How to Craft an Outstanding Statement of Purpose
As you navigate your way through your graduate school application, you will be asked to submit documents such as your academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, required exams, examples of your professional work, writing samples/portfolios, and a statement of purpose. We’re all familiar with transcripts and letters of recommendation, but have you heard of a statement of purpose before?
A statement of purpose is a crucial part of your graduate school application that tells the admissions committee who you are, what your academic and personal interests consist of, and how you’ll add value to the program you’re applying to. It's your chance to show who you are and why you deserve to join the program at that University so to ensure that your statement is the best it can be, let’s go over a few tips to make sure that it conveys an informative, interesting, and valuable story. Some popular degrees that require a statement of purpose are Master’s in Finance (MF), Master’s in Financial Engineering (MFE), Master’s in Education (M.Ed), Master’s in Public Policy (MPP), and many others.
Start Early
As soon as your program presents you with your prompt you’ll want to brainstorm your ideas. Read through the prompt multiple times and be sure to make note of the instructions as some programs have specific guidelines for font size, word count, format, etc. Although it may seem easier to tackle other areas of the application first, the sooner you familiarize yourself with your prompt the better your statement will be. Ask yourself some questions. Why do I want this degree? What are my expectations for this degree? What about this course excites me the most? Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll have the framework for your statement.
Tell Your Story
Your statement of purpose should show the admissions officers all of the reasons you're applying to the program. Organically, you’ll want to thread your experiences with your interests, passions, and academic career to show why you are a great fit for the program. Everyone has a story to tell and even if you might be unsure of the future, that story is yours and yours alone. Use your personal narrative to tie in all of your experiences and show how this specific program will allow you to progress towards those goals. This task may seem daunting, but it is essential to the success of your statement. Keep in mind that the statement of purpose is not a forum for you to show off your academic achievements or write a long-winded narrative rather than a place to communicate a focused message.
Get Feedback
When it comes to critiquing and proofreading your statement of purpose, your personal network is an invaluable resource. Once your statement is completed, hand it off to a few friends or colleagues for review. Be cautious, though, because requesting feedback from too many people will result in too many comments and potential amendments. Typically, ask for the help of two or three individuals who can provide value beyond acknowledging spelling errors. Remember, you do not have to accept the feedback that you receive, but you should approach it with an open mind. If you’re struggling with your statement of purpose or seek a personalized approach, our team of admissions consultants can help you formulate an application strategy.
Your statement of purpose can leave a lasting impression if executed correctly. It provides you with the opportunity to highlight your unique background and qualifications so admissions professionals can fully understand why you’re the ideal candidate for the program.
Not only do we at Ivy Advisors understand the culture of these schools, but we also have a comprehensive understanding of the admissions process and our track record speaks for itself. Book a free 30-minute consultation with us today and let us help take your application to the next level.
