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10 Personal Statement Essay Examples That Worked

What’s covered:, what is a personal statement.

• Essay 1: Summer Program
• Essay 2: Being Bangladeshi-American
• Essay 3: Why Medicine
• Essay 4: Love of Writing
• Essay 5: Starting a Fire
• Essay 6: Dedicating a Track
• Essay 7: Body Image and Eating Disorders
• Essay 8: Becoming a Coach
• Essay 9: Eritrea
• Essay 10: Journaling
• Is Your Personal Statement Strong Enough?

Your personal statement is any essay that you must write for your main application, such as the Common App Essay , University of California Essays , or Coalition Application Essay . This type of essay focuses on your unique experiences, ideas, or beliefs that may not be discussed throughout the rest of your application. This essay should be an opportunity for the admissions officers to get to know you better and give them a glimpse into who you really are.

In this post, we will share 10 different personal statements that were all written by real students. We will also provide commentary on what each essay did well and where there is room for improvement, so you can make your personal statement as strong as possible!

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Personal Statement Examples

Essay example #1: exchange program.

The twisting roads, ornate mosaics, and fragrant scent of freshly ground spices had been so foreign at first. Now in my fifth week of the SNYI-L summer exchange program in Morocco, I felt more comfortable in the city. With a bag full of pastries from the market, I navigated to a bus stop, paid the fare, and began the trip back to my host family’s house. It was hard to believe that only a few years earlier my mom was worried about letting me travel around my home city on my own, let alone a place that I had only lived in for a few weeks. While I had been on a journey towards self-sufficiency and independence for a few years now, it was Morocco that pushed me to become the confident, self-reflective person that I am today.

As a child, my parents pressured me to achieve perfect grades, master my swim strokes, and discover interesting hobbies like playing the oboe and learning to pick locks. I felt compelled to live my life according to their wishes. Of course, this pressure was not a wholly negative factor in my life –– you might even call it support. However, the constant presence of my parents’ hopes for me overcame my own sense of desire and led me to become quite dependent on them. I pushed myself to get straight A’s, complied with years of oboe lessons, and dutifully attended hours of swim practice after school. Despite all these achievements, I felt like I had no sense of self beyond my drive for success. I had always been expected to succeed on the path they had defined. However, this path was interrupted seven years after my parents’ divorce when my dad moved across the country to Oregon.

I missed my dad’s close presence, but I loved my new sense of freedom. My parents’ separation allowed me the space to explore my own strengths and interests as each of them became individually busier. As early as middle school, I was riding the light rail train by myself, reading maps to get myself home, and applying to special academic programs without urging from my parents. Even as I took more initiatives on my own, my parents both continued to see me as somewhat immature. All of that changed three years ago, when I applied and was accepted to the SNYI-L summer exchange program in Morocco. I would be studying Arabic and learning my way around the city of Marrakesh. Although I think my parents were a little surprised when I told them my news, the addition of a fully-funded scholarship convinced them to let me go.

I lived with a host family in Marrakesh and learned that they, too, had high expectations for me. I didn’t know a word of Arabic, and although my host parents and one brother spoke good English, they knew I was there to learn. If I messed up, they patiently corrected me but refused to let me fall into the easy pattern of speaking English just as I did at home. Just as I had when I was younger, I felt pressured and stressed about meeting their expectations. However, one day, as I strolled through the bustling market square after successfully bargaining with one of the street vendors, I realized my mistake. My host family wasn’t being unfair by making me fumble through Arabic. I had applied for this trip, and I had committed to the intensive language study. My host family’s rules about speaking Arabic at home had not been to fulfill their expectations for me, but to help me fulfill my expectations for myself. Similarly, the pressure my parents had put on me as a child had come out of love and their hopes for me, not out of a desire to crush my individuality.

As my bus drove through the still-bustling market square and past the medieval Ben-Youssef madrasa, I realized that becoming independent was a process, not an event. I thought that my parents’ separation when I was ten had been the one experience that would transform me into a self-motivated and autonomous person. It did, but that didn’t mean that I didn’t still have room to grow. Now, although I am even more self-sufficient than I was three years ago, I try to approach every experience with the expectation that it will change me. It’s still difficult, but I understand that just because growth can be uncomfortable doesn’t mean it’s not important.

