Important Tips to Write a Winning SOP

Posted by shantanusingh2881 on July 2nd, 2022

A statement of purpose (SOP), in the context of applying for graduate school, is an essay that’s one of the most important parts of your application because it tells the admission committee who you are, why you’re applying to their program, and what you’re hoping to get out of it.

An SOP for graduate school is not the same as a college application essay, which is usually about your personal story and why you want to go to college.  Instead, a graduate school SOP should focus on your intellectual journey and how the program you’re applying to will help you continue it.

Here are some tips to help you write a winning SOP:

1. Start early: Give yourself enough time to brainstorm, write, and edit your essay.  Starting early will also help you get feedback from mentors, family, and friends.

2. Be specific: Generic statements like “I want to help people” or “I want to make the world a better place” won’t impress the admissions committee.  Instead, focus on specific ways you want to use your education to achieve your goals.

3. Do your research: Learn about the program you’re applying to and what they’re looking for in an SOP.  This will help you customize your essay to their requirements.

4. Be honest: Don’t try to change who you are or what you’ve done to fit what you think the admissions committee wants to hear.  They’re looking for someone who is genuine and authentic, so be yourself!

5. Edit, edit, edit: Once you’ve written your first draft, set it aside for a day or two and then come back to it with fresh eyes.  Then, edit it again and again until you’re happy with the final product.

By following these tips, you’ll be on your way to writing a winning SOP! If you still in doubt to write  your own SoP, there are many organizations and companies who can help you with it like AdmitKard which provides SOP writing services for students applying to colleges abroad.