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How to Write a Statement of Purpose | Example

Published on February 13, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on June 1, 2023.

When you apply for graduate programs or scholarships, the admissions committee is looking for more than just a list of grades. The statement of purpose (also known as a statement of intent or motivation letter) is your chance to stand out from the crowd and showcase your motivation, skills and potential. It should:

• Outline your academic or professional interests and goals
• Discuss relevant skills, experience and achievements
• Demonstrate why you’d be a good fit for the program

Table of contents

Successful statement of purpose example, requirements and prompts, personal introduction, experience and achievements, goals and motivations, fit with the program, tips for an effective statement of purpose, other interesting articles.

The torment of the Founding Fathers is responsible for my interest in Classics. My desire to learn Latin stemmed from reading American Revolutionary-era history during junior high and high school, and particularly from the countless Latin quotations I found in John Adams’ writings. Always eager for a challenge, I was intrigued by the American founders’ accounts of the torture of learning such a difficult language. In my first semester at university, I started learning Latin and thoroughly loved it. As I learned more and more about classical civilization through the language, I realized that I was passionately interested in many aspects of the field of Classics. I have since taken courses on mythology, art and archaeology, and religion, on ancient history, and on the classical tradition. I have also learned Greek, of course, starting with an intensive two-semester course at the university’s summer school. My experience studying abroad in Florence and traveling through Italy and Greece intensified my zeal for the field and, in particular, fueled my ambition to specialize in classical archaeology.

My personal philosophy of life is that everything is connected, and this conviction drives my desire to study Classics. The most rewarding moments for me are discovering and investigating connections – both broad ones, between fields and disciplines, and more specific ones, like the relationship between a piece of literature and an object of material culture. My liberal arts education has equipped me with a broad base of knowledge in the sciences, social sciences, humanities, and arts, and in the honors program I pursued independent projects exploring academic and personal connections, including a paper on ancient Mayan astronomy, a self-observation study on the effects of nutrition and hydration on exercise performance, and a paper on the influence of political context on the changing artistic representations of John Adams. By seeking out connections between seemingly unrelated areas of academia, I have acquired a well-rounded outlook which helps me approach new ideas with both a range of prior experiences and a mind always open to different interpretations.

In accordance with my personal philosophy, I have also continued to explore connections within Classics and between Classics and other fields. In 2007, I published an article in my university’s undergraduate humanities journal; inspired by my studies in Florence, I compared representations of the birth of Venus in ancient and Renaissance literature and art. My major academic achievement to date, however, has been my senior honor thesis on John Adams’ connection to the Classics. Funded by a Hilldale Research Fellowship, I conducted research in the Adams Papers at the Massachusetts Historical Society and in John Adams’ personal library at the Boston Public Library on the influence of the classical tradition on Adams’ worldview and how he consciously modeled himself on classical ideals. It was particularly fulfilling to connect historical and classical research in writing about the figure most responsible for instigating my study of the Classics.

As well as my research skills, I have demonstrated proficiency in the classical languages, winning prizes for both Latin and Greek translation from the Classics Department, as well as receiving an enthusiastic nomination from the department for the Pearson Fellowship from the American Philological Association. I am also the president of the undergraduate Classics Society, which allows me to share my enthusiasm for Classics with other students and the larger community.

One of the most appealing aspects of studying Classics is the vast range of topics encompassed by the field. Because my interests are broad and I value an interdisciplinary approach, I would like to pursue graduate study ultimately leading to a PhD in Classical Archaeology. Archaeology in itself is, of course, a multi-faceted field, requiring knowledge of history, language, anthropology, and various scientific and technological methods. I have already started building my skills in this area: I participated in a microartifact analysis from the excavation of a Maya site in Belize as part of an honors project, and this summer I will take part in two archaeological projects in Turkey after working as a research assistant on related material in the spring semester. This PhD program includes many other opportunities I am eager to explore, such as palaeography and papyrology courses, and especially the variety of fieldwork and museum experiences available. I believe that my strong background in the classical languages and wide range of courses on classical civilization and archaeological methods have prepared me well for this program, and I am convinced that, guided by my philosophy of interconnectedness, I will flourish in this program.

The first step is to read the application instructions. These should include the length of the document (usually 1-2 pages), any formatting requirements, and often a question or prompt that indicates what you should focus on.

In some cases, you might also be asked to submit a personal statement . Similar advice applies to both of these documents—both should give a sense of who you are, what you’ve done and what you want to do. But a statement of purpose is often more formal, tightly focused on your academic background and your suitability for the program.

If you are working on multiple applications, don’t try to write a one-size-fits-all text—tailor your statement of purpose to each program. Make sure to respond to the prompt and include all the information you’re asked for. A typical statement of purpose prompt looks like this:

Your focus will be slightly different depending on whether you’re applying for research-based academic programs (such as a PhD ) or professional qualifications (such as an MBA). But all statements of purpose should contain the following elements.

This is your chance to introduce yourself to the admissions committee and let them hear your voice. The statement of purpose shouldn’t tell your life story, but it should give a glimpse into who you are.

Academic and personal background

Give an overview of your academic background, and show what drives your interest in this field or profession. You might want to include some personal background too—your family history, social circumstances, personal relationships and life experiences have all shaped your trajectory and perspective. What unique insights will you bring with you?

Characteristics and personality

Think about aspects of your character that make you well-suited for graduate school. Don’t just list generic adjectives—give examples that demonstrate your strengths and show why they’re relevant.

• Are you organized enough to handle a high-pressure workload?
• Do you have the creativity needed to develop original ideas, or a systematic mindset perfect for problem-solving?
• Do you have strong leadership skills, or are you great at working collaboratively?

Avoid including irrelevant autobiographical detail in the statement of purpose. Everything you include should be aimed at showing why you’d be a strong candidate for the program.

Your experience shows that you have the necessary skills to succeed in graduate school. Don’t just summarize everything you’ve done—pick out some highlights to build a clear picture of your strengths and priorities, illustrating how you’ve learned and developed along the way.

Academic experience

If you’re applying for a research-focused program, such as a PhD, show your knowledge of the field and outline your research experience. This might include:

• A brief summary of your thesis or final project
• Courses that you found particularly valuable
• Projects you contributed to
• Publications
• Presentations
• Extracurriculars that gave you relevant skills or experience

Professional experience

If you’re applying for a professional program, such as an MBA, outline your experience so far and show how it relates to your career plans. This might include:

• Past or current job roles
• Projects you led or participated in
• Internships
• Voluntary work
• Training courses

In all cases, give specific examples with details of what you worked on, what you achieved, and what you got out of the experience.

As well as showing that you’re prepared for the program, explain what you expect to get out of it. What are your motivations for applying? How do you plan to make the most of its opportunities, and how will it help you achieve your goals?

Academic motivations

For academic programs, indicate your research interests, showing how they follow from and build upon what you have studied so far. This might include:

• A subfield that you want to strengthen your expertise in
• A specific problem or question that you’d like to address
• An initial idea for a research project
• A theoretical or methodological approach that you want to develop

This isn’t the place for an in-depth research plan, but it’s a chance to show your enthusiasm and knowledge of your field.

Professional motivations

For professional programs, outline your career aspirations and show how your experience informs your goals. This might include:

• The next step you want to take in your career. What position are you aiming for and how will the program help you achieve it?
• Your motivations for a career change. Can you make a link between your previous experience and your new direction?
• Your long-term goals. Where do you want to be in five or ten years, and how do you see yourself getting there?

The admissions committee wants to know that you’re genuinely motivated to complete the program, and the clearer your plans, the more convincing your commitment.

It’s important to show not only why you want to study this subject, but also why you want to do it in this particular institution and department.

• Do your research, and mention particular classes, specialisms or faculty that attracted you.
• Show why you’re a good fit. Do your priorities align with the values and culture of the institution? What will you contribute to the department?
• Discuss the specific skills, knowledge and experience you expect to get from the program.

The statement of purpose isn’t only about selling yourself—it’s about illustrating an ideal match between you and the program.

Once you’ve made sure to cover all the key elements, you can work on strengthening and polishing the text. Follow these tips to make your application the best it can be.

Stay focused

It can be tempting to try to cram in everything you’ve done, but a good statement of purpose requires careful selection to craft a focused narrative. One way to do this is by building your text around a central theme—for example, a character trait, an intellectual interest, or a career goal.

This strategy helps structure your text and puts your priorities centre stage. Link each paragraph back to the central idea, making it clear how everything fits together.

Think about your structure

The structure of a statement of purpose is somewhat flexible, as long as you include all the relevant information in an order that makes sense.

For example, you might start with a chronological story of where your interests began, or you might open with your goals and then select a series of examples that show your capacity to achieve them. If you’re desperate to study in this specific program, you could lead with a summary of why it’s your ideal choice, and then elaborate on each aspect to show why you’re a perfect fit.

The important thing is that the text showcases your strengths and motivations in a compelling, coherent way. As in any other piece of academic writing, make sure each paragraph communicates one main idea, and that each sentence flows smoothly and logically from the last. Use transition words and topic sentences to move between paragraphs.

Add meaning to your resume

The bare facts of your achievements—grades, prizes, work experience—are already included in your graduate school resume and transcripts. Use the statement of purpose not to repeat yourself, but to add personal meaning and texture to these facts.

If you got top marks for your thesis, describe the research process and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the topic. If you completed an internship or participated in a project, explain what new skills you learned and which aspects you found most valuable. If you already have lots of experience in the field, show how each step developed your skills and shaped your current plans.

Revise, edit, proofread

Your statement of purpose isn’t only about the content—it’s also a chance to show that you can express yourself fluently, confidently and coherently in writing. Spend plenty of time revising, editing and proofreading your text before you submit.

Make sure you stay within the recommended length, and check if there are any specific formatting requirements. If not, use a standard 12pt font, 1-inch margins and 1.5 line spacing.

When you have a final draft, our professional statement of purpose proofreading service can offer an extra pair of eyes to make sure every sentence is perfect.

Proofread my statement of purpose

Checklist: Statement of purpose

My statement of purpose clearly responds to the prompt.

I have introduced my academic, professional and/or personal background.

I have described any relevant experience and shown my development over time.

I have highlighted key achievements that demonstrate my talents.

There is a clear connection between my previous experience and my future plans.

I have explained how the program will help me achieve my goals.

I have mentioned specific aspects of the program, department and institution that appeal to me.

Every paragraph focuses on one central idea.

The paragraphs are organized in a logical order and tell a clear, coherent story.

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Not sure what graduate schools are looking for in a statement of purpose? Looking at successful graduate school statement of purpose samples can help! In this guide, we’ll orient you to what makes a great statement of purpose or letter of intent for graduate school. Then we’ll provide you with four successful statement of purpose examples from our graduate school experts. We’ll also provide analysis of what makes them successful. Finally, we’ll direct you to even more helpful examples that you can find online!

The Graduate School Statement of Purpose: An Overview

A statement of purpose (also called a letter of intent or a research statement) introduces your interests and experience to the admissions committee. For research-focused programs, like most PhDs and many master’s degrees, your statement of purpose will focus primarily on your past research experience and plans. For more professionally-focused graduate programs, your statement of purpose will primarily discuss how your pursuit of this professional program relates to your past experiences, and how you will use the skills from the program in your future career.

A statement of purpose for grad school is also where you sell the admissions committee on why you belong in their program specifically. Why do you fit there, and how does what they offer fit your interests?

What’s in a Great Grad School Statement of Purpose?

Here are the essential elements of a strong graduate school statement of purpose:

Clear Articulation of Goals and Interests

A strong statement of purpose will clearly and specifically lay out your goals in undertaking the program and what you hope to accomplish with the degree. Again, for a research-focused program, this will focus primarily on the research project(s) you want to undertake while you are there. For a more professional program, discuss what interests you within the professional field and what skills/knowledge you hope to gain through the program.

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You should be as specific as possible in discussing what interests you. Use examples of particular phenomena, tools, or situations that you find exciting. If you are vague or say that everything in the field interests you, you run the risk of seeming unfocused or not actually that passionate.

Don’t worry that being too specific will box you into a particular research area or subfield during your entire tenure in graduate school. Your program understands that interests change—they won’t be pulling out your research statement to cross-reference with your dissertation proposal!

Evidence of Past Experience and Success

A great graduate school statement of purpose will also show programs that you have already been successful. They want applicants that will be able to follow through on their research/professional plans!

To this end, you’ll need to provide evidence of how your background qualifies you to pursue this program and your specific interests in the field. You’ll probably discuss your undergraduate studies and any professional experience you have. But be sure to draw on specific, vivid examples.  You might draw on your thesis, major projects you’ve worked on, papers you have written/published, presentations you’ve given, mentors you’ve worked with, and so on. This gives admissions committees concrete evidence that you are qualified to undertake graduate study!

Interest and Fit With the Program

The third essential ingredient to a great statement of purpose is to clearly lay out why you and the program are a good fit. You should be able to identify both specific reasons why your work fits with the program and why the program suits your work/interests! Are there particular professors you’d like to work with? Does the department have a strong tradition in a certain methodology or theory you’re interested in? Is there a particular facet to the curriculum that you’d like to experience?

Showing that you and the program are a match shows that you chose the program thoughtfully and have genuine interest in it. Programs want to admit students who aren’t just passionate about the field. They want students who are genuinely enthused about their specific program and positioned to get the most out of what they have to offer.

Strong Writing

The final essential piece of a strong statement of purpose or letter of intent is strong writing. Writing skills are important for all graduate programs. You’ll need to demonstrate that you can clearly and effectively communicate your ideas in a way that flows logically. Additionally, you should show that you know how to write in a way that is descriptive but concise. A statement of purpose shouldn’t ever be longer than two pages, even without a hard word limit.

Admissions committees for humanities programs may be a little more focused on writing style than admissions officers for STEM programs. But even in quantitative and science-focused fields, written communication skills are an essential part of graduate school. So a strong statement of purpose will always be effectively written. You’ll see this in our statement of purpose for graduate school samples.

Real, Successful Statement of Purpose Samples

In this section, we’ll present four successful graduate school statement of purpose examples from our graduate school experts, along with a brief commentary on each statement. These statements come from a diverse selection of program types to show you how the core essentials of a statement of purpose can be implemented differently for different fields.

Note: identifying information for these statements have been changed—except for example four, which is my statement.

• Statement of Purpose Sample One: Japanese Studies MA

This statement of purpose is notable for its great use of space and its vivid descriptions. The author is able to cram a lot into about a page. She discusses how she came to her two primary research interests (and how they are connected). She integrates this discussion of her interests with information on her past experiences and qualifications for pursuing the course of study. Finally, she includes details on her goals in pursuing the program and components of the program that interest her. Her examples are specific and fleshed-out. There’s a lot very cleverly included in a small amount of page space!

Additionally, the language is very vivid. Phrases like “evocative and visceral” and “steadily unraveling,” are eye-catching and intriguing. They demonstrate that she has the writing skills necessary to pursue both graduate study and her interest in translation.

• Statement of Purpose Sample Two: Music MM

This sample is fairly long, although at 12 point Times New Roman it’s under two pages single-spaced. The length of this statement is partially due to the somewhat expansive nature of the prompt, which asks what role music has played in the applicant’s life “to date.” This invites applicants to speak more about experiences further in the past (in the childhood and teen years) than is typical for a statement of purpose. Given that this is for a master’s degree in music, this is logical; musical study is typically something that is undertaken at a fairly young age.

This statement does an excellent job describing the student’s past experiences with music in great detail. The descriptions of the student’s past compositions and experiences performing new music are particularly vivid and intriguing.

This statement also lays out and elaborates on specific goals the student hopes to pursue through the program, as well as features particular to the program that interest the student (like particular professors).

• Statement of Purpose Sample Three: Economics PhD

One of the first things you’ll likely notice about this statement is that it’s a little on the longer side. However, at 12 point Times New Roman font and single-spaced, it still comes in under 2 pages (excluding references). It makes sense for a PhD statement of purpose sample to be longer than a master’s degree statement of purpose—there’s more to lay out in terms of research interests!

The writing style is fairly straightforward—there’s definitely a stronger focus on delivering content than flashy writing style. As Economics is a more quantitative-focused field, this is fine. But the writing is still well-organized, clear, and error-free.

The writer also gives numerous examples of their past work and experience, and shows off their knowledge of the field through references, which is a nice touch.

• Statement of Purpose Sample Four: History of the Book MA

This is actually my statement of purpose. It was for a program that I got accepted to but did not end up attending, for a Master’s in the History of the Book. You’ll notice that the two essay prompts essentially asked us to split our statement of purpose into two parts: the first prompt asked about our research interests and goals, and the second prompt asked about our relevant experience and qualifications.

I’ll keep my comments on this graduate school statement of purpose sample brief because I’ll do a deep dive on it in the next section. But looking back at my statement of purpose, I do a good job outlining what within the field interests me and clearly laying out how my past experiences have qualified me for the program.

Obviously this statement did its job, since I was accepted to the program. However, if I were to improve this statement, I’d change the cliche beginning  (“since I was a child”) and provide more specificity in what about the program interested me.

Deep Dive Analysis of a Sample Statement of Purpose for Graduate School

Next, we’ll do a paragraph by paragraph analysis of my statement, statement of purpose sample four. I’ll analyze its strengths and suggest ways I could shore up any weaknesses to make it even stronger.

Essay 1: Academic Interests

To refresh, here’s the first prompt: Please give a short statement that describes your academic interests, purpose, objectives and motivation in undertaking this postgraduate study. (max 3500 chars – approx. 500 words)

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Paragraph 1

Since I was a child, my favorite thing has always been a book. Not just for the stories and information they contain, although that is a large part of it. Mostly, I have been fascinated by the concept of book as object—a tangible item whose purpose is to relate intangible ideas and images. Bookbindings and jackets, different editions, the marginalia in a used book—all of these things become part of the individual book and its significance, and are worth study and consideration. Books and their equivalent forms—perfect bound, scrolled, stone tablets, papyrus—have long been an essential part of material culture and are also one of our most significant sources of information about the human historical past. Through both the literal object of the book, the words contained thereon, and its relationship to other books—forms of context, text and intertext—we are able to learn and hopefully manage layers of information with which we would otherwise have no familiarity.

First, the good: this paragraph does a good job introducing my academic interest in the book-as-object, and shows off pre-existing knowledge both of the study of material culture and literary theory. Additionally, the language is engaging: the juxtaposition of “tangible” and “intangible” in the beginning and phrases like “perfect bound, scrolled, stone tablets, papyrus” lend life to the writing and keep the reader engaged.

If I were to go back and improve this paragraph, first, I would absolutely change the first sentence to something less cliche than talking about my childhood. I might try something like “My love of books is a multifaceted thing. I don’t only love them for the stories and….” Second, I would chill out on the em dashes a little bit. Three sets in one paragraph is a little excessive. Finally, I might actually cut this paragraph down slightly to make more room word-wise later in the statement to discuss what specific things about the program interest me.

Paragraph 2

Furthermore, blogs, webcomics, digital archives, e-readers, and even social media sites like tumblr and Facebook have revolutionized the concept of the book by changing how we share and transmit ideas and information, just as the Gutenberg printing press revolutionized the book all those years ago in the fifteenth century. Once again there has been an explosion both in who can send out information and who can receive it.

This paragraph briefly and effectively introduces my other main academic interest: how new technology has changed the concept of the book-as-object. The tie-back to the printing press is a nice touch; it’s a vivid example that shows that I’m aware of important historical moments in book history.

Paragraph 3

I am deeply interested in the preservation of the physical book, as I think it is an important part of human history (not to mention a satisfying sensory experience for the reader). However I am also very concerned with the digitization and organization of information for the modern world such that the book, in all of its forms, stays relevant and easy to access and use. Collections of books, archives, and information as stored in the world’s servers, libraries and museums are essential resources that need to be properly organized and administered to be fully taken advantage of by their audiences. My purpose in applying to the University of Edinburgh’s Material Culture and History of the Book is to gain the skills necessary to keep all forms of the book relevant and functional in an age when information can move more radically than ever before.

This paragraph actually has a focus problem. Since it covers two topics, I should split it into two paragraphs: one on the integration of my two interests, and one on my goals and interests in the program. I could also stand to expand on what features the program has that interest me: professors I’d like to work with, particular aspects of the curriculum, etc.

In spite of these things, however, this paragraph does a good job clearly integrating the two academic interests related to the book I introduced in the first two paragraphs. And the language is still strong —“satisfying sensory experience” is a great phrase. However, I’ve been using the word “information,” a lot; I might try to replace with appropriate synonyms (like “knowledge”) in a couple of places.

Paragraph 4

Additionally, I intend on pursuing a PhD in Library and Information Sciences upon completion of my master’s and I feel that this program while make me uniquely suited to approach library science from a highly academic and interdisciplinary perspective.

This final paragraph offers just quick touch on my future goals beyond the program. It’s typically fine for this to be relatively brief, as it is here, just so long as you can clearly identify some future goals.

Essay 2: Relevant Experience

The second prompt just asked me to describe my relevant knowledge, training, and skills.

As a folklore and mythology student, I have gained a robust understanding of material culture and how it relates to culture as a whole. I have also learned about the transmission of ideas, information, stories and pieces of lore among and between populations, which is an important component of book history. Folklore is also deeply concerned with questions of the literary vs. oral lore and the tendency for text to “canonize” folklore, and yet text can also question or invert canonized versions; along with this my studies in my focus field of religion and storytelling have been deeply concerned with intertextuality. One of my courses was specifically concerned with the Heian-period Japanese novel The Tale of Genji and questions of translation and representation in post-Heian picture scrolls and also modern translations and manga. In addition to broader cultural questions concerned with gender and spirituality both in historical Japan and now, we considered the relationships between different Genji texts and images.

This is a strong, focused paragraph. I relate my academic background in Folklore and Mythology to my interests in studying the book, as well as showing off some of my knowledge in the area. I also chose and elaborated on a strong example (my class on the Tale of Genji ) of my relevant coursework.

I also have work experience that lends itself to the study of the book. After my freshman year of college I interned at the Chicago History Museum. Though I was in the visitor services department I was exposed to the preservation and archival departments of the museum and worked closely with the education department, which sparked my interest in archival collections and how museums present collection information to the public. After my sophomore year of college and into my junior year, I worked at Harvard’s rare books library, Houghton. At Houghton I prepared curated collections for archival storage. These collections were mostly comprised of the personal papers of noteworthy individuals, categorized into alphabetical folders. This experience made me very process-oriented and helped me to understand how collections come together on a holistic basis.

This paragraph also has a clear focus: my past, relevant work experience. Discussing archival collections and presenting information to the public links the interests discussed in my first statement with my qualifications in my second statement. However, if I were to revise this paragraph, I would add some specific examples of the amazing things I worked on and handled at Houghton Library. In that job, I got to touch Oliver Cromwell’s death mask! An interesting example would make this paragraph really pop even more.

Finally, in my current capacity as an education mentor in Allston, a suburb of Boston, I have learned the value of book history and material culture from an educational perspective. As a mentor who designs curriculum for individual students and small groups, I have learned to highly value clearly organized and useful educational resources such as websites, iPad apps, and books as tools for learning. By managing and organizing collections in a way that makes sense we are making information accessible to those who need it.

This final paragraph discusses my current (at the time) work experience in education and how that ties into my interest in the history of the book. It’s an intriguing connection and also harkens back to my discussion of information availability in the paragraph three of the first statement. Again, if I were to amp up this statement even more, I might include a specific example of a book-based (or book technology-based) project I did with one of my students. I worked on things like bookbinding and making “illuminated manuscripts” with some of my students; those would be interesting examples here.

This statement is split into two parts by virtue of the two-prompt format. However, if I were to integrate all of this information into one unified statement of purpose, I would probably briefly introduce my research interests, go in-depth on my background, then circle back around to speak more about my personal interests and goals and what intrigues me about the program. There’s not really one correct way to structure a statement of purpose just so long as it flows well and paragraphs are structured in a logical way: one topic per paragraph, with a clear topic and concluding sentence.

More Statement of Purpose Examples

We’ve provided you with four great graduate school statement of purpose examples from our graduate school experts. However, if you’re looking for more, there are other sample letters of intent and statements of purpose for graduate school online. We’ve rounded up the best ones here, along with some strengths and weaknesses about each example.

Majortests Statement of Purpose Sample

This is a fairly straightforward, clearly written statement of purpose sample for a biology program. It includes useful commentary after each paragraph about what this statement of purpose is accomplishing.

• This statement of purpose sample is well-organized, with clear topic sentences and points made in each paragraph.
• The student clearly identifies what interests her about the program.
• The student proactively addresses questions about why she hasn’t gone directly to graduate school, and frames her professional research experience as a positive thing.
• She gives a tiny bit of color about her personality in a relevant way by discussing her involvement with the Natural History Society.
• In general, discussing high school interests is too far back in time unless the anecdote is very interesting or unusual. The detail about The Theory of Evolution is intriguing; the information about the high school teacher seems irrelevant. The student should have condensed this paragraph into a sentence or two.
• While this statement is cogently written and makes the candidate sound competent and well-qualified, it’s not exactly the most scintillating piece of writing out there. Some of the constructions are a little awkward or cliche. For example, the “many people have asked me” sentence followed by “the answer is” is a little bit clunky. This is probably fine for a STEM program. But just be aware that this statement is not a paragon of writing style.

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UC Berkeley History Statement of Purpose Sample

This is a graduate school statement of purpose example from the UC Berkeley History department’s PhD program, with annotations from a professor as to why it’s a successful statement.

• The author is able to very clearly and articulately lay out her research interests and link them to past work she has successfully completed, namely, her thesis.
• She is able to identify several things about the program and Berkeley that indicate why it is a good fit for her research interests.
• She addresses the time she spent away from school and frames it as a positive, emphasizing that her use of time was well-considered and productive.
• Her writing is very vivid, with excellent word choice and great imagery.

While very well-written and engaging, this sample statement of purpose for graduate school is a little bit on the long side! It’s a little over two single-spaced pages, which is definitely pushing the limits of acceptable length. Try to keep yours at 2 pages or less. Some of the information on the thesis (which comprises over half of the statement of purpose) could be condensed to bring it down to two pages.

Pharmacy Residency Letter of Intent Sample

This is not technically a sample letter of intent for graduate school because it’s actually for a pharmacy residency program. However, this example still provides illumination as to what makes a decent graduate school letter of intent sample.

• This is a serviceable letter of intent: the writer clearly lays out their own goals within the field of pharmacy, what qualifications they have and how they’ve arrived at their interests, and how the program fits their needs.
• The writing is clearly structured and well-organized.
• The main weakness is that some of the writer’s statements come across as fairly generic. For example, “The PGY-1 Residency Program at UO Hospitals will provide me with the opportunity to further develop my clinical knowledge, critical thinking, teaching, research, and leadership skills” is a generic statement that could apply to any residency program. A punchier, more program-specific conclusion would have amped up this letter.
• While the writer does a decent job providing examples of their activities, like working as a tutor and attending the APhA conference, more specificity and detail in these examples would make the statement more memorable.
• There’s a typo in the last paragraph —a “to” that doesn’t belong! This is an unprofessional blip in an otherwise solid letter. Read you own letter of intent aloud to avoid this!

NIU Bad Statement of Purpose Example

This is an ineffective graduate school statement of purpose example, with annotations on why it doesn’t work.

As you might imagine, the main strength in this document is as an example of what not to do. Otherwise, there is little to recommend it.

• The annotations quite clearly detail the weaknesses of this statement. So I won’t address them exhaustively except to point out that this statement of purpose fails at both content and style. The author includes irrelevant anecdotes and lists without offering a decisive picture of interests or any particular insight into the field. Additionally, the statement is riddled with grammatical mistakes, awkward sentence structures, and strange acronyms.
• You’ll note that the commentary advises you to “never start with a quote.” I agree that you should never start with a freestanding quote as in this example. However, I do think starting with a quote is acceptable in cases like the Berkeley history example above, where the quote is brief and then directly linked to the research interest.

Graduate School Statement of Purpose Examples: 4 Key Points

Graduate programs ask for statement of purpose to hear about your interests and goals and why you think you and the program would be a good fit.

