Statement of Purpose - SOP - SOP Samples | AdmitKard (2024)

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Statement of Purpose (SOP) reflects the personality of a student in front of the admission committee for getting admission into abroad Universities and Colleges as well as some Indian higher educational institutions. Thus a chance for students to impress the admission committee by presenting their profile strongly through the form of essay that describes your personality traits which earlier not covered in academic documents. This article will provide information on some SOP Samples for graduation, master’s and PhD, SOP samples for a student visa, how to write the SOP, how long SOP must be in length, and much more.

What is a Statement of Purpose?

A Statement of Purpose (SOP) is an essay that states the purpose of a student for applying to a particular course at that university. Statement of purpose is a long essay that is required by universities abroad and various Indian Universities and Colleges nowadays. The essay is an essence about what you want to become and why apply to this institution to pursue the course. The committee understands the student’s life, the motivations for the chosen career path and his/her goals.

Sample Statement of Purpose

Most Universities and Colleges require a standard format/ template of SOP. However, the content in the Statement of Purpose (SOP) will vary from courses the student chose and the different colleges the student is applying to.

• The SOP can be broken into 3-4 paragraphs which clearly must explain the student's intent of pursuing the course from a college or university. The first paragraph usually answers the decision of the students of why to pursue the course. In this, the student has to mention its main motivation which makes his mind pursue the course.
• The second paragraph will discuss a student’s background, academic and professional achievements and short term and long term goals. The student must differentiate between short term and long term goals.
• The third and fourth paragraphs must revolve around why to pursue this course and why the student wishes to pursue this course from this University and College. How the chosen University will help the student to achieve career goals and ambitions.
• The conclusion part of the SOP should be impactful and powerful, where students can include what the plan to contribute to the university and how their experiences so far will dynamically influence their peers for the overall benefit of the university.

Below is a Statement of Purpose example of a Dental School, which will give ideas to students about content which need to be described in the SOP:

SOURCE: canvas.pantone.com

Research Statement Sample

Research Statement is a short essay, which provides a brief history of your past research experience, the current state of your research, and the future work you intend to complete. Below is a sample of Computer Science Research Statement, which will help the students to know the way to portray the research statement.

SOURCE: phdstatementofpurpose.com

Statement of Purpose Graduate School Sample

A graduate school statement of purpose is more closely focused on academic/professional qualities, accomplishments, and goals of a student. A graduate school sample will tell the admission committee about why a student is interested in a particular graduate program, the kind of work student plan, etc. Below is a Statement of Purpose Graduate School sample for better understanding:

Statement of Purpose

I am glad to introduce myself as XXXXX, a citizen of India. I completed my 10th grade from CBSE board in 2017 and scored 10.0 CGPA marks. I recently completed my 12th grade from the CBSE board. I passed with flying colors and scored 82.3% marks.

My passion for law stemmed from my introduction to international law through Model United Nations and grew with the several hundred hours spent in research on various international laws, treaties, and numerous conventions. Model UNs were my gateway to the vast world of diplomacy, intellect, and in-depth understanding that goes behind in making these complex yet once made obvious laws. Law has always been an area of interest, but the transition from interest to passion happened with the advent of one incident that is to date vividly stored in my memory...Read More

Statement of Purpose for Masters Sample

A Statement of Purpose for Masters is more closely focused on academic qualifications ( includes graduation), professional work experience, accomplishments, and goals of a student to pursue the master's course. An SOP for Master’s will convince the admission committee of the university the student wants to apply about why this master's course is important and how it will help to achieve the career goals. Below is a Statement of Purpose for Masters sample for better understanding:

Statement of Purpose

I am XXXXX from India. I have completed my higher secondary schooling from CBSE board in 2011 with 7.8 CGPA. I have then completed my senior secondary education in 2013 from CBSE board with 72%. I pursued my graduation in Bachelors of Technology in Computer Engineering stream which I completed with 2.8CGPA marks in 2017.

I am currently working as a Business Analyst at XXXXX Mumbai, India. I also serve as an SAP MM Functional consultant and the Project Manager for the automation of Plant configuration activity. During my undergraduate course, I interned with XXXXX where I designed Android Application and Linked it with the online database system. Prior to that, I interned with XXXXX where I worked for Implementation of code in C++ for software. I also interned with XXXXX that was a startup Company for applications and Website building of Businesses...Read More

Statement of Purpose Sample for MBA

The Backbone of entire MBA application process, Statement of Purpose for MBA must be of 400-1000 words which must explain why the student wants to pursue MBA, what are his/her career goals and student’s background combined with training the student hopes to receive at this B-School or University which will help to achieve its career goals. Below is a Statement of Purpose for MBA for better understanding:

Statement of Purpose

My name is XXX, and I am from India. I am 25 years old. I completed my grade 10th in 2010 with a CGPA of 5.6 and completed my 12th in 2012 with 72%.

I gathered five years of experience in international brands of multinational conglomerate company that are involved in commercial and consumer products, engineering services, and aerospace systems, XXXXX and XXXXX, XXXXX and XXXXX and I did my Bachelors in English Hons and I hold a Diploma in Hospitality, travel and Customer Service from XXXXX. I now feel that I need more formal managerial education to grow further in my career. And to realize my dreams to reach a strong position, I do need a formal management educational foundation and hence is the decision to go in for Masters of Business Administration...Read More

Sample Format for MBA

• Introduce yourself well and your inspiration to choose the field of MBA
• Explain your future plans in your choice of field
• As an MBA course accepts students from different backgrounds, you must explain why you chose MBA after your Bachelor's degree
• Elaborate on your work experience, the majority of colleges have work experience as mandatory criteria. But, do not limit your SOP to that
• If you do not have work experience, you must mention the jobs of responsibility that you have undertaken
• Research about the University and mention the reasons why you choose them
• Conclude your SOP with your future plans, short-term or long-term.