What the Essay Did Well

This is a nice essay because it delves into particular character trait of the student and how it has been shaped and matured over time. Although it doesn’t focus the essay around a specific anecdote, the essay is still successful because it is centered around this student’s independence. This is a nice approach for a personal statement: highlight a particular trait of yours and explore how it has grown with you.

The ideas in this essay are universal to growing up—living up to parents’ expectations, yearning for freedom, and coming to terms with reality—but it feels unique to the student because of the inclusion of details specific to them. Including their oboe lessons, the experience of riding the light rail by themselves, and the negotiations with a street vendor helps show the reader what these common tropes of growing up looked like for them personally. 

Another strength of the essay is the level of self-reflection included throughout the piece. Since there is no central anecdote tying everything together, an essay about a character trait is only successful when you deeply reflect on how you felt, where you made mistakes, and how that trait impacts your life. The author includes reflection in sentences like “ I felt like I had no sense of self beyond my drive for success, ” and “ I understand that just because growth can be uncomfortable doesn’t mean it’s not important. ” These sentences help us see how the student was impacted and what their point of view is.

What Could Be Improved

The largest change this essay would benefit from is to show not tell. The platitude you have heard a million times no doubt, but for good reason. This essay heavily relies on telling the reader what occurred, making us less engaged as the entire reading experience feels more passive. If the student had shown us what happens though, it keeps the reader tied to the action and makes them feel like they are there with the student, making it much more enjoyable to read. 

For example, they tell us about the pressure to succeed their parents placed on them: “ I pushed myself to get straight A’s, complied with years of oboe lessons, and dutifully attended hours of swim practice after school.”  They could have shown us what that pressure looked like with a sentence like this: “ My stomach turned somersaults as my rattling knee thumped against the desk before every test, scared to get anything less than a 95. For five years the painful squawk of the oboe only reminded me of my parents’ claps and whistles at my concerts. I mastered the butterfly, backstroke, and freestyle, fighting against the anchor of their expectations threatening to pull me down.”

If the student had gone through their essay and applied this exercise of bringing more detail and colorful language to sentences that tell the reader what happened, the essay would be really great. 

Table of Contents

Essay Example #2: Being Bangladeshi-American

Life before was good: verdant forests, sumptuous curries, and a devoted family.

Then, my family abandoned our comfortable life in Bangladesh for a chance at the American dream in Los Angeles. Within our first year, my father was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. He lost his battle three weeks before my sixth birthday. Facing a new country without the steady presence of my father, we were vulnerable — prisoners of hardship in the land of the free. We resettled in the Bronx, in my uncle’s renovated basement. It was meant to be our refuge, but I felt more displaced than ever. Gone were the high-rise condos of West L.A.; instead, government projects towered over the neighborhood. Pedestrians no longer smiled and greeted me; the atmosphere was hostile, even toxic. Schoolkids were quick to pick on those they saw as weak or foreign, hurling harsh words I’d never heard before.

Meanwhile, my family began integrating into the local Bangladeshi community. I struggled to understand those who shared my heritage. Bangladeshi mothers stayed home while fathers drove cabs and sold fruit by the roadside — painful societal positions. Riding on crosstown buses or walking home from school, I began to internalize these disparities. During my fleeting encounters with affluent Upper East Siders, I saw kids my age with nannies, parents who wore suits to work, and luxurious apartments with spectacular views. Most took cabs to their destinations: cabs that Bangladeshis drove. I watched the mundane moments of their lives with longing, aching to plant myself in their shoes. Shame prickled down my spine. I distanced myself from my heritage, rejecting the traditional panjabis worn on Eid and refusing the torkari we ate for dinner every day. 

As I grappled with my relationship with the Bangladeshi community, I turned my attention to helping my Bronx community by pursuing an internship with Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda. I handled desk work and took calls, spending the bulk of my time actively listening to the hardships constituents faced — everything from a veteran stripped of his benefits to a grandmother unable to support her bedridden grandchild.