There are four key elements to a successful statement of purpose:

• A clear articulation of your goals and interests
• Evidence of past experiences and success
• Interest and fit with the program
• Strong writing

We’ve provided you with four successful statement of purpose samples from our graduate school experts!

We also provided additional statement of purpose samples (and a sample letter of intent) for graduate school from other sources on the internet. Now you have all kinds of guidance!

What’s Next?

If you’re looking for more information on graduate school , see our guide to what makes a good GPA for grad school .

Not sure if you need to take the GRE ? See if you can get into graduate school without GRE scores .

Want more information about the GRE? We can help you figure out when to take the GRE , how to make a GRE study plan , and how to improve your GRE score .

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

Author: Ellen McCammon

Ellen is a public health graduate student and education expert. She has extensive experience mentoring students of all ages to reach their goals and in-depth knowledge on a variety of health topics. View all posts by Ellen McCammon

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MBA Statement of Purpose

What is a statement of purpose.

The Statement of Purpose (SoP) is a type of essay question that helps put the other pieces of your MBA application into context. It shows why you want to enroll in an MBA program and what role it will play in your business career.

The SoP for an MBA program is typically more in-depth than SoPs for other master’s degrees. That’s because MBA applicants are generally a few years older and have several years of work experience already. There’s more history for them to draw from, so admissions departments expect a more thorough, insightful mission statement.

Also, the SoP is a forward-thinking question. The admissions committee can look at your resume and GMAT scores to get a good sense of your ability and life story. So what does your SoP add to that picture? The key is to put it altogether and show what you want to do with your degree. How does it fit into your overall career plan and why are you pursuing it at this stage in your life?

You’ll have a chance to share some of these ideas in your personal interview, but the first stage would be to communicate that in your SoP. These essays are likely the most important piece of your admissions packet. After all, your school may receive thousands of applicants each year, so you need to find a way to be unique, authentic, and memorable.

Examples of MBA Statement of Purpose Questions

The precise wording of the statement of purpose question varies from school to school. Most schools do not ask for an SoP directly, but may have one or more essay questions that draw out the same basic ideas. Here’s how several business schools in the U.S. and India ask for a statement of purpose in their application:

Harvard Business School MBA SoP essay (2018)

As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program ?

Stanford Graduate School of Business MBA SoP essay (2018)

Why Stanford? Enlighten us on how earning your MBA at Stanford will enable you to realize your ambitions. Explain your decision to pursue graduate education in management. Explain the distinctive opportunities you will pursue at Stanford.

Indian School of Business (ISB) MBA SoP essays (2018)

Essay 1: At ISB we value diversity as it enhances both the in-class and out of class learning experience. Tell us how would you contribute to the same?

Essay 2: Enrolling in a Business School is an important career decision. Critically look at your career to date, the choices you have made, the key influences behind those choices, your goals for the future and how do you think ISB’s PGP can help you in achieving your goals?

As you can see from these examples, the Statement of Purpose question may be asked in several different ways, and may take the form of one or more questions. Now, you’ll need to find a way to take the prompt and turn it into a compelling essay.

What to Include when Writing an MBA Statement of Purpose

Let’s start-off by considering what to include in your essay. While there’s no set formula to adhere to, and you want your essay to feel authentic and unique, there are several points that the admissions committee will be looking for you to address:

Showcase your interest

It’s important to convey why you want to enrol in this program. An MBA isn’t for everyone, and most programs want to avoid admitting students who aren’t likely to succeed. It’s often less of a question of whether or not you can do it, but one of whether or not you’ll thrive in an MBA program.

I’m also guessing you’re not applying to business school on a whim. No doubt you’ve put more thought into it than just “this will be good for my career goals.” Show the committee why you want this.

Not only that, but why now ?

Why is it better to do an MBA this year rather than waiting until you have a few more years of work experience? Are you switching career paths? Are you really committed to two years of business school, or are you just feeling lost and looking for direction? Don’t leave the committee guessing about your motives. Show how this fits your life path at this particular point in time.

Specify your goals

MBA programs want to admit candidates who have thought seriously about where they’ll end up after they complete the course.

Remember: the success of alumni adds to the prestige (not to mention the rankings, admission rates, and tuition prices in subsequent years) of the school.

You know your star is rising; you just need to tell them where it’s going.

More importantly, you’ll want to answer how an MBA will help you achieve those goals. Are you looking to leverage what you learn in an MBA program to springboard into a leadership position at your current job? Or, maybe you’re looking to launch your own company and want to learn about entrepreneurship.

Include both your short- and long-term goals. Show the admissions team what you plan to do immediately after you graduate, as well as where you see yourself decades from now.

When discussing goals, it’s important to balance ambition and realism: starting your own company or growing up the ranks of a large company are great goals, but becoming the CEO of Apple may be a tad far-fetched.

Show your research

Each MBA program is different and will impact your career path in different ways. Even if you’re applying to more than one school, don’t just copy and paste your SoP for every application.

Write an SoP essay that’s unique to each program. More importantly, write a statement of purpose that demonstrates you understand what the school is all about.

What is it about the school that draws you to it? Show that you’ve done the research and know how this specific program is likely to be a good fit.

If you’ve visited the school or spoken with current students or alumni, include that too. Show that you’re already putting in an effort to get involved in the community. Are there any professors or classes that you’re particularly excited about? The more specific details you include about this particular MBA program, the more it will look like you’ve done your homework.

Communicate fit

No one is guaranteed admission to an MBA program, even if you achieved a perfect score on the GMAT. The admissions team wants to know what you specifically can bring to the table. How do you align with the school’s values and culture?

An MBA program that prioritizes social impact, such as the Haas School of Business at U.C. Berkeley might be best for people who want to create socially responsible businesses or work at NGOs, for example.

Your statement of purpose should demonstrate that your personality and career goals are in line with what the school has to offer.

If a school turns you down because your goals aren’t in line with their program, that’s a good thing! Liz Hargrove, an admissions officer at Duke Fuqua , indicated that the school will decline prospective applicants if they failed to communicate “the academic ability as well as overall fit with our culture and community”

Show your plan of action and your track record

Be specific about your game plan. Don’t just assume that you’ll have your career path handed to you. Show the admissions team the steps you’ll take to reach your goals. How will you take an active role in your education and adapt to changes along the way?

Not only that, but think about what will you bring to the school and other students. How will you contribute to the experience of the students in the school? Will you participate in clubs at school, and do you have a track record of doing so during your undergraduate degree?

Will you work as a team and contribute to their education and career goals as well? What mark will you leave on the school when you graduate? Will you be an alumni they can be proud of?

Bruce DelMonico, assistant dean of admissions at Yale, looks for “students whom [he] identifies as unselfish leaders – those who simultaneously strive to improve the circumstances of others and help themselves rather than those who exploit others for personal gain.”

It may seem too early to be thinking about some of these questions. But if you don’t have a clear plan, the admissions team may think that you aren’t ready for an MBA program yet.

Mistakes to Avoid when Writing an MBA Statement of Purpose

Since the SoP is an open-ended question, you have some freedom in how to structure your essay and what to include. There generally isn’t a word limit (or a minimum, for that matter), so you’ll have to use your best judgement in deciding what to cut out and when to wrap it up.

That said, there are some simple mistakes you can avoid by following these guidelines:

Don’t tell, show instead

This is your chance to tell your story. Use real examples and go into some detail. One example in great detail is more effective than many examples with very little substance. Show the admissions team how you’ve applied your skills to your career and how you’ll continue to do so in their MBA program.

Lots of students don’t do this: they just list facts, such as “I studied at university X and then I worked at company Y for Z years.” Don’t make this mistake. Be an active narrator of your own life, and get the admissions committee invested in your story.

Show with examples, rather than telling with facts.

Quick side note: if you’ve been rejected from MBA programs, sign up for a free DING analysis here.

Don’t make it a chronology

Don’t repeat everything that’s on your resume. The admission team has already looked at it, and you don’t need to spend time going over it again.

Along the same lines, don’t treat your SoP as a chronology of events. Your life didn’t just happen to you. You had feelings about things — successes and disappointments. Don’t be afraid to show your personality here. What are you passionate about? What makes you proud or angry?

If you became frustrated with how poorly an NGO was run, and you’re pursuing an MBA so you can learn how to improve that industry, tell that story.

Show how one event led to another. Or tell the story out of order if it makes more sense that way. This is your chance to highlight the key events in your life, and leave out what’s irrelevant.

Don’t exaggerate

Whatever you do, don’t lie or plagiarize in your SoP. The admissions committee will see through it. After all, your work and educational history are verifiable, and any lines that you’ve lifted from someone else’s essay will be obvious.

If you suffered a setback or adversity in your personal life, share it, but don’t embellish it. The goal isn’t to trick or guilt the admissions team into accepting your application. Let your story speak for itself, and if it pulls at their heartstrings, it should do so naturally.

And please, don’t forget to mention what you learnt from the setback and how you wear it as a badge of honor.

Don’t make it all about you

Business schools want team players, and a SoP that is all about you is likely to come across as self-centered or egotistical. Be sure to credit the supporting players in your life: the teachers who inspired you or your co-workers at your company.

Many applicants make the mistake of confusing leadership with authority. Instead of telling a story about a time they worked together, they tell a story of a time they got their way. Be proud of your accomplishments, but be humble too . If you have a history of good teamwork and of honoring others’ contributions, you’ll likely bring that attitude to school with you.

Don’t ramble, be concise

Finally, keep it to the point. Most schools will dictate a word limit. Make sure to stick to it. Even if there isn’t a specific word limit, a general rule is to keep the essay between 500-1000 words. That’s enough to cover the important points and give the team a good sense of your personality. Anything more and you’ll risk rambling.

Don’t be vague, either. A short essay that includes specific details is more persuasive than one that’s all about your hopes and dreams without any concrete examples.

Sample SoP Essays Analyzed

Now that you know what makes a good SoP essay and what mistakes to avoid, let’s take a closer look at a few examples – both good and average – to see what an SoP looks like. (These are just excerpts, so be sure to click the links if you want to read the entire essay.) Also note that, in order to fully examine the strengths and weaknesses of the essay, it’s important to look at the application (and all the essays) in its entirety. The below analysis should serve as a simplistic analysis of what has worked and what can be improved.

“In May 2010, I graduated from ___ with a degree in English and Creative Writing. I had always wanted to be a writer. I was good at it. I liked it. I thought that was all I needed to know to choose a career path. In September 2010, I began working for ___ Publishing Company, thus starting a four year arc managing the production of the monthly magazine…. [essay truncated] I landed my first sale and discovered a hidden talent…. I no longer write for my job — and I love it. Now, when I think of what I want to be in 15 years, it is not a writer. It is the president of media conglomerate Conde Nast.” (Read full essay here: source )

What the author did well : This essay touches on several of the key points we looked at earlier. It explains a career shift (from creative writing to business) by showing how the applicant got from Point A to Point B. They demonstrate adaptability and ambition, and explain why they want to further their skills on this particular career path – because they love it.

What the author of this essay also does well is goes into specifics of how they plan to achieve the goal.

And, they show that they’ve given some thought to where they see themselves in the future by including an ambitious, but specific, long-term goal. Saying you want to be CEO of a particular company is more memorable than saying you just want to be a CEO at any company.

“My career path has led me from the rapidly developing markets of my native country in Asia to the rolling hills of England and back again. Now, I feel that the next logical destination on my path is your MBA program. The curriculum of your MBA program is similar to that which I studied previously, yet it is much more challenging and will allow me to develop my abilities further. I already have a strong background in various aspects of business, from marketing and management to accounting and sales. Because of this, I feel I am uniquely qualified to attend your MBA program. After completion of my studies, I plan to return to Makebest Textile Company and apply what I learn in your program to the benefit of the company.” (Read full essay here: source )

What the author did well : This applicant does a good job of showing how the MBA program fits into their career path. They demonstrate a solid foundation in business management, and they have work experience in an international setting. They’re familiar with the curriculum and know exactly how it will expand on their previous academic experience.

What could have been better : The candidate says they’re “uniquely qualified” but doesn’t really show us what sets them apart from other applicants. After all, many candidates will have studied abroad and have a background in sales or management. What makes them different? Also, saying an MBA is the “next logical step” could make it sound like you can’t think of any other options. Explain why you chose this over, say, a promotion, or a new job elsewhere.

“Ever since I was young, I have been constantly exposed to the business world. Both my parents are in the business industry and as a result, despite my young age, I have found myself having the call for business…. After college, I worked with Kicks, a shoe company, in their marketing department. I failed my colleagues at time, being the novice that I am. Yet, I managed to transform those failures into lessons and inspirations and eventually got my success. I was part of the team that marketed the best-selling athletic shoe of Kicks.” (Read full essay here: source)

What the author did well : This applicant starts off by putting his story into context and showing how his path to business school started in his childhood. Since he references his “young age,” he may be younger than typical MBA applicants, so he makes sure to address this in his essay.

What could have been better: The story from the applicant’s workplace is pretty vague. He “managed to transform those failures into lessons and inspirations” but doesn’t really show how. He doesn’t say what his role was on the team that had success. Was he a leader or a bystander? This isn’t a bad essay, but it could include more detail to flesh out its points.

“As someone who has traveled around the world, I am no stranger to respecting and understanding new aspects of culture. I was born to a military family, and have lived at least four years in almost every continent except Antarctica. I studied abroad in India where I learned about the customs there regarding management seniority…. Such cultural differences play a great part in determining management strategies when expanding globally, and it is a very tricky concept to grasp. An MBA in International Management will give me the knowledge of general management techniques that I need to know for successful management, but will also teach me how to tailor these strategies for different markets.” (Read full essay here: source)

What the author did well : Since this candidate is applying for an International Management MBA, he makes sure to emphasize his experience living in a variety of places. His time traveling and studying abroad suggests he will work well together with a diverse class of students. He uses a specific example – management seniority – to show that he has put some thought into how local customs impact business in specific markets, and he has a clear rationale for this course of study.

What could have been better : This candidate has not customized the essay for the school they are applying to. What’s also missing is the fit with the school, and exactly why the candidate thinks that that particular school is the right school to study an International Management MBA.

“My strong desire to give back to my community coupled with my experience in the telecommunication sector has inspired within me the desire to set up a Telecom company specific to the rural sector in the state of Bihar…. With 85 percent population of the state still in villages and dependent on agriculture, I wish to use the technology to bring innovation to the agricultural sector. In order to achieve this long-term aspiration, I now need to further 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 the State of Bihar.” (Read full story here: source )

What the author did well: This candidate gets right to the point. He opens his essay with a focus on his mission, and uses population data to support his reason for pursuing it. He has a very specific long-term goal and a clearly defined path for getting there. Later in the essay, this candidate explains how his education and job history sets him up for success in this field.

One last thing before you go…

If you’ve been rejected by an MBA program, we specialize in helping people reapply. The first thing we do is a DING analysis to help you figure out what you can do better next time. If that’s you, get in touch with me here.

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How to Write a Statement of Purpose for Graduate School

Congrats! You’ve chosen a graduate program , read up on tips for applying to grad school , and even wrote a focused grad school resumé . But if you’re like many students, you’ve left the most daunting part of the application process for last—writing a statement of purpose. The good news is, the task doesn’t have to feel so overwhelming, as long as you break the process down into simple, actionable steps. Below, learn how to write a strong, unique statement of purpose that will impress admissions committees and increase your chances of getting into your dream school.

What is a statement of purpose?

A statement of purpose (SOP), sometimes referred to as a personal statement, is a critical piece of a graduate school application that tells admissions committees who you are, what your academic and professional interests are, and how you’ll add value to the graduate program you’re applying to.

Jared Pierce, associate director of enrollment services at Northeastern University, says a strong statement of purpose can be the deciding factor in a graduate student’s admission.  

“Your statement of purpose is where you tell your story about who you are and why you deserve to be a part of the [university’s] community. It gives the admissions committee the chance to get to know you and understand how you’ll add value to the classroom,” he says.

How long should a statement of purpose be?

“A statement of purpose should be between 500 and 1,000 words,” Pierce says, noting that it should typically not exceed a single page. He advises that students use a traditional font at a readable size (11- or 12-pt) and leave enough whitespace in the margins to make the statement easy-to-read. Make sure to double-space the statement if the university has requested it, he adds. 

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How to Write a Statement of Purpose: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you understand how to format a statement of purpose, you can begin drafting your own. Getting started can feel daunting, but Pierce suggests making the process more manageable by breaking down the writing process into four easy steps.

1. Brainstorm your ideas.

First, he says, try to reframe the task at hand and get excited for the opportunity to write your statement of purpose. He explains:

“Throughout the application process, you’re afforded few opportunities to address the committee directly. Here is your chance to truly speak directly to them. Each student arrives at this process with a unique story, including prior jobs, volunteer experience, or undergraduate studies. Think about what makes you you and start outlining.”

When writing your statement of purpose, he suggests asking yourself these key questions:

• Why do I want this degree?
• What are my expectations for this degree?
• What courses or program features excite me the most?
• Where do I want this degree to take me, professionally and personally?
• How will my unique professional and personal experiences add value to the program?

Jot these responses down to get your initial thoughts on paper. This will act as your starting point that you’ll use to create an outline and your first draft.

2. Develop an outline.

Next, you’ll want to take the ideas that you’ve identified during the brainstorming process and plug them into an outline that will guide your writing. 

An effective outline for your statement of purpose might look something like this:

• An attention-grabbing hook
• A brief introduction of yourself and your background as it relates to your motivation behind applying to graduate school 
• Your professional goals as they relate to the program you’re applying to
• Why you’re interested in the specific school and what you can bring to the table
• A brief summary of the information presented in the body that emphasizes your qualifications and compatibility with the school

An outline like the one above will give you a roadmap to follow so that your statement of purpose is well-organized and concise. 

3. Write the first draft.

Your statement of purpose should communicate who you are and why you are interested in a particular program, but it also needs to be positioned in a way that differentiates you from other applicants. 

Admissions professionals already have your transcripts, resumé, and test scores; the statement of purpose is your chance to tell your story in your own words.

When you begin drafting content, make sure to:

• Provide insight into what drives you , whether that’s professional advancement, personal growth, or both.
• Demonstrate your interest in the school by addressing the unique features of the program that interest you most. For Northeastern, he says, maybe it’s experiential learning; you’re excited to tackle real-world projects in your desired industry. Or perhaps it’s learning from faculty who are experts in your field of study.
• Be yourself. It helps to keep your audience in mind while writing, but don’t forget to let your personality shine through. It’s important to be authentic when writing your statement to show the admissions committee who you are and why your unique perspective will add value to the program.

4. Edit and refine your work.

Before you submit your statement of purpose:

• Make sure you’ve followed all directions thoroughly , including requirements about margins, spacing, and font size.
• Proofread carefully for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Remember that a statement of purpose should be between 500 and 1,000 words. If you’ve written far more than this, read through your statement again and edit for clarity and conciseness. Less is often more; articulate your main points strongly and get rid of any “clutter.”
• Walk away and come back later with a fresh set of eyes. Sometimes your best ideas come when you’re not sitting and staring at your computer.
• Ask someone you trust to read your statement before you submit it.

Making a Lasting Impression

Your statement of purpose can leave a lasting impression if done well, Pierce says. It provides you with the opportunity to highlight your unique background and skills so that admissions professionals understand why you’re the ideal candidate for the program that you’re applying to. If nothing else, stay focused on what you uniquely bring to the classroom, the program, and the campus community. If you do that, you’ll excel.

To learn more tricks and tips for submitting an impressive graduate school application, explore our related Grad School Success articles .

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in March 2017. It has since been updated for thoroughness and accuracy.

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How to Write a Statement of Purpose for Grad School (Examples)

What is a Statement of Purpose for Grad School?

The Statement of Purpose (or “SOP letter”) is a key component of your application materials for most graduate schools, MBA programs, and Ph.D. programs in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and other countries around the world with an English-language curriculum. The most important thing about the statement of purpose (or personal statement) is that it ties together grades, test scores, and application and expands upon it, giving admissions officers a much more expansive window into who you are as a student and a person.

Although the graduate school application and academic CV provide a lot of information about you as a candidate, the letter will tell them “who you are” and “what you want to be” in a much more detailed and personal way than the other components in the application package.

What to Include in a Statement of Purpose

Before entering a graduate program, the graduate faculty need to know why you are interested in coming to this institution or program and how it will help you achieve your larger academic and professional goals in life. They also need to see that you are a person capable of high academic achievement in their given program. This means an extended history of your academic achievements during your undergraduate career (and graduate career if you have attended grad school), as well as the goals and objectives you have set out for yourself.

Ultimately, you need to stand out as a candidate from the field, showing why the admissions officers should accept you over the many other strong graduate candidates. The Statement of Purpose should highlight the reasons why you are more than just your test scores and grades—it could even help you overcome a less-than-perfect score in a class and account for any missing years in education. Therefore, keep in mind that your grad school SOP letter should be honest, candid, and most importantly, complete.

How long should a Statement of Purpose be? 

For most grad school programs, your Statement of Purpose should be between 500 and 1,000 words, depending on the level of your program and your academic history and achievements. A grad school SOP usually does not exceed two pages when written in a traditional font at a readable size of 11-point or 12-point. Leave enough whitespace in the margins to make the statement easy for admissions committees to read. Your SOP letter should also be double-spaced and follow standard formatting rules for university essays. Visit your program’s admissions website for specific Statement of Purpose formatting details.

Specific SOP Letter Questions to Answer

The following questions should be clearly answered in your SOP (in relatively this order):

• WHO are you (as a person and a student)?
• HOW did you become interested in this topic/field of study?
• WHAT have you done so far in the field of your choice?
• WHY/HOW do you want to study this field?
• WHY do you want to study at this university/program and WHY are you a good fit?

What style of writing is needed in a Statement of Purpose?

Although the SOP letter is more informal than a research paper, make sure that your language is not only free of grammatical and mechanics errors but that it is of an academic level that reflects your educational level and qualifications. Apply the following standards to the writing and the essay-drafting process:

• Compose using “graduate-level” academic writing.
• Make your language more personal in tone than research writing.
• Use the active voice and first-person point of view more often.
• Write chronologically, starting from your most important actions and achievements during your undergraduate years.
• Use lots of details—list course names, professors, methods, and specific schools and programs.
• Write several drafts of your SOP letter, giving yourself time to edit, revise, and edit again before submitting your essay to the graduate admissions faculty.

Statement of Purpose Organization

A well-structured Statement of Purpose allows readers to see your growth and development as an individual and as a researcher and student. You can think of the SOP letter as a story where all parts are in sequential, chronological order. The following is the most standard structure of a Statement of Purpose. For each “section,” you should write at least one paragraph but no more than two paragraphs, depending on the word-count limit indicated by your graduate program:

• A  “hook”  that demonstrates your passion for the field
• Segue  (transition) to your background in the field
• Specific  classes  you have taken, given by name
• Specific  professors  you have had, especially if well-known
• Extracurricular activities  in the field
• Publications  and other  professional accomplishments  in the field
• Explanations about  problems in your background  (if applicable)
• Mention  one or two professors  whose work you appreciate
• Specific features  of the grad program which attract you
• A  brief conclusion  repeating your purpose for applying to this program

Statement of Purpose Brainstorming Questions

As we mentioned above, it is critical that you answer all the questions expected in your Statement of Purpose. While graduate programs almost always provide specific prompts and instructions on their university/program website, the list below gives much more in-depth questions that you can answer to ensure impressing the graduate admissions faculty at your program. Use these as prompts to answer and brainstorm your more complete answers in each section (see the examples in the images below).

Academic/Professional Interests and Motivations

• What most interests you about this area of study?
• Why are you interested in this area and topic?
• When did you first start to show an interest? How did you exhibit this interest?

Academic Background

• What majors, classes, or other academic experiences have you had in this field?
• Which of your work, research, and/or extracurricular experiences are related to this field?

Publications/Professional Accomplishments/Awards

• What work have you published or written (thesis, dissertation, etc.) related to this field?
• Which awards have you received that show my ability?

What are your short-term and long-term goals?

• What do you hope to accomplish academically?
• What sort of research or professional work do you want to do in the future with your graduate degree or Ph.D.?

Recent Research/Professional Activities and Preparation

• What work have you been involved in recently that has prepared you for this program?
• What have you been involved in recently to show your interest in this field?

Why are you interested in this university and graduate program?

• What does this university/program offer you that other schools don’t?
• Which courses and professors most interest you?
• What makes you a “good fit” for this institution?
• What will you bring to this program?

What makes you stand out as a graduate school candidate?

• What other information about you should the school know that will attract them to you?
• Do you have any unique abilities or circumstances?

Do you have any weaknesses or missing elements you need to explain?

• Do you have any semesters of low grades that you may need to account for?
• Any inconsistencies or big changes in your academic or professional direction?

Statement of Purpose Structure in Detail

Think of the following questions and their answers as topic sentences or “mini-theses” that will guide the information and details in the rest of the paragraph. Answer each question during the brainstorming process and write it in a simple sentence or two. After answering these important questions, you will have a complete working outline (nearly a first draft!) in which you can later fill in the details, edit, and revise.

Grad School Statement of Purpose Example

University/Program:  NYU Anthropology Department

Major:  East African Studies

Paragraph 1: Introduction and Intended Program (“hook”)

Paragraph 2: Background, Interests, and Motivations (“segue”)

Paragraph 3: Elaborate on your academic background

Paragraph 4: Extracurricular Activities

Paragraphs 5-6: Publications and More Recent Activity

Paragraph 7: Why are you a good fit for this program and school?

Paragraph 8: SOP Conclusion/Commitment Statement

More Statement of Purpose Samples

Here are several examples of successful graduate school statements of purpose. Both candidates were applying to top-15 graduate and MBA programs. Notice how each essay incorporates their personal experience with their future goals, both academic and career.

Note: These are actual sample essays edited by professional editors . Personal info is redacted for privacy. This is not a reusable template.

Statement of Purpose Example 1

Computer science (CS) studies require abstract thinking and practical problem-solving skills. Hence, CS students usually need strong theoretical and technical abilities, which I have gained through my undergraduate education. For example, I am well-trained in mathematics, and the courses I have taken in the field have laid a solid theoretical foundation for understanding abstract computational propositions and designing complex algorithms. I am also skilled at computational thinking: I can connect theories with real-life problems and create computer programs to provide innovative solutions. Additionally, I am very passionate about studying CS because I know that CS will significantly impact my career and future life. Therefore, I feel confident that I will succeed in the _________ Program. I am looking forward to studying at ______, where I can learn how to create web scrapers, manage databases, contribute to open-source projects, and research various advanced topics.

The introduction immediately states the academic program and field of study. It adeptly defines what “success” is in the field of CS and connects that with his/her history, skills, and passions.

During my undergraduate career, I took many pure math courses, including Linear Algebra, Probability Theory, and Mathematical Statistics. These courses have prepared me well for studying advanced computer science because a wide range of methods used in modern computational research is based on mathematics. For example, in machine learning, knowledge from linear algebra and mathematical statistics is the basis for two key research methods: algebraic and statistical methods. Thanks to my proficiency in both areas, I will be able to find statistical explanations for the algebraic approach as well as perform algebraic calculations for statistical models. Therefore, I am confident in my ability to solve various theoretical problems during hands-on machine learning research. 

This part talks about academic history and skills. This applicant has the academic background and course history to be prepared for graduate-level study.

Furthermore, the computational thinking skills I gained from my undergraduate education enable me to formulate a problem, express the solution, and evaluate the results. In my Mathematical Modeling class, my professor introduced a mathematical model for describing the stock market. However, I soon realized that the model was too simple to illustrate real scenarios due to the lack of time variables. Therefore, I supplemented his original model with an iterative formula to measure time, programmed equations into a MATLAB editor, and generated solution graphs. I was surprised by the results, which implied a potential contradiction with the professor’s proposed solution. When I explained my findings to the professor, he was very impressed by my work. I plan to continue to capitalize on the strength of my computational thinking skills at Columbia to manage complex databases, practice classic algorithms, and apply my computer science expertise to solve real-life problems.

The applicant moves on to give an academic experience that demonstrates how he/she learns. How does the student handle barriers? How does the student interact with professors and mentors? How did he/she solve a problem? Graduate programs are looking for students who take control of their learning. 

