STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
SOP GUIDELINES
Purpose of SOP:
The purpose of the SOP is to indicate strong research interest and your potential for advanced
research. It will consist of your motivational story; education; projects -academic and
professional- to show your expertise in the subject; why you want to pursue the degree now;
short and long term goals; why this University and lastly why you are a good fit for the
school. Please note that the SOP should be written in a REVERSE CHRONOLOGICAL
order (Present to Past).
Please follow the accepted SOP format given below:
Introduction
It is advised to start your SOP with an anecdote (of an account) which inspired you take up
the particular course. The introduction should not consist of any generic information rather it
is advisable to talk about any specific instance that motivated you to pursue this course. Make
sure this instance is from your recent past (as the university would like to know about your
recent accomplishments).
The earlier lines are generic observations. Please give a specific instance or event that can
showcase your interest in the MS. You may talk of a recent research paper that you have read
or a project that you undertook.
Academic Background
Begin this para with the name of your college/ school, location, year of enrolment, year of
completion, course name, subjects studied. Mention the subjects that you feel you have a
strong hold or knowledge in. Also, include major projects that you have undertaken along
with the timelines (Month/ Year), and a brief description of it. This should follow up with any
Industrial visits, Internships, trainings, Seminars, workshops, symposiums and the likes.
Professional Experience (if any)
Start this para with the name of the present organization, with details of date of joining,
location, designation and brief description of your profile/ Job responsibilities. If possible
mention any major project that you were involved in, focusing on your particular role. Next
you can write about your previous job in the same manner as stated above.
Why Masters and Why Now
This paragraph includes information about your reason for pursuing Masters, also the
skills that you would like to inculcate and enhance through this course. It is important that
you mention your reasons with valid examples or substantial information. Also, you need to
state WHY THIS IS THE PERFECT TIME for you to pursue masters. If you have
professional experience provide your reasons why you are leaving the job to pursue this
course.
o What skills or knowledge are you planning to enhance through this course?
o How will it help to achieve your goals?
o What are your goals?
o Short term: what are you planning to do just after masters?
o Long term: in the long run, where do you see yourself?
Career Goals
This is the Most Important PART of your SOP. The University focuses lot on this
paragraph as it reflects that you are focused about your career and you have planned each step
thoroughly. Please note that this paragraph needs to be divided into two parts, Short term and
Long term Goals and should comprise of specific information, nothing generic.
Short Term Goals (0-5 years after completion of course): This paragraph should
provide details regarding your plans soon after completing your Master's degree. You
need to describe the Job profile you are interested in along with the companies and the
department you would like to work in. This should follow the Job responsibility that
you are expected to undertake and perform.
Long Term Goals (10-15 years after completion of course): This paragraph should
elucidate your plans after completion of the course within a period of 10-15 years.
Please specify how this short term goal will lead to your long term goal. Please note,
if you have research plans do specify few details about the research work you would
like to work, details of where would you like to do the research along with some
important work done on this particular field. End this paragraph with how pursuing
masters will help you to accomplish these goals.
Why this University
Mention a good reason that would justify you pursuing this course in this University.
Mention some specific features of the university that suit your requirements. Add names of
any faculty and their research areas in this program (give names), research labs/centers, clubs,
activities, subjects in the curriculum/electives, and also the scope of these in enhancing your
profile. For giving these details you need to visit the university and program website.
Please visit the university’s website and talk of a few subjects in the curriculum. Also
mention names of 1 or 2 professors and their area of research that interests you.
Extracurricular Activities
Keep these following details in mind when writing this paragraph; participated in any event,
played any sport, associated with any NGO work, any club, any independent project work
done etc. (Mention apart from academics what you have done). State how these activities that
you have participated in college will help you or prepare you for extracurricular activities at
this University.
How have these activities shaped you as a person and how can you contribute to the
university with these experiences/ interests?
Conclusion
Very crisply at the end mention that how you are prepared for this particular degree and why
they should take you.
Try to make this draft with around 800–1000 words.
