How to Write a Personal Statement and a Statement of Purpose

Before we go fully into this, let's answer the question below. 

What is the difference between a Personal Statement and a Statement of Purpose?

These two are usually mistaken, however, they do not have the same meaning. While some programs might require a personal statement, others may request for a statement of purpose. This is because the two answer different questions. In fact, several colleges provide the content of the essays they want you to write, making it a lot easier for you. So, before you begin writing, confirm the requirements and contact the program advisor if need be.

Here are some important distinctions between a personal statement and a statement of purpose.

Tips for Writing a Personal Statement

Writing a well-articulated personal statement for your graduate school application is critical for demonstrating your qualifications, experiences, and desire to pursue further studies.

 This is a guide for you to follow as you go through the writing process: 

1. Introduction: The rules of writing are the same everywhere, even when crafting a personal statement. Remember how you were taught in essay writing in high school that your article must be well structured? The same thing applies here. Your Introduction must be very captivating because it is the first impression that the admissions committee will get. They have read a lot of essays, both good and bad, so yours will have to stand out to make a good impression. You should start with a strong hook, which may be a quote, a story, or a question, after which you then go ahead to introduce yourself.

2. Body:  Share your motivation and discuss what piqued your interest in the program. Discuss your unique research topic and why the program appeals to you. Present yourself as a problem solver and discuss the problem you plan to tackle if given the opportunity. Share the qualifications you possess that make you a good fit for the program. You can narrate anecdotes or provide examples of what you have done to prepare for the program. Ensure that your goals are connected so that your reader can follow your train of thought. 

3. Conclusion: In your conclusion, summarize your essay, and highlight the key parts regarding your motivation, research interests, qualifications, and why you fit into the program. Sound optimistic and reiterate your interest in the program enthusiastically, and how you will benefit the school if you are admitted.  

Tips for Statement of Purpose

For an impressive statement of purpose, note the following:  

●      Begin your statement with a generic statement, such as a fact or statistic, then introduce yourself and provide a personal narrative relevant to your academic career.

●      When discussing your qualifications and grades, make sure to solely focus on the positive ones. For example, you do not need to state that you once received a C in a class, because a grade below a B is considered a failure in some universities.

●      Then mention the research you've engaged in, even if they have not been published yet. The admissions committee only requires confirmation that you have some experience in what you want to accomplish and that you have a good understanding of your course of study. 

●      Also, discuss the skills you've acquired over time. Your interpersonal abilities, teamwork, excellent management skills, and how you will enhance their diversity and inclusivity goal as an institution. 

●      Make sure to explain how impactful the school is and add some spice by mentioning where their alumni work. This demonstrates that you have done extensive research on the institution. Also, look into their faculties and read some of their research papers online to get a sense of their expertise. Mention at least one of their professors and discuss his work in a few lines. 

●      It should take you more than one day to write your SOP, so don't worry if it appears to be taking too long. Sleep on it and allow your creative juices to be refreshed. Also, do not use AI to write your essays. You can ask them to critique it for you, but any time you revise your essay with an AI, it is at risk of being flagged down by an AI detector.

●      Finally, request someone to review your essay and provide criticism. Don't give your essay to anyone who will tell you it's perfect and refuse to send any modifications. That's not safe, because no matter how good you are, your reviewer should have some comments. 

●      At UnykEd, we have a support community where you can get your essay reviewed for free. However, it is only open to members of our mentorship community, which is still accepting members till now. Click www.unyked.com to join our community and take advantage of this offer. Remember to optimize your profile by filling out every section and connecting with like-minded individuals. 

Here's a list of concepts to think about while you go through the writing process. The above principles should not be interpreted as an outline or as required for every Statement of Purpose (SOP); rather, they should be seen as a guide for creating a thorough SOP.