One of the primary reasons that I want to study computer science is my internship experience. During the winter break of my junior year, I worked as an investment research intern at a private equity firm, where I was responsible for collecting financial data and writing industry reports. I enjoyed this work and continued finding methods to improve my efficiency—I wanted to spend more time on data analysis and less on manual data collection. After visiting another private equity firm with my manager, I realized that I needed to learn computer science. At that firm, all of the data collection and analyses were done automatically by its data mining and machine learning system. Using this approach, the firm could spend more time communicating with investors to raise more capital. Although I later switched my career goal to economics research, I am still motivated by what I learned from my internship experience: in the 21st century, computer science will fundamentally change every industry and every one of us. As such, we must embrace computer science to gain advantageous positions for our careers.

The applicant next explains why he/she wants to study at this program. The applicant writes about a professional high-performing experience that informed why studying CS could be beneficial. The applicant only learned this while “on the job .”

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy hiking. During my three years in _____, I climbed many mountains in the area. Hiking can be challenging on steep trails because I am sometimes exhausted, only halfway to the top. However, I never give up. In these moments, I will take a rest, have some energy bars, and continue walking until I reach the apex and discover the beautiful scenery there. Studying computer science is similar to hiking in some ways: as a non-CS major, I may find some CS courses challenging. However, with the patience and perseverance I have learned through hiking, I am able to overcome these challenges and master advanced computational techniques. As an international student, I will maintain full-time enrollment at my current university in order to attend the program if I am admitted. I hope to apply the computer science skills I will acquire at Columbia to boost my career development and achieve a better future.

Here, the student shows how well-rounded she/he is. Challenges are to be expected and not avoided. The applicant shows that balance is key to her/his way of learning.

Statement of Purpose Example 2

Life is short, but it is enjoyable to pursue and commit to something you love. My interest in information systems arose from my internship. Previously, I just wanted to start my career as a business analyst, more focused on the business side. But after the internship, this changed. At ____ , I gained exposure to SaaS and FinTech, which piqued my interest in programming, machine learning, and technology. Learning about these two fields afforded me opportunities to research technology and information science methods, and the process of actually handling data for analysis taught me that data is more useful in today’s business world than it was in the past, and I need to improve my data processing and forecasting skills to better serve my data-related work. My current master’s program focuses more on statistics than machine learning and technology, so I am eager to enroll in ____ ’s Master of Science in Information Systems program to follow my passion. I am confident that my strong academic background and relevant experience will allow me to succeed in this program.

The applicant immediately demonstrates his/her professional background. If your professional background is your best selling point, start with it. The applicant is a mature candidate and is applying because she/he knows what they want and what they need from the program.

After my undergraduate study in finance, I wanted to improve my statistical and technical skills along with business knowledge in order to meet my future job needs. In 2019, having achieved outstanding grades, I enrolled in ____ University’s master’s degree program in Applied Statistics and Decision Making. But based on my previous internships and projects, I want to take more courses in information systems and programming. Upon entering my current degree program, I selected courses on statistics, regression analysis and modeling, Python, R, sentiment analysis, and similar topics. These statistical and data science courses resolved some of the challenges I faced during my internship and helped determine my career goal in technology.

The second paragraph most often recalls the candidate’s academic or undergraduate history. The goal is to demonstrate you have taken the proper coursework to be prepared and you are aware of the skills needed.

This past summer, I interned at Visa in financial data analytics, a business-technology combined role. Compared to my previous internship at ____ , I learned more about data and technology foundations by gaining a comprehensive knowledge of the data analysis process. We use customer reporting and company network data to analyze customers’ credit status and make adjustments accordingly. Specifically, I used Python and SQL to conduct EDA and ETL processes. Then, I wrote a filter function to realize data extraction automation. After that, I compared and analyzed the internal business data. I marked the flagging value with the binary standard, using simple classification models, like logistic regression and random forest, to understand changes in the data. Finally, I designed dashboards using Tableau to show the investment and management team the flagging data of customers and their overall credit statuses. Through this internship, I was able to apply my theoretical knowledge to a specific extent, but it was still relatively simple data analysis and machine learning, as I did not optimize my model or made predictions. In order to conduct more in-depth research and make predictions, I decided to learn more about modeling and technical methods.

Next is professional experiences. The applicant details real, professional projects she/he has completed. The applicant shows why and how each tool is important in a business context (this candidate was applying to a top business school in NYC).

Therefore, I have decided to pursue graduate study in information systems at ____ . Several features of your program make it the perfect place for my future studies. First, the opportunity to pursue a summer internship to enhance my future job prospects appeals to me. Second, I am drawn to the comprehensive structure of the curriculum. I will have the chance to study in both the ____ School of Business and Computer Science and conduct an information technology project, which will enable me to achieve my goal of mastering business methods as well as algorithms relevant to technology management. Furthermore, I believe I am a great fit for your program and can both succeed and contribute a unique perspective. I have the requisite knowledge of business, statistics, mathematics, and programming required by the program. My previous internships and projects have provided me with substantial experience in both business and technology, and I have a clear understanding of what I hope to achieve in the program. Ideally, I want to consolidate my prior knowledge, focus on algorithms and systems, and deepen my study of machine learning and algorithms to be able to use various models flexibly and fluently. Finally, because I have studied in _____’s summer program, building a strong network with my professors and classmates, and earned my first graduate degree in New York, there is no question of my being able to adapt and assimilate to a new culture or environment. 

This section explains why the student is applying, what he/she hopes to gain, and what she/he can contribute. They cite the program’s strong network as a selling point.

Within one year of graduation, I hope to find a satisfying job related to technology and business, such as a technology consultant or product manager position in a technology or finance company. In the long run, I am eager to grow my network, make critical contributions to my team at work, and hope to become successful in the field of technology. Continuing my studies in your distinguished program would be a worthwhile journey for me and an integral step to achieving my goals.

Further Tips for Writing the Graduate Statement of Purpose

• Highlight your self-motivation, competence, and potential in this essay
• Emphasize everything from a positive perspective and write in the active voice.
• Demonstrate through examples; don’t just write that you are a “persistent person”—show it!
• Approach every topic with continuity and focus.
• Start at least 2-3 months in advance and write several drafts of your SOP letter before finalizing your essay.

The Final Step: Editing Your SOP Letter

As any good writer knows, it takes more than one draft to create a strong and compelling work of writing. After you have brainstormed for your grad school SOP letter, answered key questions, created a working outline, and written your first draft, there is still a lot of room for revision. Share your work with a friend or peer whose opinion you trust.

Even better, let a professional proofreading service like Wordvice (including personal statement editing and statement of purpose editing services ) revise and proofread your essay so that it lives up to its full potential and helps ensure that you will be admitted to the graduate or doctoral program of your choice. Our Essay Editing Services also include recommendation letter editing and cv editing , covering all kinds of application documents for college, university, MBA programs, and other advanced degrees and programs.

For more academic resources on writing the statement of purpose for grad school and editing your essays and academic work, check out the following articles and videos.

Wordvice Admissions Resources

• All You Need to Know About the Letter of Recommendation
• Tips for Writing a Strong Personal Statement 
• Write a Strong MBA Admissions Essay
• Writing a Strong Recommendation Letter
• Sample Academic CV for Graduate Programs

Inspira Advantage

How To Write A Statement Of Purpose For MBA + Examples

One of the best ways to convey your MBA goals in one cohesive story is through a personal statement. This guide will cover everything you need to know about to write a statement of purpose.

Applying to business school means you’ll have to gather or write many documents, to sum up why you’re the perfect candidate. You must collect your university transcripts, take the GMAT or GRE , and ask for recommendation letters. 

Besides burning the midnight oil studying for your choice of standardized test, perhaps the most time-consuming part of your MBA application is writing admissions essays. 

You’ll likely write essays in response to prompts asking about challenges you’ve faced and how you overcame them, what your professional aspirations are, achievements you’re most proud of, and much more. Some business schools ask explicitly for a statement of purpose or have supplemental prompts that ask for the same things. 

We will walk you through what a statement of purpose is, how to write one for MBA admissions, a statement of purpose example, and tips to help you create your masterful essay. 

What is a Statement of Purpose?

A statement of purpose is a critical essay required for graduate school admissions explaining why you are applying to that program. Some people interchangeably call it a personal statement or a goal statement. 

Typically 1-2 pages in length, it outlines your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements, clarifies why you want to pursue further education, and makes the case for how you are a strong fit for both the program specifically and the field more broadly.

Most business schools will provide specific questions or guides to write your statement of purpose. For example, Stanford GSB explicitly requests an SOP covering the following material:

• “Your past work on relevant issues
• What excites you most about your chosen field of study
• Possible areas of research you might pursue
• Any research projects you have completed with faculty
• Any faculty member’s research that is of interest to you
• Any other information you would like to provide to the admissions committee.”

On the other hand, Wharton does not explicitly ask for an SOP but asks for supplemental essays requesting essentially the same information: 

“How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton.”

“Taking into consideration your background – personal, professional, and/or academic – how do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community?”  

A SOP is an extremely important step in the application process as it is one of the few opportunities you’ll have to speak directly to the admissions committee.

How To Write the Statement of Purpose for MBA Admissions

Writing a stellar statement of purpose requires good writing skills and time. You’ll need to ensure you answer the prompts entirely, your narrative has a logical flow, and your essay is as impactful as possible. Keep in mind, that there’s no one right way to write an SOP as long as it answers the question and has a logical flow.

Writing a statement of purpose isn’t easy, but these steps will show you a possible method for writing your SOP. 

Identify What the Prompts Are Asking You 

This sounds straightforward, but it’s easy to get wrapped up in your narrative and miss particular elements admissions committees want to see. Referring to the Stanford GSB example above, the admissions committee asks you to touch on six points. For a truly outstanding essay, ensure your response answers the question. 

Do Your School Research 

One of the SOP’s primary purposes is to describe why you want to attend a school’s MBA program. The school research helps tie together your aspirations with what the school offers. Your research will not only make your writing more robust but also show the admissions committee you took the time to learn about the school before applying. 

Create An Outline 

An outline helps ensure you don’t exceed word limits, hit all the main points you want to discuss and structure your writing. Separate your response into three parts, and figure out what information you want to convey in the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. 

Introduction: Introduce Yourself And Give Background

When we say to introduce yourself, we don’t mean, “Hi, I’m John Doe and I want an MBA.” While pretty straightforward, it leaves a lot to be desired in terms of your creativity and writing skills. You may want to begin with an anecdote about what sparked your interest in an MBA in the first place and give a little bit more background about your academic experience and what you do for work. 

Body: Talk About Qualifications, Express Interest, State Your Goals 

The body of your statement of purpose for MBA admissions is where you can write about your academic awards, accomplishments, and research. If you’ve received any other awards or other notable achievements like writing a book, spearheading an important project, or starting an initiative, you should write about it here. 

Some applicants like using the body of their statement of purpose to express their interest in the school’s MBA program, and some writers like to lean into that content toward the end of their response. The same applies to stating your goals: What do you want out of an MBA program? How will an MBA from this school help you achieve your professional goals? 

Conclusion: Wrap Up and Look Toward the Future 

The conclusion is where you should wrap up any loose ends in your writing. You should reaffirm why you want to attend an MBA program if you haven’t already. To help guide your thinking, answer the following questions : 

“What does this university/program offer you that other schools don't? Which courses and professors most interest you? What makes you a ‘good fit’ for this institution? What can you bring to this program?”

If you can confidently answer these, you have a good argument for why you chose the institution you’re applying to. 

Writing your hopes for the future and exactly how an MBA would help you achieve them is crucial in your writing. Although you can touch on this a little bit in your body paragraphs, you want to ensure you end on a memorable and impactful note.

What Do MBA Admissions Committees Look For in Statement of Purpose?

Your statement of purpose (SOP) tells the admissions committee how your background has prepared you to excel in the MBA program. It should clearly articulate short and long-term goals, and explain how pursuing this specific MBA provides the knowledge and opportunities to accomplish those career objectives.

An outstanding SOP makes a compelling and memorable case that you have the capability and motivation to excel in your MBA studies and career.

Statement of Purpose for an MBA Examples 

A well-written statement of purpose sample can help guide your writing process. Here is a striking statement of purpose sample from an applicant to Harvard Business School . 

“In 2012, I realized a life ambition—I completed my first novel, all while working full time at [Top U.S. Investment Bank]. I could not wait to share it with the world and eagerly went in search of a literary agent. But each agent I contacted declined to represent my novel.

Nevertheless, I was passionate about my work and was determined to put it into readers’ hands. In true entrepreneurial fashion, I self-published my novel through the digital platforms Smashwords and Createspace. 

I worked with a promotional expert to organize a month-long book tour to promote the book to prominent book bloggers and their readers. The result? My novel has received multiple 5-star reader reviews, from Amazon to Goodreads, and was a semifinalist for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award.

Storytelling is my lifelong passion; it saw me through a difficult childhood. After my father left, my mother raised me as a single parent in [U.S. City/State], a rural Bible Belt town two hours south of [U.S. State]. We did not have much money and that coupled with my bookishness made me a target for bullies. 

Books and writing were an escape; they gave me an avenue to articulate the feelings of abandonment and powerlessness I otherwise did not want to express. Writing made me happy and the more I wrote, the more my talent blossomed. I began to win awards and my work was published in youth literary journals. These experiences made me more confident, a key part of my success later in life. It all started with a pen, a notebook, and my imagination.

Stories are an integral part of the human experience. They uplift and inspire us, permit us to dream and to visualize what could be. Storytelling has been an integral part of my career, from building financial models at [Top U.S. Investment Bank] that illustrated my expectations for the companies that I covered to delivering a presentation to [International Daily Newspaper]’s chief revenue officer explaining why reducing ad prices for tender house advertisers would not lead to an increase in revenue.

My passion has also informed my growth as a leader; I believe my most impactful expressions of leadership have been my efforts to help others write the narratives of their own lives and careers. At [Top U.S. Investment Bank], I created an informal mentorship program for female and minority interns and first-year analysts in the research division and led a “soft skills” class to help new analysts handle difficult interpersonal situations. 

For four years, I’ve mentored a young Hispanic woman through Student Sponsor Partners, a nonprofit that gives low-income students scholarships to private high schools. Being a mentor gave me the privilege of guiding another first-generation college student along what I know can be a lonely, difficult path. This fall, she started college with a full scholarship.

Storytelling will be a part of my future career path; as an MBA graduate, my goal is to obtain a position in strategy and business development at an entertainment company that specializes in film or television. Long term, I want to start a multimedia and merchandising company with a publishing arm (books and magazines) as well as film, TV, and digital operations. 

Using strong, fictional heroines and informative lifestyle content, my company’s goal will be to educate and inspire women to become their best selves. My particular focus is creating compelling, multidimensional characters to inspire young women of color, who are constantly bombarded by negative images of women who look like them in media.

I’m pursuing a Harvard MBA because I want to become a better business strategist and strong general manager. Also, I want to further develop my leadership and presentation skills as I will manage professionals on the content and business side; it will be my task to unite them behind a shared strategic vision. 

Specifically, I want to learn how to motivate teams and individuals to perform at their highest level, and to become more adept at persuasion and generating “buy-in” from others. Harvard’s unique approach using the case method and emphasis on leadership development will challenge me to grow in both these areas. I also feel that I have much to contribute to Harvard’s community. 

My varied background in finance and media has given me a unique perspective that will be valuable in classroom discussions and team projects. I want to share my passion for the entertainment industry with my classmates by chairing the Entertainment & Media club and planning conferences, career treks, and other opportunities.

My background gives me the capacity for fearless thinking that is needed to meet the challenges of the entertainment industry’s shifting landscape. A Harvard MBA will strengthen that foundation and help me to become the kind of dynamic leader who can bring the vision for my own company to life and be at the forefront of entertainment’s structural shift.”

Why This Example Works

This statement of purpose weaves together a compelling personal narrative with clear goals and qualifications relevant to Harvard. The applicant does an excellent job showing rather than telling why they would be a strong fit for Harvard. 

For example, instead of simply stating they have leadership experience, the applicant illustrates their leadership skills through specific anecdotes like creating a mentorship program and leading a professional development seminar. The applicant also ties their interests in entertainment and storytelling directly to concrete skills like building financial models, persuading executives, and managing teams that would translate well to an MBA environment. 

While the essay focuses mainly on the applicant's background and goals, the applicant makes sure to explain why Harvard specifically, with its case study method and emphasis on leadership, would further their growth. 

Overall, this statement of purpose makes a persuasive case through its seamless integration of the applicant’s past experiences, future aspirations, and alignment with Harvard’s offerings.

Let’s take a look at another sample statement of purpose for an MBA program.

‍ “Diversity is the key to an impactful and far-reaching career. All my life I have strived to diversify both my professional and academic endeavors, and it has developed me into a comprehensive individual whose skills permeate through many facets of business. 

The growth of my professional skills began in Armenia, where I was born and raised. Then, in 2015 I sought the opportunity to branch out and empower my career in different ways, in new and unique places. This motivation is what brought me to the United States, where I have been focusing on utilizing my professional skills in a new environment. 

It is what has also brought me to this exciting pursuit of a prestigious MBA degree. My professional endeavors include over ten years of experience in IT/Telecom, Oil/Gas, and Construction. 

The bulk of my work has been facilitating growth and improvement in a variety of managerial positions which have led me to the exploration of many other facets of business. For instance, my work as the Franchisee Sales Director for three years with Orange Armenia had me focusing on sales and our financial objectives, such as preparing annual budgets, scheduling expenditures, and a variety of financial analyses. 

This job led me to my next position with Veya Investments, where I led all the financial processes, and oversaw much of the sales and shipping processes. I have been fortunate to follow much of the financial organization at different levels across multiple companies, which has rounded out my comprehensive understanding of finances, economics, and accounting. 

A large bulk of my work, however, has been on the managerial side of the spectrum. I have done everything from recruitment to upper-level management where I have worked hard to motivate individuals and build efficient, high-quality teams of people. As a manager at Amsnet SOPFOR MBA PROGRAM SAMPLE Telecom, I developed and managed financial strategies, and helped train employees to reach the best of their ability. 

I oversaw employee performance as well, overall working to build morale and ensure ever-growing success for the company. I used these skills in a marketing capacity as well, particularly when I worked as Head of Business Development and Marketing with MLL Industries. I quickly found that a broader understanding of the synchronous aspects of business helped in my ability to market the company effectively. 

A deeper knowledge of the flow and hierarchy of the business environment was vital to my ability to put together proper and effective marketing strategies. Perhaps the most important thing I have learned in my years of experience is that all facets of business work in tandem with one another, and it is ineffective to just understand one aspect, even if your understanding is incredibly dense. Understanding how the parts of a business work and flow together is how to make effective change in a company, and it all plays into quantitative business analysis, something I have utilized in almost all of my jobs. 

Looking toward the future, I know that I can expand my knowledge even further in all aspects of business, which is why an MBA program is perfect for me. This program will allow me to utilize skills I have acquired in the past, and apply them in new and unique ways. 

It is an opportunity for trial and error, learning what is effective and what isn’t as I work towards taking on more responsibilities as a business professional. I am excited for where this MBA could potentially take my career, and I hope you will consider my application.” 

This statement of purpose makes a strong case for the applicant's candidacy by emphasizing their professional diversity and ability to succeed across various business functions. The applicant does an excellent job using anecdotes from their international work experience to demonstrate a comprehensive skillset spanning finance, management, marketing, and more. 

They also tie each experience back to overarching business concepts like financial analysis, showing an aptitude for making connections between discrete roles. Though their career has been more tactical so far, the applicant conveys strategic thinking and big big-picture perspective when discussing how all facets of business interconnect. 

Their thoughtful reflection on past challenges and eagerness to expand their knowledge make a persuasive argument for why an MBA would be the next logical step. By blending specific examples with commentary on key takeaways, this essay paints a portrait of a consummate professional who will thrive in business school and beyond.

It’s always helpful to see a few examples before writing your statement of purpose. So, let’s take a look at a statement of purpose for an applicant to Cornell’s MBA degree program. 

“Dear Admissions Committee,

I am writing to express my sincere interest in pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at Cornell University's Johnson Graduate School of Management. With a passion for business strategy, leadership, and innovation, I am eager to leverage the unparalleled resources and rigorous academic environment at Cornell to further develop my skills and make a meaningful impact in the business world.

My journey into the realm of business began with a strong foundation in Economics, where I cultivated analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and a keen understanding of market dynamics. Throughout my academic and professional experiences, I have consistently sought opportunities to challenge myself and expand my horizons, whether through internships, research projects, or extracurricular activities.

One defining aspect of my career has been my commitment to continuous learning and growth. I have actively sought out diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary knowledge, recognizing the importance of adaptability in today's dynamic business landscape. This mindset has not only enabled me to navigate complex challenges but has also fueled my desire to pursue advanced education in business administration.

Cornell's MBA program stands out to me for its reputation of excellence, distinguished faculty, and emphasis on practical, real-world learning experiences. I am particularly drawn to the program's immersion learning approach through the Johnson Leadership Fellows Program, which will provide me with hands-on experience and mentorship opportunities to refine my leadership skills. Additionally, the opportunity to participate in the Strategic Operations Immersion will allow me to apply classroom concepts to real business scenarios, preparing me to drive operational excellence in future roles.

Beyond the classroom, I am eager to take advantage of Cornell's extensive network of alumni and industry connections, leveraging these resources to gain valuable insights and forge meaningful partnerships. I am especially interested in joining the Sustainable Global Enterprise Immersion to explore innovative business models that prioritize environmental and social responsibility. Additionally, I look forward to contributing to the Cornell Consulting Club, where I can apply my analytical skills to solve complex business problems and collaborate with diverse teams.

In conclusion, I am confident that Cornell's MBA program will provide me with the knowledge, skills, and networks necessary to excel as a business leader in today's global economy. I am committed to fully immersing myself in the academic and professional opportunities available at Cornell, and I am excited about the prospect of contributing to the university's legacy of excellence.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of joining the Cornell community and embarking on this transformative journey together.” 

This statement of purpose aligns the applicant's background and goals with the specific strengths of Cornell's MBA program. The applicant demonstrates a strong foundation in economics and analytics while highlighting their commitment to lifelong learning across disciplines. 

Though their experience is still an early career, they convey intellectual curiosity and adaptability that would enable them to thrive in an advanced business program. The applicant does an excellent job articulating why Cornell is their top choice, citing specific learning opportunities in leadership, operations, and sustainability that match their interests. 

They also express genuine enthusiasm for getting involved on campus through clubs and consulting projects. By balancing academic motivations with extracurricular and professional ambitions, this essay paints the picture of a well-rounded applicant who sees Cornell as the perfect catalyst to accelerate their business education. 

The level of research and fit conveyed gives admissions confidence that this candidate would actively contribute to the vibrant campus community.

Common Mistakes

Common mistakes when writing MBA SOPs include repeating your resume without adding new information or examples. It’s also a mistake to lack confidence in showcasing your achievements and personal story. Let’s take a closer look at these common pitfalls. 

• Avoid Repetition : Your Statement of Purpose (SOP) should not regurgitate your resume. Instead of listing your accomplishments again, use the SOP as an opportunity to delve into your personal story, showcasing your unique qualities and experiences.
• Use Examples : Support your claims with concrete examples. Instead of simply stating that you possess certain qualities like hard work or innovation, provide specific instances where you demonstrated these traits. This helps to make your SOP more engaging and credible.
• Be Confident : Approach your SOP with confidence. Trust in your experiences and abilities, and convey this assurance in your writing. Avoid undermining yourself or downplaying your achievements.
• Plan and Reflect : Take the time to plan and reflect on your experiences before writing your SOP. Consider how each experience has shaped you and contributed to your goals. This reflection will help you craft a coherent and compelling narrative.
• Learn from Setbacks : Embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth. Don't shy away from discussing challenges or failures in your SOP. Instead, demonstrate how you overcame obstacles, showcasing your resilience and determination.
• Be Modest, but Proud : Find a balance between humility and confidence in your SOP. While it's important to be modest, don't hesitate to highlight your achievements and strengths. Present yourself in a positive light without coming across as arrogant.
• Avoid Clichés : Tell your story in your own words, avoiding clichés and overused phrases. Be authentic and original in your writing, focusing on what makes your experiences and aspirations unique. This will help your SOP stand out to admissions committees.

In wrapping up, remember to steer clear of these mistakes in your MBA application. A well-crafted SOP can truly make a difference in standing out among applicants.

Tips for Writing a Statement of Purpose 

Writing a statement of purpose might sound difficult, but once you have an outline, the process is quite simple. To help you write your statement of purpose, we’ve outlined 10 tips, listed below.

1. Hone in on Your Abilities and How They Spell Success

It’s one thing to consider yourself a diligent worker, but it’s another to demonstrate how your diligence has led to success. You want the admissions committee to understand you’re an excellent candidate by showcasing your strengths but do so in a way that focuses on results. 

2. Ensure You Describe the Mutual Benefit

Although you’ll undoubtedly benefit from a school’s MBA program, you want to show the admissions committee how your acceptance will benefit the school. Share how you plan to contribute to the school’s community, class discussions, and overall culture. 

3. Quantify Your Experiences

Your statement of purpose shouldn’t be a list of facts and figures, but adding some can help your credibility and showcase your potential. Think about the quantifiable measures of success you can add to your SOP, such as your hand in increasing revenue and productivity. 

4. Edit Your Statement of Purpose to Perfection

Even the best writers need some help to unlock their work's full potential and impact. You’ll likely write numerous SOP drafts before you’re confident in the final product. 

5. Show, Don't Tell

Rather than broadly stating your skills or accomplishments, use vivid examples and anecdotes to showcase them. For research, describe a specific breakthrough discovery. For leadership, tell a story where your initiative drove impact.

6. Find Your Perspective

What distinct experiences, viewpoints, backgrounds, or interests set you apart from other applicants? Be introspective about an obstacle you have overcome, a passion that drives you, or a particular lens through which you view the world. Then highlight this in your statement to show what distinctive perspective you will bring to the program.

7. Research Thoroughly

Strengthen your statement by citing specific courses, faculty experts, facilities, institutes, or other details offered at the target program that align with your academic interests and future goals. Not only does this demonstrate a genuine interest and fit with the program, but it also shows you have done your homework and understand what this specific school can offer you.

8. Be Succinct

Admissions committee members must read through hundreds of statements of purpose from applicants. While you want to include critical details about your abilities, experiences, and goals, be mindful that convoluted, excessively wordy essays can lose the reader’s interest quickly.

9. Customize for Each School 

Avoid recycling one generic statement of purpose to submit to all schools. Tailor each statement you draft to reflect the specific values, culture, and offerings of each program by citing details you uncovered through your research about that particular institution.

10. Refine Through Multiple Drafts

Treat every sentence and paragraph of your statement with great care and importance. Allow yourself ample time to write multiple drafts, letting it rest in between for a fresh look each time.

Let’s move on to some commonly asked questions.  

1. Do I Need to Rewrite My Statement of Purpose for Each School? 

Yes, you should write a unique statement of purpose tailored to each MBA program you apply to. While some background details may overlap, your SOPs should highlight different skills, goals, and fit to align with the values and offerings of each specific school.

2. How Do I Avoid Rehashing My Resume?

Use vivid stories and examples that bring your background to life rather than just listing accomplishments. An engaging personal narrative and themes related to your goals help form the backbone for compelling writing.

3. How Important Is My Statement of Purpose? 

Your SOP is critical for MBA applications, allowing you to stand out from applicants with similar test scores/GPAs. It demonstrates fit with the program and how you’ll contribute to the school’s community.

4. How Long Should My Statement of Purpose Be? 

Follow any length requirements stated by the school. If none is specified, 1,000 words or less is best. Concise, well-crafted writing keeps the reader's interest.

5. Can I Include Extenuating Circumstances in My Statement of Purpose? 

If gaps exist in your application, explain them in your SOP. However, avoid excessive focus on weaknesses. Many schools have an optional essay for addressing anything else admissions should know.

6. Does My Story Need to Be Earth-Shattering to Make a Good Essay? 

No - admissions committees look for evidence of resilience, introspection, and initiative. While dramatic essays may seem compelling, grounded stories of overcoming challenges can be equally persuasive.