PhD Statement of Purpose Sample

PhD SOP is largely centred around research, research, and research, whether it is talking about one’s own research. An interesting field of research, or interest in a professor’s research, the SOP should showcase the candidate’s research ability, time-management skills, efficiency, analytical and reasoning abilities. Below is a PhD Statement of Purpose Sample for better understanding:

Statement of Purpose

The beauty of mathematics has kept me enthralled ever since and to satisfy the curious mind I chose to pursue mathematics for higher education. Apart from being good at academics, I have tried my hand at various other activities to keep myself engaged and motivated. To cater to my instinct of being a learner, I have learned playing the harmonium and am presently learning piano. At my school and college level, I had been an excellent orator and managed many events. Regular practice of meditation and yoga keeps me active, rejuvenated, energetic and helps me concentrate better. I enjoy taking challenges, setting new targets for myself.

I joined XXXX College, the University of XXXX as an undergraduate student in July 2013. It was here that I first encountered the rigorous way of studying and doing mathematics. I completed my undergraduate degree in Bachelor of Science in July 2016 with distinction...Read More

Sample format for PhD

• Introduce yourself and your research plan
• You can talk about your research topic, approach towards it and any backup research ideas that you have
• Your past academic experience can work as proof of your passion towards your field
• Since it is the epitome of all courses, the SOP for it needs to be reasonable and professional
• Mention any research papers that you have written with a brief summary of it
• You must mention why you chose that particular university for research. Refer to their department and faculty, which makes it look more personal
• Write about your career goals, be it short-term or long-term
• End your SOP with a humble note

Research Statement Sample for Faculty Position

The research statement is a component of academic job applications. It is a summary of your research accomplishments, current work, and future direction and potential of your work. Below is a Research Statement Sample for Faculty Position for better understanding:

SOURCE: in.pinterest.com

Study Abroad Statement of Purpose Sample

Students might be wondering what differs in the SOPs with the change in the country. It is important to note that the format of SOP remains the same for every country unless there are some specific requirements given by any university. A study abroad Statement of Purpose mainly includes the reason why you choose to study abroad instead of your own country and very importantly, out of a plethora of countries available, why do you choose that particular country. A study abroad Statement of Purpose can usually be clubbed with an SOP for a University that you are applying in abroad.

Below is a Study Abroad Statement of Purpose Sample for better understanding:

SOURCE: graduateschoolstatementofpurpose.org

Sample SOP for MS

A Statement of Purpose for MS is more closely focused on academic qualifications ( including graduation), professional work experience, accomplishments, and goals of a student to pursue the master's course. Below is a Statement of Purpose sample SOP for MS:

Statement of Purpose

Seated in the felicitation for meritorious students in my school, and watching my peers receive academic rewards, I vowed to attain excellence in academics. I have always been one of the brightest children in the class and since then, have never looked back. I moved strength to strength, winning laurels in school like scholar certificates, disciplinary badges and finally medals in standard XII. My outstanding academic performance in school and consequently in high school laid the foundation on which I define my career goals.

Having witnessed the tremendous adoption of technology while growing up, I was always inquisitive to know more. I was always excited to understand the internal working related to computers. Reading about the latest in technology and assessing them has become a part of me. Due to my interest in technology and based upon my strong aptitude and insatiable spirit of inquiry, I took up engineering studies at the undergraduate level with a major in Computer Science and Engineering...Read More

Sample SOP for Student Visa

Those students who are looking to study abroad, then Statement of Purpose is a very important factor for the application process. The SOP is an essay explaining a student's purpose to apply for a particular College or University. Below is a Statement of Purpose sample of SOP for Student Visa to study in Universities and Colleges of Australia:

SOURCE: in.pinterest.com

FAQs

✅ How do you write an SOP?

Ans: Below are the 5 basic steps to follow by students while writing an SOP:

• Prepare a list of your achievements.

• Think clearly about your goals

• Compare, classify and crop the list

• Explore the faculty and University in which you are applying to

• Write the SOP

✅ What is SOP format?

Ans: The SOP can be broken into 3-4 paragraphs which clearly must explain the students intent of pursuing the course from a college or university.

• The first paragraph usually answers the decision of the students of why to pursue the course. In this, the student has to mention its main motivation which makes his mind pursue the course.
  
• The second paragraph will discuss a student’s background, academic and professional achievements and short term and long term goals. The student must differentiate between short term and long term goal.
  
• The third and fourth paragraph must revolve around why to pursue this course and why the student wishes to pursue this course from this University and College. How the chosen University will help the student to achieve career goals and ambitions.
  
• The conclusion part of the SOP should be impactful and powerful, where students can include what the plan to contribute to the university and how their experiences so far will dynamically influence their peers for the overall benefit of the university.

✅ How long should SOP be?

Ans: A standard SOP must be of 800-1000 words.

✅ How do I write an SOP for an internship?

Ans: Below are the points which need to be included while writing a SOP for an Internship:

• Introduction about yourself and career goals

• Research Experience

• Current Interests - Current study-related interests and why? And How does this internship fit your current interest and Why?

• Career Goals- What do you want to become and how the internship acts as a stepping stone to reach your dream career or job.

• How are you fit for the organizations? - Reason

• Concluding line at the end

✅ What is SOP for visa?

Ans: In the study order to study abroad University and Institutions, the visa application is an essential requirement with the other documents. The details of your SOP act as a key to unlock the door of your admission in a particular course you are applying for.

Learn more about Studying Abroad process