I’d never exposed myself to stories like these, and now I was the first to hear them. As an intern, I could only assist in what felt like the small ways — pointing out local job offerings, printing information on free ESL classes, reaching out to non-profits. But to a community facing an onslaught of intense struggles, I realized that something as small as these actions could have vast impacts. Seeing the immediate consequences of my actions inspired me. Throughout that summer, I internalized my community’s daily challenges in a new light. I began to stop seeing the prevalent underemployment and cramped living quarters less as sources of shame. Instead, I saw them as realities that had to be acknowledged, but could ultimately be remedied. I also realized the benefits of the Bangladeshi culture I had been so ashamed of. My Bangla language skills were an asset to the office, and my understanding of Bangladeshi etiquette allowed for smooth communication between office staff and its constituents. As I helped my neighbors navigate city services, I saw my heritage with pride — a perspective I never expected to have.

I can now appreciate the value of my unique culture and background, and of living with less. This perspective offers room for progress, community integration, and a future worth fighting for. My time with Assemblyman Sepulveda’s office taught me that I can be a change agent in enabling this progression. Far from being ashamed of my community, I want to someday return to local politics in the Bronx to continue helping others access the American Dream. I hope to help my community appreciate the opportunity to make progress together. By embracing reality, I learned to live it. Along the way, I discovered one thing: life is good, but we can make it better.

This student’s passion for social justice and civic duty shines through in this essay because of how honest it is. Sharing their personal experience with immigrating, moving around, being an outsider, and finding a community allows us to see the hardships this student has faced and builds empathy towards their situation. However, what really makes it strong is that they go beyond describing the difficulties they faced and explain the mental impact it had on them as a child: Shame prickled down my spine. I distanced myself from my heritage, rejecting the traditional panjabis worn on Eid and refusing the torkari we ate for dinner every day. 

The rejection of their culture presented at the beginning of the essay creates a nice juxtaposition with the student’s view in the latter half of the essay and helps demonstrate how they have matured. They use their experience interning as a way to delve into a change in their thought process about their culture and show how their passion for social justice began. Using this experience as a mechanism to explore their thoughts and feelings is an excellent example of how items that are included elsewhere on your application should be incorporated into your essay.

This essay prioritizes emotions and personal views over specific anecdotes. Although there are details and certain moments incorporated throughout to emphasize the author’s points, the main focus remains on the student and how they grapple with their culture and identity.  

One area for improvement is the conclusion. Although the forward-looking approach is a nice way to end an essay focused on social justice, it would be nice to include more details and imagery in the conclusion. How does the student want to help their community? What government position do they see themselves holding one day? 

A more impactful ending might look like the student walking into their office at the New York City Housing Authority in 15 years and looking at the plans to build a new development in the Bronx just blocks away from where the grew up that would provide quality housing to people in their Bangladeshi community. They would smile while thinking about how far they have come from that young kid who used to be ashamed of their culture. 

Essay Example #3: Why Medicine

I took my first trip to China to visit my cousin Anna in July of 2014. Distance had kept us apart, but when we were together, we fell into all of our old inside jokes and caught up on each other’s lives. Her sparkling personality and optimistic attitude always brought a smile to my face. This time, however, my heart broke when I saw the effects of her brain cancer; she had suffered from a stroke that paralyzed her left side. She was still herself in many ways, but I could see that the damage to her brain made things difficult for her. I stayed by her every day, providing the support she needed, whether assisting her with eating and drinking, reading to her, or just watching “Friends.” During my flight back home, sorrow and helplessness overwhelmed me. Would I ever see Anna again? Could I have done more to make Anna comfortable? I wished I could stay in China longer to care for her. As I deplaned, I wondered if I could transform my grief to help other children and teenagers in the US who suffered as Anna did.

The day after I got home, as jet lag dragged me awake a few minutes after midnight, I remembered hearing about the Family Reach Foundation (FRF) and its work with children going through treatments at the local hospital and their families. I began volunteering in the FRF’s Children’s Activity Room, where I play with children battling cancer. Volunteering has both made me appreciate my own health and also cherish the new relationships I build with the children and families. We play sports, make figures out of playdoh, and dress up. When they take on the roles of firefighters or fairies, we all get caught up in the game; for that time, they forget the sanitized, stark, impersonal walls of the pediatric oncology ward. Building close relationships with them and seeing them giggle and laugh is so rewarding — I love watching them grow and get better throughout their course of treatment.

