Why do I need a Statement of Purpose?

You’ve been working hard, preparing for your GMAT, GRE, or other similar examinations, and possess the necessary qualifications or grades to get into that dream university. But, there is one tiny obstacle that is constantly looming over you – an excellent Statement of Purpose. If you don’t know what it is or how to write a good statement of purpose, you’ve come to the right place.

What is a Statement of Purpose?

A SoP or Statement of Purpose is the golden ticket given by the admissions committee to pursue any educational program in the University of your choice.

And let me tell you, it is the only piece of parchment that you have full control over, and will be a deciding factor for your admission into any university.

Why is it important?

A statement of purpose tells the admissions committee who you are, what has influenced you to choose that particular career path thus far, your professional interests, and where you plan to go from here on. It helps them decide whether you will be the right fit for the University.

Why is it crucial to write a good statement of purpose?

We all know that test scores – another important factor which determines your admission – are crucial for the university application. However, they are a thing of the past. A well-written SoP gives you the chance to directly talk to the admissions committee, and make yourself stand out from a multitude of similarly qualified candidates, and even compensate for weak test scores.

While most universities will definitely ask for a Statement of Purpose from you, every statement of purpose varies. Some may give you a few questions that you need to answer in 300 words minimum*, while some may have no questions in specific, and it’s up to you what you want to include in it.

If you’re stuck in the exact same dilemma about what to add to your statement of purpose, you can read all about it here.

A few questions that a university may ask to answer in your SoP, for example, could be –

Write a candid description of yourself, stressing those personal qualities, assets, and liabilities that you feel will influence your graduate work.

OR

Describe what you consider to be your most important professional and/or academic achievement till date.

OR something as simple and specific as –

Discuss your plans for graduate study and your career objectives.

Irrespective of the question, the goal is to give them a reason to accept you in their educational institution.

They want to know you, your past experiences, what you’ve learned from them, your future professional goals, why they are your goals, and how joining that University will assist you in contributing to society. In short, they want to know you in and out in approximately 800-1200 words*.

This is the only way the moderators have the opportunity to get to know you, so make it count.

SoPs are just for schools abroad. Myth.

While a statement of purpose is a requirement for University admissions, it has also started popping up for admissions in a growing number of Indian educational institutes as well.

SoPs in other sectors.

If you want to travel abroad, but not as a tourist, some Immigration offices of a particular country may ask you for a SoP which will tell them why you wish to study, work, or live there. Here, you will be talking less about your professional goals, and more about how you would be a valued addition to that particular country. What skills do you bring with you? Why should they have you? What will you give in return?

You may have noticed that the purpose of the Statements of Purpose, be it for admission into a University, or Immigration into another country, are principally the same. However, the technicalities are different, and every SoP is unique in its own way. Hence, they are a must-need for any individual who wants to expand their horizons, not just academically, but also professionally.

Moreover, writing a SoP is a great opportunity to look inside yourself and be rewarded with a better understanding of who you are. You may have to write one at some point or another, so you might as well know how to avoid any statement of purpose mistakes, and how to make it so good that it gives the impression that you’re a SoP God. However, if that’s beyond your set of great skills, you could always ask for external help.