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What is a Statement of Purpose?

  • A Statement of Purpose (SOP) is an application made to a university to seek admission to a particular course.

  • It is an essay which describes you as a person, your aims and ambitions. It speaks about your journey of life and the qualities you have nurtured/ developed in the process.

  • The scorecard or the transcript gives your academic achievement. It is objective but SOP gives an idea about your innate/inborn qualities and is subjective in nature.

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  • The SOP gives you an opportunity to show the special qualities which make you distinct/different from others.

  • It explains why you want to join the course, what is your liking, how you have developed your liking.

  • It justifies how you will be able to achieve your aim. It also explains why you have selected a particular university.

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  • The SOP is a gateway to your career as the admission committee judges you or screens/sorts/categories the applications on the basis of the SOPs received.

  • Hence, it is a very important document.

  • The SOPs for undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate levels would be different.

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  • The SOPs differ according to the requirement.

  • The number of words in which an SOP is written is also different for different universities.

  • At this level when you would pass your Std XII examination and write personal statements to universities for admission to undergraduate course you should follow the format given on the next slides.

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FORMAT OF THE 'SOP’  

  • The Statement of Purpose should be written in around 500 words, tentatively in five/six paragraphs.

 

  • Begin with your introduction, talk about your personal background, your mental make-up and your aim in life.

 

  • The second paragraph should speak about why you wish to join this specific programme/course, your area of interest.

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  • In the third paragraph, write about your qualities that would be helpful or suitable for this career goal or objective. Show how your hobbies and extracurricular activities would be helpful in strengthening your goals.

 

  • In the fourth paragraph, mention your experience in this field or any internship/ project you have done. You can state something which makes you distinct/ different from the other applicants.

 

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  • In the concluding paragraph, state how admission to this particular course, university would be beneficial to you and how you look at it from a long-term career perspective/view.

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  • Write the Statement of Purpose in clear and lucid language.

  • Do not make spelling or construction mistakes.

  • You should be convincing. (Capable of causing someone to believe that something is true or real)

  • Show determination/purpose in your career.

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  • Your purpose of choosing this particular course and university should be in accordance/harmony with your career.

  • Remember that your personality is reflected through this. Highlight your qualities, life experiences in such a way that your application should stand out from the rest.

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Answer is given on next slides. Separate slide is used for each paragraph >>

(SAMPLE – II ) STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

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Since my childhood, I have always had a knack for the inner workings of the business world. Belonging to a family that conducts business dealings on a daily basis, I would often tag along with my father and uncles whenever I could. Even as a kid, I was sure about my life's goal — entry into the business world.

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My curiosity was fuelled further by my grandfather, who would subscribe to magazines of the business world. Reading them became a childhood obsession and it helped me understand the verticals and horizontals of a market. Curiosity got the better of me and I researched and concluded that I want to further my education in Business Studies. This further encouraged me to study well and. score good marks in Std X so I can choose a wonderful college for the subject of commerce.

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I often love to indulge in a game of cricket and hockey. In these games, I tend to play the role of a strategist and juggle between being a part of the game and planning the next step for my team and myself. This exposure has built in me the qualities of resilience and a far sighted approach. Being a strategist and team player adds value in my skillset to inch closer towards my goal.

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During my school days, I have often participated in the annual business fairs. My stall was set up with the help of my family as well as like-minded friends and I made substantial profits through such endeavours. Even in college, I participated in organising annual festivals as well as business fairs where I handled many administrative duties single-handedly.

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I am aware that the University of Bath in UK is one of the leading universities of Business Studies. This, according to me is the right platform to connect with spirited individuals and hone my skills for the future. It would be an opportunity to prove my mettle and carry forward my family's legacy armed with a sharp acumen and sound business understanding.

