Spoiler Alert: Regardless of their differences, they’re equally important for your application process.

Let’s skip to the part where I tell you what you already know – applying for universities abroad can be difficult. We all need a little help in the entire process. It involves a lot of the same people – the board that evaluates your application, and you.

Based on your current stance, you may only need a statement of purpose essay along with the other documents to try and secure your admission. However, if you’re in need of financial assistance, a scholarship essay is thrown in the mix. To that effect, let’s address the elephant in the room here:

What is the difference between a scholarship essay and a statement of purpose?

Helping write essays for students looking to study abroad has helped us gain some wonderful insights into the two. So, let’s break it down:

Statement of Purpose (SoP):

What is a statement of purpose?

The crucial piece of writing that the matters to the university, before your letters of recommendation and certificates, is a statement of purpose. It is an essay that entails a complete background of your education, professional experience, relevant extracurricular activities and most importantly: why do you wish to study specifically at the said institution? You can think of it as an autobiography minus the narcissism. An SoP, typically, is a requirement by most universities; abroad and local alike.

When do I need to write one?

A statement of purpose is necessary when you’re applying for that specific university. It is an initial application requirement. If you’ve done your research and decided the time that you would like to gain admission, gather all the things necessary to write the statement of purpose.

How do I write one?

There’s a million-dollar question. You have everything figured out with your application, but it won’t mean squat without a good statement of purpose. This essay will entail your life story with special emphasis on the curriculum or the faculty of the college, which is different from your scholarship essay. For SoP writing tips, we have compiled a list of blog posts to make sure you have everything covered. You can read all of them here.

You can see an SoP sample here:

Scholarship Essay:

What is a scholarship essay?

A scholarship essay is like a ‘cry out for help.’ It is an essay a tad more personal than your statement of purpose. Why personal? You’re asking the university to invest money in you, and for them to do so you need to mention your familial and financial background in addition to your professional and academic experiences.

This essay requires specific emphasis on the hardships and obstacles that stand in the way of your future goals which would be solved thanks to yours truly. It is the way for them to know you personally, understand where you come from and why you need the money.

When do I need to write one?

The right time to submit this would be once you’ve secured your admission at the specific university, but need to make your case strong about the financial aspects to gain some assistance. They would have a date set for the essay to be submitted. Early applicants may receive brownie points.

How do I write one?

There’s no definitive structure to writing a scholarship essay. Many colleges may ask you to answer a few questions in about 350 words instead of a 1000-word essay. Fortunately, there are a few points that you can use to draft your own scholarship essay without actually having to beg for the money. You can read them here.

You can see a scholarship essay sample here:

One thing that’s common for both is the element of time. Both essays need enough time for you to write. You also need some time off after the first draft so that you can come back to it with a fresh perspective and evaluate its effectiveness. Having your loved ones read them will give you an idea on whether it genuinely sounds like yourself, or maybe needs rewriting in specific areas. Check the draft thoroughly for any typos or grammatical errors which will send your essay to the reject pile.

Now that you know the difference, it’s time to put dem words on paper. However, if you need any help with your essay, do contact us. We’ll be happy to help you.