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What is a statement of purpose anyway? Perhaps you have been looking more closely into what requirements your program(s) of interest require and you have some confusion over what this document is supposed to do, and just as importantly, how to write one! In this blog post I will catch you up to speed on how to write an SOP, provide some tips on how to nail it, and offer some examples for your reference. What is a Graduate School Statement of Purpose (SOP)?The SOP declares and describes what your purpose is for attending a program and developing research, or acquiring the skills within the program to apply towards a field, industry or endeavor. Think of it this way: you have submitted your transcripts which provide your GPA and course history, and you have taken the required entrance exam. What the graduate admissions committee still doesn’t know about you is why you are applying and what you plan to do within the program and after. Oftentimes, a personal statement may fulfill this requirement and you will find that many programs require this document instead (here is a link to a blog post about this). However, it is important to be able to distinguish between the personal statement and the statement of purpose. In my experience, the statement of purpose will be more technical, it will focus more on the details of the work that you are interested in pursuing. Whether your program is a masters or a PhD, you will be required to know what it is you are studying and why, or what technical skills you are looking to develop for a given career. So, to recap:
What information should I include in my SOP?The information you choose to include in your SOP is entirely reliant upon who you are (your experiences and interests) as well as the specifics of the program you are applying to. That being said, there are still some general rules of thumb that you can modify for each program. Who you areWhen writing about yourself, try not to have too much “humble pie”. Yes, you do not want to brag, but you also do not want to exclude or discredit your hard work over the years! Oftentimes, when reading application materials of my students they somehow manage to forget to include important details about their work. Pro tip for writing: Do create a list of research experience, volunteer work, employment and awards/accolades that are relevant to your desire to apply to graduate school or that you believe have prepared you in some way. You will be surprised how backtracking your progress can unveil some unique and important experiences you may have overlooked! Why THIS programIt’s super important that you be able to demonstrate who you intend to work with (particularly for PhD programs). This may differ for shorter MA programs, or more technically driven PhD’s as you may be working with and learning from everyone. With a PhD program you are more likely to really niche down and work with 1-3 people very closely for years! It is important that you be able to describe this with confidence and in a way that demonstrates your overall commitment. Essentially, this works towards demonstrating that you are a good fit for the program. More on this in writing examples provided below! What has prepared you for this level of study?As you prepare to send out applications, it should be clear to you in the back of your mind what your “pitch” is. This will set you apart from other applicants as well as what has prepared you to pursue this level of study. This should be clear and easy to find within your writing and builds off of your professional, research and lived experience as well as your unique research or career goals. How to organize your SOP- A simple format to follow:
SOP Examples:If you have read this far, you might be thinking how does this all come together, and how do I know if I am doing it right? Don’t worry, I have some examples of the more crucial components of the SOP, the intro, and body paragraph. As I have mentioned previously, every program is different and so is every applicant, therefore the contents can’t ever really be generalized or reappropriated. That being said, take a look at what the “strong” examples are doing, and what the “weak” examples are lacking to consider as you prepare for writing.
What is the “strong” example doing?The strong example has provided a hook to captivate the reader. It actually asks the reader two questions that forces them to pause and look for some examples in their own life, this is a writing strategy that increases the intrigue of the reader. This example then provides some general context to demonstrate that they have been thinking about this issue for a while and that they understand the complexity of it. This example also provides enough educational background to segue into their current research questions, which also demonstrates their genuine interest and preparation to apply. All of this is done in a matter of a few sentences, it is clear and concise. Also, be sure to notice how this example touches on just enough of the important stuff to get your reader’s attention, the necessary important details will follow in the body paragraph(s). What is the “weak” example lacking?For starters, the “weak” example jumps right in, there is no hook to captivate the reader. Always keep in mind that admissions committees are likely reading many applications on top of their other work, so do your best to draw them in and capture their full attention. Secondly, this example is using some hesitant language, stating that they “probably” would study “xy” and “z” is not helpful to their case. It reads uncertain and as if they are not clear on why they are pursuing a PhD. Lastly, while moving to Berkeley may have advantages on a personal level, that should not make its way into any of the essays for admissions. The reason is that it creates an image of an applicant who may be interested in admittance into the program for reasons other than the work they intend to do there. This ultimately draws attention away from the applicant’s overall contributions on a scholarly level. Let’s take a look at some body paragraphs…I would like to say that the introduction may be the hardest paragraph to write. You are working to captivate your reader, and to set the stage for what the essay will cover. If you do a good job, then your body paragraphs should be easier to construct as you already know what the content will be. Let’s take a look at what a “strong” body paragraph will do as opposed to a “weaker” version. To switch up some of the content, these examples will be directed towards a masters degree in Environmental Science.
