STATEMENT OF PURPOSE / LETTER OF MOTIVATION – GUIDELINES
A Statement of Purpose, also referred to as an SOP, reflects to your personality that you portray
in front of the admission committee, for getting enrolled in universities abroad. As the full form
of SOP reveals, a Statement of Purpose is an essay stating the purpose of applying to a
particular course in a particular university.
The essay should consist of a gist of who you are, who you want to become, and how ready you
are to pursue a certain course in an institution. The document seeks to understand the
candidate’s life, the motivations for the chosen career path and his/her goals. Hence, you
should discuss the past incidents that have influenced your career path in a specific domain
wherein you aspire to grow by joining a course/college.
Introduction
It is advised to start your SOP with an anecdote which inspired you to take up the 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).
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
stronghold 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, training, 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 a brief description of your profile/ Job responsibilities. If possible,
mention any major project that you were involved in, focusing on your 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.
● What skills or knowledge are you planning to enhance through this course?
● How will it help to achieve your goals?
● What are your goals?
● Short-term: what are you planning to do just after masters?
● 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 a 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 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 you would like to do the research along with some important
work done on this 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, research labs/centers, clubs,
activities, subjects in the curriculum/electives, also the scope of these in enhancing your
profile. To give 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 degree and why you
should be accepted by the university.
● Try to make this draft with around 800–1000 words.