Bruce DelMonico , Assistant Dean of Admissions at Yale University School of Management, said he approaches dramatic stories and stretched truths in essays with caution. He said he’s not “looking for students to have exotic experiences but for evidence of resilience, introspection and initiative.” 

7. Can I Play With the Statement of Purpose’s Format? 

Yes, organize your SOP however best presents your candidacy, as long as it flows logically. Tailor both content and structure to each school.

Conclusion 

Your statement of purpose should be well-written, impactful, and creative to give you the best chance of admission. Statements of purpose help the admissions committee get to know you and your skills better and add value to your application. 

Remember, you want to demonstrate why the program is an excellent fit for you as much as why you're a perfect fit for the program. Admissions committees want to admit applicants who display positive character traits diverse skill sets, and are willing to contribute to their school community. 

With the help of this guide, you can feel empowered knowing you have the tools to craft an outstanding statement of purpose. 

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15 Graduate School Statement of Purpose Examples That Worked!

Writing a graduate school statement of purpose is tough, but we’re here to help! Review these statement of purpose examples and our expert tips to help you create your own effective essay and learn how to get into grad school . The samples come from our own past students who got into multiple top graduate schools. Note that the students worked with our admissions experts as part of our application review programs to create these statements. We hope they will serve as a starting roadmap for you.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

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Article Contents 70 min read

Graduate school statement of purpose example that got 5 acceptances (998 words).

“Architecture is the will of an epoch translated into space.” I was 16 when I first read this quote by Mies van der Rohe, and, back then, I thought I really understood what it meant. Thinking of this quote one summer evening, as I walked around my beloved New York City, I was inspired to commit to a future in architecture. At that early stage, I cherished romantic ideals of designing grandiose buildings that would change a city; of adding my name to the list of architectural geniuses who had immortalized their vision of the world in concrete, steel, glass, and stone. It was in college that I became passionately interested in the theoretical design and engineering concepts that form the basis of architecture, while also exploring in greater detail the sociological and economic impact of architecture.

The true breakthrough for me took place in my sophomore year of college, when I was volunteering at The Bowery Mission, a women’s shelter situated in Queens, New York. The shelter was in a poorly ventilated building, with an essentially non-functioning air conditioning system. The little bit of relief for the people who stayed there was a small park nearby, a patch of green between suffocating buildings. One day when I was working the afternoon shift there in the peak of summer, I looked out to see bulldozers in the park. It was being torn up to make room for yet another building. I saw that completed building a year later – a grey block of steel that did not utilize any of the original park space. Witnessing this injustice, while learning every day about how climatology, materials technology, and engineering mechanics intersect with urban planning and architectural design, ignited a passion for sustainable design in me. [BeMo2] How can we, as architects, minimize our harm to communities and eco-systems? How can we design buildings with a view to sustain long-term energy and resource efficiency without sacrificing immediate economic viability? What are the eco-conscious solutions that architects can put forward to address the environmental changes of the 21st century? These were the questions that plagued me then and I have pursued the answers to these questions throughout my academic career so far.

I found the answers to some of these questions in the robust curriculum I pursued at ABC College of Architecture, New York. I took up advanced coursework in Engineering Mechanics, Surveying, Soil Mechanics, Steel Structures, Model Making etc. which helped me hone my technical skills. As my interest in sustainable architecture developed, I became curious about the social and anthropological impact of architecture. I studied Art History, African American Literature, Anthropology, and Cultures of Ancient Greece, which helped me develop a deeper understanding of the socio-ecological impact of architecture and ethical responsibilities of architects. With this strong background of academic exploration, my architectural philosophy continued to evolve. I became interested in cutting-edge design techniques and their application to sustainable design. In my junior year at college, I participated in the New Dimensions of Architecture conference held in New York City, presenting my own paper on “Analyzing the Implications of the Weiszman Design Theory for the Sustainable Architecture of the Future”. In fact, it was at this conference that I met Professor Richard Wright, the esteemed architect and professor emeritus at the Architecture department of XYZ University. Talking with him was one of the most enlightening moments of my life. We discussed our shared passion for ecologically efficient and socially cohesive architectural solutions, and he introduced me to the works of Leonard Nieman, Mary Andrews, and other cutting-edge green architecture firms that are making a real contribution to ecologically sustainable urban planning.

In fact, the possibility of learning from and working directly with Professor Wright is one of my main reasons to seek admission into your M.Arch program. His innovative design theories have a tremendous potential for sustainable architecture solutions. I would love to learn from him and collaborate with him to continue to explore my interest in these topics. I am also deeply interested in the scope of studies afforded by your wide-ranging curriculum that focuses on the latest architectural innovations as well as socio-economic evolutions in architecture. Moreover, for a budding green architect, nothing is more attractive than your quarterly line-up of seminars and conferences that frequently feature the names of the architects at the forefront of design innovation. With my strong academic background in both the technical and socio-economic aspects of architecture, and my focused passion on sustainable architectural solutions for the future, I think I am a perfect candidate for your master’s program. This education is exactly what I need to launch me into the next phase of my career, where I hope to gain experience at one of New York’s top green architecture firms, working on problems of low-budget housing, eco-friendly factory designs, and organic city planning. Eventually, I hope to specialize in sustainable, low-budget urban planning for socio-economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.

It’s funny to think how far I’ve come from my early romanticized ideals of what it meant to be an architect. Those sunset walks around New York city from my teenage years, surrounded by the works of Mies van der Rohe and Rem Koolhas, inspired in me an awe for the cultural power an architect can wield. It was an early lesson that a building can both represent and transform spaces. Today when I walk around my beloved city, what I see are the innumerable missed architectural opportunities to organically inhabit and improve any given space with sustainable design. And now, when I consider Mies van der Rohe’s famous quote, I no longer think of my own petty will or the limited scope of individual genius; I think of the will of an entire generation committed to saving our planet with teamwork, collaboration, and true passion, and how grateful I am to be a part of this generation of architects.

A statement of purpose is an essential part of your application for a graduate program. While your academic transcripts and letters of reference reveal your academic credentials, and your extracurriculars and graduate school resume show your professional capabilities, your statement of purpose gives you the chance to present yourself as a candidate in a more well-rounded and compelling way. This is your opportunity to make yourself stand out as an applicant! Your preparation for writing and completing the statement of purpose is not unlike your preparations with graduate school interview questions — you need to leave yourself an ample amount of time to ace it.

Of course, each school is different, and you need to make sure you have checked the specific requirements of your chosen institutions before you begin writing your statement. But no matter which school you’re applying to one thing is certain: a strong statement of purpose is crucial to your success! 

What’s included in a graduate school statement of purpose?

The statement of purpose provides the admissions committee with a way of understanding more about you as an applicant on a deeper level. The statement of purpose gives them the opportunity to assess your suitability for their particular program and institution. Finding the right fit between an applicant and a graduate program is crucial for both parties, and your statement of purpose is your opportunity to explain to the admissions committee why you believe this graduate program is right for you. 

With this in mind, it is important to use the statement of purpose as a way of showcasing what led you to the program in the first place, and what you hope to achieve if accepted. Here’s a quick list of what should be included in your grad school statement of purpose:

• Why you are pursuing a master’s or PhD
• Why you are interested in a field or a specific program
• How you have prepared yourself academically or professionally for a career in this field
• What you will contribute to the program
• Your future career goals and how the program will help you achieve them

Here's a quick guide to writing a grad school statement of purpose if you'd rather watch a video:

How to Start Writing a Graduate School Statement of Purpose

The key to great writing is great preparation. That is why you need to lay some groundwork before you even start drafting your statement of purpose. Here are the steps you need to take to prepare yourself.

#1 Set aside the time

Preparing and writing a statement of purpose is not a quick undertaking. Proper preparation is a commitment, and you need to make sure you are setting aside enough time to complete the steps below. Since the statement itself will also require several drafts before reaching its final form, always keep in mind that this is not something to leave to the last minute! Ideally, you should give yourself 6-8 weeks to write your statement. Do yourself a favor by getting started on your preparations as early as you can, leaving yourself plenty of time to write and re-write your statement afterwards.

#2 Research your school and program thoroughly

Whether you’re wondering how to find a postdoc program or searching for the best special master’s program for you, research is essential. Visit the school’s website and pay close attention to any mission statements or explicit values that are stated. Visit the pages dedicated to your department and program of choice to glean clues regarding their academic culture. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the research specialties of the faculty members. Make note of any faculty members whose research interests align with yours, as they could potentially serve as a supervisor or mentor. Be sure to learn how to write a research interest statement , too!

#3 Brainstorm how and why you would fit into the school and program

It’s not enough to want to attend a particular school just because of their good reputation or nice location. While learning about the school, its faculty, and your program of choice, you should be constantly reflecting upon how and why you would fit in as a member of that community. Think about what you can contribute to the school, why you want to do a PhD or master’s program, and how the program will help you achieve your career goals. These reflections will prove crucially important when you write your statement.

If you need outside help with writing your essay, you can turn to a graduate school essay tutor for feedback and expert advice.

#4 Contact any potential mentors

If you have discovered a faculty member whose work sounds intriguing to you, reach out to them to introduce yourself and your own research interests. Forming a direct connection with a faculty member could significantly boost your candidacy, especially if the faculty member is willing to consider playing a supervisory role in your work or write you a graduate school recommendation letter . A faculty member will also be able to answer any questions you may have about your common research interests, and how you could explore those further within the program.

Building these relationships now is also a good way to start networking and finding future job opportunities if you’re not sure how to find a job after grad school !

As noted above, every school is different, and each program is unique. Make sure you understand the specifics of what they are looking for in a statement of purpose, e.g. length, emphasis, any required formatting guidelines. The more closely you follow their guidelines, the less prone you will be to making errors in terms of structure or formatting. Many graduate schools will provide prompts to make your writing process easier. Make sure to read the prompt carefully. While these tend to be very open-ended, they can provide clues as to what the admissions committee expects to see in your statement.

The essay prompts may ask you to share something the admissions committee should know or provide you with an opportunity to explain any gaps in your application. If you want to know how to get into graduate school with a low GPA , this is where you can discuss the circumstances of your below average grade and what you’ve done to improve yourself.

If you are in doubt about what the school expects from your statement of purpose, ask for clarification from an appropriate authority at the school. Remember that each institution’s website and admissions office is there to help clear up any uncertainty you may have about deadlines and requirements. Seek clarification if you are not sure about something.  

#6 Get your materials in order before you write

Before you begin writing, you need to make sure you have everything you need for your reference close at hand. Make sure you have copies of your academic transcripts and your CV for graduate school within easy reach, to help jog your memory about specific courses or achievements you wish to include in your statement of purpose. You might also wish to keep nearby any useful information you have about the program and its faculty, for quick reference when you need it.

#7 Make some outline notes

Sitting and staring at a blank page can be a little intimidating. That’s why having some useful notes can make writing the actual statement much easier! Go over your reference materials and make a short list of which experiences and achievements you would especially like to highlight in your statement. Ideally, include 1 to 3 experiences that are relevant, impactful and important to you. Note down specific examples for achievements you want to highlight. Make sure you have a clear, specific answer for WHY you are pursuing a graduate degree. The better your prep notes are, the more straightforward writing your statement will be.  

After researching the program, you have an idea of their mission and culture. Think of your accomplishments and strengths in relation to what you know about the school. Do they value research? Share some of your research experiences or accomplishments from your research resume . Does the program tout the importance of community? Discuss any community service you have participated in and what you’ve learned from those experiences.

A strong statement of purpose should include the following elements in the main body of the text:

You can expect to be asked about your strengths and weaknesses in your grad school interview, too, so having a way to answer those questions effectively will help you. ","label":"Weaknesses or setbacks","title":"Weaknesses or setbacks"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

Statement of Purpose Content Examples

We will now take a look at each of these four elements in greater depth below, with some useful examples. 

Focused Interest in the Field

Your statement of purpose also allows you to share your focused interest in the field of your choosing. In thinking about your intellectual and research interests, consider including some of the following elements:

• Problems of interest in the field that you find exciting or compelling . Introducing the contemporary problems of interest in your field of choice and why you find them intriguing is a great way of showing the admissions committee that you are familiar with the discussions in your field, and that you are fully ready to contribute to helping address those problems and issues in your own work and studies.
• Potential area of interest/research question you would like to pursue. A strong applicant knows what their purpose is, and that purpose is most clearly expressed in sharing the area of interest or research question that you wish to pursue in your studies. Let the admissions committee know what you would like to learn more about, and as ever, why. Share the paths you might wish to explore further shows the committee that are you in tune with your own intellectual curiosity and eager for opportunities to dig a little deeper. Your statement will be especially memorable if you can name a faculty member whose research interests reflect your own.
• Your perspectives and intellectual influences. If you have ever encountered a teacher or scholar that has shaped your perspectives and influenced your intellectual pursuits, feel free to mention them. If there is a particular faculty member whose work you admire at the school you are applying to, then that’s a bonus!

My interest in the Health Economics specialization option is a testament to my conviction that health is one of the most interesting and complex determinants of social welfare. In my experiences as a traveler, researcher, and student, I understand health policy to be one of the most defining characteristics of a national identity as well as the locus of key clashes between equity and efficiency. Health economic policy is the most interesting because it juxtaposes health care, in which universality and equality are perceived as dominant principles, against the rationality and efficiency considerations of an increasingly liberal global economic reality. Graduate studies in health economic policy is the ideal corollary to my academic, personal and social background. I am most keen to explore the relationship between economic and psychological models of human behavior to hopefully advance a more holistic social sciences perspective on why people act against their own self-interest when it comes to their health. ","label":"Excerpt Example","title":"Excerpt Example"}]" code="tab2" template="BlogArticle">

Preparing for a grad school interview? Watch this video!

Academic & Professional Preparation

Your academic and professional preparation can take many forms, and that is why it is important to think carefully about the ways in which your path has given you the tools needed to succeed in the program of your choice. But note that the statement of purpose is not meant to be a recitation of your CV. Instead, the statement of purpose should be a narrative about why you took the steps you did and how it brought you to graduate school. Some examples that might apply include:

• Previous jobs, internships, or volunteering. If you gained any valuable and relevant volunteer or work experience, mention it! For example, an applicant for a public health program might mention how volunteering at a soup kitchen inspired her interest in the relationship between food insecurity and poor health outcomes in marginalized communities. You can let the admissions committee know about any relevant technical skills you’ve gained through these experiences, too.
• Research. If you already have some exposure to undertaking research projects of your own or if you have helped as an assistant on someone else’s project, sharing what you have learned from such experiences could make an excellent addition to your statement. Research experiences assure an admissions committee that you are ready to perform the necessary intellectual labor a graduate program demands. Also be sure to mention the important skills you have developed through completing research tasks! Such skills may include multi-tasking, finding and synthesizing relevant information, strengthening your communication skills through writing reports, or developing greater attention to detail.    
• Teaching Assistantships. Just like the research assistantships mentioned above, a teaching assistantship that helped you gain valuable exposure to your field of choice and/or helped you to develop your mentorship skills may be worth mentioning in your statement. A teaching assistantship is valuable work experience and shows that you know how to be a team player in an academic community. Skills you could highlight from such experiences include: effective communication with others, working collaboratively with others (such as faculty and other TAs), mentorship abilities, and the ability to adapt to different learning styles.
• Relevant degrees, courses, and conferences. Single out specific courses or degrees you have taken and any conferences you may have attended or presented at that relate to your current research interests. As ever, take some time to reflect on why certain courses or conferences have proved formative for you. For example, you could discuss the importance of the specialized knowledge you gained in a course, or the public speaking skills you developed through presenting at a conference. 

After spending four years as an Arts & Science undergraduate and earning a Minor specialization in Economics, I have developed strong analytical research skills, a capacity for truly critical thought and an appreciation for the universal relevance of economic investigation. My interest in the social determinants of health, and how these interplay with policy and economics, was the impetus for my senior undergraduate research project entitled, \u201cHealth and behavior: Advancing a microeconomic framework for changing decision-making in people with obesity.\u201d I was fortunate to work with economists Drs. Levi and Traut, with whom I interrogated the classical and contemporary theories around human behavior and health. In my role as a research assistant, I conducted three literature reviews, one of which was used to support the work of a senior graduate student and will be published in an upcoming issue of Health Economics and the abstract was accepted for a poster presentation at the Annual Health Economics Conference in Denver CO. ","label":"Excerpt Example","title":"Excerpt Example"}]" code="tab3" template="BlogArticle">

Career Goals and Plans

A statement of purpose can showcase not only your past achievements and current plans, but also your goals for the future. You don’t necessarily have to know exactly what you want to do after graduating, but including these goals can show the committee that you are capable of long-term planning, and that you are eager to put what you learn in the program to good use afterwards. You can use the part about career plans to address some of the following:

• Roles you might like to pursue. If you have a very specific job in mind as your dream job, you can discuss that and explain what makes it an ideal position for you. For example, is it the institution, the location, or the mission of the job/position that attracts you? Alternatively, you can discuss what kind of role you are hoping to have even if you don’t know exactly where you will end up yet. For example, you can explain how this Master's or PhD will help your med school chances .
• Transferable Skills. Discuss what skills you hope to gain through taking the program, and how those skills could help you in whatever academic or professional career path you pursue after graduation. For example, you could discuss how your research projects strengthened your writing and communication skills, or how balancing your coursework and lab work taught you to manage time effectively. Don’t overlook the importance of “soft” skills: conferences can develop your public speaking skills, while group projects can make you a team player.

It is the responsibility of economics researchers to offer sustainable and feasible alternatives and recommendations to experts in all other fields regarding their most pressing challenges such as climate change and regulation of illegal trade. Further, the intermediary between economics research and the implementation of its corresponding results is the policy process. Because analytical research and writing are my most well-developed academic strengths, as evidenced by my GPA, undergraduate thesis, reference letters, and writing samples, the MA Economic Policy (Health Specialization) program is an ideal launch point for a research career in academia with branch points into policy work in the social determinants of health. Eventually, I want to complete a PhD. I want to build a focused academic practice at McMaster where I can help civil society, government and social enterprises understand and address \u2018wicked problems\u2019 at the intersection of economics and public health. The skills I aim to acquire through this graduate training are crucial to the evolution of my practice. ","label":"Excerpt Example","title":"Excerpt Example"}]" code="tab4" template="BlogArticle">

Here are some tips on getting into graduate school!

Addressing setbacks or gaps

Every applicant has strengths and weaknesses, and a statement of purpose is your chance to show the committee that you are self-aware enough to know what your own weaknesses and setbacks are. In discussing these, keep in mind the following:

• Be self-aware and clear. Try to sound honest and objective instead of boastful or defensive when discussing your strengths and weaknesses. Your statement will be even stronger if you include ideas or plans for improvement for any weaknesses you may have. Proving to the committee that you have the capacity for self-growth will strengthen your candidacy, and will also assure them of your intellectual and personal maturity.
• Explain how you have improved your weaknesses or tackled setbacks. Include specific examples, when discussing a weakness, focusing on how you have improved: “I noticed that I struggled with time management during one of my undergraduate courses, and so I developed the habit of planning out work schedules for all of my tasks in advance in order to meet all of my deadlines.”  
• Mention any special circumstances that may have led to compromises or delays in your academic performance. If your academic performance has been affected by something that has occurred in your life, you can explain the impact that these challenges have had upon you. Emphasize your ability to adapt and grow by explaining how you overcame these setbacks and what you have learned from them. Your resilience and adaptability will boost your candidacy by showing that you are able to overcome challenges.  

When you are ready to write, take a moment to review the length requirements. A statement of purpose is typically between 500 to 1,000 words long, which means that you must make a special effort to convey as much meaningful information about yourself as you can within this relatively small word limit.

The statement of purpose should usually have four main sections, but you can avoid explicitly separating the four sections and opt for the more natural flow of a letter instead. If, however, your program explicitly asks for a certain format, be sure to give them what they ask for! 

Structuring your statement

A strong statement of purpose is one that has a clear structure. You need to ensure that the information is laid out in a way that makes it easy for the reader to follow. A well-organized statement keeps the reader engaged!

The structure of a statement of purpose should follow the general structure of an academic essay:

Leave the reader convinced that you are committed to learning and growing, and that you are absolutely prepared for this next step in your academic career. ","label":"Conclusion","title":"Conclusion"}]" code="tab5" template="BlogArticle">

Do’s and Don’ts of Graduate School Statement of Purpose

In order to avoid some of the most common pitfalls when writing your statement of purpose, review the following list of Do’s and Don’ts to make sure your statement is the best it can be: 

Even a statement with the most wonderful content in the world will be a lot less wonderful if it\u2019s littered with typos, grammatical errors, or disorganized sentences. Read and reread your work many times to make sure it is cleanly and professionally written.  "}]">

Your writing needs to be clear and concise. Do not try to show off to the committee by using words that are unnecessarily obscure or too specialty-specific. Not everyone on your committee might be familiar with your research field. Always aim for clarity above all else. If you must use a specialty-specific term, be sure to define it to ensure that both you and your reader understand what you mean when you use that term. "}]" code="timeline2">

When you think your statement is as good as it can possibly be, run it by a second set of eyes. This can be a trusted friend or teacher, or you can get professional feedback from a grad school advisor . Take a moment to check over the following checklist before submitting:

• Have you made sure your statement meets the requirements specified by the school/program? Is it the right length, in the proper format, and does it include any specific information they may have asked for? Does it answer the prompt?
• Has your statement gone through several drafts? If the answer is “no”, stop what you’re doing and commit yourself to rewriting your statement. Remember that a strong statement is one that has gone through several drafts, getting stronger and more effective each time! If the answer is “yes”, ask yourself, “Is this the best my statement can possibly be?” If in doubt, ask for more feedback.
• Do you provide examples for every claim you make? Check over your statement for instances where you claim to have an ability or experience. Have you provided clear and specific examples to back up your claims?
• Does your statement tell a compelling story? Carefully read over your statement to get a sense of the narrative you have crafted for your reader. Is it a compelling narrative, or have you lapsed into just listing random items from your CV? Make sure your statement is telling a story that gives context for who you are, not just a list of things you’ve done.
• Have you proofread your statement? Even when you’re absolutely sure your statement is in top form, you need to proofread your statement several times to make sure that all typos and grammatical errors have been eliminated. Take breaks after each time you proofread. This way, you will be looking at your statement with fresh eyes every time you read it. You should also take some time to make sure the statement is well-organized and has a proper “flow” in terms of both structure and style. If you’re looking at graduate school application help , you can get a graduate school admissions consultant to look over your essay!

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14 More Graduate School Statement of Purpose Examples

Graduate school statement of purpose example #2 (984 words).

When I was 12 years old, my sister suffered a traumatic car accident that left her with PTSD, depression, and severe anxiety. Our parents did not really understand the impact of what she was going through and as a family, we never talked about it much, though we all could witness her pain. So, through my teen years, I watched as a beloved family member struggled with her mental health. Though I did my best to support her through the worst times and assist her in getting professional help, there were still many moments when I felt powerless and clueless in the face of her suffering. This challenging experience set me on the path to pursuing clinical psychology as a career. I wanted to question, dissect, analyze, and hopefully, understand, this mysterious phenomenon that had dominated my life for so long. Through my academic study of psychology and personal experience of my sister’s PTSD, I found that I was particularly interested in clinical psychology with relation to adolescent populations.

From the age of 16 to 21, I worked as a volunteer at an after-school care program for children and teens from disadvantaged backgrounds. While there, I met numerous young people, who had faced starvation, neglect, abuse, and violence, from a very young age, and who needed help to cope with the long-term effects of those early experiences. Working with these kids, helping them through events that might be unimaginable for most adults, further sharpened my interest in how trauma influences the development of generalized anxiety disorders and panic disorders, and in particular, the pre-existing conditions and underlying risk factors for suicide in adolescents with PTSD, anxiety, and depression. This is the topic I hope to continue to explore as a Master’s student in the Clinical Psychology program of your university. Thanks to my personal and first-hand experiences with the effects of trauma, I think I can bring a unique perspective to the study of long-term PTSD in adolescents.

Though my core interest in clinical psychology and the effects of trauma started as deeply personal, my scholarly curiosity and intellectual proficiency led me to academic explorations of this subject from a young age. While in high school, I took up Intro to Psychology classes from my local community college and completed a Peer Youth Counselling certificate course from the Ryerson Center for Mental Health. This academic exploration confirmed my desire to study psychology in college, and my coursework through my undergrad years focused on building a broad portfolio of the key areas of psychology, including Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Psychology and Behavioral Science, Industrial Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and more. I also took up courses in Biology, Physiology, and Neuroscience to better understand the physical pathologies of adolescent trauma. I believe this thorough grounding in the biological aspects of developmental psychopathology will help me to address the sorely needed requirement for cross-disciplinary research into effective treatment programs for trauma survivors.

Throughout my undergraduate education, I gained research experience that helped me develop the skills and knowledge I need for my clinical psychology graduate studies. For my last two years of undergrad, I worked with Drs. Rebecca Brown, Tyler Baker, and Gary Wolf at the Guntherson Memorial Lab at ABC University, on their studies into the development of substance abuse in adolescents suffering from PTSD. As a research assistant my responsibilities included conducting literature searches, data collection, data entry, supervision of study participants, preparation of research documents, and drafting of participant assessment packets. Thanks to this experience, I was able to develop my valuable observational and data analysis skills and learn more about critical aspects of clinical research such as programming computer tests, investigating study measures, forming hypotheses, supervising participants, and more. I also enrolled in Dr. Brown’s senior level research class and through my final two years of undergrad, I published four research papers on a variety of clinical psychology topics, including a paper on “Depression, Anxiety, and Traumatic Amnesia in Adolescent Survivors of CSA” that was published in the New England Psychology Journal’s June 20XX year issue.

What attracted me to the clinical psychology master’s program at XYZ University was the strong emphasis on diversity in the classroom and cultural context in the curriculum which aligns with my ambition to gain a holistic, socially conscious understanding of trauma manifestations in vulnerable populations. Moreover, your program offers the chance for students to complete two research projects in the world-class research facilities associated with the XYZ University, allowing me to develop and perfect my research skills in the most appropriate environment. I hope to complete these projects under the supervision of your faculty members, Dr. Sally Hendrix and Dr. Mirian Forster, widely considered two of the most brilliant, forward-thinking minds in trauma research today. Their work on the endocrinological risks of anxiety development in adolescents and development of abnormal psychology in CSA survivors is particularly pertinent to my own research interests. With my background in clinical research, my first-hand experience of the effects of trauma, and my deep devotion to and understanding of the pathological effects of adolescent PTSD, I think I can bring a lot to your next master’s cohort.

Through all the clinical experiences and academic knowledge I gained in the last few years, my interest in the questions of trauma, anxiety, and depression continue to be deeply personal. Though my sister survived her teenage years, she continues to live with anxiety and symptoms of PTSD that she doesn’t fully understand. There is still so much about human psychology that we simply don’t know, and I hope to address that gap a little by using the training and education I gain at your university to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology in the future. By seeking the answers to the questions of how trauma can warp an adolescent brain and what we can do to try and manage it, I hope to shed light on an under-represented area of psychology that sorely needs our attention.

During the first year of my undergraduate degree, I took a small course entitled “Third World Development” taught by three rather radical and lively professors from Trinidad, Chile, and Lebanon, respectively. This course, despite its passé title, existed to deconstruct our notions of ‘otherness’ by illustrating the deep connectedness of issues, people, and nations. This theme of ‘connectedness’ is threaded through my research and work history under various labels and theories. My undergraduate research was dedicated to understanding the ways and means of political participation for women in remote Northeast India. I became curious about the role of women as informal politicians within their small collectives where survival literally hinges on connectivity. My time in observation of these women opened me to the idea that health and wellness can emerge from places facing serious food insecurity, poor shelter, corruption, and long distances from the center of national power. The extent to which women could draw upon their collective power and roles as givers of care in order to lobby local governments and participate legitimately in the polity was the very definition of their empowerment. 

