Difference between technical and non-technical SOPs

Drafting a statement of purpose involves words on paper that narrate to your dream university why they should admit you to their shrine of knowledge. However, before you start working on your statement of purpose format, there are a large number of things to consider that may differ based on the country, the course, and several other factors. For example, a statement of purpose for Canada will differ from that of Australia. 

Statements of purpose drafted based on your degree are mainly categorized into two sections: technical and non-technical SoPs. 

A non-technical statement of purpose is drafted for areas like law, business, psychology or other areas that don’t include scientific knowledge about specific skills. These essays aren’t creatively limited, and the writer has the liberty to run free with words. If you want to go to culinary school, here’s an opportunity to brag about all that freelance writing you did at 19.

On the other hand, a technical statement of purpose is drafted to pursue a degree in the technical field, i.e. masters in science, data analytics, maths, architecture, and other such areas. These follow a specific layout and must encompass certain pre-determined bits of information. It does not include your adept accounting skills if you are writing a statement of purpose for mechanical engineering.

Here are all the major differences between composing a technical and a non-technical statement of purpose:

The details relating to your life experiences

Non-technical SOPs can be drafted while maintaining a casual stance. A person’s interests and skills can be mentioned informally, better yet if it is related to the degree being pursued, as you can indubitably. For example, if you are drafting a statement of purpose for an MBA course, you can talk about your journey as a hardworking person and give away certain generic details about your life. There’s a bragging-pass over here, use this power wisely.

Technical SOPs must include certain extra details and added bits of precision that non-technical SoPs can afford to overlook. If you are drafting a statement of purpose for an MS degree, the essay must exclusively divulge into the affinities that can be specifically attributed to the fields in question, like your ability to put together a drone with basic and simple equipment in short durations, reducing the amount of manual effort by 50%. 

Refrain from mentioning how you stood first in Literature class. If it matters to you more than it should, then you’re probably pursuing a degree in the wrong field. Seriously, don’t do it.

Marks, grades, accomplishments on paper

While mentioning all that you’ve accomplished in your life in non-technical SOPs, include information about all the internships and certificate courses that have been completed. Properly divulge into your achievements without giving much thought to the results of these various endeavors. Here the journey and the story behind pursuing these tasks are the main focus rather than the actual accomplishment itself. In these SoPs, the candidate’s wide range of knowledge and expertise can be shown through significant accomplishments.

However, while composing a technical SOP, you must be careful about the outcome or impact after completing the aforementioned tasks. While grades and marks hold little importance in non-technical SoPs, it is of significant importance in a statement of purpose for mechanical engineering, for example. The individual must look good on paper, not only in terms of the number of internships that they’ve pursued but also be able to boast of their high grades and their top-notch ranking. 

Society – 1, Individuality – 0.

Depth of information in SOPs

Non-technical SoPs increase the chances of being shortlisted by exposing your expertise pertaining to a plethora of areas. Having a vast amount of information about a lot of things makes the candidate more desirable while being considered for related degrees as it shows the candidate’s ability to fit in well in all areas and adjust to various working patterns.

However, in technical SOPs, an individual’s value increases based on the quality of the skill that one professes to be good at. Therefore, if you choose to mention your web development skills or your ability to differentiate between the various constellations in your statement of purpose for an MS, make sure that you’ve got tangible evidence to prove the same.

The right SOP Structure to follow

Both SOPs do not have a specific structure to follow per se. However, for non-technical SOPs, you need to remember to mention all the internships, activities and the major tasks that you’ve picked up along your way.

For technical SOPs, here’s a suggested structure. First, start by talking about what field it is that you want to specialize in. While drafting a statement of purpose for MS, talk about the development of your affinity towards science and mathematics from the very beginning. Mention all the clubs and fests that you participated in, if relevant to the degree. If you pursued any internships or worked as a GT after graduation, mention that next. Specify the company that you were placed in and give some background about the same. Talk about how this degree will help propel you into the future and how important it is for you. 

In a gist of it all, you must remember that while with non-technical SOPs you can afford to be inexplicit and loose with all your intricate details and accomplishments, while drafting technical SOPs you must ensure to note all of your skills with paramount details.

Or, like always, hit us up if you want the best essay writers service to guide you.