The stress
of writing a brilliant and flawless Statement of Purpose to get admitted into
an international institution is every student’s source of concern. A Statement
of Purpose is a sure-fire way to make your application catch the eye and get
into your dream university
abroad. However, your SOP can also be your reason of rejection if not
well drafted.
In this
blog, we cover some of the most common mistakes while drafting an SOP, so that
when you write down yours, you do not repeat them!
1.
Hastening Your Sop
Drafting
your SOP without giving it enough time is the most common mistake that an
applicant can make when writing an SOP. An SOP reflects you as a person, your
accomplishments, and your plans for the future. Take sufficient time to write,
conduct groundwork, brainstorm concepts, and appropriately articulate your goal
and purpose. Edit your document several times before submission to ensure that
you do not repeat the same information or emphasize uncalled-for details.
2.
Amorphous Writing
It is
needless to be pretentious and extemporize. One common mistake made by a
candidate is to write an SOP without a structure in mind. It is always best to scribble
down a proper structure before you actually begin to write. Make an effort to
think about your involvement in various extra-curricular activities or hobbies
that are in line with your course of application.
3.
Incorporating Untruthful Details
Adding false
information is a big no. Don’t try to exaggerate or lie about your
accomplishments, as this could land you into serious trouble. The admission
officers at the university authenticate every declaration made by you.
Therefore, withholding information or lying about your scores or hiding
backlogs will get you expelled from the university.
4.
Boasting About Your Achievements
It is of
utter importance to strike an appropriate balance between showcasing modesty
and bragging. It is undeniable that your achievements make your SOP stand out,
however, they need to be approached organically and in the correct context. It
is always a plus to include your accomplishments, nevertheless, it is
unnecessary to include every single accomplishment. For instance, if your
course of application is MBA, you do not need to include your pass time in hobbies.
Rather, place emphasis on your work experiences, academic projects, and volunteering
activities reflecting your leadership and management skills.
5.
Concentrating On The Inessentials
Every year
heaps of SOPs are received for each course offered by the university, leaving
them with minimal time to sift through your document. Thus, it is essential to
get straight to the point and not beat around the bush. This problem can be
evaded easily by developing an appropriate structure and writing down the
points to be covered. Steer clear of going on and on, making use of jargon and
flowery language, childhood fantasies, or absurd hobbies. You should also
exclude common or generic statements like I am an honest and hardworking
person. Alternatively, write about your future goals, aspirations, and how you
will contribute to the university.
6. Not
Adhering To The Word Limit
This is by
far the most common mistake made by the applicants. To make an appearance of
being smart and competent, applicants go the extra mile and surpass the word limit.
SOPs with a word count of more than the stated limit does not necessarily make
an application good, instead, it may increase the chances of rejection. So it
is advised to adhere to the limit and choose your words wisely.
7.
Focusing On The Negatives
As important
as it is to acknowledge your failures, it is equally important to not stress about
them. You need to come up with a healthy approach to present your failures so
that the reader knows you possess the ability to overcome defeat and move on.
8. Making
Use Of The Same Sop
Generally, study abroad aspirants
apply to multiple universities concurrently and make the mistake of using the
same SOP for applying to all of them. It is recommended to curate a different
SOP for each university of application. This enables you to address the
university and course specifically making your document look
well-researched.
9. Not
Proofreading The Document
Proofreading
your SOP is the most obligatory facet. Multiple reading sessions to leave no
room for spelling errors or grammatical blunders are necessary. Proofreading
also helps in eliminating bland, repetitive sentences. Filter out errors and
read the document manually so you don’t miss out on any mistakes.
10.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
is another huge mistake for any applicant to get debarred. Plagiarism is
considered to be a serious crime and universities reject applications on the
grounds of plagiarised content. Personalize your SOP, and make sure your
document is your original piece of work. Besides, if you make use of any
quotes, give credits.
11. Not
Asking For Help
Applicants
often make the mistake of writing and submitting their SOP without anyone
reviewing it. Approach a trusted family member or an acquaintance who has a strong
command over language or the course of your application. You can also choose to
seek professional help as it is an ideal approach to significantly enhance your
chances of admission.
For further
assistance or queries students can contact us, Edwise International, and avail
for our wide range of services for students on destinations like Universities
in UK, study
in UK, study
in USA, study
in Ireland, study
in Canada, study
in Australia, study
in New-Zealand, study
in Singapore and many other countries.