Hearing from the parents about their children’s condition and seeing the children recover inspired me to consider medical research. To get started, I enrolled in a summer collegelevel course in Abnormal Psychology. There I worked with Catelyn, a rising college senior, on a data analysis project regarding Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Together, we examined the neurological etiology of DID by studying four fMRI and PET cases. I fell in love with gathering data and analyzing the results and was amazed by our final product: several stunning brain images showcasing the areas of hyper and hypoactivity in brains affected by DID. Desire quickly followed my amazement — I want to continue this project and study more brains. Their complexity, delicacy, and importance to every aspect of life fascinate me. Successfully completing this research project gave me a sense of hope; I know I am capable of participating in a large scale research project and potentially making a difference in someone else’s life through my research.

Anna’s diagnosis inspired me to begin volunteering at FRF; from there, I discovered my desire to help people further by contributing to medical research. As my research interest blossomed, I realized that it’s no coincidence that I want to study brains—after all, Anna suffered from brain cancer. Reflecting on these experiences this past year and a half, I see that everything I’ve done is connected. Sadly, a few months after I returned from China, Anna passed away. I am still sad, but as I run a toy truck across the floor and watch one of the little patients’ eyes light up, I imagine that she would be proud of my commitment to pursue medicine and study the brain.

This essay has a very strong emotional core that tugs at the heart strings and makes the reader feel invested. Writing about sickness can be difficult and doesn’t always belong in a personal statement, but in this case it works well because the focus is on how this student cared for her cousin and dealt with the grief and emotions surrounding her condition. Writing about the compassion she showed and the doubts and concerns that filled her mind keeps the focus on the author and her personality. 

This continues when she again discusses the activities she did with the kids at FRF and the personal reflection this experience allowed her to have. For example, she writes: Volunteering has both made me appreciate my own health and also cherish the new relationships I build with the children and families. We play sports, make figures out of playdoh, and dress up.

Concluding the essay with the sad story of her cousin’s passing brings the essay full circle and returns to the emotional heart of the piece to once again build a connection with the reader. However, it finishes on a hopeful note and demonstrates how this student has been able to turn a tragic experience into a source of lifelong inspiration. 

One thing this essay should be cognizant of is that personal statements should not read as summaries of your extracurricular resume. Although this essay doesn’t fully fall into that trap, it does describe two key extracurriculars the student participated in. However, the inclusion of such a strong emotional core running throughout the essay helps keep the focus on the student and her thoughts and feelings during these activities.

To avoid making this mistake, make sure you have a common thread running through your essay and the extracurriculars provide support to the story you are trying to tell, rather than crafting a story around your activities. And, as this essay does, make sure there is lots of personal reflection and feelings weaved throughout to focus attention to you rather than your extracurriculars. 

Essay Example #4: Love of Writing

“I want to be a writer.” This had been my answer to every youthful discussion with the adults in my life about what I would do when I grew up. As early as elementary school, I remember reading my writing pieces aloud to an audience at “Author of the Month” ceremonies. Bearing this goal in mind, and hoping to gain some valuable experience, I signed up for a journalism class during my freshman year. Despite my love for writing, I initially found myself uninterested in the subject and I struggled to enjoy the class. When I thought of writing, I imagined lyrical prose, profound poetry, and thrilling plot lines. Journalism required a laconic style and orderly structure, and I found my teacher’s assignments formulaic and dull. That class shook my confidence as a writer. I was uncertain if I should continue in it for the rest of my high school career.

Despite my misgivings, I decided that I couldn’t make a final decision on whether to quit journalism until I had some experience working for a paper outside of the classroom. The following year, I applied to be a staff reporter on our school newspaper. I hoped this would help me become more self-driven and creative, rather than merely writing articles that my teacher assigned. To my surprise, my time on staff was worlds away from what I experienced in the journalism class. Although I was unaccustomed to working in a fast-paced environment and initially found it burdensome to research and complete high-quality stories in a relatively short amount of time, I also found it exciting. I enjoyed learning more about topics and events on campus that I did not know much about; some of my stories that I covered in my first semester concerned a chess tournament, a food drive, and a Spanish immersion party. I relished in the freedom I had to explore and learn, and to write more independently than I could in a classroom.

Although I enjoyed many aspects of working for the paper immediately, reporting also pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I am a shy person, and speaking with people I did not know intimidated me. During my first interview, I met with the basketball coach to prepare for a story about the team’s winning streak. As I approached his office, I felt everything from my toes to my tongue freeze into a solid block, and I could hardly get out my opening questions. Fortunately, the coach was very kind and helped me through the conversation. Encouraged, I prepared for my next interview with more confidence. After a few weeks of practice, I even started to look forward to interviewing people on campus. That first journalism class may have bored me, but even if journalism in practice was challenging, it was anything but tedious.

