Scribd
Upload
6 views

SOP Guidelines

The document provides guidance on writing a statement of purpose (SOP) for applying to a master's level program. An SOP should include an introduction with motivation for pursuing the program, academic and practical experience, work experience, reasons for pursuing a master's degree, short and long term goals, reasons for choosing the specific university, extracurricular activities, and a conclusion.

Uploaded by

Tanish Kaushik
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
6 views

SOP Guidelines

The document provides guidance on writing a statement of purpose (SOP) for applying to a master's level program. An SOP should include an introduction with motivation for pursuing the program, academic and practical experience, work experience, reasons for pursuing a master's degree, short and long term goals, reasons for choosing the specific university, extracurricular activities, and a conclusion.

Uploaded by

Tanish Kaushik
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

FORMAT FOR AN MS-LEVEL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

What is an SOP?
A SOP is a brief and focused statement about one’s career or research goals. It is a vital document
when applying for admission to most professional programs in the United States. SOP is good
platform to communicate with the admissions committee and most admissions committees look for a
short, crisp and ideologically clear SOP. The general purpose of the SOP is to indicate strong research
interest and your potential for advanced research. So this document will have more technical
information and jargon. It will consist of your motivational story; education; projects--academic and
professional -- to show your expertise in the subject ; why you want to pursue the degree now; short
and long term goals; why this school and lastly why you are a good fit for the school.

Please follow the accepted SOP format given below:

Start the SOP with an INTRODUCTION; anecdote (means an instance) on what inspired you to
opt for MS in that particular program. Provide your source of motivation and whether there is a story
or incident related to it. For this purpose, you have to think back to an important event in your life or
other personal experiences that affected your academic or professional choices. Select an appropriate
story which is relevant to the theme of your program.

Give an ACADEMIC BACKGROUND of what all you have learnt at college, and through projects
till now. Show your proficiency in the subjects. What has been your learning experience? How has it
motivated you to pursue advanced study in that particular field?

Discuss your PRACTICAL EXPERIENCES in detail. (projects, research, seminars, conferences,


publications, additional courses, workshops, industrial trainings, internships, etc)

Give details of any WORK EXPERIENCE OR INTERNSHIP you may have done (Discuss job
role and any achievements in detail).

The SOP should have details on WHY YOU WANT TO PURSUE MASTERS in this subject
and also why at this point in time? Write the names of any research area or area of specialization of
your interest (name them). What skills you want to enhance through this program? What skills do you
need?

How will an MS help you to achieve your goals?

How does your background lead to a SHORT TERM SPECIFIC GOAL?? What do you want to do
just after completing MS? What kind of a work profile? What kind of a company (name them)? What
kind of work do you want to do? This can be industry jobs, research jobs or a combination of both.
Also discuss what exactly you want to do in that job. SPECIFIC LONG TERM GOAL - Leading
from your short term goal, what do you want to do in the long term?--i.e. 10-15 years from now where
do you see yourself? How do you see yourself contributing to the industry or the world at large? You
have to be very specific. (This is what the SOP is all about-- give more technical information)

WHY THIS PARTICULAR UNIVERSITY? Some specific features of the university that suit your
requirements. Add names of any faculty and their research areas in this program (give names),
research labs/centers, clubs, activities, subjects in the curriculum/electives, and also the scope of these
in enhancing your profile. For giving these details you need to visit the university and program
website. (Please look at the university website to write this paragraph. Avoid all generic descriptions
that can be written about any university!!!)

Write a paragraph about your EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND VOLUNTEER


WORK. How have they helped you to evolve and whether you feel that based on your background
you can contribute to any student organization/ program in the university?
CONCLUSION - End with 2-3 lines of conclusion to show your preparedness for the task at hand.

Try to make this draft with around 800-1000 words.

POINTS TO NOTE BEFORE WRITING AN SOP:

 Please avoid copying from samples available on the internet!


 Your SOP should be unique to yourself.
 Do not repeat the resume in the SOP. The resume describes only the facts (what was done), the
SOP should trace the stories behind those facts (why and how it was done).
 It is important to understand the program requirements and establish the skills relevant to the
program in the SOP. For example, for a student doing MIS, he has to show analytical abilities,
flair for numbers, understanding of how business and technology are connected and can benefit
from each other, problem solving capacity, team spirit, interdisciplinary communication, etc.
 The focus of the SOP is on the student and his experiences. Family members and other
influences should be referred to in the minimum and only if necessary. While describing team
efforts too, the student should focus on his role and contributions instead of describing what the
group did as a whole.
 Finally, the background, goals, and university specific paragraph should all flow in one line and
revolve primarily around the specialization within the broad domain.
 Do not use quotes in the SOP.
 An SOP must NOT be written in the format of a letter.
 Do not mention GRE scores in your SOP.
 Do not ask for financial help/ assistantship.

You might also like