During my graduate work at [x] University, public health approaches to vulnerable populations were of particular interest to me. It became clear, during my fieldwork with care providers for women who sell sex and do high-risk drugs in downtown East side, that vulnerable populations around the world often have more in common with each other than with the ‘dominant’ or non-excluded populations. My research led to my questions about the role of social capital, defined in this case as a public good comprised of relationships and networks, in leading to better health outcomes amongst highly marginalized urban women. The mechanisms through which both groups of women, in Northeast India and downtown Vancouver, became able to rely on or reject peers, givers of aid or care, and the social and political systems in which they were enmeshed, are very similar. I have witnessed how health outcomes can be a partial function of connectedness for women on the periphery.

Public health has proven the best venue through which I can search for explicit, concrete evidence that individual and population welfare can be socially determined, by access to and power to make choices regarding housing, education, employment, income, political participation, nutrition, and transportation. I see the centrality of connectedness, to institutions and peers, to the processes that enable an individual to access, choose, and influence. My current work as a policy analyst with the Public Health Agency within the Strategic Initiatives and Innovations Directorate is focused largely on reducing health inequalities by mobilizing action on particular social determinants of health. While this work is important and generally on point, I suspect that the United States and Canada may benefit from exploring the micro-level ‘enablers’ of change with respect to the social determinants of health. These enablers, including social networks as a form of social capital, are sometimes lumped, and incorrectly so, with the more tangible determinants, such as housing and nutrition. I see these enablers as characteristics of favorable environments in which health can be positively affected: in families, neighborhoods, schools, communities, etc.

My proposed dissertation research would fall into the broader goals of studying the social mechanisms by which parental social connections impact the eating behavior of their children as well as the way in which these mechanisms may vary across local neighborhoods. My particular interest is the potentially causal nexus between maternal social networks, neighborhood environments, and the transmission of eating behaviors to children. In effect, my role would be to help operationalize maternal adversity and identify potential moderators on the effects of maternal adversity on obesity and eating behaviors of children.

I am drawn to [X] University School of Kinesiology and Health Studies specifically due to Dr. Spencer Moore’s background in medical anthropology and current work with social network analytic techniques. The application of network theory analytical techniques will be a new endeavor for me, but I am attracted to the study of populations that are not necessarily bound by their geography but by common circumstances, such as maternal adversity, and, potentially, common health effects related to obesity and food behaviors. I want to understand the links between the nature and degree of ties between low-income women and how these ties affect norms related to obesity and food.

The School of Kinesiology and Health Studies is an excellent institution that is well-equipped to support new graduate students interested in innovative ways to explore social challenges. It is here that Dr. Moore is developing an important critical mass surrounding this way of examining social networks as enablers of obesity and food behavior outcomes among marginalized women and their young children.

My prior individual research experiences were qualitative in nature, relying on grounded theory and warranted assertion analysis techniques common to sociological research. I have experience as a research assistant on a larger project studying large, linked quantitative databases of provincial health and corrections data in my home state. Also, I have a sufficient course work history in statistics and epidemiology to be able to make the leap to more advanced quantitative techniques, given access to graduate courses on the subject. Social network analysis is a fascinating way of quantifying social capital and social networks and I am very enthusiastic about the opportunity to study these methods and methodologies under Dr. Moore.

Graduate School Statement of Purpose Example #4 (993 words)

As a child of Bangladeshi refugees who fled from war, famine, death, and other horrors I myself have never had to face, I was always attracted to the hidden facts behind the grand narratives of history; the little stories of small people who didn’t leave an impact on major world events but lived, breathed, and worshipped just the same. My parents left everything behind in Bangladesh – their papers, property, lands, family, and friends. It was an erasure of not only their personal history but the history of generations who came before them. As I grew up, I became passionately interested in the history of my ancestors, perhaps as a way of making sense of my own experiences as a second-generation immigrant. I remember how once in grade school, we had to prepare a “family tree” project with the names and photos of our parents, grandparents, and so on. My mother started crying when I asked her for these details and photos; it was a traumatic reminder of all she had lost. I consider this genealogical tree my first history project, as I combed through the internet using the meagre information my mother gave me to supplement my bare project board with a few details. The internet wasn’t very helpful and, needless to say, I proved unsuccessful in finding any information. But it fueled a passion in me for finding out all about where I had come from, and from there, I developed my interest in the social, cultural, military, and economic history of south-east Asia.

I pursued this interest all the way to college, majoring in history with a minor in anthropology, and it was in my undergrad years that my general interest in the history of south-east Asia crystallized into an interest in the politics of historical interpretation, especially in regard to women in pre-modern south-east Asia. The history of women’s spaces, especially under patriarchal regimes, fascinates me; how oral traditions develop to combat lack of literacy, how their social roles shift and change in response to military and economic developments, and finally, how these historical changes constitute the present. Specifically, I am deeply interested in how women’s spaces evolved as a result of colonial influences in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. I credit a wide range of authors, thinkers, and historians with molding my interests and refining my analysis. The latest papers by BW Anandya, Wazir Jahan Karim, and N Choi about the pathways to religious and political power for women in southeast Asia, profoundly opened up my mind to the possibilities for what we can learn from primary resources about these “lost” populations of history. On the other hand, the philosophical and sociological theories of Edward Said, Gayatri Chakrovorti Spivak, and Homi Bhabha provide the philosophical framework for how I approach my writing.

I have always followed my intellectual curiosity to take on challenging coursework and build a solid academic foundation for my intended pursuit of historical research. Apart from completing the most intensive coursework pertaining to Asian history studies in my department, I also took courses in British History, Postcolonialism, Anthropology, Philosophy, and Women’s Studies, so as to round out my understanding of the key topics related to my area of interest. My professor also allowed me to complete independent studies and research projects in selected areas of my interest such as African American history in Canada and History of Hebrew Scriptures. The study of such diverse historical topics helped to provide greater context to my primary area of interest; I found many interesting parallels between the experiences of oppressed populations in different parts of the world. Three of my papers were published in our university’s academic magazine, and I presented my paper on “Development of Oral Traditions in Women’s Spaces” at the Annual National History Symposium in X year.

In my junior year, I got the chance to write an independent research paper about the historical figure of Savitri Bai Phule, analyzing her community ties from 1920 to 1935, within the framework of Spivak’s concept of “strategic essentialism” and cross-cultural solidarity. This was a major milestone for me as I got the chance to work on my main area of interest while using primary resources on loan from University of Mumbai, including Savitri Bai Phule’s journals, historical Times of India newspapers, and more.

I would love to continue my research into these and other unexplored histories of women in south-east Asia as part of the master’s program at your university. With my personal background, academic proficiency, and focused historical interests, I think I represent an ideal candidate for ABC University. I look forward to working in an environment that encourages diversity, forward-thinking research, and cutting-edge investigative techniques. Your rigorous curriculum will help me refine my understanding of historical investigation methods and expand my consciousness of the cross-cultural socio-economic influences in pre-modern women’s spaces. As an aspiring PhD candidate, I would love to get the chance to tap into ABC University’s extensive network of primary resources, subject matter experts, and trailbreakers. I am very excited to work with Dr. Nina Gupta from the History of Southeast Asia department. I am in communication with her about her findings on historical distortion and its intersection with political agendas in colonial Southeast Asia, as it directly impacts the research I’d like to do. In fact, her encouragement and support motivated me to apply to your master’s program!

My next big goal is to pursue a PhD, also from your university, under Nina Gupta’s supervision. Through my master’s education, I plan to work towards developing my expertise in Southeast Asian women’s studies and making myself an asset for your PhD program. One day, I hope I can become a professor at a top university such as yours, so that I can continue my research into the rich and untapped veins of history just waiting to be investigated and pass on my love for the subject to interested young minds.

One of the greatest gifts my parents gave to me, very early on, was a keen sense of just how unique my childhood was. Though by no means a position of high stature, my mother’s clerking post at the American consulate in Cairo provided us with an immense array of benefits, and those that impacted me most were, unsurprisingly, the plethora of cultural institutions a short walk away from our home. Whether the Coptic, Luxor, or the Grand Egyptian, the first thing I wanted to do each afternoon after getting out of school was to zoom into the cool air of a museum. Even at a young age, I was aware of the complexity of being a light-skinned American kid wandering through these halls, gazing at artifacts of a civilization that far preceded the origins of what I understood to be “western” civilizations. How did I end up here? What was the nature of my relationship to this rich and vast culture that both fascinated me and exacerbated my feelings of being somewhat alien in its midst?

This intersection of cultural and political analysis expanded as I got older and began to unpack the complicated colonial forces that played a part in both early and contemporary Egyptology. As I matured as a student, I became able to articulate questions that had hitherto lived as abstract uneasiness in my head. Curators and guides of many Egyptian museums were reluctant at first to really open up about the pervasive presence of English and North American archaeologists in the 19th century's antiquarian boom, but I was fortunate to have longstanding relationships with many such officials, both through my own wanderings and my parents' work.

As I began to ask more pointed questions and gained the ability to explore museum records on my own, I became overwhelmed by how drastically the Egyptian archaeological "industry" had been shaped by British colonialism, and how this resulted in a still-developing tension between international exhibition and the local or indigenous preservation of civilizational artifacts. My undergraduate work in anthropology has sought to develop a number of theses in this regard, most importantly the need for efforts of artifact repatriation and return from the British Museum as a step toward more complete reconciliation after centuries of extraction.

Throughout my undergraduate research with Professor X at [undergraduate university], I sought to utilize careful historiographical analysis to better support repatriation efforts popularized by former Egyptian antiquities minister Dr. Y. These efforts helped mobilize the X museum in Boston to return a priceless bust of Prince Ankhhaf under Dr. Y’s insistence, which was not only one of the most satisfying moments in my academic career so far but of my life overall.

In addition to the historiographic focus of my work, I’m keen to shift into the present politics around artifact repatriation and reclamation of physical heritage, specifically relating to how contemporary North African political struggles utilize cultural and anthropological discourses. Professor Z’s work in this realm has been hugely influential and inspiring to me, and were I to be admitted to your PhD program it would be an incredible honor to assist her ongoing research in contemporary cultural discourse in Egyptian and Islamic political movements.

I was fortunate to be selected for the American University in Cairo’s Presidential Internship program in 2019, just after graduating. Returning to Cairo for the first time since I was 13 years old was incredible but bittersweet in some ways. The lens through which I observed many of the institutions I’d mythologized as a child was far more critical, and I realized that my graduate work would necessarily be inflected by this added layer of complexity and disillusionment. If admitted to this PhD program in anthropology, I would seek to capitalize on this personal experience. I think it’s incumbent upon people who have lived in anthropological intersections like this—in my case specifically as an unwitting addition to longstanding “Western” colonial presence in North Africa—to produce academic work that illuminates the political and cultural tensions that they’ve hitherto experienced as largely subjective phenomena.

To this end, I propose utilizing modeling techniques common to digital-archaeological projects in Egyptological studies to support a more culturally-focused analysis of the flow of expropriation during the heyday of colonial extraction in the early 20th century. I believe that object-oriented models of provenance can be utilized to support analysis of ongoing repatriation discourse. This would build on Professor X’s work mentioned above, providing more graphic and tangible insights into emancipatory nationalist and post-nationalist movements in contemporary Egypt and North Africa in general.

If admitted to ______'s graduate program, I would not only seek to contribute to the program's ongoing scholarship as a student, but would hope to continue working collaboratively with the department once I move into independent scholarship and teaching following graduation. I feel especially passionate about forming long-term relationships with faculty given the scarcity of nuanced scholarship that addresses the intersections of anthropology, political science, and archaeology in Egyptological studies. Teaching and research have guided every step of my journey so far, and I know without a doubt that this is my path forward as well. As such, I would seek to serve as a paragon not only of ________’s interdisciplinarity and intellectual inventiveness to my future students, but to continue to be a productive and prominent member of _____’s research cohort no matter where I end up teaching. 

Graduate School Statement of Purpose Example #6 (859 words)

My road to mechanical engineering began with my dad unceremoniously kicking me out of the kitchen. By the time I was in kindergarten, I couldn’t resist rummaging through my family’s cupboards, trying to find something to take apart and rebuild it. This became a running joke in my family that, rather than knives or other sharp objects, I had to be kept away from screwdrivers, lest I end up taking the whole house apart. This all changed when I discovered desktop computers, and specifically GPUs, which I found endlessly fascinating in their ability to be easily disassembled and modified.

Although my free time during high school was indeed spend huddled over computer hardware much the way my childhood was, I became interested in the capabilities of redirecting the work capacity of hardware, and in particular the ability to reorganize the way hardware acceleration can be optimized to assist in Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) tasks in manufacturing. During my undergraduate work at X University, I developed an interest in machine learning while working on Dr. Cheboygan’s ongoing research in augmenting GPU software to better optimize their performance in general-purpose computations. In both my senior thesis and independent study blocks, Dr. and I studied a number of potential workarounds for latency bottlenecks relating to DDR5 infrastructure.

This phase of my research cemented my desire to continue on with both machine learning and CAE, and it’s precisely around these points that I’d like to develop my MSc thesis. Specifically, I want to build on the considerable research on GPU acceleration I undertook during my BS in order to further expand upon shifts in both manufacturing and product design. As abstract as this work has been in many ways, its end result would be to streamline workflows for product engineers that will greatly speed up the process of dealing with intractable problems relating to bottlenecking by physics computations.

I’m motivated to address sophisticated problems like this for a fairly non-academic reason. Throughout the last two years, I’ve participated in organization drives with X organization, my region’s largest manufacturing union. Admittedly, I came to this work with quite personal motivations, having seen my mother’s engineering positions often under attack by naïve or even ignorant efforts to automate various aspects of product design. My work with this union sought to argue, from a scientific perspective, the need to improve both software and hardware using human-supervised machine learning and not wholesale robotic automation. Rather than downsizing and eliminating human positions in the manufacturing process, I offered data to union leadership that showed how a minimal investment in technological upgrades at the level of product implementation could preserve job security for product engineers and implementation supervisors while vastly speeding up the manufacturing process to deliver an increased output of nearly 80% in some cases.

This was immeasurably satisfying, and although not every negotiation was a success, I was able to contribute something unique to a class of workers who I felt had suffered under an outmoded and overly aggressive model of automation for nearly 20 years. In short, I would like to pursue graduate work in mechanical engineering at Z University because I think my work can have an overwhelmingly positive impact in aspects of labor tensions relating to instrumentation and automation. I think that through careful work in machine learning and deep learning, we can target specific aspects of the manufacturing process that have proven to be flashpoints of conflict between engineers and administrators.

The department's emphasis on teaching throughout the graduate program is also a huge draw for me. I tutored privately throughout my undergraduate years, and volunteered at my school's learning center to help students not only with introductory engineering courses but also calculus and linear algebra. Reconnecting to this passion for high-level mathematics, I would seek to work with Dr. Muskegon and Dr. Flint to both participate in and utilize their research in computational methods to clarify the mathematical dimension of my proposed thesis. Dr. Muskegon’s recent publications in the International Journal of Computer Theory and Engineering are especially relevant to this work, as I believe my course of study would benefit greatly by implementing her utilization of novel approaches to principal component analysis.

Lastly, on a simpler note, I’ve always been drawn to the West Coast, and would love to explore the wilder, mountainous areas North of Vancouver during my free time. Growing up in the flatlands of the Midwest seeded a very strong desire for the “big landscape” areas of Western Canada, and I can think of no better compliment to the abstract and small-scale work I’d be undertaking in the mechanical engineering program than to spend my free weekends hiking and camping in places like Coquitlam mountain Which is to say, simply, that I believe UBC is an ideal location for my next phase of scholarship not only because of its academic innovation and integrity, but because its surrounding environment is both beautiful and inspirational. I would arrive and continue to be an enthusiastic and incredibly engaged student in UBC’s MSc program, and I would be honored to assist in the incredible work being undertaken by both faculty and fellow graduate students alike.

Not many students seek to spend their gap year surrounded by the choking aroma of sulfur, but I will readily admit to being just such a student. After 4 years spent in a blur of library lighting and research, I found myself in desperate need of immersion into both Soto zen Buddhism and Japanese culture more generally. So, after some careful planning, I spent 4 months last year working in an onsen in Fukui, spending my 1 day off each week wandering around the shrines interspersed between Echizen and Kyoto and generally trying to soak up every bit of soto history I could.

My real wish was granted near the end of my time in Fukui, when I was accepted for a 1-week sesshin at Eiheiji castle. This was the fulfillment of a desire I’d stoked throughout my BA work in Asian studies at X University. Throughout my research, I’d devoted considerable time to analyzing concepts of time in extended religious ritual, and at Eiheiji, I was able to not only observe this in action but to experience it directly as well. My personal relationship to zen was not especially developed prior to this point, but after just the first step through Eihiji’s main gate, I felt something shift in me, and knew that I wanted to dedicate my academic career to exploring not just zen but soto ontology specifically.

To this end, my dissertation with the religious studies department would seek to utilize ongoing scholarship by professor Farmington in discussions of temporal dilation and dissolution in religious ritual. At Eihiji, and in sesshin settings specifically, there are numerous conceptualizations of time that are at odds with typical monastic linearity, and I believe incorporating a more careful analysis of temporal augmentation is key to unpacking the metaphysics of both sesshin and “intensive” events in other traditions as well. I may feel a personal connection to much of what I’ve studied and written about so far, but I feel an even stronger dedication to exegesis of religious ritual experience for the sake of furthering philosophical and theological discussion across traditions.

My abiding love for Soto zen is a key motivator in this project, but I come to this study earnestly and with academic rigor. Interfaith dialogue has been a constant part of my life outside of academia. Throughout high school I volunteered a great deal of time with both Saint Sophia Orthodox church and Bharatiya Hindu temple in [hometown]. This provided not only opportunities to engage in beneficial community projects, but also myriad opportunities to discuss theological and doctrinal matters with people outside my own religious practice. These activities, much like my enthralling experiences in Fukui, clarified and concentrated my desire to pursue high-level scholarship in religious studies.

Your program will allow me to pursue interdisciplinary studies that will touch upon more than just community interfaith dialogue. My early undergraduate years heavily focused on Western philosophy, and specifically German idealism. Dr. Huron’s work in examining influxes of hermeticism and esotericism in general in this tradition is incredibly fascinating to me, and while my thesis doesn’t directly touch on it, I am quite curious about potential intersections of Western esoteric ritual and Soto Zen ritual, specifically their descriptions of atemporal experience. Indiana university’s overarching emphasis on collaborative work, and especially the religious studies department’s similar commitment to intersectional and comparative analysis, is a massive draw for me. Although Northwestern’s Asian studies department boasted a number of interdisciplinary and cross-specialty working groups, the offerings at IU are significantly more numerous and broader in scope, and I would be honored to participate in the East Asian epistemology working group especially. The paper I presented at last year’s International Conference on Buddhist Philosophical Studies centered on epistemological contradiction in Yunmen’s koans, and I think there’s a great deal of room in my proposed project to explore theories of knowledge in relation to the discussions of ritual temporality and chronology.

While I certainly found aspects of my time working in an onsen exhausting, the difficulty of the work and communication therein was a challenge I greatly enjoyed. I would bring this newly enhanced sense of dedication and discipline to graduate studies at[BeMo3] Indiana university, and, gratefully, be able to formalize an ongoing academic project that’s deeply connected to the religious and cultural experiences I had during this time as well. I feel profoundly ready, in other words—ready for both advanced scholarship and the semi-monastic lifestyle that best supports this work. My week at Eiheiji was transformative in a few ways, but perhaps the most unexpected of which was the way it showed me what I already knew about myself from a clarified or even purified perspective, and I know without a doubt that the zeal I felt bloom within me is inextricable from continuing along the path toward doctoral research and eventually teaching.

Note how the following personal statement is truly personal and after reading this statement you feel like you know this applicant already. They also leave you feeling a lot of emotions. Both warm and sad. And that's good. You want to create some sort of emotion in the admissions committee members that read your personal statement:

As an applicant to _________, I am one among many candidates who acknowledges the highly diverse and appealing culture of the campus. As an immigrant candidate, I am among those individuals who acknowledge their gratitude for a country that has enabled them to explore endless opportunities and to write this very statement. I have been given an opportunity, one which lets me offer a glimpse of my individuality, the story behind my journey, my capabilities and future possibilities for _________. In recognizing my ethnicity, my academic progression, continuous community involvement, work experiences, and strong regard for _________, I have been equipped with the passion, knowledge and determination to pursue __________.

My journey was challenging, but has characterized the woman I've become, and solidified the mark I want to leave in this world. In addressing my ethnicity as an Assyrian, I was born in Iraq. At the tender age of 4, my family and I fled to Turkey as refugees in hopes of safety, and were eventually granted acceptance to_________. My parents' relentless will to leave all they had known to offer my siblings and I a safer environment, one which would enable us to flourish with opportunities, was inspiring and admirable. Assimilating into another culture was seemingly difficult. However, leaving Iraq was necessary to ensure I had a future, one that would allow me to learn, experience, and eventually become a_______.

“Why have you decided to pursue____?”. A question that seems direct, however, can be daunting to simplify in two pages. Coming from an oppressed war nation of extremists, justice is buried among the remnants of homes. My early exposure to a war-stricken environment led to a realization and eventually a passion; my relentless pursuit for social justice. My culture has also enabled me to express patience and understanding to individuals of all backgrounds. Openness is the very ingredient, which echoes within _____and, is expected of ______students attending _________. I offer a distinct diversity in representing a small and underrepresented group of individuals; I speak Assyrian, an ancient language of Aramaic, spoken during the early times of Mesopotamia. With a passion for linguistics, I have also become advanced in speaking Arabic and French. Diversifying my communication is a trait I can bring forward to _________ as the backbone of the school thrives in multiculturalism and offers multiple global/international opportunities. Moving forward I want to continue utilizing my personal experience and platform to advocate for families displaced, as I strive to be at the forefront of international affairs.

My university career, employment, and volunteer experiences have further fueled my passion for _______. Additionally, they have enhanced my academic thought, cultural awareness and critical approach in _________. The education I gained at________, with a major in Criminology and minor in Political Science provided me with an advanced knowledge of political relations. As a student, I gained the research skills to analyze individual behavior and public policies. I analyzed criminal patterns, from a theoretical and statistical standpoint. The analytical framework and organizational skills I gained are notable qualities that I can apply to my studies. During my entire university career, I remained employed and at times held two occupations. Additionally, I held an internship, played soccer, and remained active within the community in partaking in numerous charity events, and associations, such as Transition 2 Betterness, Heart & Stroke, and Social Science Society. My internship at the Border Services Agency strengthened my regard for national security, while sports taught me discipline, effective communication, and team collaboration. Furthermore, my passion in music, has led me to explore creativity with artists of all backgrounds. Having written multiple songs, and recorded with a variety of artists, I have challenged my writing abilities and allowed myself to be vulnerable and ready to grow. My ability to balance employment, volunteer, academics and music has characterized my motivation to improve myself as a student, and as a________.

Alternatively, my career experiences have tested my creativity in utilizing various resources to achieve my end goal. In the 3 years I spent within the recruitment/consulting industry, I gained a professional outlook and got an insight into the competitive market. As a Scientific Recruiter, I worked alongside scientists/chemists and medical doctors, to ensure they found a suitable opportunity. Through technical screenings and developmental feedback, I was able to strategize and prepare the candidates for client interviews. As an Account Manager, I led the first Scientific Division for my company. I worked 60 hour weeks for two years to build a pipeline and plant the seeds for new business relationships. I partnered up with clients across the __________ area within various industries; pharmaceuticals, consumers and hospitals. Through extensive business development, I assisted clients by finding candidates that were technically and culturally a fit. My experience within sales was challenging, and at times exhausting, but taught me patience. I was able to gain a multitude of survival skills that can certainly be applied to _________. I learned to self-start, self-motivate, and lastly, I learned that at times you will fail, but that does not mean you have failed. As an Academic Consultant at ________, I assist graduate students with their application and interview process to Medical and Dentistry School. We examine problematic scenarios, address pressing issues, and explore multiple strategies. Evidently, I am apt to apply a similar critical perspective to further my research by exploring multiple measures to gain a diversified analysis.

Through my non-profit partnerships; my role as a War Child Catalyst for War Child and Journalist for Observatory Media, I have gained cultural awareness in international relations and advanced my researching and writing abilities. As a War Child Catalyst, I created my own committee, One Army, which raises funds for families and precisely children affected by war. As a journalist, I have furthered my knowledge of current Canadian policies and generated awareness for displaced individuals.

Upon my acceptance to _______in the _______ program, I hope to advance my critical thought and awareness in international affairs and national security, through a calculated evaluation. I will also advance my focus through a _______ Diploma that is offered. With a variety of courses, such as ____________, __________, and __________, I will adopt a dynamic perspective to direct my thesis. In addition, I hope to collaborate with ________ and ____________, notable professors with substantive work regarding national security. With respect to campus involvement, I will see that my experiences will be utilized as I plan to join the _________, ensuring I will be at the forefront of political and social justice issues.

As examined, my work experience, passionate community involvement, and academics will enable me to not only apply but also excel at ___________. How will we ensure national security when our nationalism is questionably crippled by our democratic stance towards multiculturalism? An ironic question which I intend to explore, and one which I have prepared for my entire life.

Graduate School Statement of Purpose Example #9 (1705 words)

A statement of purpose is a chance to tell the story of your life. Your statement is not only a celebration of your triumphs, but also a true reflection on the challenges and struggles you have faced. Remember, you cannot victimize yourself in the essay. Rather than simply talking about your difficulties, make sure to emphasize how you overcame them. Create a captivating narrative of how events in your life led to this moment - your decision to apply to grad school:

My desire to join the world of social work proved innate and organic since the pillars of the field parallel the way I lead my personal and professional life. Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to promoting and helping employees grow and thrive personally and in the workplace. This dedication to implementing a living salary, continued education, financial literacy and equal opportunity sparked my interest to further my educational path since these practices within the working environment were not commonplace. Through my work experience I saw a need for financial literacy as I watched employees work multiple jobs and struggle to make ends meet. I saw the insurmountable stress that people faced on a daily basis and how much it negatively affected stability within their lives. I knew that I needed to do something that proved longer lasting and further reaching. I decided to set out to not only change the dynamic of financial capability for all, but also to help people to cope with the stress of our fast-changing environment.

My trajectory towards my goals in the world of social work started with one of the largest challenges of my life. While attending X College, I received the devastating news that I had early signs of cancer, requiring invasive and immediate treatment. Shortly thereafter, I also lost my home. These hardships caused a shift in my focus, priorities, and ultimate trajectory of my educational path. These humbling experiences afforded me the privilege of learning to maintain strength, perseverance, empathy and humility, despite the adversities.

My perseverance and dedication to finding my footing in the world again allowed me to begin the journey of running restaurants at the age of twenty-five. After experiencing poverty, debilitating anxiety and a decline in my own health I knew that creating a safe environment for people to thrive in was of the utmost importance to me. I took the lessons I learned through my experiences into my career and created policy within the businesses that I ran that reflected my dedication to implementing a living wage for all employees. Specifically, I standardized paid time off, extended sick leave, improved access to healthcare, and facilitated equal opportunity for all people that desired growth. My new position allowed me to offer personal mentorship, helping employees advance within the company and in the growing hospitality industry as a whole. This was incredibly rewarding for me, especially when I was able to see those who I mentored move on in their career to build enriched and financially stable lives.

When I moved on from this company, I carried my ethos with me into my next three

businesses. I became a general manager at a restaurant, opened a distillery for the bar, and started my own hospitality consulting business. Now, not only did I dedicate myself to treating employees ethically, I also was persistent in investigating the companies I used to supply the businesses that I oversaw. While working for the restaurant, I made multiple trips a year to Mexico to ensure that the products I purchased for the business were from companies that did not exploit or undercut their employees. In conjunction with my stand on supporting ethical business practices, I was given the opportunity to also open a mezcal distillery with [X name] in Tijuana. By opening the distillery, we were able to provide access to electricity, running water, transportation and basic human needs to the village where the mezcal was made. The experience I gained at this point in my life changed my trajectory of what I truly wanted to pursue, planting a seed for me to fight for change within my field of work.

