29/08/2021
Some basic tips for writing a good Statement of Purpose -
1. Be factual and precise. Don’t include things for the sake of filling the sheets. Write a sentence only if it adds value to your SoP.
2. Maintain an even flow. Do not jump from one point to the other before giving the previous point its due closure. No one is going to read an incoherent piece of writing.
3. Give the visa officer the information he wants, not what you want to give. Talk more about the program and how it is the right fit for you and how you are the right fit for it. Focus less on ‘yourself’ as a person and more on demonstrating your interest in the particular program.
4. Do not include information which is not true or that you not sure about its veracity. For instance, never write that there are no similar program available in my home country when there are aplenty.
5. Categorise the information. Each paragraph should tackle just one or two points and not everything.
6. In the home ties section, identify the strong points such as being the only child, aged parents, multiple properties etc. Talk less or stay quiet altogether about the points that may diminish your home ties.
7. Your future plan section should be concrete, precise, and strong in details. Chalk out a plan that not only looks good on paper, but can be put into practice as well. Assess the feasibility of the plan first before you go on writing it.
8. Overall length should be, not less than 2 pages, not more than 4. Those with complicated and refusal cases may make it 5.
9. And lastly, at no point, antagonise the Visa Officer. Be humble and not too proud. Be confident in your writing and give the impression that your study plan is well researched and that you ll stick by it, if the visa be granted. Vagueness, insecurity, a weak writing style exhibiting a lack of confidence, are the worst things that you can do to your statement. Oh and please, get it proofread. Use Grammarly if you have to. Make sure that your SoP is free of grammatical errors.
Remember. SoP is one of the most important documents of your application, if not THE most important. Be sincere in writing it and your chances will be better. Oh and guys, do not copy paste from someone else. What worked for someone may not work for you as no two individuals share the same circumstances.
Good luck all!
