Are you aware that a great SOP can be a low grade neutraliser? Meaning even if your grade is lower than the University’s requirements, some Uni’s take a well-crafted SOP into account and offer admission to the applicant. That is to say how important your SOP is.
Writing a good enough statement of purpose/intent for a UK University-just like any writing- requires a level of competence and diligence. Many people find it hard to write a good SOP and some even have to re-write on request of the University. We don’t want that!
I will teach you the processes that will ensure your SOP scales through whichever University you intend to apply to. You are welcome!!!
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Now I know sometimes a good SOP will supplement grades that the University will typically overlook, but some Universities are so grade elitist (pardon this) that they will trash your application without even reading. I’ll advise you to still try to apply, but don’t bank on it.
Pro-tip: If you are gunning for a PG, make sure your undergraduate course is listed among the courses listed.
COURSES: Let’s say you write and submit a beautiful SOP for a course you intend to study. But, unfortunately, the course isn’t offered by that University. Of course you would have know if you had checked but you just figured you it makes sense that LSHTM offers a law degree🙄. No matter how well crafted your statement of purpose is, you just made a fool out of yourself.
DonateI’ll advise you to confirm that your course is offered by that institution and the exact title of the course.
FOLLOW UNIVERSITY SOP GUIDELINES: Your University wants you to write how your University wants you to write. That is why you cannot write a universal statement of purpose and send it to all Uni’s. Except for a few, most universities have a list of guidelines they expect you to follow.
Make sure that you read and digest those guidelines.
RESEARCH: An SOP is an essay, that means it requires research to be outstanding. Keyword: Outstanding!
Meaning if you just whip up something average, the more competitive institutions might not even give you a glance. Put in the work.
ANSWER THE WHY’s: Why that University. Why that course? Why now? Why that city? Why that country? Why?
COMMUNICATE YOUR CAPACITY : They need to know you are capable and qualified to chase that degree. So what do you do? You sell yourself. Not literally (at least I don’t think that will be wise). You should list out your achievements and qualifications to convince your Uni, especially one with a low admission rate, why you are part of the 8% of applicants that should be eventually given admission.
LANGUAGE: The choice of words, vocabulary and form of essays like these are usually a hard rope to grasp for most. Use a formal language, write like you are writing an exam i.e it shouldn’t be conversational (unlike my writing tone now), and DO NOT USE SHORTHAND. Make sure your grammar is tight! Whenever you feel the urge to use an everyday conversation word, check out its synonym on the net and use a more professional word.
MAKE IT ERROR FREE: There are many mobile tools and applications that make it easy for you to cross-check your grammar. Google docs is one I will recommend.
START OFF STRONG, FINISH STRONG!: Your essay should open on a strong note and close on a strong note. Both opening and concluding paragraphs should say a lot about your competence as a person and potential student.
Finally, make sure that all you write is according to the guidelines of the particular University you are applying to.
Best of luck.