When I made the decision to leave the hospitality industry it was innately due to the fact that I couldn’t continue to be part of an industry that primarily cared about their bottom line and not the people that worked to ensure their success. I left knowing that I wanted to redirect my life and embark on making changes that were designed to help lift people out of difficult situations to ultimately generate stability, prosperity and fulfillment. I wanted to ensure that progressive changes I spearheaded would prove wider reaching and longer lasting. I knew I wanted to be a mentor, a coach and a financial planner since I was privileged and honored to be in the positions I was granted in life, I wanted to share what I had learned with others.

In an effort to gain experience I have been honored to have the opportunity to volunteer as a crisis Counselor for Crisis Line. During my time working as a counselor I have seen a common trend amongst people in crisis which resonated with me; lack of access to healthcare and financial disparity. This work, that I continue to do weekly, has shown me the fundamental need for people to not only have financial security but also to have access to healthcare which includes mental health services. This experience furthered my understanding on how financial instability can cause a milieu of problems and can be at the root of anxiety, stress and affect mental health in an adverse way. Without access to channels that teach financial literacy and techniques to cope with stress on a continuous basis, I knew that any relief I did bring might be short lived. There is still a need for dependable, ongoing care that I would not be able to give unless I decided to continue my education and further my mission to help people live a stable and prosperous life.

When I started looking into social work, X University was my first choice. I’m inspired to learn from the brilliant minds of coveted professors at X School, whose work includes devoting tireless time and effort to social change, innovation and diversity. I feel that there are many like-minded professors that share my passions and goals within the school.

I am inspired by the idea of being placed in the field, to allow me the privilege of gaining some real-life experience, paralleling my studies, and ultimately allowing me to explore the multiple facets that make up the large body of social work. I am confident that I will be able to fully devote myself to the program and will not have the added responsibility of working while I am in school. Should I be accepted, the X School is one I am confident will prepare me to meet my goals, give me the relevant field experience that I am seeking, and will prepare me to be a future leader in the field of social work.

When I made the decision that I would like to pursue graduate work at X University, I knew that there would be costs that I would have to consider and navigate if I were granted acceptance. I have over half of the funds in savings for school from when I was working in the hospitably industry and plan on applying to The X Scholarship Fund, The XY Scholarship, and hope to be awarded the X Merit Scholarship. After savings and possible scholarships, I would like to apply for a stipend with the X Project.

What I am hoping to focus on while attending X University are the core challenges of building financial capability for all and reducing extreme economic inequality. Since financial literacy is an optional topic for California teachers to incorporate in their lesson plans, it has become extremely illusive in our educational programs statewide. The implications of this lack of education can create and has created broad economic impacts that will affect our local and state economies and could result in further layoffs, another crash in the housing market and people facing even more insurmountable debt. The people that will be most affected by this illiteracy, those that are marginalized and face a lower socioeconomic status, will harbor the brunt of these negative impacts. Through higher education I am hoping to learn how to tackle this problem and implement financial proficiency not only for children and teenagers but also make it widely available and free for all adults who wish to benefit from this education. We have many programs in the state of California that aid low income families so that they can meet their everyday needs. If we do not make financial education programs widely available how are these families expected to eventually exit these programs and become self-sufficient? Without educated consumerism, families can find themselves trapped in the cycle of poverty.

While providing individuals and families with the resources needed for financial literacy it will be increasingly important to also implement cognitive behavioral therapy that will aid them during this transitional period. Changing the way people view and navigate economic difficulties can be stressful and create a level of anxiety that is associated with dramatic change. Even when change is for the better it can still manifest into feelings of stress and uncertainty. I am hoping to learn how to help people through the anxiety of uncertainty so that they are able to approach and navigate their daily lives with collected confidence. I’m interested in learning about classic ways to approach anxiety and also new techniques and therapies such as the recent research on psychedelic therapies, mindfulness and nature-based therapies.

While my background and areas of interest might seem unorthodox, I am hoping that the experience and knowledge I’ve gained within the workforce has prepared me to seek higher education. Through being in the positions I have been granted in life I have been able to gain skills that are necessary when implementing change and facing a career of helping others; such as maintaining boundaries, possessing the ability to be empathetic in stressful situations and being able to plan and manage time and money far into the future. My experiences have inspired me to drive to fight for implementing resonating, impactful change, to ultimately help in the fight towards propelling the progress and growth of our global society and community forward. Should I be accepted I am certain that I will gain exemplary knowledge and skill to become a future leader in the field of social work through the forward thinking, brilliant minds of the professors at X University. 

Graduate School Statement of Purpose Example #10 (738 words)

Oil is in more than my family’s blood. It’s in our history, too. When I was a child, my grandfather told me a story about his own father and the discovery of oil. My great-grandfather worked for Imperial Oil, and back in the 1940s, his team had been tasked with finding new oil reserves to drill into. After several failed attempts, the team had dug up nothing but dirt, and their expectations were low. My great-grandfather was considering taking work elsewhere to pay the bills. By chance, the team decided to drill in a location nearly 100 km away from their latest attempt. No on else had drilled in the area yet, and it wasn’t on anyone’s radar. My grandfather, a teenager at the time, happened to be out that day with his father, learning the ropes and watching the drill sink deeper and deeper into the earth. Tensions were high as they waited, drilling past the point where oil was normally found. My grandfather described it as a strike of lightning coming out of the earth—black gold shot out of the hole and rained down on the derrick and soaking the crew. They’d struck oil at last. Their discovery led to an economic boom, and my family has stayed in the oil and petroleum business ever since.

My grandfather and my father both worked in the oil industry their entire lives. My grandfather worked with the same derrick that saved his father’s livelihood, using it to locate new wells until it was decommissioned. Growing up, I absorbed a great deal about the industry from my father, who explained to me how petroleum products could be found in almost all of our everyday products, from the plastic toothbrushes in our bathrooms to the heating systems of our homes. He was always encouraging me to find out how things worked, to be curious about the world around me. As a kid I was always building and rebuilding personal projects, from my first Lego sets to my initial attempts at concocting an all-natural surface cleaner that wouldn’t give my mom an allergic reaction.

My vision for myself as a rig worker alongside my dad morphed into getting my undergraduate degree in chemical engineering. It allowed me to pursue my passion for reinvention while keeping my busy mind happy with new problems to solve. I dived into exploring the energy industry, attending lectures, speaking with industry experts, reading and researching, and even driving six hours away to attend a conference on the future of renewable energy. During my summers off from school, I helped my grandfather install solar panels at his home. Oil had been my grandfather’s life and livelihood, but he always encouraged me to think of the future of energy, and if I needed new solutions, to “dig another hole”. I was fortunate to have stellar examples of perseverance and hard work in my life, and to have an instilled passion for and connection to such a dynamic and challenging career.

After graduation, I took a job with ExxonMobil, where I have worked for several years as a petroleum engineer. My most significant projects have centered on developing computer modeling software, to improve the safety of workers and efficiency of drilling and extracting operations. I have also been involved in developing software which tests for and anticipates any geological shifts that can impact drilling or mining operations. I knew the moment I received my undergraduate degree that I wanted to take the next step, so I have taken opportunities to advance myself with professional development courses and volunteered to act as the company’s regional representative at key industry events. I also delivered a speech at the Oil and Gas Symposium on the benefits of cleaner oil extraction and production, and how my company has invested in new technologies to achieve these results.

I want to pursue my master’s in petroleum engineering because it will allow me to move into newer, more niche circles of this industry. It will allow me to use my innovation, my passion and my experience to find better, cleaner ways of using our energy resources and our petroleum reserves. Further education will help me continue to grow as a professional in the oil industry and become a part of the next wave of invention. It will allow me to be on the next team that strikes metaphorical oil and unearths the future of energy.

Graduate School Statement of Purpose Example #11 (755 words)

Public health issues have always been a beast with many heads for me. The preservation and education of public health is a multifaceted, multidisciplinary effort, and the ongoing problems that contribute to public health concerns are the same. They cross disciplines and socioeconomic classes. The dynamic nature of public health as always been of interest to me, from the time I first experienced some of the problems affecting my hometown community’s health and well-being. Homelessness was a longstanding and noticeable problem in our community, exacerbated by issues like drug addiction, poor mental health resources and prejudice. While not all of these are considered direct public health matters, they are all connected threads of a deeper, darker beast.

I was aware of these problems in my community on a surface level, but as I grew up I began to take notice and pay more attention. My father served as a city councillor for many years, and we often attended community events together as a family. One of his favorite things to say was that “everyone can contribute something”, whether we were gathering food bank donations, fundraising for the local town arena or volunteering at the soup kitchen. Everyone pitched in. Everyone contributed something of their time, or money or care. The community worked together to address points of concern. When I sat in on council meetings my father attended, I saw the issues of homelessness and drug addiction were often debated and discussed. Everyone was trying to collaborate on a solution. Meanwhile, very little was actually being done to address the problems, and they continued to worsen. One of the town homeless shelters was shut down after the provincial government pulled funding, and the community saw an uptick in health-related issues, especially among marginalized groups.

I volunteered at homeless shelters in my area for many years, and I heard firsthand the struggles about getting access to healthcare resources such as counseling, safe prescriptions and even first aid. Without the homeless shelter and the more comprehensive resources it provided, such as safe sites and mental health counseling, people were struggling. The shelter coordinators had previously worked long hours to be able to provide the resources they could, but they’d never received enough funding to implement anything more than band-aid solutions. Even after the homeless shelter was shut down, several staff members did what they could to help regular clients at the shelter. After the shelter closed, we lost many of our regular visitors since they could no longer access medical care. Many individuals were arrested on drug charges, exacerbating the tension between the marginalized members of the community and the police, and taxing an overtaxed system.

Experiencing these things at an impressionable age sparked the desire in me to be of service to the community. One more set of helping hands was always welcome, and as my dad told me: “everyone can contribute something.” I wanted to contribute. I decided to study for my Bachelor of Science in social work, intending to continue my work with the homeless and do what I could to improve public health in my community. I’ve worked as a social worker for the past 5 years, as a counselor, advocate and friend of the homeless members of our community. I’ve worked to educate and raise awareness, supervise the installation of temporary homeless shelters, collect and distribute donations, and host free skill-building classes. I’ve been privileged to grow from an eager volunteer to a professional public health and social worker who demonstrates empathy, compassion, creativity and resilience.

However, in fighting this multi-headed beast I realize the problems easily multiply. I can defeat one issue for a while, and two new ones pop up. I wanted to be a part of ending the problems once and for all.

By getting my Master’s in Public Health, I’ll be able to gain a deeper and more nuanced education of the issues surrounding public health. I’ll be able to use that education and my growing professional skills to make sustainable changes in communities like mine. I’ll be able to test and implement solutions that fit the community instead of imposing cookie-cutter solutions to diverse and complex situations. I’ll be able to contribute in a meaningful way.

To your program I will bring my drive and my passion for public health, as well as the skills I’ve built as a social worker, volunteer and community member. I know I have more to give back, and I look forward to the opportunity to be a part of the solution.

Graduate School Statement of Purpose Example #12 (896 words)

I remember exactly where I was when the shelter-in-place order was issued. I was at my teacher’s aide desk in Ms. Colburn’s sixth grade homeroom class, poring over the lesson plan for the day and making notes in the margins. When my email notification dinged on my open laptop in front of me, my future in education was changed forever. The email was notifying us that our lives and jobs as we knew them were about to change. We were told to return home and await further instructions. From that point on, I didn’t step foot in a classroom again for over a year.

Being a teacher had been my dream since I myself was in sixth grade. When I graduated with my Bachelor’s in Education, I found a position as a teacher’s aide at Woodward Elementary School. The opportunity to work in the classroom, interact with students and watch them grow and question and discover and collaborate and learn, was a dream come true. I hadn’t yet worked at Woodward a year before the pandemic irreversibly changed the way we educate. As a new educational professional, the pandemic threw an undeniable wrench in my future plans, and it tested my developing skills with challenges I could never have expected. However, it also presented me with opportunities I never would have had otherwise.

The first week of staying at home, I was trying to get organized, install new software on my work laptop, gather my notes and adapt to a working situation that was sometimes changing on a daily basis. My sister called to check up on me, and while we talked she asked if I could do her a favor. My niece was struggling with the new normal, learning how to switch to e-learning when learning in a traditional classroom had already been difficult for her. My niece was recently diagnosed with ADHD, and she’d explained before how she had trouble focusing, keeping herself organized and on task, and sometimes struggled to understand her homework assignments. As a student, I often helped tutor her in my free time and help her develop tools for educational success. We worked together to create a weekly schedule, practice tricks to keep her focused and alert, and established mental health “check-ins”. Since starting her schoolwork from home, her old tools weren’t enough. The changes to her school life and the anxiety caused by uncertainty were overwhelming her. Of course, I agreed to resume our tutoring sessions in my free time. This was a new situation for everyone, and there wasn’t as many resources or accommodations for my niece as there were in her old classroom. So, we improvised. I taught her how to use the new technologies and adapt them to her needs. I helped her find and test out virtual scheduling apps and websites to suit her. We also put her in touch with a virtual counselor who could help her with her mental health. I encouraged her to take “screen breaks” and start new activities at home to help her when she started to lose focus. We began a game of virtual checkers and other mobile games to provide her a fun break when she needed it. The change in my niece was undeniable. Her mental health was better, her social skills improved, and she was adapting to her schoolwork and actually enjoying her virtual lessons. Despite missing her friends, she made her grade that year on the honor roll, and I couldn’t have been prouder.

The students weren’t the only ones who I worked with to improve mental health and morale. My fellow teachers and I kept in touch to coordinate our lessons, of course, but we also started to notice the dip in our mental health. I began a weekly “zoom coffee” chat for social time and a disconnect from work. I also joined online teachers’ groups where I could share my experiences and ask for advice. Having a community, even a virtual one, helped me immensely. It reminded me that although the way in which we were educating was very different, we could still recreate and adapt to our circumstances. Even if I spent my entire career as a teacher using e-learning and digital teaching tools, I knew I could thrive.

I want to pursue my Master’s Degree in Education and Digital Resources to further develop my professional skillset in e-learning knowledge and resources. With a master’s degree, I can adjust to the change in circumstances and better equip myself to be a teacher and educator post-pandemic. I will also have the tools to address the new challenges and realities of digital education. I’ll be able to continue my passion for teaching, despite any hardships encountered, and in fact help students flourish. By working utilizing the skills I’ll gain, I’ll be able to work better with students who are unfamiliar with e-learning technology, have learning disabilities or other struggles with digital education.

The pandemic complete changed the trajectory of my teaching career, but as the field has so dramatically altered in recent years, it made sense for me to go back to school and continue developing myself professionally. I know I will be able to contribute meaningfully, too, with my experiences earned during the pandemic. Moving forward, I know I will be able to be a better teacher than ever in a post-pandemic world.

Graduate School Statement of Purpose Example #13 (593 words)

That morning, a frail Mrs. Jones, surrounded by machines and a labyrinth of tubes, shared her wish: to end her life with dignity. That poignant moment during my early years as a medical intern brought the latent interest, which had been subtly brewing in the backdrop of my academic and professional pursuits, sharply into focus. It ignited an ardent quest to delve deeper into the moral and ethical dimensions of healthcare - the world of bioethics.

Reflecting back, even during my undergraduate years, the intersection of biology and morality seemed unavoidable. I pursued a dual major in Biology and Philosophy, a combination that perfectly mirrored my growing interest in the interplay between life sciences and ethical considerations. During a seminar, I led a spirited debate on the ethical nuances of genetic manipulation, emphasizing both its groundbreaking potential and moral pitfalls. This experience solidified my appreciation for informed discourse and strengthened my skills in analyzing multifaceted ethical dilemmas.

As I transitioned into the professional sphere, this inclination towards bioethics only intensified. At the hospital, beyond the typical responsibilities of an intern, I initiated the formation of a junior ethics committee, primarily comprising young healthcare professionals. Leading this committee, I oversaw discussions on a myriad of subjects, from the rights of the terminally ill to the implications of genetic testing. The committee was instrumental in crafting a set of guidelines for the ethical distribution of resources during health crises, with my detailed proposal on ventilator allocation during an influenza outbreak being unanimously adopted.

Yet, the world outside the hospital held more lessons. I championed health equality as a core member of a grassroots organization “BioEthicalGrounds”. In one notable project, I designed a community engagement campaign titled “Grassroots Perspectives on Life Sciences” targeting underserved populations, educating them on the bioethical implications of genomic data storage and its potential misuse. This endeavor further underscored the significance of comprehensive knowledge and sound judgment when confronting bioethical challenges head-on.

Understanding the need for a structured foundation, I sought formal education in bioethics. I enrolled in a year-long certification course where I delved into the theoretical underpinnings of bioethical dilemmas and contributed to a published paper on the "Ethical Dimensions of Genetic Privacy."

Now, standing at this crossroad, Columbia University's distinguished Bioethics program seems to be the right path for me. Its unique blend of rigorous academic training and real-world applications represents the ideal avenue for my aspirations. Situated in the heart of New York, a nexus of global health organizations, Columbia offers unparalleled opportunities. The program's interdisciplinary curriculum and emphasis on active engagement align seamlessly with my experiential background.

Moving ahead, my primary focus at Columbia University will be to research the ethical implications of advanced genomic techniques in prenatal testing. The rapid advancements in this area are pushing the boundaries of our ethical frameworks, especially when considering the potential for designer babies and socioeconomic implications of access to such technologies. I am particularly intrigued by how religious, cultural, and socio-economic contexts influence the moral decisions of families when confronted with the choices these technologies present.

My journey, starting from that dawn with Mrs. Jones, has been one of continuous exploration, leadership, and an unyielding drive to understand and act on bioethical concerns. I'm eager to embrace the challenges and opportunities Columbia's Bioethics program offers, hoping to bring my diverse experiences into the fold and drive forth the discourse on bioethics in innovative ways. With a comprehensive education, hands-on leadership roles, and an unwavering commitment to ethical considerations in healthcare, Columbia is the next logical step in my journey.

Graduate School Statement of Purpose Example #14 (809 words)

My earliest memory is punctuated by a cacophony of notes emanating from the family grand piano. That formative moment, watching my mother gracefully dance her fingers across the ivory keys, illuminating our modest living room with Chopin’s harmonies, sowed in me an unyielding passion for music. It was more than just auditory appreciation; it was the realization that music, in its purest form, was an encapsulation of history, culture, emotion, and the spiritual essence of humanity.

My musical odyssey took root with formal piano lessons at the age of six, forging a disciplined regime of mastering scales and refining finger techniques. This dedication soon bore fruit when, at twelve, I secured a place in the esteemed "Young Pianists' Showcase" competition. Preparing for this event, I meticulously studied Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata," not only mastering its rhythm and melodies but also delving into its history and the maestro's inspirations. Competing against a myriad of talented peers and being adjudicated by accomplished musicians wasn't merely an avenue to demonstrate my skill. It was a profound immersion into classical music's vast universe, each composition narrating tales of bygone eras, legendary composers, and the societies they graced. While the accolades from such competitions were heartening, they also ignited an unwavering curiosity about the stories and cultural fabric behind every note and composition.

In high school, I was given the opportunity to lead our school orchestra, a position that added another layer to my musical foundation. Leading an ensemble of diverse instruments and temperaments required much more than a proficiency in music. It demanded leadership, an acute understanding of each instrument's intricacies, and the ability to weave a tapestry of sound that resonated with audiences. One of my most significant achievements was reconstructing a lesser-known Baroque-era composition and adapting it for our ensemble, a task that combined my skills in performance, leadership, and historical research.

Parallel to these engagements, my insatiable thirst for understanding music's evolution led me to self-study. I devoured books on classical music's progression, from its liturgical roots in the Middle Ages to its multifaceted manifestations in modern times. This autodidactic journey further convinced me of music's unparalleled role in mirroring and shaping societal changes.

My undergraduate years were spent at the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University, where I majored in Musicology. The formal academic setting introduced me to systematic research methodologies, interdisciplinary approaches to music studies, and access to vast archives of primary sources. I excelled in my coursework, especially enjoying collaborative projects that allowed me to work with peers from diverse musical backgrounds. One such venture was curating a series of performances that juxtaposed classical compositions with their modern reinterpretations, fostering dialogues about music's evolving role across centuries.

Additionally, I was fortunate to participate in a workshop where I collaborated with a team to draft an opera. This endeavor refined my skills in composition, understanding narrative structures, and delving deep into historical contexts to create resonant and relevant musical pieces. The opera, based on a 17th-century French fable, went on to be performed at a college gala, receiving commendations for its fidelity to historical contexts while innovating in presentation.

Catholic University's Musicology department stands out as my top choice, and I sincerely hope to be granted the privilege of studying here. The department’s commitment to a comprehensive study, blending practical musicianship with rigorous academic inquiry, aligns seamlessly with my aspirations. The esteemed faculty, known for their extensive research and contributions to the field, would provide the mentorship I seek to delve deeper into nuanced studies, particularly those at the intersection of music, culture, and theology.

Furthermore, the University's grounding in Catholic tradition resonates deeply with my belief in music as a spiritual endeavor. The rich tapestry of liturgical music, its evolution over centuries, and its interplay with secular compositions present vast arenas of exploration, ones I am eager to embark upon. In particular, I am drawn to research the transformation of Gregorian chants from the Medieval era to the Renaissance, focusing on their influence on the polyphonic styles of the latter period. Dr. Maria Jenkins, a renowned expert in medieval and renaissance music at the Catholic University's Musicology department, has extensively studied this transition. Collaborating with Dr. Jenkins, I aim to unearth deeper insights into how these chants were adapted, evolved, and influenced the larger musical landscape of Western Europe, potentially culminating in a comprehensive research project or publication.

The tapestries of history, culture, and spirituality are interwoven through the threads of music. Through systematic study, fervent practice, and deep introspection, I've honed skills and imbibed knowledge that make me a fitting candidate for the Musicology program at Catholic University. My quest is not just to study music but to understand its soul, its eternal resonance, and its ability to elevate humanity. At Catholic University, I see a haven where this quest would be nurtured, challenged, and fulfilled.

Graduate School Statement of Purpose Example #15 (677 words)

It's often said that the most powerful things come in small packages. In the world of nuclear engineering, a single uranium fuel pellet, roughly the size of a pencil eraser, holds the energy equivalent of 150 gallons of oil. As I sat in my high school physics class, I remember the awe I felt when our teacher revealed this fact. It wasn't just the sheer power of nuclear energy that captivated me, but the vast potential it held for sustainable energy. From that defining moment, my path was clear – I wanted to delve into the world of nuclear engineering, unlocking the mysteries and potentials that lay within the nucleus of an atom.

Upon entering the University of Florida for my undergraduate studies, I committed to a dual major in Nuclear Engineering and Physics. This was not merely to obtain a degree but to cultivate a comprehensive understanding of the core principles and real-world applications of nuclear energy. While my courses laid a robust theoretical foundation, I actively sought avenues for hands-on experiences to bring my learning to life.

One such opportunity arose during my junior year when I secured a coveted internship at the Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Station. This wasn't a typical observational internship. I was thrust into the heart of reactor operations, working side-by-side with seasoned nuclear engineers. From calibrating reactor control mechanisms to troubleshooting minor hiccups in the cooling systems, my responsibilities were vast. This experience drove home the paramount importance of safety and precision in nuclear operations. For instance, while assisting in a reactor shut-down procedure, I realized the intricate choreography required to ensure each step was flawlessly executed. Any oversight, however minor, could escalate into a significant issue.

Beyond the confines of the power plant, I recognized the value of sharing knowledge and engaging with the broader nuclear community. This realization prompted me to participate in the American Nuclear Society (ANS) Student Conference. Alongside a dedicated team from my university, we researched and presented a detailed paper on "Advanced Safety Mechanisms in Modern Reactors." The countless nights we spent analyzing reactor models, scrutinizing historical data, and simulating potential scenarios were arduous but profoundly enlightening. Our paper was not only well-received but sparked stimulating debates on the future of reactor safety. This experience underscored the significance of continual learning and innovation in our rapidly evolving field.

Eager to further contribute to the nuclear engineering community, I took the initiative to organize the Nuclear Engineering Students' Symposium at the University of Florida. Steering this event, I found myself in a whirlwind of activity – from curating a diverse lineup of guest lecturers, including industry stalwarts, to devising hands-on workshops that simulated real-world reactor challenges. The success of the symposium was a testament to my organizational prowess, but more importantly, it emphasized the importance of fostering a vibrant community where budding engineers could engage, learn, and innovate.

North Carolina State University stands as a beacon for nuclear research, especially in my area of interest: Advanced Passive Safety Systems in Nuclear Reactors. Passive safety systems, capitalizing on natural phenomena like gravity and convection, are the future of nuclear reactor safety. I'm eager to delve into this area, particularly focusing on enhancing the efficiency and reliability of such systems. Dr. Walt Williams, with his groundbreaking work on passive cooling mechanisms, is someone I've admired and followed throughout my academic journey. The opportunity to work under his guidance at NC State is an enticing prospect, one that promises profound growth and meaningful contributions to the field.

My journey from that enlightening high school physics class to the cusp of advanced nuclear research has been both demanding and deeply rewarding. I believe North Carolina State University, with its unparalleled legacy in nuclear engineering, is the perfect place to further this journey. My educational background, coupled with my hands-on experiences and unwavering dedication, positions me well to contribute to and benefit from the esteemed Nuclear Engineering Department at NC State. I am eager to embark on this next phase, driving innovations and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in nuclear engineering.

A graduate school statement of purpose tells the admissions committee more about you as an applicant. A strong statement of purpose offers a compelling narrative about your interests, abilities, and experiences, to show the committee that you are a strong applicant and the right fit for their institution and graduate program.

A graduate school statement of purpose usually ranges between 500 and 1,000 words in length. Be sure to check the specific requirements stated by the program as you prepare to apply.

Set aside plenty of time for preparation so that you are not doing anything at the last minute. Research your institution and program of choice carefully to get a better sense of its values and academic culture. Brainstorm how and why you would make a good fit for the school and program of your choice. Contact any potential mentors amongst the academic faculty to discuss your research interests with them. Make a list of any requirements your program specifies for your statement of purpose. If you have any questions, be sure to ask the appropriate authority at the school for clarification. Before you start writing, make sure you have all of the materials you may need for reference close at hand, such as your academic transcripts. Make some notes outlining what you would like to include in your statement to help guide you as you write.   

A graduate school statement of purpose should contain an introduction, a main body based on 2 or 3 experiences, and a conclusion. Your statement should be clearly written and well-organized to help the reader follow the flow of your narrative.

A statement of purpose should include four main elements: your research interests in your chosen field, your academic and professional preparation, your strengths and weaknesses, and your career plans. You need to give specific examples for each of these main elements, and to explain what you have learned from every experience you mention.

In writing your statement of purpose, you need to commit to writing several drafts to make sure your statement is as strong as it can be. You should ask for feedback from trusted academic mentors or professional consultants to ensure that your statement is effective and compelling. You also need to carefully proofread your work multiple times before submission.

You must never plagiarize your statement of purpose. Avoid using clichés and tired phrasing to keep your writing original and fresh. It is also important to favor clarity over artfulness, so be sure to avoid using overly-fancy language so that the focus is always on the substance of what you’re saying. Also avoid technical or overly specialized language unless absolutely necessary, and be sure to define any technical or specialized terms that you must use. 

Before you submit your statement of purpose, take some time to review your statement in its final form to make sure it is the best version it can possibly be. Make sure you have followed all of the requirements in terms of length and formatting as specified by the school. Ask yourself if you have rewritten the statement several times, and if you truly believe it does not require another draft.

Check to make sure you are providing compelling examples for every claim you make regarding your experiences or abilities. Read your statement over again and make sure it is a narrative that gives the reader interesting details and context, not just a list of your achievements to date. Finally, make sure you have proofread your statement and eliminated any typos or grammatical errors that would distract your reader.

Your own research and ability to write concisely and clearly will be important in making your statement strong. Firstly, give yourself enough time for multiple drafts. Trust us when we say that your statement will need to be written and rewritten multiple times - it's inevitable. Secondly, be selective with the experiences you choose to include in your statement. It is more important to show rather than tell how you would be a great addition to the program. Being selective about your experiences will allow you room to go into detail and demonstrate to the admissions committee how your experiences make you the perfect fit.

