<\/span><\/h4>\nYet another statement of purpose example could be overcoming a challenge or adversity. This is a popular theme and rightly so. Many of us find an immense drive to pursue a certain academic path due to a challenge we faced in our past. It is worth highlighting a couple of things regarding using this theme.<\/p>\n
Firstly, the adversity you faced or the challenge you overcame need not be an intense or a unique one. Even everyday stories can make great SOP content. For example, a student who worked systematically to overcome juvenile obesity is a common enough story. But it can spark an academic interest in public health and nutrition which then makes a unique point in a statement of purpose for grad school.<\/p>\n
Secondly, your experience need not have a direct connection with the program you choose. Every kid dismantles toy cars and airplanes. But not all of them will want to become automobile engineers or aircraft designers. As long as you are able to draw a connection credibly and convincingly, you can use any meaningful experience you like. Taking the same example as above, the student battling obesity would have learned the virtue of determination, persistence, and a goal-oriented approach at a young age. This would have come in handy at all academic levels – SOP for grad school, SOP for MBA, SOP for Ph.D., etc.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Example 3: Chasing a unique dream or a vision<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\nTake the example of a student who grew up with a limp caused by polio. He applied for a master\u2019s in Dance Theatre (not a degree in Physiotherapy or Orthopaedics). The points we discussed above, i.e., overcoming difficulty and choosing an unconnected academic path are both illustrated here. But there is also a whole new dimension about reaching for a difficult goal that never fails to impress universities. If such is your case do not hesitate to include that in your grad school personal statement.<\/p>\n
The above examples should give you some ideas of what to look for in SOP content.<\/p>\n
<\/span>SOP connects your past with a potential future<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nTo answer why you need an SOP, you will need to unearth your inspirations behind wanting to pursue something today. You will need to connect the dots between your life experiences and your academic track. You must present a complete picture of who you are behind the veneer of your resume. If you understand this true spirit behind an SOP, you will not need to see any statements of purpose examples.<\/p>\n
<\/span>What if a university does not ask for a statement of purpose?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nOnce you know how valuable the opportunity to tell your story via a personal statement is, you will miss it if it is not part of the process. Even if a particular university does not specifically ask for an SOP, it may include essay-form questions that serve the same purpose. In some online applications, you may have a placeholder called \u201cAdditional Information\u201d. Use this space creatively.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Elements of a strong statement of purpose<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nWe have talked about how the statement of purpose or personal statement is your opportunity to take your assessor beyond your scholastic credentials. There may be some differences in the SOP depending on the program you are pursuing. The expectations from a personal statement for graduate school may be different from a statement of purpose for an MBA. However, admission committees have certain baseline expectations from all kinds of SOPs. We have presented some aspects that your SOP must not fail to address. We highlight some more here in the same order that we have highlighted before.<\/p>\n
<\/span>1. Vision<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nPicking from the previous section on being aware of your inspiration behind choosing a particular academic path, the first aspect that you must address right in the introduction is your vision for your life. This sets the tone for the rest of the personal statement.<\/p>\n
<\/span>2. Expectations from the program<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nThe admission panel will want to see how the choice of program ties to your vision. Make sure you identify things about the program or the university that uniquely help in achieving your vision. That is why you need to be careful while stating your vision. Lifting a vision from a statement of purpose example will not cut it.<\/p>\n
<\/span>3. Academic achievements<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nBy academic achievements, we do not mean you have to demonstrate being a high achiever in academics in your personal statement for graduate school. What is expected of you is to talk about your academic achievements (whatever they may be) from the perspective of your passion and the program you are applying for. For example, you may talk about how you maintained a GPA of 2.5\/4 while being active in your school football varsity team. Now you may want to pursue a degree in sports psychology. The crucial point here is to never miss discussing your academics.<\/p>\n
<\/span>4. School activities<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nEvery university would want students who can add to the culture of the university and be involved in activities that can further their reputation. Make sure you highlight activities from your academic life that demonstrate this caliber. You could talk about projects, published works, camps, workshops, contests & awards, club activities, etc.<\/p>\n