We all want our SOPs to be the best, so we do everything we can to make them that way. But not all efforts have to be rewarded. Hard work is essential, but smart work has its own benefits.
When writing SOPs, it’s best not to make the following mistakes:
Childhood fantasies when discussed in a graduate application or MBA SOP make the document less considerable. However, these can be discussed in a undergraduate application. Childhood dreams help you decide what to pursue in high school (grades 11 and 12) to achieve your college goals by enrolling in a bachelor’s program. When applying for higher studies (Master’s) you should be focused and clear rather than a dreamer. Your goals should be specific rather than discussing how you developed an interest in a certain field, on the other hand, this is suitable for undergraduate applicants. It is essential to cover all important information in a meaningful stream. Include aspects of how one thing leads to another and how it makes you sign up for further studies that explain how this fits into your future plans to achieve your goals. Your SOP should be written patiently and not let time be a constraint.
The SOP reflects your past achievements and future plans. If we focus more on our accomplishments and less on discussing career goals, the admissions committee will find us more proud and less focused. Each aspect addressed in our SOP has its own defined space. Everything needs to be explained, but in a way that nothing overshadows anything. Our achievements should reflect our strengths and determination, while goals should reflect our focus and clear vision. Both must be interpreted in such a way that our application seems to be a perfect fit for the chosen course and university.
Always get external help. This could be someone you know, or someone who knows your goal well enough to help you articulate it precisely in your draft. Write for yourself but always get a second opinion because what is ordinary to you may be extraordinary to another and the same goes the other way around. This can be avoided or corrected with a secondary perspective. However, you must also remember that “When you write the story of your life, don’t let anyone else hold the pen”. If you let someone else write your essay for you, it would be a completely different story because it is you who understand your purpose in life. Getting help from an industry expert will make a big difference in the presentation of your resume. They can help you demonstrate your academic strengths and strong career aspirations.
Writing random things about your chosen course, university or college, and country in your SOP won’t give a good impression. If you talk about your fantasies about studying abroad without any goals or a popular destination you have always craved without giving relevant reasons for choosing that destination or giving for reasons such as the study infrastructure or weather conditions of the country or even some acquaintances living in the selected country, the admission board may think you are naive. Conduct relevant academic research into the university’s curriculum, faculty, facilities, and industry exposure that you can gain by studying in a country your related to your goals bring out your candidature as a more focused one.
Word limit is a very important factor that most of us do not consider when writing. It is important to understand how valuable time is. There is a time limit on how long the people reviewing your resume can spend on it. . Thousands of students apply for the same course in the same university in a certain country right before the deadline. Evaluating such a large number of candidates based on their profiles takes both time and patience. Therefore, you should always consider following the word limit announced by the university. On the other hand, the ideal word limit for a given generic SOP is between 800 and 1,000 words. Therefore, if you have a lot to discuss, it is better to choose your words wisely and summarize it all in as few words as possible. On the other hand, if you don’t have much to describe your profile, you should focus on explaining your goals and talking about industrial trends with facts and figures.
It’s always a good idea to start your essay/SOP with your career goals, but you shouldn’t be too direct when stating the purpose of your application. You should start with your long-term goals, as this helps the admissions committee assess that you are a focused candidate. However, do not forget the old saying “First impression is last impression”. The first paragraph, aka the initial attack, has to be really interesting. It’s crucial that you avoid imposing your life’s goals on the reader in a way that makes them feel compelled to look over your resume. Use simple, understandable language to help them understand what you mean. with a captivating start, you’re sure to grab their attention, leaving them with no choice but to read more. Likewise, you must complete your SOP by indicating how your chosen course and institution will help you achieve your career aspirations. This will ensure that you start and end your SOP on the same note with a focused approach.
Please make sure to use simple language, recognizing that the members of the admissions committee lack the necessary technical expertise to work in your sector. Using too much jargon will confuse them, make them feel disconnected, and they may eventually lose interest. You can use technical terms over and over just to clearly explain your motivations and let them know what you plan to do with your life. They must be able to relate to your decision to apply for a particular course and your plans for the future.
Did you realize that an untruthful draft , an SOP can lead to being rejected or permanently blacklisted, which is even worse. Check out the most important points you need to keep in mind when writing your SOP or admissions essay:
The Admissions Committee expects you to provide 100% correct information, which is why you must provide proof of everything you have done, from your studies to your extracurricular activities.The authorities find us at fault and reject our application if we are unable to give them the required proofs of our efforts, such as academic transcripts and participation certificates for all the activities we have participated in.
In some circumstances, they might permanently blacklist our profiles.
In institutions abroad, plagiarism is seen as a serious offense. Never copy anything from sample SOPs or sample essays posted on the internet or any articles from previous applicants. Copied/plagiarized documents can lead to immediate rejection by foreign universities, which can also result in the candidate’s profile being permanently blacklisted. Always write your own essay/SOP.
To save yourself from this situation, you may want to check out the tips and tricks for writing a successful statement of intent. All the points discussed above should be taken seriously as they will help you to make your application remarkable and outstanding. You can always seek help from industry experts as they are up to date with the latest industrial trends and will therefore be able to guide you to what works best for you. With proper research, you can always apply on your own, but by getting the help of a professional you will understand the difference between applying yourself and getting help from outside agencies. In either case, we wish you luck with your application!