Remember, if you are feeling overwhelmed, you can always research legitimate companies or consultants that can help you polish your statement and avoid wasting another year on applications. If you are considering whether BeMo is worth your time and money , make sure to read up on the successful experiences of our past students.

A good statement of purpose for graduate school will include why you want to study at the graduate level, why you are interested in a particular field and what you have done to prepare yourself for graduate study and your future career. It may also share your future career goals and how a program will help you achieve those goals. An effective statement will be clear, well-written and have a narrative flow that captures the reader’s attention and leaves them wanting to learn more about you.

An effective graduate school statement of purpose needs to hook the reader in the first sentence. Try to think of a specific experience or anecdote you can introduce to the reader in a creative and compelling way to open your essay. Continue building your narrative based on 1-3 experiences which shaped your desire to go to grad school or enter a specific career field.

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Have a question ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer your questions, 19 comments.

BeMo Academic Consulting

Hi Ablie! Thank you for your comment! We are glad you found this helpful!

Ayman Alfadil

Thanks a lot for your information. If my intended field of Ph.D. research is quite different from my previous research experiences, what am I suppose to do to link my previous interest with the new one? and Is it possible to have feedback on my writing?

Hello Ayman! Thank you for this wonderful question! It is not a problem that your previous research experience is not related to your new PhD interest. Even if they are not related in theme, it is important to showcase how your previous research experience honed your skills as a researcher. Demonstrate that the expertise that you acquired throughout your research history can be easily translated into this new field. Do not forget to give the admissions committee some sense of how you got interested in this new field, but it is not a problem that you decided to switch disciplines/interests. And of course we can help you with feedback on your writing. Please contact us for a free initial consultation (https://bemoacademicconsulting.com/Contact-Us.php) and we can discuss how we can help you make your statement the best it can be.

Ayman Alfadil, you are the winner of our weekly draw. Please email us by the end of the day tomorrow (June 19) at content[at]bemoacademicconsulting.com from the same email address you used to leave your comment to claim your prize!

Joana Smith

This is indeed the best Statement of purpose ever ,I love everything written here! It has really help me thank you!!!

Hello Joana! Thanks for your comment! We are glad you enjoyed this article!

Asra Tabassum

Hi...I want the sample for statement of purpose (for masters) where the student changes his filed/background/majors from science to IT... Atleast one sample which helps me to write my own. Thank you.

Hi Asra! Thanks for your comment and suggestion! We will try adding this kind of example as soon as possible!

Segun Abiri

I am so much in love with the way you make a big and difficult task simple. As a practitioner in adult education in Nigeria with over 6 years of experience, I intend to further my experience by having a Masters program in Canada. Problem is, my first degree is not in education, but Arts - Philosophy. I hope to scale through. Thank you for this great write ups.

Hi Segun! Thanks so much for your comment! We are glad you enjoyed the article. When you apply to a Master's program in Education, you do not need to have an undergrad degree in education. Your first degree in liberal arts will be a perfect fit for an Education graduate degree. Good luck and let us know if we can help you any further!

Chika happiness nwachukwu

Hi,indeed is the best statement of purpose ever,please I want the sample for statement of intents for masters,where the student changes his field,background/ majors from accounting education to educational foundations that will help me write my own. Thank you.

Hello Chika! Thanks for your comment! We will keep your request in mind when we update this blog! Thanks!

Hi, I wonder if you can only help me with SOP edits? Thanks.

Hello Bob! We can absolutely help you! Please contact us here https://bemoacademicconsulting.com/Contact-Us.php to schedule your free initial consultation.

Nwabueze Kewulezi

Hi, this is the best article on SOP I have read. Please, I need your advice. I am very passionate about teaching. I studied English, but my M.A. thesis is related to pragmatic. How do I relate both to my deep flare for education?

Hello Nwabueze! Thanks for your comment. Try to reflect on what connects your educational and professional background to teaching? Just because your MA thesis is not related to education, it does not mean that it cannot inform your love for teaching. Try making connections between your experience in the MA and what you want to do next. Hope this helps!

Samuel Frimpong

Can i get samples of these write-ups in Music?

Hello Smuela! Thanks for your comment. When we update the blog, we will make sure to keep your request in mind.

Chisa Amadi

Good morning, please I want to start up personal statement but don't seem to know how to go about it am applying for Agricultural science soil and water option. Please I will need a guide. Thank you

Hi Chisa! Thanks for your comment. Please feel free to reach out to us to discuss how we can help you with your personal statement! Look forward to hearing from you!

hey, thanks for the clear explanation, can you please help me write purpose statement for a journalism degree course

Hello Lucy! Please feel free to reach out to us to discuss how we can help you with your statement of purpose. Hope to hear from you!

This piece is extremely helpful

Hi Frimpong! Thanks! Glad you found this helpful!

Thank you for sharing this useful tips on SOPs.

Hello Anne! Thank you so much for your comment. Glad you found this helpful!

Elif Ülkü Türkoğlu

Thank you so much, this will be super helpful for my MA applications.

Hi Elif! Thanks for your comment! We are glad this is helpful!

Raphael Barrack Wangusu

Currently struggling with SOP preparations..i pursued Law for my bachelor degree and i wish to apply for masters scholarships in CANADA, UK, SWEEDN and USA. Thank you.

Hello Raphael! Thank you for your question. Please reach out to us for a free strategy call to discuss how we can help. 

Amazing content! I've never seen it explained the way you guys did it here!! Thank you!!!

Hello Joy! We are very glad you found this helpful!

It made me understand clearly what i have to do. thank you

Thanks Tumie! Glad you found this helpful!

i cant find any sop become related to food science. I really need a sample to help me. Could you help me please

Hello Shabnam, thanks for your message. We will keep your request in mind for when we update this blog.

I have enjoyed reading every bit of this document. I am so enlightened by it. Thank you.

Hello Michael! Glad you found this helpful! Thanks for your comment. 

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The Definitive Guide to Writing a Winning MBA Statement of Purpose

Why do an MBA?

I mean, there are a dozen alternatives. You can do an MSc, a professional degree, you can jump right into doing a Ph.D. or you can move into industry and try your luck with finding the job of your dreams. So, why do an often expensive and time-consuming MBA? What makes this degree one of the most sought-after degrees in higher education? What is the admission process and why does the MBA statement of purpose weigh heavily in it?

An MBA program is a bridge that connects industry to academia and a person who holds one is often referred to as a scholar-practitioner (fancy name!) meaning that they are academics who are rooted in business. An MBA holder is valued in academia, but they are, well, glorified in industry and here is why:

1. An MBA degree is proof of competency

Admission to an MBA program is not for everyone, and this fact is well-known in the industry ( don’t worry, we are here to help you get in ). A candidate who secures admission and completes the program is viewed as determined and competent.

2. The Curriculum

Although the curriculum differs from one institution to the other, all MBAs discuss some core topics which are valued in industry. This includes advanced management skills, leadership, decision-making under uncertainty, understanding corporate finance, etc.

3. Well Networked

An MBA candidate is bound to meet successful individuals in the classroom, at conferences, in university networking events, and in other venues. They exchange business cards and become business allies (if the conversation went well). People in industry appreciate the wealth of network that comes with an MBA graduate.

4. Specializations that fit your position

An MBA is not a one size fits all degree. You can choose an MBA that brings the most value to your existing or sought position. For example, you can choose to specialize in finance and become really popular in the finance and accounting department in your company or specialize in HR and craft a career in that department.

It is interesting to note that, according to the  QS Jobs & Salary Report , although employers pay MBA holders much higher salaries, averaging (per annum) US$102,100 in the United States, US$ 99,800 in Canada, and US$92,400 in the UK, they still think those candidates are worth it.  Read on to learn how to get into an MBA program and become a well-paid and highly regarded person.  But first, you must decide what type of MBA is best for you. Right?

Different Types of MBA Programs

  There are different types of MBA programs that you can choose from. This is fantastic news because it means that you are likely to find a suitable MBA regardless of where you are in life- A student, an employee, a stay-at-home mom with a toddler, or even an older person. Let’s go through your options one by one.

1. Full-time On-Campus Program

This is the traditional classroom program where you meet your colleagues, listen to lectures, submit assignments, and occasionally sit for exams depending on your institution.

2. Part-time On-Campus Program

This is a good fit for those who need to maintain a full-time job. The classes are usually scheduled in the evening and on weekends.

3. Online MBA Program

This is ideal for those who want to pursue an MBA with a foreign university but are unable to travel due to family, work, or budget considerations. It is also a good fit for those who need to keep their schedule free. You might be particularly interested in this if you have a hectic work life or parental responsibilities that make it difficult for you to predict your free time.

Read: Is an Online MBA worth it?

4. Executive MBA

The EMBA builds upon previous work experience and this is why only individuals with long and strong track records are accepted. The exact number of years and level of seniority varies upon universities, but it is generally a better fit for candidates above 35 years of age.

However, be mindful that some organizations place less value on an executive MBA because of the lesser academic engagement it requires, and depending on the university, you might not be able to pursue a Ph.D. based on this qualification for the same reasons.

When you are clear on your preferred mode of study. It is time to pick your concentration. The traditional three concentrations for an MBA program are Leadership, Finance, and Entrepreneurship. However, newer, and more interesting concentrations have now emerged. You can choose from accounting, business management, e-commerce, economics, global management, human resources management, information systems, marketing, operations management, strategic/ risk management, technology management, and others.

Wait a minute, many good universities are offering MBAs, which one should you choose? Good question!

Where Should you Apply?

There are several considerations here. As we discussed, pick your concentration first. Are you a finance person? an HR person? are you interested in entrepreneurship or perhaps you are well into corporate consultancy?

When you become clear on your direction, it is time to look at your budget. According to mastersportals.com, the average MBA cost in the United States is US$40,500, Canada US$29,000, and the UK US$23,000, while more affordable MBAs can be found in France or Germany for US$11,000. It is important to consider funding sources for your degree at an early stage.

Following that, determine your priorities. Are you looking for a university close to home or are you looking for one that weighs heavily in the job market?

If you are going after the latter, consider applying in the United States where the best universities offering MBA are located. Stanford, Harvard, and the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) are among the top three in the United States. However, be wary of the ever-changing immigration laws.

Another option would be applying in the UK, which holds an old tradition of academia. London Business School in addition to Oxford and Cambridge Universities are among the top three universities offering prestigious MBAs in the UK.

Admission Requirements for an MBA Degree

The admission requirements slightly vary among different countries. If you are considering an American university, you must have completed a four-year Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, in addition to three to five years of work experience, which will be considered depending on your responsibilities and seniority level.

You will also be required to score, on average, 600 or above in the GMAT, a minimum of 550 – 600 in the paper-based TOFEL, and a minimum of 213 – 250 in the computer-based TOFEL. Most business schools also accept the GRE. These tests are very important considerations for US-based universities.

Finally, there are the more common requirements such as two letters of recommendation, your resume, and writing an MBA statement of purpose, which is the one aspect of your application that can truly distinguish you from other applicants. So, you must get it right. This is especially true if you are applying to a highly competitive program in a good school.

Writing an MBA statement of purpose is an opportunity to tell your story, but you must do it gracefully, tactfully, and diplomatically. Let’s chat about this a little more.

Writing a Powerful MBA Statement of Purpose – Prompts & Structure

Let’s recap. Why was writing an MBA statement of purpose important again? Well, because it is an opportunity to sell yourself and talk about what a wonderful fit you are for the program, but it is also an opportunity to beat the competition and actually get into the program. Let me explain.

Admission staff in competitive programs realize that they cannot admit all the suitable candidates and so, they need to reject most of them for justified reasons. Such justified reasons are often not found in resumes, GMAT, and TOEFL scores nor are they found in letters of recommendation because (hello!) they are, by definition, letters of recommendation! So, where do they dig for reasons for rejection? You guessed it. In the statement of purpose!

The best way to structure this essay is by following a coherent and logical flow. Begin with an introduction followed by career objectives, the reason for selecting the university that you are applying to, your achievements and setbacks (take it easy on describing the setbacks), and finish with an assertive conclusion.

The following are tips to address different prompts. But, remember if you are not given any, just follow the structure described above using the content we are about to share with you.

Prompt 1: Introduce yourself

This simple instruction can be found disguised in different masks. For the Class of 2022,  Harvard Business School’s essay question  was “As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program?”

Stanford’s, on the other hand, is simply “What matters most to you and why?” and “Why Stanford?”

In this section of the MBA statement of purpose, avoid clichés such as  My name is John and I am from Texas . Your aim is to grab their attention. Make them decide to read the essay instead of skimming through it.  Tell an intriguing, authentic, and relevant story. It can be anything from working on a major project in your company to closing your first deal, however small.

It does not have to be big if you do not have big stories (yet) but the positioning must be correct.  Share a perspective and a reflection to tell them why you included this story here and what it means in the context of your application.

Prompt 2: Why did you apply to this university/program?

Now that you have their attention tell them why you believe the university is a good fit for you, and why you believe you are a valuable addition to the program. Many students tend to write romantic sentences here, such as  I have been dreaming of attending this school since I was a child .

Unfortunately, the admission team is not interested in that and similar information. They are professionals who need you to speak their language.

Share your career goal, and if possible, the industry that you are interested in, For example, HR management in the Oil and Gas industry, then connect that to specific aspects of the program. This connection shows the admission team that you are invested enough to go through the details of the program and that you are insightful enough to be able to see the actual value that this program brings to your career.

Prompt 3: Why are you a good fit for this program?

Think about what value you bring to the program. In this section, you must focus on your business achievements. If you have worked on a very complex project, assisted in a major merger, financed an airport, or simply taken broader responsibilities, then, this is the time to mention that.

But remember, while it may seem impressive, it is unlikely to sell on its own because all other applicants will have similar stories. So, think about what can you add to this section to strengthen your case.

Do you come from an ethnic minority? (play this card tactfully), did you overcome certain adversity that gave you a different strength or perspective? (again, play this card tactfully. Speak from a position of power as opposed to that of a victim. Perhaps you have completed a project while volunteering in rural India?

Leave the reader with a distinct flavor. Something that only you can bring to the table.

Prompt 4: Describe some of your achievements and setbacks

This is a very tricky part of the MBA statement of purpose. Describe your achievements very gracefully without sounding snobby or braggy yet be careful not to dismiss or discredit them. It is a fine line and you need to find it and balance your essay over it. One of the best strategies is to mention your achievements and lightly touch upon factors or people who contributed to your success.

The setbacks should be described delicately too. Remember, this is a sales pitch not a chat over coffee so be careful what you share and how you share it. You need to position your setbacks as part of your successes. For example, you did not get that promotion in 2016 but this gave you a chance to achieve so and so. Or you have challenges assessing the workload, but this only means that you always end up taking more responsibilities than what is required of you. Weaknesses and setbacks should never be mentioned without a positive twist. It is an application suicide!

MBA Statement of Purpose Samples

“You are a woman AND a vegetarian! You will never make it in this place!” As a senior midshipman screamed those words at me from across the table, I instantly decided to change the one aspect of that statement within my control. I scarfed down Stouffer’s meat lasagna during my first dinner at the United States Naval Academy and wracked my brain, pondering how the females before me had survived. After leaving the comfort of my childhood home, I found myself blindsided by a brutal indoctrination into the male-dominated military.”

– Read the rest here

You read through this, didn’t you? The first sentence entices the readers’ curiosity to know more. Where did this conversation take place? How did it end? Who was involved? And before they know it, they are halfway through and that in itself is a big win. Remember, on average, an admission staff views 30-40 applications per day, and they might skim through some. Make sure that they do not skim through yours.

Our Verdict:

Now compare the above MBA statement of purpose introduction with the following:

“In this day and age, many people are inspirable from their mobile devices. Indeed, the infrastructure and framework of entire nations are built upon software…”

I could not bring myself to finish reading this piece and it is likely that the admission committee just skimmed over it. The  student  is not there in this  personal statement ! Yes, they might emerge at some point in the essay, but it is probably going to be too late as the essay now resides on a pile of papers on someone’s desk with other rejects or likely-to-be rejected applications.

Don’t let this be you. Start strong. Start personal. It is all about the grand entry.

“Being able to return to graduate school to continue my education is a huge step for me, one that I have been planning for many years to facilitate my return to industry. Not only will this MBA give me the requisite knowledge of market analysis that I will need to make very complex and specific decisions in the future, but I will also be exposed to new projects that will challenge that way I think and problem-solve. I am confident that the skills that I will gain during my time in this MBA program will enhance my future ability to handle complex tasks to fulfill efficiently and effectively.”

Here is the problem. The sentences are too long and too familiar. The text is a collection of overly used sentences glued together.  Efficiently and effectively …Really? Here is a quick tip. Do not keep a template open in front of you while you write an MBA statement of purpose.

Read as many samples as you need, close those tabs and generate your own. Remember, it is a PERSONAL statement and it should read like one. If you borrow someone else’s words or even tone, the admissions committee will notice, and they will be discouraged.

 Our Verdict:

“It will truly be an honor for me to study under the guidance of your institution. I am excited for this new chapter of my life and I know that your world-class academic program, top-notch faculty and the perfect ambiance for learning, I will be more than ready for all my future endeavors”

This is an interesting piece because it highlights a common trap that potential students fall into, which is glorifying the institution. I understand this tendency. In real life, people can be ‘won over’ by complements. But remember, you are not speaking to the university.

You are speaking to an admission officer who is an administrative employee. Their identity is not tied to the status of the university unlike what you would expect of academic staff. The applicant wasted a good number of words to no real value and sounded a bit, well, cheesy.

A better option would have been showing reasonable appreciation to the university but going into further detail on how this is a good match and always connecting the made statements back to their career goals and the value they bring to the institution. These are the statements that register with the admissions office.

Let me share a quick tip: avoid exaggeration like it is the death of you!  “ I will be more than ready for all my future endeavors ” is an inflated statement that will make the admissions officer feel like you are overselling something, and they will start to question your credibility. If you are exaggerating this. What else are you exaggerating?

“Throughout my time in business, I have come to understand that success depends on staying attentive to the changing needs of the consumer. As a partner in a small business firm that my friends and I started in college, I know that outreach to customers is very important. Additionally, gaining a loyal base of followers who respond to branding is crucial for presenting the success of future campaigns. These concepts played a major role in helping us to establish and grow our own business, and I hope to be able to continue doing so in the future with the education I receive during my MBA”

I would say it is a fair attempt. The writer used space to mention that they are rooted in business and shared their reflections with the reader connecting it all to the MBA they wish to attend. I would, however, liked to have seen deeper reflections as the statements  “staying attentive to the changing needs of the consumer”  and  “outreach to customers is very important”  are generic to a large extent.

Final words – Quick Tips

Tip 1: write in a formal yet approachable tone.

Your MBA statement of purpose should convey that you are a friendly and likable person. Sometimes candidates mistake formal voice for a pretentious or unapproachable voice.

Tip 2: Develop your reflections

Provide reflections on the events that you mention in your MBA statement of purpose. This demonstrates that you are a reflective person who is open to learning and developing.

Tip 3: Maintain the balance between impressive and humble

There is the risk that the admissions committee will take your MBA statement of purpose as written ‘at’ them instead of ‘to’ them. In other words, they might compare what you have achieved with their own achievements instead of with other students. This is an unconscious shift of mentality that can be triggered by the tone of the essay. So be mindful.

Tip 4: Stick to the guidelines

This includes formatting guidelines, word count, date of submission, and any other requirement. Remember, your application may be disregarded for any of the above.

Tip 5: Revise the language to perfection

I am serious. TO PERFECTION. Even one spelling mistake could deter the admissions committee as often, linguistic issues are seen as a proxy for the quality of the application, and yes, of the applicant. Don’t make them feel that the application was rushed. Put your application through  Grammarly , or any other software and check that box.

Tip 6: Keep it personal

An MBA statement of purpose is a personal statement. Don’t transfer text directly from your resume and do not use passive voice. Use active voice with as many vivid descriptions as you can naturally fit in.

Tip 7: Stay focused

You might be very proud of your garden or your guitar playing abilities but don’t try to squeeze that in your MBA statement of purpose unless it is relevant to your argument. Remember why you are writing this essay and who is going to read it.

Drafting a powerful and compelling MBA statement of purpose is not difficult; it’s just tricky for most people, and this is why few make it into competitive programs while the rest fall in the cracks.  Now you are well-equipped to be among those who earn one of those few coveted spots. Remember, it’s all about being authentic, smart, and following an MBA statement of purpose writing’s best practice.

If you need a professional in the admissions scene to help brainstorm your personal statement or to review it before submitting your application, start here .

Related Readings:

The Best GMAT Prep Courses, According to MBA Students

14 Best Online MBA Programs in Texas (Researched & Reviewed)

What’s the Value of an MBA Degree – Is it Worth it?

Is a Healthcare Administration Degree Worth Pursuing?

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How to Write a Statement of Purpose

If you are interested in applying for an MBA program, the list of admissions requirements may seem daunting. Breaking the application down into bite-sized components can make the process more digestible. 

One important component of an MBA application is the  statement of purpose  (SOP).  

To help ensure your SOP is ready to face the admissions committee, we gathered some insights from the Eller MBA team on what an SOP is, the proper format and what you should include as well as some other helpful tips and tricks. 

What is a statement of purpose?

The Statement of Purpose (SOP) is an essay in which you discuss your career goals and how an MBA along with your work history and attributes can help you achieve them. Admissions committees are looking for MBA students with strong academic backgrounds and unique or relevant work experience that will help them contribute to the MBA cohort. These should be threaded through the narrative of the SOP so that admissions professionals can see how you will fit in, contribute and ultimately make the transition to what you are seeking.  

There is a fine line between creating a compelling narrative and being too personal. Approach the SOP as if it were a conversation with a prospective employer—tie components of your personality back to your strengths and career goals. 

Is a personal statement the same as a statement of purpose?

Though the names sound similar, a personal statement is not exactly the same as a statement of purpose. A personal statement focuses more on the applicant’s background and journey of growth and can be very personal. Review the application instructions to see which type of essay is being requested and construct your essay accordingly.  

Some of the topics discussed below hold true for the personal statement and statement of purpose. However, our focus is the statement of purpose. 

How long is a statement of purpose?

The length of the SOP will vary by institution but is often around 500 to 1,000 words. Check the guidelines for each program and follow them. It will be clear to the reviewer if you used the correct font, spacing and length—don't give them a reason to reject your application before you have even had a chance to present your story. 

What is the format of a statement of purpose? 

The statement of purpose can be broken into five parts: 

Introduction 

Use the introduction to give a brief overview of your background and your current career goals. This is also where you should hook in the audience. What makes you stand out from the crowd? 

Why are you applying? 

In the second section, describe how you came to be interested in your field of study. Give a few examples of your professional experiences in the field. Describe how this specific program can help you to reach your goals and further your career.  

Why are you the right candidate? 

Do some research on the specific school and program you are applying to. How do your personality, goals and experiences align with the program and the culture of the school?  

Future Goals 

Here, write about your long-term goals—where you see yourself in several years. Note the difference between the goals you mentioned earlier in the SOP, which should be about goals closer to the present, such as what you hope to achieve upon graduation from the program. Show that you have a long-term vision in place and how the program will help you reach that vision. 

Conclusion 

Restate your professional goal for attending the program, how the program is the perfect fit and how you are excited to contribute to the institution as a student and eventually as an alum. 

Do I sign a statement of purpose? 

Given that most applications are submitted online with other application documents, you do not normally need to sign a SOP. Again, double check with the requirements for your specific desired program. 

Tips and tricks for a polished statement of purpose: 

Make sure you reference the correct school and program 

Nothing will move your application to the reject pile faster than getting those names wrong. 

Be clear, succinct and have a good hook 

Keep in mind that admissions professionals may be reading hundreds of essays. Having a compelling hook to draw them into your story will make your application memorable. 

Check your grammar and spelling 

This shows professionalism and that your SOP is polished. 

Proofread 

Have someone you trust proofread it for you. Having someone not so close to the subject read your essay will let you know if your message is resonating the way that you intended. 

Be authentic 

Finding the best MBA program is a bit like dating. If you try being someone that you aren’t it will most likely show in your SOP. If not, it will become clear in the interview. If the school doesn’t appreciate who you are find a school that does – you'll be happier in the end. 

View more tips for submitting a strong MBA application (video).  

MBA Statement of Purpose Examples

by Talha Omer, MBA, M.Eng., Harvard & Cornell Grad

In mba | statement of purpose.

The following MBA statement of purpose is an example of a compelling story that reflects the original voice and personality of the applicant. Get inspiration from it and try to incorporate its strengths into your own essay.

MBA Statement of Purpose Example

For my admission at Harvard Business School (HBS), the odds are not in my favour. However, I owe a debt to all those before me who even made it possible for me to apply to HBS. In a tiny village, my father dared to dream of his freedom from poverty. His leap of faith made him walk sixteen miles to school every day, and eventually, he became the first graduate from the entire village. The son of a poor farmer, he earned freedom from poverty by working as an accounting clerk. An entire village followed in his footsteps, and today, every family in our village has at least one educated child.

My father dreamt of creating opportunities for my younger sister and me in a society that values only male children. But instead, he defied the odds, raised us like sons and invested his retirement savings into our education.

I dared to find my place as a pioneer woman in Science, Technology, Engineering Mathematics (STEM). Joining the class of 36 software programmers as the only woman, I went on to top the Software Export Board Exam. I earned the right to work in a software house of my choice, but the economic meltdown snatched it from me. 

As my first dream shattered, I dreamt only bigger and graduated in finance, entering another coveted “men’s club”. This time, again, my job in finance was beyond my wildest imagination. As the daughter of a poor villager, I managed a portfolio of projects worth US$49.6 Billion under the President’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) fund. Some of the largest international investments from Walmart and Apple originated from my desk. Yet a year later, I lost this dream job to the global financial meltdown.

After a couple of months, I accepted a high-profile job in the world’s financial hub, Singapore. I joined the cadre of a hundred women as part of the Bank’s Executive Committee. 

This job was the best of both worlds – I approved credit for the world’s largest corporates but for the world’s poorest women. In one of my projects, we dispersed loans across 180 villages to 13,000 women living below the poverty line. As the women’s businesses thrived, we recovered 95% of our loans. As a result, our borrowers won international microfinance awards. Yet I consider my real win when I was able to secure microloans for the education of 5,436 children who previously worked as child labourers.

That same year, floods washed away my entire village. I saw people clinging to barbed wires, desperately attempting to save their lives. As I watched in shock and horror, I refused to be a spectator. Instead, I left my job, set up an NGO, and talked my parents into working with me full-time. When I committed a year of my life to the flood victims, BBC ran a story on me. I was scared to live up to this expectation, yet six months later, we raised US$1,000,000 and saved 10,000 lives.

As relief efforts turned to rehabilitation, I started two schools. The children that came to my schools had either lost their families, homes, or both. They were part of the 3 Million children in the country who never attended a single classroom lecture. On their first day in my makeshift schools, these children shouted foul words, grabbed food and goodies, and threw stones at one another. But after spending a year in my school, they could now read and write, harbour dreams of a better life, and teach their communities about hygiene.

My projects were thriving a year and a half later, but I was under US$180,000 in debt. Hence, I supported my family by taking the first available job: university teaching to the first generation of college students. The university’s dean allowed me to design my courses. I chose entrepreneurial and development finance. Within a year, my students were already running successful semester-long businesses.

At age thirty-five, I joined the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), becoming the youngest woman market head across our 100 operating units. That same year, I married and moved with my in-laws as part of the culture. Despite managing family responsibilities, I lead my team to increase ACCA’s market share by 500% while bringing customer satisfaction to an all-time high of 92.7%. In addition, the executive team increased funding for our office, and the central headquarters did a case study on our office as a model for attracting new business. 

After three years of successful work at ACCA, I wanted to start my family because our lives should not be a choice between work and family. A year later, I was a proud mother to premature twin girls. A year of motherhood was worth a decade of experience as I put all my energies into tending to two human lives dependent on me for food, comfort, and survival.

The circle of my life was complete: My educated mother ignited in her daughter the dream to study, work and realize our potential. We did that. Raising my daughters ignited in me the drive to work for my daughters and those of others. Leaving the corporate world, I returned to my NGO to start the International Women’s Economic Council (IWEC).

