What Is a Statement of Purpose and Why Is It Important?

The Statement of Purpose (SOP) is one of the most important pieces of a strong application when applying to study abroad. In a Statement of Purpose, you describe your educational background, achievements, and goals. You should also explain why you want to study your desired program at the university of your choice.

Statements of Purpose are a great way to stand out among the many applications schools receive daily and can help you separate yourself from your grades (since you are much more than your grades).

By emphasizing your extracurricular achievements and enthusiasm for studying at university, a Statement of Purpose accomplishes this goal. You can give the school an insight into your personality outside of your academic performance and determine if you fit well with the campus culture. A creative and fun way to display your writing skills!

A Statement of Purpose is an important piece in the application puzzle because it can impact whether you receive a Letter of Acceptance.

Our team at ApplyBoard is here to assist you with writing your perfect SOP. Here, we'll cover the basic structure of a Statement of Purpose, as well as how to make yours stand out. Getting started is the most challenging part of writing an SOP.

Two Important Rules for Your Statement of Purpose

Steer Clear of Plagiarism

You should write your Statement of Purpose in your own words. Only you should write it. You should not copy sections from external sites, general templates, or write sections yourself.

It is considered plagiarism in postgraduate education if you use any of these shortcuts. Focus on highlighting ambitions and goals that are unique to you instead of writing a generic statement of purpose. The school wants to see what makes you unique!

Be clear and follow directions.

Hundreds of applications will be read, so attention to detail is crucial. Your Statement of Purpose should be concise, clear, and grammatically correct.

A school will provide guidelines for the length of your SOP - in most cases, it will not exceed one page. You'll also receive guidelines for your word count, spacing, and structure, which vary from school to school. By following them closely, you show the school that you can follow instructions and pay attention to details.

How to Write a Statement of Purpose

Though each Statement of Purpose is tailored to the school and program you are applying to, there are some common traits and structures you'll see in most.

Paragraph 1: What’s Your Story?

Give a brief introduction of your background. Let us know which program you are applying for and when you are interested in starting. Within two to three sentences, describe what your Statement of Purpose will be about.

Paragraph 2: What Inspires You?

In the second paragraph, explain why you are interested in the program you are applying for. Do you want to follow in the footsteps of your parents and pursue a medical career? Following a field trip to the museum, were you interested in archaeology?

Your inspiration should be relevant to your program and unique to your experience!

Paragraph 3: What Can You Bring to The Table?

In this section, you can write about your past experiences related to your chosen field of study. Describe any extracurricular activities, work experience, sports teams, or clubs that can benefit your studies in your future program.

Your list need not be exhaustive. As an alternative, focus on past experiences you believe are relevant, what skills you gained from those experiences, and how they make you a strong applicant. Whenever possible, highlight previous experience working with children, such as being a summer camp counselor, and how it helped you gain skills such as management and event coordination.

Paragraph 4: Why Do You Want to Study Here?

Please describe why you selected that university and what you value about it in this section. Does the school have a strong engineering program, including a strong reputation for field research? The Fine Arts program you're applying to has amazing facilities and studios, right? By showing admissions officers that you are dedicated to the future success of the university, you will demonstrate your knowledge of the school's history and reputation.

Additionally, as an international student, discuss why you wish to study in that particular country and how it will enhance your study experience. Do you wish to study in Canada so that you can practice your English and French skills? The international education environment exposes you to a new culture, a new language, and a new way of life, providing a wealth of learning opportunities that go beyond the classroom, so don't forget to include these in your Statement of Purpose!

Paragraph 5: What Are Your Next Steps?

Explain what you hope to achieve with this degree at the end of your statement of purpose. What are your next steps and what will you take away from this study experience?

Let us know your intended career path or if you plan to pursue further education. What do you plan to do with what you have learned? Will you return to your home country or will you work overseas? It is important for the university to know what your goals and plans are after completing their degree program.

Thank the admissions officers for reviewing your application. Be enthusiastic about entering a new chapter of your life.

If you're going to submit your Statement of Purpose with the rest of your documents, make sure to proofread and edit it to catch any errors.

You should find it easier and more motivating to write your Statement of Purpose if you follow this outline.