What is the “strong” example doing?The strong example has a clear and strong narrative. Starting with undergraduate experience with details provided, to industry/work experience and eventually to future career goals and correspondences with professors within the program that they are applying to. All of this makes for a strong body paragraph that provides the information a committee needs to base their decision off of, and follows an easy to follow format. Also, pay attention to the language, its not too casual but it also does not use jargon that could cause confusion or bore the reader. As far as jargon goes for your own applications, consider how much is needed for a committee to make their decision over demonstrating how much you know about the field/industry. What is the “weak” example lacking?The weaker example starts off on a negative note by bringing attention to the holes in their own research approach. While this may be true, it is not something you should mention! Negative or less than positive aspects about your own preparation for graduate school should not make it into your SOP because it detracts from your overall profile as an ideal candidate. This example also references wanting to be at the University due to hearsay from others who have attended. As a rule of thumb, mention reasons for attending that are in some way related to your program and your desired outcome upon completion of the degree. The city, the weather, the nightlife etc. is not a strong enough reason to pursue a graduate degree. Same thing goes for wanting to visit the Amazon rainforest. This is fine and while it may be a positive aspect, it is not a guarantee as a graduate student and therefore is not a strong enough reason to attend a graduate program. Lastly, the narrative of this example is harder to follow, there is also a usage of language that is too casual for graduate applications. Try to remain professional while you create a narrative that is easy to follow for your reader! Take-Aways and Tips to Get StartedAs you prepare to write, remember that your first draft is never your last! Give yourself some grace as you move through the process and remember to breathe! Always reference the program’s website for what their specific guidelines are and remember how important it is to seek out graduate students or others with experience with graduate school to read your drafts. Happy writing, and best of luck on being accepted to your ideal program, no matter what, they will be lucky to have you!
How do I write a statement of purpose for a PhD in education?Top 10 Tips for Writing a PhD Statement of Purpose. Talk about Yourself. Tell us about you! ... . Explain Why. ... . Show Fit. ... . Display Your Intellectual Curiosity. ... . Do Not Focus on Teaching. ... . Include Research Experience and Skill Sets. ... . Address Past “Issues” Directly. ... . Proofread, edit, proofread, edit, proofread, edit.. What is the purpose of a doctorate in education?A Doctorate in Education, or Ed. D., is a terminal degree that focuses on preparing students for academic and administrative roles in K-12 and higher education. Graduates of this program use existing research to help improve practices in the field of education, in addition to developing new research.
What should a PhD statement of purpose look like?Explain why you are qualified for this PhD program. Include a brief summary of your undergraduate and previous graduate career (if applicable). Talk about the research projects you conducted and your thesis or any resulting publications. Mention any relevant scholarly extracurricular activities you were involved in.
How do you write a statement of purpose for education?12 Tips for Writing a Stellar SOP. Pay attention to the prompt. ... . Focus on unique experiences and qualities. ... . Include details. ... . Consider institutional qualities. ... . Don't forget academics. ... . Talk about time between school. ... . Discuss your research interests. ... . Start early.. |