Over the course of that year, I grew to love writing for our school newspaper. Reporting made me aware of my surroundings, and made me want to know more about current events on campus and in the town where I grew up. By interacting with people all over campus, I came to understand the breadth of individuals and communities that make up my high school. I felt far more connected to diverse parts of my school through my work as a journalist, and I realized that journalism gave me a window into seeing beyond my own experiences. The style of news writing may be different from what I used to think “writing” meant, but I learned that I can still derive exciting plots from events that may have gone unnoticed if not for my stories. I no longer struggle to approach others, and truly enjoy getting to know people and recognizing their accomplishments through my writing. Becoming a writer may be a difficult path, but it is as rewarding as I hoped when I was young.

This essay is clearly structured in a manner that makes it flow very nicely and contributes to its success. It starts with a quote to draw in the reader and show this student’s life-long passion for writing. Then it addresses the challenges of facing new, unfamiliar territory and how this student overcame it. Finally, it concludes by reflecting on this eye-opening experience and a nod to their younger self from the introduction. Having a well-thought out and sequential structure with clear transitions makes it extremely easy for the reader to follow along and take away the main idea.

Another positive aspect of the essay is the use of strong and expressive language. Sentences like “ When I thought of writing, I imagined lyrical prose, profound poetry, and thrilling plot lines ” stand out because of the intentional use of words like “lyrical”, “profound”, and “thrilling” to convey the student’s love of writing. The author also uses an active voice to capture the readers’ attention and keep us engaged. They rely on their language and diction to reveal details to the reader, for instance saying “ I felt everything from my toes to my tongue freeze into a solid block ” to describe feeling nervous.

This essay is already very strong, so there isn’t much that needs to be changed. One thing that could take the essay from great to outstanding would be to throw in more quotes, internal dialogue, and sensory descriptors.

It would be nice to see the nerves they felt interviewing the coach by including dialogue like “ Um…I want to interview you about…uh…”.  They could have shown their original distaste for journalism by narrating the thoughts running through their head. The fast-paced environment of their newspaper could have come to life with descriptions about the clacking of keyboards and the whirl of people running around laying out articles.

Essay Example #5: Starting a Fire

Was I no longer the beloved daughter of nature, whisperer of trees? Knee-high rubber boots, camouflage, bug spray—I wore the garb and perfume of a proud wild woman, yet there I was, hunched over the pathetic pile of stubborn sticks, utterly stumped, on the verge of tears. As a child, I had considered myself a kind of rustic princess, a cradler of spiders and centipedes, who was serenaded by mourning doves and chickadees, who could glide through tick-infested meadows and emerge Lyme-free. I knew the cracks of the earth like the scars on my own rough palms. Yet here I was, ten years later, incapable of performing the most fundamental outdoor task: I could not, for the life of me, start a fire. 

Furiously I rubbed the twigs together—rubbed and rubbed until shreds of skin flaked from my fingers. No smoke. The twigs were too young, too sticky-green; I tossed them away with a shower of curses, and began tearing through the underbrush in search of a more flammable collection. My efforts were fruitless. Livid, I bit a rejected twig, determined to prove that the forest had spurned me, offering only young, wet bones that would never burn. But the wood cracked like carrots between my teeth—old, brittle, and bitter. Roaring and nursing my aching palms, I retreated to the tent, where I sulked and awaited the jeers of my family. 

Rattling their empty worm cans and reeking of fat fish, my brother and cousins swaggered into the campsite. Immediately, they noticed the minor stick massacre by the fire pit and called to me, their deep voices already sharp with contempt. 

“Where’s the fire, Princess Clara?” they taunted. “Having some trouble?” They prodded me with the ends of the chewed branches and, with a few effortless scrapes of wood on rock, sparked a red and roaring flame. My face burned long after I left the fire pit. The camp stank of salmon and shame. 

