
With so many tedious admission and application procedures on your desk, an SOP may seem simple and will be left for the last few days. Here is the major blunder where every student reduces their chance of selection. A last-minute work for something as vital as SOP will never do. A student needs to write it prior, go through it from time to time, and engage in revision and review before submitting it.
Format and word limit are vital
Word limit and format are two essential factors to consider when writing an SOP. Time is a constraint, and the admissions department of any college will not spend their entire day going through a single or a handful of SOPs. Hence, every University will stress maintaining the word limit so that the data is crisp and explains everything in just a few words. Similarly, the format makes your SOP look systematic and comprehensible. Generally, all Universities stick to a word limit between 500 and 1000 words.
Never indulge in plagiarism
Understandably, you are stuck with several application procedures at once, but that should not be a reason to copy and commit plagiarism. It reduces the chance of selection and leaves a wrong impression about the candidate. Instead of putting real effort and perseverance into being authentic, we simply choose the online copying path. No university will encourage such a casual attitude towards something so crucial.
Never include false information
Another unacceptable factor regarding SOP is when a candidate decides to include false information in their Statement of Purpose. No wonder how great you are at masking the facts; the University will have its way of validating the data provided, and in case any anomaly shows up, rest assured that the selection procedure shall never occur. Accuracy of academic information and credentials is paramount in a formal document like SOP.
Observe the style of writing
When writing official letters like SOP, you must maintain a style. For example, informal tone and inappropriate grammar or terms are simply unacceptable. It is a professional essay and should not pick up an inappropriate or disrespectful tone. Anything less than formal will be rejected, as will your admission to your dream institute. Vocabulary must be simple, tactful, and yet impeccable such that your SOP is easily comprehensible while at the same time being suitable to serve as an official document.
Engage in proper research about the University
Only begin to write your SOP with ample research and adequate information about the University. Do not include any data which you are not sure about. This can showcase an unprofessional and casual outlook on the professors reading your document.
That brings us to the end of composing an impressive SOP. Keep these tips in mind; we can guarantee your SOP will leave an impact and secure your chances of admission.
