One of the top colleges in the USA received the following draft for its MBA program. While most universities have specific admission essays for their MBA courses, some also require a generic statement of purpose or a  personal statement. This is a statement of purpose format for the MBA and the events and details have been changed for the purposes of this sample. 

How to Write an SOP for MBA

International MBA institutions often require MBA essays. However, some of them require a statement of purpose. An SOP for MBA is intended to help the admissions committee understand your career goals. Anything you put on your CV, GMAT/GRE scores, letters of recommendation, etc. can’t answer the question “Why MBA?” An SOP is supposed to answer exactly the same question. Most MBA aspirants are working professionals with more than 2 years of work experience. So it’s certain that their SOP will be longer and more technical than those enrolled in the MS program. Here are some points you need to keep in mind when writing your MBA SOP: 

  • Your personal background.
  • Your academic background.
  • Your professional career.
  • Future career goals.
  • What made you decide that you want to pursue an MBA?
  • Why do you want to pursue an MBA?
  • Why do you want to pursue an MBA from this particular University/College?
  • Why should the University select you?

Besides all these points, it is important to understand what course you are applying to. An SOP for MBA Marketing will be different from that of HR. Here is an overview of what you must include in your SOP for different MBA specializations:

  • SOP for MBA in Finance: Any prior knowledge of finance in the form of a degree/course/work experience.
  • SOP for MBA in HR: You must demonstrate how you have managed people (human resources) in your professional/personal life.
  • SOP for MBA in Marketing: You can mention your prior work experience in marketing. In addition, you can mention what makes you a perfect fit for marketing roles. If you have gained knowledge of marketing, branding, distribution, etc. make sure to mention that as well.
  • SOP for MBA in Operations: You can mention your work experience or knowledge in operations, work processes, manufacturing, production, etc.
  • SOP for MBA in IT (Information Technology): You can mention your prior exposure to IT, data analytics, computer science, etc. If you belong to an IT background, you can mention some technical terms such as e-governance, ICT, cloud computing, etc.

SOP for MBA Sample

strong desire to contribute to my community, coupled with my experience in the telecommunication sector, has inspired within me the desire to set up a Telecom company catering to the rural sector in the state of Bihar. The strong growth curve of the state, which recently noted the second-highest GDP in the country, is still marred with low mobile usage. With 85% population of the state still in villages, and dependent on agriculture, I wish to use technology to bring innovation to the agricultural sector. In order to achieve this long-term aspiration, I now need to enhance my understanding of the functional aspects of management. I envision myself joining a Telecom major like Telefonica in order to process the ways and project execution methods before setting up my own telecom consultancy in a few years. Hence, an MBA is the crucial next step towards my aspirations.

With a rather humble background, I learnt long ago that there are no shortcuts to success. Diligence, dedication, and determination were my best friends, and I constantly worked hard to achieve the best, academically. I was awarded a full scholarship – a special grant by the Vice-Chancellor of XXX University – reserved for the top 1% of students. Maintaining the momentum, I excelled in my graduate studies as well. A holistic development ensured that I was picked up by the first company, which came to my college for placement.

Moving on to the professional front, I came face-to-face with organizational structure and the changing team dynamics. Unlike college, the workplace was more driven by deadlines and client requirements. Working in mobile technology, I improved my analytical skills and was able to comprehensively improve my decision-making abilities as well. The opportunity to work away from my country added to my learning curve. I moved to South Korea and the USA and was amazed by the difference in work ethics and cultures. The transformation of South Korea from a war-ridden third-world country to a technologically driven economy added value to my ambitions and gave me a completely different perspective on success. Determined to make the most of it, I found myself extending my own boundaries; I was constantly appreciated in my office, and often awarded for my innovative thinking. I received the SNAP Award twice for team excellence and technical acumen.

Recently, I took on the onus of setting up a WIMAX lab as per client requirements. When the client requested the same, there was nobody in my office with the necessary technical expertise or experience for doing the same, and the team was given a time period of three months to set up this lab. Rising to the challenge, I created a team of 5 engineers, took up the responsibility of training myself and the team, and achieved the target in a record time of just one month. The endeavour fetched me great accolades, and I was recommended to the Business Unit Director, for the ‘Individual Excellence Award’.

I was committed to a job when an incident changed my thought process and instilled in me a strong urge to work towards the development of my state by means of technology. It so happened that the State Government decided to construct the state highway (SH 81) through my hometown. The news excited me and I wanted to witness the same, so I visited my hometown. However, I was appalled to find the resistance of the farmers. Passionate towards my village and knowledgeable about the benefits, I could not let ignorance stand in the way of development, and decided to take an active part. I started with the village headman and took on the onus of spreading correct information. Walking with him to each house, creating a dialogue, and convincing people to choose reason over emotion, I was finally able to convince the majority and create a steady platform for a dialogue between villagers and the authority. The incident left me comparing the state to the countries of the world.

My experience made me wiser about opportunities and necessities, and I was aware of how technology was changing that path. The pictures and information, available on the internet, all helped in convincing me, and I knew I wanted to bring technology to every small village in my country. I returned to my work with the same desire, and focused on the many possibilities; it was then that I realized that to be an entrepreneur, I required much more than just my technical skills. I needed to add to my analytical mind the thought process of a strategist, the resolutions of an engineer, and to the planning of a manager, and I knew an MBA would give me all that and more.

I decided on an MBA because I am convinced that ABC’s unique position as an international MBA is perfect for my short and long-term goals. The customizable curriculum, the flexibility of the program, and the focus groups would effectively improve my entrepreneurial skills. Working alongside inspired individuals from all across the globe by means of the Global Consulting Program, getting the perspective of the industrially relevant studies, and being mentored by prominent faculty like Prof. ABC and Prof. PQR, would ensure that my time spent at XYZ City in continuation of my experience, rather than a detour. Adding force to my mid-term goals is the strong alumni network, the internships, study abroad trips, as well as case competitions, which would ensure that I get the best leg up towards my aspirations of joining Telefonica. While I aspire to fulfil my dreams by completing the MBA from your esteemed university, I also look forward to giving back in equal measure.

Thus, I bring with my candidature a strong amalgamation of the best and the worst living conditions and how they can effectively change the world we live in. I have always believed that leaving back the darkness does not make it go away and I was forever inspired to change that. It was perhaps the reason which triggered my ventures in college, and that helped me become a successful team player and an articulate leader. Moving to XYZ City, I look forward to sharing the same enthusiasm, and bringing that world to my peer network, sharing the facts and figures of the area, and how such parts of the world still need a helping hand, not merely from the country, but also from the international community.

My life’s second chapter was written with a golden pen and I have been around the world. My work took me to the streets of South Korea and the avenues of America. Working in distinct economies, I was both inspired and educated. From South Koreans, I learned the art of making work for your family. The strong community ties and the ambitions that have guided the country to such success have led me to my own ambitions and made me believe that my dream of giving a new lease of life to my birthplace is a possibility. The freedom of choice, the dedication and the strong tolerance towards a multitude of ethnic beliefs, in America, have made me respect various cultures, and prepared me to adapt effortlessly to global teams. In XYZ City, I envision myself swiftly transitioning into a leader, and bringing to the peer group, the maturity of working in multi-cultural teams, while I hasten towards my own aspirations, and carve out my future to bring smiles.