In the tent, I pondered my failure. Was I so dainty? Was I that incapable? I thought of my hands, how calloused and capable they had been, how tender and smooth they had become. It had been years since I’d kneaded mud between my fingers; instead of scaling a white pine, I’d practiced scales on my piano, my hands softening into those of a musician—fleshy and sensitive. And I’d gotten glasses, having grown horrifically nearsighted; long nights of dim lighting and thick books had done this. I couldn’t remember the last time I had lain down on a hill, barefaced, and seen the stars without having to squint. Crawling along the edge of the tent, a spider confirmed my transformation—he disgusted me, and I felt an overwhelming urge to squash him. 

Yet, I realized I hadn’t really changed—I had only shifted perspective. I still eagerly explored new worlds, but through poems and prose rather than pastures and puddles. I’d grown to prefer the boom of a bass over that of a bullfrog, learned to coax a different kind of fire from wood, having developed a burn for writing rhymes and scrawling hypotheses. 

That night, I stayed up late with my journal and wrote about the spider I had decided not to kill. I had tolerated him just barely, only shrieking when he jumped—it helped to watch him decorate the corners of the tent with his delicate webs, knowing that he couldn’t start fires, either. When the night grew cold and the embers died, my words still smoked—my hands burned from all that scrawling—and even when I fell asleep, the ideas kept sparking—I was on fire, always on fire.

This student is an excellent writer, which allows a simple story to be outstandingly compelling. The author articulates her points beautifully and creatively through her immense use of details and figurative language. Lines like “a rustic princess, a cradler of spiders and centipedes, who was serenaded by mourning doves and chickadees,” and “rubbed and rubbed until shreds of skin flaked from my fingers,” create vivid images that draw the reader in. 

The flowery and descriptive prose also contributes to the nice juxtaposition between the old Clara and the new Clara. The latter half of the essay contrasts elements of nature with music and writing to demonstrate how natural these interests are for her now. This sentence perfectly encapsulates the contrast she is trying to build: “It had been years since I’d kneaded mud between my fingers; instead of scaling a white pine, I’d practiced scales on my piano, my hands softening into those of a musician—fleshy and sensitive.”

In addition to being well-written, this essay is thematically cohesive. It begins with the simple introduction “Fire!” and ends with the following image: “When the night grew cold and the embers died, my words still smoked—my hands burned from all that scrawling—and even when I fell asleep, the ideas kept sparking—I was on fire, always on fire.” This full-circle approach leaves readers satisfied and impressed.

There is very little this essay should change, however one thing to be cautious about is having an essay that is overly-descriptive. We know from the essay that this student likes to read and write, and depending on other elements of her application, it might make total sense to have such a flowery and ornate writing style. However, your personal statement needs to reflect your voice as well as your personality. If you would never use language like this in conversation or your writing, don’t put it in your personal statement. Make sure there is a balance between eloquence and your personal voice.

Essay Example #6: Dedicating a Track

“Getting beat is one thing – it’s part of competing – but I want no part in losing.” Coach Rob Stark’s motto never fails to remind me of his encouragement on early-morning bus rides to track meets around the state. I’ve always appreciated the phrase, but an experience last June helped me understand its more profound, universal meaning.

Stark, as we affectionately call him, has coached track at my high school for 25 years. His care, dedication, and emphasis on developing good character has left an enduring impact on me and hundreds of other students. Not only did he help me discover my talent and love for running, but he also taught me the importance of commitment and discipline and to approach every endeavor with the passion and intensity that I bring to running. When I learned a neighboring high school had dedicated their track to a longtime coach, I felt that Stark deserved similar honors.

Our school district’s board of education indicated they would only dedicate our track to Stark if I could demonstrate that he was extraordinary. I took charge and mobilized my teammates to distribute petitions, reach out to alumni, and compile statistics on the many team and individual champions Stark had coached over the years. We received astounding support, collecting almost 3,000 signatures and pages of endorsements from across the community. With help from my teammates, I presented this evidence to the board.

They didn’t bite. 

Most members argued that dedicating the track was a low priority. Knowing that we had to act quickly to convince them of its importance, I called a team meeting where we drafted a rebuttal for the next board meeting. To my surprise, they chose me to deliver it. I was far from the best public speaker in the group, and I felt nervous about going before the unsympathetic board again. However, at that second meeting, I discovered that I enjoy articulating and arguing for something that I’m passionate about.