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(SAMPLE - III) STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Ever since childhood the functions of the economy have fascinated me. I love being able to understand and use economic theories and enjoy challenging myself to find connections between its different sectors. I have been captivated by the way this subject is applied in everyday life in the most basic of ways for example, deciding what brand of milk to buy and how it can also influence something as major as the exchange rates. Living in India, I am no stranger to economic problems like unemployment and poverty. By increasing my knowledge in this subject I hope to better understand these problems and find possible solutions. I aspire to study economics principally because of the diversity of both the subject and its applications, and because I find it fascinating and challenging at the same time. Having studied the subject throughout my high school, I believe that the possible depths to which it may be studied are almost endless, and the number of real-life situations to which it is relevant is similarly vast. In addition to keeping abreast with the world economy,

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I am also interested in studying the quirkier fields of economics and I aspire to further study the ideas of behavioural economics and rational decision-making to contribute to improving our explanations of market events. A book that really intrigued me is Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman and intensified my desire to delve deeper into the field. To further understand the practical applications of economics, I interned at an auditing firm. This helped me realise how economics and finance play a key role in the running of businesses. My subject choice of Economics and Accounts through Junior College has helped me grasp analytical concepts at a blistering pace and I believe I um well equipped to face the challenge of studying Economics at degree level. I am aware that Economics is strongly related to Maths and for that reason I have studied more rigorous topics that I will further develop at the university level, including calculus and statistics modules.

 

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One of the extracurricular activities that opened me to a whole new perspective on world economy was the Indian Model United Nations conference in which I was the Press Corps writer, assigned to the Economic Committee. This has helped me understand the intricacies of world economy, given me a chance to discuss and puzzle over economic issues and challenged me to think in ways I have never before. My passion for writing led me to secure the position of sub-editor of the school magazine committee, where I reviewed and edited essays to be published. I was selected as a Students' Council Representative and my duties involved acting as an interface between the students and the board of governors, putting forth the issues faced by students and working towards solutions for them. 

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I also took part in the Youth Icon Awards. I was identified as an important member of my group and performed the task of successfully guiding my team through many expeditions. I enjoy playing Badminton as often as I can. Badminton has taught me vital lesson—to face the consequences of a poor shot. I have learnt not to dwell on my mistakes but to accept them and move on because the most important shot in Badminton is the next one. I am an amateur guitarist. Music helps me relax and unwind. I firmly believe that the analytical tools from the fields of Economics and Mathematics are essential for a deep understanding of the world. I know that the universities in Delhi with their fantastic economics departments can help me realize my dream of simplifying the complexity behind economic situations.

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Read the personal detail given below and prepare a suitable Statement of Purpose.

You are an avid animal lover. You have a pet dog and some love birds at home. You are extremely fond of them. You have been a member of bird watcher’s club. You have loved going on a safari. You have taken care of orphan animals, or animals who are hurt. In school you loved Biology. You wish to make a career in this field. The University of Cambridge offers an excellent course/program which would boost your career. Make a Statement of Purpose which will help you to get admission to this University.

(SAMPLE – IV ) STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

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SOLUTION:

My first encounter with the animal kingdom happened when I was five years old. I was taking a walk in the park with my grandmother when she spotted a wounded sparrow lying unconscious on the grass. Together, we brought it home and I began to observe my grandmother tend to the bird every day until it got better. It was finally the moment to release the healed bird into the sky and I was extremely elated to see it flutter and fly away. That is when I decided to turn my passion into a lifelong journey.

It will soon be a decade since that day but my love for animals and birds has only multiplied. Over the course of time, I have contemplated and concluded that I want to study further on the topic of animal biology. To get further hands-on understanding of the subject, I have set up a small home sanctuary where I have rescued many animals including my pet dog, cats, sparrows as well as a few love birds.

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My school days were laden with a heavy dose of Discovery Channel and Nat Geo documentaries. It prompted me to take the initiative of starting a Bird Watchers’ Club. Through the club, we embarked on many expeditions in forests and reserved zones on the outskirts of my town. After my Std. X examinations, our family vacation led us onto a safari trip that I enjoyed immensely. I remember returning home with a newfound zest to care for animals.

Throughout my academic life, I have conducted various drives that collected money for better care and treatment of animals. With the help of my friends and like-minded individuals, I have been able to create awareness and encourage support for my initiatives.

University of Cambridge is held in high regard when it comes to the course on Animal Biology & Behavior. The opportunity to be a part of this course would give wings to my life-long passion towards the animal kingdom. I also believe that it is the right course to flourish intellectually as well as sensitively and make a positive impact on society.

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THANK YOU