Creating a Statement of Purpose
The statement of purpose is the number one way for faculty and admissions staff to get an idea of who you are beyond transcripts, recommendation letters, and test scores. They want to get a sense how passionate you are about your field of interest, and also how likely you are to succeed in the discipline long term. Remember when you are accepted into a graduate program the faculty of the program is making an investment in you. The statement of purpose is a chance for you to prove to them that you are committed to success in graduate school.
Getting Started
1)Fully review the program/ scholarship/fellowship/grant for which you are applying. Make sure the program is a good fit for you by becoming well acquainted with its unique qualities. These include:
- Faculty and research interests
- Culture of the program
- Where you fit in
- What your idea/goal will add to this specific program
- Career Options available
2)In order to present the most complete document possible during the application, it is wise to begin to prepare it around one year in advance. This document can serve as a working essay for any scholarships, fellowships, or grants for which you apply.
3)Before you begin to write your Statement of Purpose solidify all of the goals for creating the document. These goals include:
- Illustrating your ability and motivation to succeed in the program
- Explaining your long-term goals in your field of interest
- Highlighting all of the paths that you took in preparing for entrance into this program or acceptance of the funding source- research background, academic achievements, extracurricular involvements
- Demonstrating to readers exactly why you should be granted admission as opposed to another qualified applicant- What makes you a unique candidate?
4)Ensure that your document accomplishes all of the recommended goals before you submit it to the admissions committee.
The Content
1)Check the application for any specific questions that the admissions counsel/award committee may be asking. It is essential that you answer all questions and address all mentioned points of interest in your statement.
2)A Statement of Purpose is usually 500-700 words in length, but be sure to be double check that your essay fits the specific length requirement of the program. Going over the length requirement by even one word may disqualify your application.
3)Throughout the essay share information about yourself, your interests, and your future plans. Address how your unique narrative would contribute to the interests/objectives of the program/funding opportunity.
4)Any special conditions or inconsistencies in your records/scores should be mentioned in the statement. This gives you an opportunity to address and amend any potentially negative weights on your application.
Twenty Helpful Tips
Top Ten Do’s
1) Unite your essay and give it direction with a theme or thesis.
2)Before you begin writing, map out your paper. Create an outline. Choose what you want to discuss and the order in which you want to discuss it.
3)Use concrete examples from your life experience to support your thesis and to distinguish yourself from other applicants
4)Write about what interests and excites you. This is what the admissions staff wants to read.
5) Start your essay with an attention-grabbing lead- an anecdote, quote, question, or engaging description of a scene.
6)End your essay with a conclusion that refers back to the intro and restates your thesis
7)Revise your essay at least three times.
8)In addition to your editing, ask someone else to critique your statement of purpose for you. (Preferably several faculty members).
9)Proofread your personal statement by reading it out loud or reading it into a tape recorder and playing back the recording.
10)Write succinctly.
Top Ten Do Not’s
1)Do not include information that does not support your theme.
2)Do not start your essay, “I was born in…” or “My parents came from…”
3)Do not write an autobiography, itinerary, or resume in prose.
4)Do not try to be a clown (but gentle humor is OK).
5)Do not be afraid to start over if the essay is not working or does not answer the essay question, however, it is a good idea to save your drafts.
6)Do not try to impress your reader with over-complicated vocabulary. Be yourself.
7)Do not rely exclusively on your computer to check your spelling.
8)Do not provide a collection of generic statements and platitudes.
9)Do not give mealy-mouthed, weak excuses for your GPA or test scores.
10) Do not make things up.
How to Format
Listed belowis a quick reference outline to aid you in your preparation for writing your statement. Organization is the key to perfecting your Statement of Purpose.
1)Solid Opening Statement
2)Academic Preparation
3)Volunteer/Research Experience
4)Why Interest in the Program
5)Faculty Researchers you want to work with
6)Discrepancies in Record
7)Long Term Goals/Aspirations
8)Final Argument Statement/Conclusion