Make the right statement, make an impact

Statement of Purpose (SOP) plays an important role when applying abroad. It must be crafted to answer some of the important questions that the university would want to ask — who are you? How much have you accomplished? How do you plan to contribute to the university? To ensure that your SOP makes the desired impact, keep the following things in mind —

Always start well
The introductory paragraph will influence the amount of interest with which the admissions board reads your essay, so make it an interesting and enticing one. When you write your SOP, always think about whether you would enjoy reading it. 

State your interests
Your SOP should carry a glimpse of your personality. Tell the university about your interests, what you wish to do further in your life, what research topics interest you, etc. Also, talk about the faculty with whom you would like to study. This will make you sound like a well-researched and motivated candidate.

Don't echo your CV
While it is important that you state your academic accomplishments and related work experience, don't get into details about percentages, rankings or designation. All that is already on your CV. Talk about what your education and experience has taught you and how it influenced your decision to study further. Emphasise everything in a positive perspective, without ever devaluing what you have done.

Answer the "whys" well
Why this university? Why this course? Why at this stage in your career? Answering all these questions well in your SOP is of paramount importance. You must know what you are doing and why you are doing it, and state it confidently with as much precision as possible.

Keep it succinct
A long SOP is not necessarily a good one. Don't meander on about unnecessary information or constantly state the obvious. Let there be clarity, logic and precision in your writing.

Grammar, Grammar
Grammatical and spelling errors can make for a very unflattering SOP. Microsoft Word offers an excellent spell check option, so please use it! And just to be safe, get your SOP proof read by at least two people before you submit it.