Writing Your Statement of Purpose
What is it?
Each applicant must submit a Statement of Purpose (SOP). The Statement of Purpose is one of your primary opportunities to help the admissions committee understand your academic objectives and determine if you are a good match for the program you are applying to. The goal of this document is to impress upon the admissions committee that you have solid background and experience in your area of interest and that you have the potential to be successful in graduate study.
The SOP is also a place, if necessary, where you can (and should) address any blemishes, gaps or weaknesses in your academic record. In these situations, you will want to be honest, but brief. It is best to turn negatives into positives by focusing on how you overcame obstacles, remained persistent in the pursuit of your goals and showed resilience. Share what you learned from the particular experience, and how it led you to become a better researcher/scholar/person, etc.
Why is it important?
The SOP is one of the most important pieces of your graduate school application because it:
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