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| Tips for Writing a Strong Statement of Purpose |
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Use your own style / voice and make it personal
Admissions reviewers read hundreds of essays each week and are looking for applicants who stand out beyond their academic transcripts, test scores and letters of recommendations. As an international student, you have a diverse perspective to share and you bring something unique to a program or cohort of students. Many international students make the mistake of not including personal information in their essays but often this is what American colleges and universities are hoping to see. Use your own voice and allow your personality to come through. Tell the reader not only "what,"but also "why."Give examples of your academic and professional successes and experiences. If you enjoyed a certain project you worked on, explain what about it appealed to you. Tell a story about your childhood and explain how this has affected your later choices in life. At the end of your statement of purpose, the reader should be thinking: "well, there's someone I'd like to work with, dine with or talk with for an hour!"
Be professional and structured
Don't get your reader lost in overcomplicated reasoning. Set out from the very first paragraph your main idea or the goal of your personal statement. As a rule, Americans prefer reasoning that gets straight to the point so it's best to use directness in your phrasing as much as possible. Try to be concise and keep your statement within the requested length requirements.
Be enthusiastic and sell yourself and your interest in the specific program/school
In the U.S. and in graduate level programs, faculty are looking for enthusiastic, engaged students who want to be involved in the life of the program. Don't be shy about sharing your successes and be sure to speak not only about your strengths, but also about the specific strengths of the program to which you are applying, and the fit between your goals and the specific program. Read up about the program, contact alumni in your country and review the research interests of the faculty. If you spoke with a faculty member or current student, indicate what about the conversation made you want to be a part of this specific school. (And if you are applying to multiple programs, be sure to check that you are sending the correct essay to the correct school!)
Even if you don't exactly meet the stated criteria for admission, talk about why you would be a strong candidate
If you feel that you have what it takes to succeed in a program and don't have exactly what is being asked for in terms of your grades, test scores, or level of professional experience or background in the field, take this opportunity to talk about what other qualities or experiences would make you an outstanding member of the program. If your grades weren't as strong as you hoped one year due to an illness or family troubles, it is appropriate to mention this. If you were studying a topic that you didn't enjoy and you didn't do as well as you could have, talk about why you chose to continue studying it, what you gained from this experience and your passion for the intended field of study. If you perform poorly on tests, explain why this is (e.g., a learning disability, that you are a non-native speaker of the language, etc.). Don't make too many excuses, but instead direct attention towards the positives - such as your passion for the field of study, your ability to work well as a member of a team, and your professional or personal experiences that have made you who you are.
Ask an advisor, colleague or supervisor for feedback
A good statement of purpose requires many drafts and you should be sure to have someone else a former professor or colleague in your field-review the statement for correct grammar and spelling. Also, someone who knows you and your aspirations will be able to give you feedback about the strength of your essay - ask their opinion about what makes you a good student, colleague, or employee.
Following are some examples of sample statements of purpose for different programs to get you thinking about how to write your own. (Do note that these samples are relatively generic; when you write your statement of purpose, be sure to include specific examples and tell a story that will differentiate you from other applicants.)
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