Step 1: Plan
Planning should be the first stage of your SOP writing process. Careful planning of ideas to be included and the details to be avoided can help you make a clear road map of the way you want your statement of purpose to look. Writing down all the important experiences of your life on a piece of paper will come in handy when you will start the actual work of writing. This planning process can even help you sort out as there could be many ideas floating in your mind, leaving you confused. At this stage, you can decide the chronology in which you want to present your life and goals. Try to plan in detail so as to make it a smooth ride ahead!
Step 2: Start
Getting a good start is certainly the trickiest part of the process. Once you get the right start, then there will be no looking back for you. The best start is the one that can keep the reader glued to your draft. Having a creative start with a pinch of a mystery can be quite an engrossing introduction. Even, directly stating your goals and making your intentions clear in the beginning can be a captivating start, giving an overview to the admission committee about you and your life.
Step 3: Formulate
At this formulation stage, you are required to justify your interest in the program and the university, by backing it up with evidence from your life. In short, you can provide a sneak peek into your life, giving the university a fair idea as to what makes you an ideal candidate for the program. The areas to be covered here are:
- Academic Journey: You should mention your academic profile and how your previous studies are related to the course you wish to apply for. You should include the related projects or internships undertaken in order to show your focused approach towards your goals. In case, you wish to change the stream, you should clearly explain the reasons for the change in your interests.
- The motivation for the course: This is highly important as the university look for a proper justification for your interest in the course you are applying for. Here, you can include how you got fascinated by the particular program. You can also include the related subjects studied or skills and knowledge added, showing how you strengthened your interest in the program.
- Relevant work experience: Adding the work experience definitely boosts up your chances of admission especially if you are seeking admission for graduate-level courses. You should mention your role in the professional projects along with the knowledge attained and skills acquired during that time.
- Non-academic interests or volunteering: This part of the SOP helps you to present other aspects of your persona. As Australian universities focus on holistic learning, demonstrating other skills through your extensive participation in extracurricular activities and volunteering endeavours can give you an edge over other applicants.
- Accomplishments: You should definitely highlight your significant academic and professional achievements as they will help you vouch for your potential and credibility.
- Reason for choosing Australia: Australia is one of the sought after countries when it comes to overseas education. However, stating your reasons for preference for Australia helps universities observe your regard for the country and ensures them that you will make the most of this experience.
- Reason for selecting a particular university and your contribution towards it: It is important to customize your SOP as per a particular university. This requires a significant amount of research about the institution, the program applied for, its curriculum, infrastructure, faculty members, and other opportunities. Providing information about what interests you about the university, specifically, and how are you planning to leverage the opportunity, will work in your favour. You should also mention what you will bring to the university and its community, proving your worthiness as a prospective student.
Step 4: Conclude
In this last step, giving a memorable conclusion will help you create a lasting impression on the Ad Com. So, use this opportunity to underscore your ambition, determination and motivation, leaving no scope for rejection. Finally, edit and proofread the document. You might need a few redrafts before you get a statement you are happy to call your final draft.