I chose Dubai as IWEC’s first office. Dubai’s women are 51% of the population, yet they earn a fifth of a man’s salary and make up only 30% of the workforce. This lack of economic empowerment makes them victims of child marriages, domestic violence, maternal deaths, and social exploitation. At IWEC, I helped poverty-stricken or socially excluded women realize their dreams via training and networking. My bold dream is to use this platform to close the gender gap in the region.

This dream is greater than myself. I bring my vision to HBS because I want to empower female entrepreneurs so that they can transform their countries. My new skills in strategy will help me maximize scarce resources. Courses in  Business, Government and the International Economy  (BGIE) and  Entrepreneurship and Global Capitalism  (EGC) will help me understand why some countries are rich and others poor and how I can change that through government policy. In contrast, classes on  Reimagining Capital  would help me tap into non-traditional funding models for social enterprises. The case method will give me persuasion skills to deal with leaders in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. I will graduate with the skills needed to sustain and scale this social impact.

The odds have never been in my favour, but I know that in no other school would my story come to life.

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Statement of Purpose (SOP) for MBA: Samples & Examples

• Updated On April 3, 2024
• Published In Courses 📖 , General

Did you know that a lot of student visa requests are turned down because the SOPs aren’t clear? Statements of Purpose, or SOPs, are the most important parts of college and visa applications. They can make or break your chances of getting in .

Table of Contents

An SOP is usually an essay that explains why a student wants to go to a certain college and how getting that degree will help them reach their goals. You have to explain how joining a certain university and taking that particular course will help your success, for example, if you’re pursuing an MBA .

Your SOP for MBA is your first chance to make a lasting impact on the admissions committee and the faculty. Also, keep in mind that an MBA is a famous degree that gets a lot of applications. If you have a good SOP, it will be easy to stand out .

Here are some basic details about an SOP for students:

This blog has everything you need to know to write the best SOP for an MBA! You can use our examples and tips to write the best SOP for an MBA at top colleges worldwide, such as the London Business School and the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Get a quick overview and unlock valuable information about the MBA Abroad from the table given below:

The best guidance for your STUDY ABROAD DREAM

Start your journey with the best study abroad experts in India

Also read MBA in Canada for Indian Students: Colleges, Fees & Courses .

What is the SOP for an MBA?

The SOP for MBA is a Statement of Purpose that explains why a student wants to pursue an MBA and how it will help them achieve their career goals. It is an important document that can decide your chances of getting admission for an MBA in your desired university abroad. 

Here are some benefits of an SOP for MBA: 

• It showcases your goals and aspirations to the admissions committee.
• It demonstrates your understanding of the MBA program and the institution you’re applying to. 
• It highlights your unique qualities and skills that make you a good fit for the program.
• It provides an opportunity to explain gaps or weaknesses in your academic or professional history. 
• It sets you apart from other applicants and helps you stand out as a strong candidate for the program.

How to Write the Best SOP for an MBA

If you want to pursue an MBA, it is essential to write an SOP to showcase your goals and aspirations to the admissions committee. An SOP is an essay that explains why you want to attend a particular university and how obtaining an MBA will help you reach your career objectives. 

 In your SOP, you should highlight your unique qualities , skills , and experiences that make you a good fit for the program. Be sure to customise your SOP for each college and explain why it is a great fit for you.

Guidelines on what to write in SOP For MBA:

Here are some guidelines to help you write a successful SOP for MBA: – 

• Start with a clear introduction that explains your interest in pursuing an MBA and your future goals.
• Use simple language and focus on your unique qualities, skills, and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for the program.
• Customise your SOP for each college and explain why it is a great fit for you.
• Use a clear and concise writing style, avoid slang, and emphasise your passion for the program and future aspirations. 
• Proofread your SOP carefully to ensure that it is free of errors and presents a clear and compelling case for your admission.

Format of an SOP for MBA:

To make an excellent SOP for getting a successful admission to your desired university abroad for an MBA, follow this format:

Paragraph 1: Intent and Interest

It’s important to show the admissions committee why you need an MBA to advance in your job. The first sentence of your SOP should clarify what you want to do and why you’re interested.

Like, “In my quest to become one of the most successful entrepreneurs of my generation, pursuing an MBA degree is vital.”

Paragraphs 2 & 3: Goals and Aspirations

MBA colleges in India and other countries will let people know where they want to go in the future.

It’s because successful graduates give the college more respect , which leads to higher fees, rates of admission, and other things.

Because of this, you need to show the admissions committee that you can follow your dreams! In the second and third parts of your SOP for MBA, you should stress how the degree can help you reach your goals.

Like, “I have heard that an MBA is not for everyone. I agree. But for me, the skills, the knowledge, the insights, and the peer relationships I will build throughout this programme are crucial to making an impact in my chosen field of creating cloud-based solutions for everyone.”

Paragraph 4: Make your SOP unique for every college.

For an MBA, you should write a separate SOP for each college . Do a lot of research on the college and explain why it’s a great fit for you.

Customising your SOP for the university shows the admissions committee how much you know about the college and how excited you are to become an important part of their academic group.

In the fourth line of your SOP, talk about the things about that college that make you want to get your MBA there.

Such as, “XXX Institute has a reputation for churning out some of the best entrepreneurs in the world in computer technology. I want to benefit from the same approach to business and step up my career.”

Paragraph 5: Tell the Institute what it will get out of working with you.

Most of the time, top business colleges have a mindset about the kind of graduates they want to make. The Business School at UC Berkeley , for instance, focuses on accepting grads who want to work for NGOs and other businesses that care about doing the right thing for society.

Take some time to look at the university’s website and make a list of the things they do.

A good approach is to follow the college’s philosophy. This will also help you have an enjoyable time in college. In your SOP for MBA, you should show that you understand their culture and what they expect from you.

For example: “Wharton has been the home of many business leaders who are or were famous community pillars and political leaders in their own right. My aspiration coincides well with the college’s environment and general outlook. Hence, I feel I can contribute profitably to the college’s growth in its desire to create a reputation as a producer of global and national leaders.”

Paragraphs 6 & 7: Write down the steps you’ll take to reach your goals

The sixth and seventh parts of your Statement of Purpose for MBA must explain how you plan to reach your goals. Give a road map. It doesn’t have to be real, but try writing down your thoughts.

Like: “After I complete my MBA, I will start setting up my own cloud-based company in my home country. It will take me at least three years to gain a competitive edge, and in five years, I see myself expanding the business to compete with national giants.”

Paragraph 8: The end

The last sentence of your MBA SOP should say nice things about you and greatly impact the people reviewing your application. Don’t brag ; show them why they should humbly treat you.

Like, “With over four years of experience in the IT sector, I know that to see the change, you must be the change. I believe that a well-earned MBA degree and specialised training can help me overcome several challenges down the line.”

That’s all there is to your SOP for an MBA.

Sample SOP for MBA

Each area of specialisation in an MBA has its own set of standards. People in any field can answer the Statement of Purpose question, but students can make their answers fit their own needs. 

Here are some SOP rules for well-known MBA programmes:

MBA in Marketing

In marketing, applicants must say how much they know about advertising, branding, market research, and internet marketing. One more thing that should be emphasised is the ability to handle the tasks of senior management.

• Show that you know a lot about the latest marketing trends, such as e-marketing and internet marketing.
• Bring up areas of pain that you can work on later.
• Talk about how to get more people to know about a product.

MBA in Finance

If you want to get an MBA in finance, your statement of purpose should be very clear and show how you feel about the topic in general. It’s important to stress that you need to be able to analyse things and know a lot about the basics of finance.

The following are some other elements:

• Being able to look over cash reports.
• Being able to predict business trends is a skill.
• There are good ways to make stocks more valuable.
• A deep understanding of banks, mergers, acquisitions, and accounting.

MBA in Human Resources

If you want to get an MBA in human resources, your statement of purpose should show how good you are at fixing problems for others and dealing with different types of people.

Here are some skills that you need to have:

• The ability to understand other people
• Knowing about worker rights can help strengthen the bond between the company and the worker.
• A good way to handle disagreements between managers and workers

Example of SOP for MBA

Here is an example of a SOP for a marketing MBA. It will help you understand how a well-written SOP works and what it means.

It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to be as an adult. I had no specific goals when I finished my bachelor’s degree in engineering for computer science.

Some of the jobs I wanted to try were writing, data science, and data analysis. I joined a content writing company to improve my digital marketing skills. The choice turned out to be the most important thing in my life.

Getting real-world work experience opened up a lot of doors for me. I saw for myself how powerful words can be. A lot of my clients asked me to help them explain their products or services so that other people could better understand them. This made me start to look forward to a job in digital marketing.

Words have a lot of power. They can make you buy something or not buy something. They can hurt you or fix you. This is a problem that most people in the field have brought up for me. It was a matter of ethics. Should I lie about the quality of the goods or say bad things about a customer, which is something the company doesn’t like?

I did find out, though, that I was legally required to do what the company wanted. I couldn’t do anything about it, which might sound vague, but it’s true.

Then, I thought about how to be more honest in marketing, which went against what my job was supposed to be. This question still makes no sense to me. I promised to give the people the most accurate picture possible without lying. I didn’t like the moral dilemma. What an important job I have! I’m proud of it, and I like the challenges it gives me.

I came up with an idea about three years into my job. There is one ad that is not acceptable for most people. Look at how many people live in India. There are 22 official languages, a huge number of dialects, and many different nations. How can one national ad affect all of them where it matters, which means making sales? I knew there was a need to make ads that were specific to each person. In turn, niche sales would go up if ads were customised. I wanted to start my own digital marketing company so that I could make my dream of making ads that are unique for everyone come true.

With the growth of data science, it’s no longer just an idea, even though it might sound impossible at first. I quit my job, signed up for a Master’s course in Data Science, and started to study seriously. My job taught me how to turn in good reports on time, and it also taught me how to deal with the often tricky waters of working life. That’s why it was so easy for me to finish my master’s.

After getting my Master’s, I knew I needed to learn how to run a business properly. I had never been in charge of a business before, and neither had any of my friends who had. My boss at my first job was an inspiration, but his knowledge wasn’t enough to help me get started on my own. A mentor told me to apply for an MBA because it would help me build a strong foundation for my dream.

Wharton was at the top of my list because it has a history of turning out people who are great at selling.

The mentor told me to take the less-travelled path, and it doesn’t look like my future will be easy. While I’m getting my MBA, I want to work with angel investors at my old school and build a strong network with my teachers and classmates.

Everyone should be able to buy what they want at a price they can afford. Marketing is the only way to connect the many sellers in the market with people who want to buy. I want to help the right buyers and sellers find each other.

Important Parts of the SOP for an MBA

There are some important parts of every SOP that you should not miss! Note the following things:

• Goals for the future: Your resume should talk about your past work, while your Statement of Purpose should talk about your plans for the future. You have to talk about your main goal, your aspirations , and what you want to achieve in life.
• Interest in the course: Institutes want to see how excited and eager candidates are to join the programme.
• Skill-set: You should talk about all of the important skills you’ve learned at work and in college in the right way in your SOP.

It’s not going to be easy to study abroad. You need to keep going! In a SOP, examples and real-life experiences should show that you have a positive attitude and can deal with problems.

What you shouldn’t do in your SOP for an MBA!

Below are some mistakes to avoid while writing your SOP for an MBA.

• Do not bring up past mistakes. Do not draw attention to any bad habits or attitudes.
• Don’t write the Statement of Purpose quickly on the last day or right before you turn it in.
• Please make sure your SOP is correct. There shouldn’t be any spelling or grammar mistakes or bad writing.
• Don’t lie on any part of the application.
• Do not beg to be let in.
• Do not leave things open. It is best to keep your application short and to the point. 
• Use short, clear paragraphs and words.
• Instead of writing bad beginnings and endings, steer clear of them. The admissions officer is interested in these parts of the SOP for an MBA.
• Don’t give false information about the college or get its goals and aims wrong.
• Finally, don’t steal anything from the web. Don’t plagiarise; if you are caught, you could be rejected.

Tips on How to Write a SOP for an MBA

Here are some ideas to help your MBA Statement of Purpose stand out. The people who decide who gets in read tens of thousands of applications every year, so yours needs to stand out and make the group happy.

An original method

When writing the SOP, try to be as unique as you can. Don’t talk about everyday things that happened to you. Instead, talk about something you care about.

The right way to show ideas

Business schools will be looking for new ideas, well-organised thought processes, and ideas that make sense. Because of this, the Statement of Purpose needs to be reviewed several times until it is perfect.

Feedback from professors, coworkers, parents, friends, advisors, and teaching assistants can be very helpful.

Be exact and clear.

Instead of making broad statements, use specific words. Don’t say, “I learned a lot from my internship at Google.” Instead, say, “I learned how to meet deadlines, handle having multiple roles, and understand how important it is to deliver quality work during my internship at Google.”

Do not hurry up your SOP.

Give yourself time to write the Statement of Purpose (SOP) for the MBA. A week is a good amount of time to do this. Get feedback from teachers and make any changes that are needed.

Brief Recap

If you want to get an MBA, you will probably need to send in your academic transcripts and scores. These will give you some information about your academic life, but they won’t tell you much about your personality, goals, or prospects. This is where a SOP comes in handy.

Schools can also see how well you write and speak English, as well as how well you show data, facts, and your life story in the shortest form possible.

Remember that your SOP is an important part of your application. You should plan and practice writing one before you send it in for entry.

And if you need help with your SOP? Talk to our experts!

Book a free call today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. what is the average length for an sop for an mba.

A. The Statement of Purpose for an MBA should be around 1000 to 1500 words , which is approximately two pages. Language for the SOP should be concise and clear and must hit its mark. It should be written in 12-point font with normal margins without using images or colourful text anywhere.

Q. What should be written in an SOP for MBA?

A. In the Statement of Purpose for MBA, a summary of the applicant’s academic and work experience should be well documented. Future career goals and the reasons for applying should also be specified. The language should be to the point without using any flair except where necessary. Preferably, the SOP should follow the correct sequential order as real events.

Q. How do you end an SOP for MBA?

A. Since getting noticed among thousands of other applicants is the aim, you should end with a definite word on why you think an MBA is necessary for you. There is no need to reiterate anything you have already written in the essay. Make your intentions clear and state the proper reasons why that Institute is the right fit for you.

Q. Should I mention backlogs in SOP for MBA?

A. No, unless the experience taught you a positive life lesson. There is no need to focus on the negative aspects of your learning experience. If the backlog inspired you to study more and get good scores, include it. Another important thing is to take the IELTS exam.

Q. What is the goal of a Statement of Purpose?

A. The Statement of Purpose for an MBA should reflect a candidate’s reasons, intention, and desire to gain admission into the University or college. The document is written to give the college an idea of the kind of candidate they are taking on board. Apart from an introduction, it is also a clue into the overlap of candidate and college philosophy and intention.

Q. Is it easy to write SOP?

A. Yes, but with practice. Writing skills are difficult to hone, but since this is a simple essay about your life, you should be able to pull it off. Although, you must include all the key points and make sure there is a logical flow and good grammar in the essay. If you’re in doubt, it’s always best to clear it off with an expert, as SOPs can make or break your application.

Q. What is the ideal structure for SOP for an MBA?

A. Your SOP for MBA should include the following: -Introduction -Goals and ambitions -How your morals coincide with that of the institution -What does the institution stand to gain from you -How does an MBA add value to your career -Conclusion

Q. What are some tips for writing an engaging SOP for an MBA?

A. Here are some tips. -A compelling introduction -Avoid cliches -Highlight your achievements -Show your interest in the course and university

Q. Is SOP typed or handwritten?

A. Most universities prefer digital formats or types of SOPs. You can write one on Google Docs or Microsoft Word and upload the PDF or doc file based on the university’s requirements. You must meet those requirements if you have been specifically asked for a hand-written format. You can scan the handwritten SOP into a PDF, upload it, or mail it to the admissions office.

Q. Should I mention my CGPA in the SOP?

A. The main intention of the SOP is to highlight your achievements. Your CGPA is already available to the admissions office as you will submit academic records. However, if you want to highlight a positive experience in your life that relates to your CGPA, you may do so. It is not mandatory to mention your CGPA.

Q. Can I exceed the word limit in SOP?

A. We highly recommend sticking to the word limit. The SOP must be a gist about your life and should not overwhelm the admissions panel. Remember, the panel members view hundreds of applications daily, and a lengthy SOP might not interest them as much. Stay within the word limit, but find engaging ways to convey your interests.

Q. What is the purpose of a Statement of Purpose (SOP) for MBA admissions?

A. The Statement of Purpose (SOP) is a crucial part of your MBA application. It serves as a personal introduction and a way for you to express your motivation, aspirations, and why you are a suitable candidate for the MBA program. The SOP helps the admission committee understand your unique qualities, experiences, and goals.

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SOP for MBA (Statement of Purpose): Writing tips, Samples

Princi Rai ,

Mar 4, 2024

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Statement of Purpose or SOP for MBA is an important essay for students applying for Master's in Business Administration programs. SOP for MBA helps students to work on their management skills and explore job opportunities.

SOP for MBA i.e. Statement of Purpose is an essay that students willing to pursue their Masters in Business Administration write to colleges of their choice to enhance their management skills and to explore future job opportunities.

Students can also check some of the guidelines and sample SOPs along with some do’s and don’ts that should be followed while writing an SOP for MBA. 

Table of Contents

What is SOP for MBA?

How to write an effective sop for mba, format of writing an sop for mba, samples of sop for mba, sop for popular mba specializations, do's and dont's for writing an sop for mba.

A Statement of Purpose, SOP for MBA is a letter that students send to a certain foreign university where they want to apply for an MBA (Master of Business Administration) program. It is an opportunity to make a good first impression on the admissions panel members and persuade them that they have a higher chance of being admitted to their university than other applicants.

The MBA Statement of Purpose should be more concise because it highlights both the professional work experience and educational background. 

The major objective of an SOP for MBA is to demonstrate to the admissions board at the university that:

• Why would you like to pursue an MBA?
• What makes you think you're prepared for it?
• How does the course fit into your plans for the future?
• What will you contribute as a student?

The SOP for MBA can be written more effectively if the following pointers are taken into consideration while a candidate is writing their SOP for any of their chosen institutions. 

• Perform a thorough research about the institution each department-wise based on the factors such as the faculty knowledge, curriculum, passed-out students and more. 
• Follow a concise format and be professional while writing the SOP fro MBA. It is important for the candidate to follow the same format throughout the length of the SOP. 
• Be a strict editor with the SOP once its done. It is important for the candidates to mercilessly cut the pointers that sound too cliche or too generic to read. 
• Be factual with the details disclosed in the SOP therefore, there are no errors or logical discrepancies while reading the statement.
• Proofread the SOP for any grammatical or spelling error which might reflect badly as a candidate who is applying for a business school.  

The students can check out the format of writing an SOP from MBA from the steps given below. These steps will give clarity while writing a customized SOP based on their requirements and the specializations to be chosen to pursue their MBA. 

Step 1: Introduction

Step 2: academic and professional background, step 3: career aspirations, step 4: why choose this institution, step 5: conclusion.

The introduction part of the SOP must be professional and catchy. The introduction of the SOP should be not more than 7 lines split up in 2 paragraphs with 4 lines and 3 lines respectively. The introduction can describe the student's intention of pursing an MBA after their undergraduate or the personal details can be covered in the introduction part. 

The academic and professional background could be the second part of the SOP. Since the introduction has the personal information of the candidates covered, the step is to discuss their

• Club participations
• Leadership-based activities
• Extra-curricular activities
• Any unique hobbies that will excite the MBA admission panel members. 

The career aspirations after MBA can be disclosed to the MBA admission panel through the statement of purpose for MBA. The specializations that the candidates are planning to pursue, the purpose of choosing the particular specialization, and companies that inspire them with their exciting future plans and more. 

The statement of purpose takes a very serious turn here. "Why choose our institution?" is one of the major question that needs to addressed by any candidate while writing their SOP for MBA. The students can cover the institutions, 

• Legacy of top students who are doing extremely well in their respective positions. 
• Diversed community of students. 
• Faculties with rich industry-knowledge.
• The courses and elective papers that are offered. 
• The opportunities and placement companies can be listed.  

Finally, the conclusion of the SOP for MBA can be a summarization with a concluding note on how the candidate is a great fit for this program and university or business school they are applying for in the academic year.

Refer to some of the sample SOP for MBA mentioned below for the candidates applying to universities for the admission process.

My name is “Name of the Student”, and I'm originally from “Location, India”. I consider myself to be a goal-oriented person with a strong desire to improve anything I do significantly. I think having a solid grasp of business principles and good managerial abilities would be beneficial in assisting me in achieving this life goal. For this reason, I believe that obtaining an MBA from your prestigious university is my first step toward establishing a solid professional foundation for myself.

Looking back, I can see that even as a young child, I had a keen interest in business. Even as a young child, I would enjoy going with my father to his clothing factory at home and learning the fundamentals of the industry from him.

I decided to pursue a business administration degree when I finished school at that point. My undergraduate studies in “Name of the Degree” at “Name of the College” in “Location” laid the foundation for a future career in management and business. I'm now eager to enrol in an MBA program to further my desire to acquire an MBA degree.

I began my professional career as a “Role” at “Name of the Company”. I gained enough practical experience over my three years with the company, adding value to my resume. 

During my stay at the company, I also received the "Employee of the Year" award. Later, I took on the position of Marketing Manager at an export-import organization, where I developed an even greater desire for managerial and business abilities.

After completing the MBA program at your university, I'm eager to go back to Mumbai and look for opportunities where I can apply my knowledge and abilities to benefit the larger society. 

I also hope that this education will help in improving my personality as a whole.

My name is “Name of the Student”, and I'm from “State/City, India”. I'm a “Role in the Company” with “Name of the Organization” right now. My ambition to play leadership positions in the field in the future is what motivated you to seek an MBA at your prestigious university.

I completed my “Graduation/Bachelor’s Degree” at “Name of the College/University” in “Location”. After finishing my degree, I was allowed to work for three months as an intern at a marketing firm, where I had a great chance to put what I had learned to use. In addition, the internship helped me acquire the necessary management and business administration abilities.

The company was quite happy with both my three-month performance and my desire to learn new technology. I was also given the "Best Performer Award" for the 2019–20 academic year.

The company then made me an offer for a permanent position, which I gladly accepted. This was the start of improving my management skills further. After two years with the organization, I began my career as a management trainee and am now a senior manager there.

I want to move ahead, and I know that a “Bachelor’s degree” might not be enough on its own. So, I am now eager to pursue higher education by enrolling in an MBA program at your esteemed university. My application for an MBA is a reflection of my desire to gain the necessary business management abilities to further my profession.

As a team leader, I also hope to improve my soft skills in interpersonal and organizational communication as well as my capacity for problem-solving. Your university is the best place for me to move forward in my career.

The statement of purpose for MBA can be customized while writing for different MBA specializations based on the need and requirement of the applying candidate. There is a list of SOP pointers for popular MBA specializations given below for the student's reference. 

• SOP for MBA: Finance
• SOP for MBA: Marketing
• SOP for MBA: Operations
• SOP for MBA: Human Resources

1. SOP for MBA: Finance

The students can use the pointers given below to be considered as a candidate to pursue MBA Finance in any of the top institutions. 

• Showing the willingness to learn the financial concepts and ability to manage money in a smart angle. 
• Understanding the financial theories on Accounting, Business Management, Banking, Stock Market and other Financial tools. 
• Adding relevant professional experience with budget analysis, financial reports, stock values and more. 
• Exhibiting high problem solving capabilities, strong critical and analytical thinking. 

2. SOP for MBA: Marketing

Apart from including their career aspirations, goals and other important aspects of joining the Marketing course, the students can check the pointers given below to include in the SOP for MBA marketing. 

• Basic knowledge about the marketing concepts such as branding, retail marketing, sales etc. 
• Inclucating strong communication and sales pitching skills. 
• Beginner-level experience in sales and marketing or public relations. 
• Being empathetic towards the changing culture and norms of marketing.  

3. SOP for MBA: Operations

The SOP for MBA of operations and supply chain management are given in the pointers below for the students to customize their statements based on their needs. 

• Demonstrating real-time examples in their previous internships or employments. 
• Illustrating theories of operations and supply chain management in top companies. 
• Basic knowledge in operational theories, project management, and innovation management. 

4. SOP for MBA: Human Resources

The students can exhibit knowledge on people skills, analytical skills based on people retaining, company culture and more apart from the hire, exit interview concepts. 

• Elabourating the candidate's ability on observing the company's or any institutions culture and reflect on the same. 
• Team handling, understanding of people's character, and knowledge on conflict management. 
• Sharing human capital management stories from previous internships or employments.  

Some of the important points that should be kept in mind while writing an SOP for MBA are listed below.

Points to Keep in Mind:

• Students must learn about the school and university that they're applying to and become familiar with its MBA faculty.
• Focus on writing an engaging beginning and an effective finish.
• Students must include all of their prior successes, ongoing work, and future goals.
• When writing a SOP, always use active speech and be enthusiastic and positive.

Mistakes to Avoid:

• Be original in the content of the application; avoid plagiarism.
• It should be concise but also adequately address the important aspects of a student's life. Try to stay within the word limit.
• Avoid speaking or writing the same thing twice.
• Before applying, proofread it. Avoid typos, spelling, and grammar mistakes.

What is the prescribed length of the SOP for MBA?

Can I include personal information on my SOP for MBA?

What should be avoided while writing an SOP for MBA?

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Sample Statement of Purpose (SOP): MBA

This sample SOP is for applying to an MBA program overseas.

If you need help writing your SOP, check out our  SOP Writing Service

Statement of Purpose – MBA

Studying for an MBA requires a certain determination and strength of character. In recent years, the business world has become rapidly integrated across once restricting borders, and anyone with high goals in the business world must have an international perspective and be aware of the realities of different international arenas. I am unique, and uniquely fortunate, to have a diverse background both academically and professionally which has exposed me to different continents, peoples, cultures, and languages. As a native of Asia, I am familiar with the increasingly important markets of this region, and as such I am thoroughly prepared for the demands and challenges presented by undertaking study in the MBA program at your institution.

From a young age, I set goals beyond those of my peers. I decided to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in International Hotel Management, but in recognition of the limitation of programs in this field in my native country, I decided to pursue my undergraduate degree in Europe. The international hotel management course I joined was run by Goodwell University in the UK, and due to the experience of the instructors and the overall sophistication of the program, I received an incredibly valuable learning experience, beyond that which I could have received elsewhere. My undergraduate coursework at Goodwell University focused on management marketing, accounting, and various aspects of tourism. I received broad business-based education while immersing myself in European culture and language on a daily basis. As a result, I am confident in my ability to adapt to your environment and join your MBA program.

After graduation from Goodwell University, I returned to my native country, but the limitations of the rapidly growing domestic hotel industry quickly became apparent to me. I therefore sought employment in a different field in which I could better utilize my skills. I began working in the Marketing Department of Makebest Textile Company, where I learned how to control costs, devise marketing strategies, and develop lasting relationships with customers. I am currently working as the Assistant Sales Manager in this company, responsible for the development of overseas customers and analyses of sales goals.

Having worked for more than three years in this company, I am confident working in a fast-paced international business environment. However, during these years I have encountered numerous obstacles and unforeseen challenges. Therefore, after careful consideration, I decided that further study in an MBA program would be not only useful, but perhaps essential in developing my career potential and providing me with greater opportunities for future success.

My career path has led me from the rapidly developing markets of my native country in Asia to the rolling hills of England and back again. Now, I feel that the next logical destination on my path is your MBA program. The curriculum of your MBA program is similar to that which I studied previously, yet it is much more challenging and will allow me to develop my abilities further. I already have a strong background in various aspects of business, from marketing and management to accounting and sales. Because of this, I feel I am uniquely qualified to attend your MBA program.

After completion of my studies, I plan to return to Makebest Textile Company and apply what I learn in your program to the benefit of the company. Within five years after graduating, I expect to have developed a successful career that I can be proud of. I believe that my past shows a steady yet rapid progression through the business world, and I am eager to continue that progression by enrolling in your MBA program. Thank you for your time and consideration.

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