Public speaking resembles a cross country race. Walking to the starting line, you have to trust your training and quell your last minute doubts. When the gun fires, you can’t think too hard about anything; your performance has to be instinctual, natural, even relaxed. At the next board meeting, the podium was my starting line. As I walked up to it, familiar butterflies fluttered in my stomach. Instead of the track stretching out in front of me, I faced the vast audience of teachers, board members, and my teammates. I felt my adrenaline build, and reassured myself: I’ve put in the work, my argument is powerful and sound. As the board president told me to introduce myself, I heard, “runners set” in the back of my mind. She finished speaking, and Bang! The brief silence was the gunshot for me to begin. 

The next few minutes blurred together, but when the dust settled, I knew from the board members’ expressions and the audience’s thunderous approval that I had run quite a race. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough; the board voted down our proposal. I was disappointed, but proud of myself, my team, and our collaboration off the track. We stood up for a cause we believed in, and I overcame my worries about being a leader. Although I discovered that changing the status quo through an elected body can be a painstakingly difficult process and requires perseverance, I learned that I enjoy the challenges this effort offers. Last month, one of the school board members joked that I had become a “regular” – I now often show up to meetings to advocate for a variety of causes, including better environmental practices in cafeterias and safer equipment for athletes.

Just as Stark taught me, I worked passionately to achieve my goal. I may have been beaten when I appealed to the board, but I certainly didn’t lose, and that would have made Stark proud.

This essay effectively conveys this student’s compassion for others, initiative, and determination—all great qualities to exemplify in a personal statement!

Although they rely on telling us a lot of what happened up until the board meeting, the use of running a race (their passion) as a metaphor for public speaking provides a lot of insight into the fear that this student overcame to work towards something bigger than themself. Comparing a podium to the starting line, the audience to the track, and silence to the gunshot is a nice way of demonstrating this student’s passion for cross country running without making that the focus of the story.

The essay does a nice job of coming full circle at the end by explaining what the quote from the beginning meant to them after this experience. Without explicitly saying “ I now know that what Stark actually meant is…” they rely on the strength of their argument above to make it obvious to the reader what it means to get beat but not lose. 

One of the biggest areas of improvement in the intro, however, is how the essay tells us Stark’s impact rather than showing us: His care, dedication, and emphasis on developing good character has left an enduring impact on me and hundreds of other students. Not only did he help me discover my talent and love for running, but he also taught me the importance of commitment and discipline and to approach every endeavor with the passion and intensity that I bring to running.

The writer could’ve helped us feel a stronger emotional connection to Stark if they had included examples of Stark’s qualities, rather than explicitly stating them. For example, they could’ve written something like: Stark was the kind of person who would give you gas money if you told him your parents couldn’t afford to pick you up from practice. And he actually did that—several times. At track meets, alumni regularly would come talk to him and tell him how he’d changed their lives. Before Stark, I was ambivalent about running and was on the JV team, but his encouragement motivated me to run longer and harder and eventually make varsity. Because of him, I approach every endeavor with the passion and intensity that I bring to running.

Essay Example #7: Body Image and Eating Disorders

I press the “discover” button on my Instagram app, hoping to find enticing pictures to satisfy my boredom. Scrolling through, I see funny videos and mouth-watering pictures of food. However, one image stops me immediately. A fit teenage girl with a “perfect body” relaxes in a bikini on a beach. Beneath it, I see a slew of flattering comments. I shake with disapproval over the image’s unrealistic quality. However, part of me still wants to have a body like hers so that others will make similar comments to me.

I would like to resolve a silent issue that harms many teenagers and adults: negative self image and low self-esteem in a world where social media shapes how people view each other. When people see the façades others wear to create an “ideal” image, they can develop poor thought patterns rooted in negative self-talk. The constant comparisons to “perfect” others make people feel small. In this new digital age, it is hard to distinguish authentic from artificial representations.

When I was 11, I developed anorexia nervosa. Though I was already thin, I wanted to be skinny like the models that I saw on the magazine covers on the grocery store stands. Little did I know that those models probably also suffered from disorders, and that photoshop erased their flaws. I preferred being underweight to being healthy. No matter how little I ate or how thin I was, I always thought that I was too fat. I became obsessed with the number on the scale and would try to eat the least that I could without my parents urging me to take more. Fortunately, I stopped engaging in anorexic behaviors before middle school. However, my underlying mental habits did not change. The images that had provoked my disorder in the first place were still a constant presence in my life.

By age 15, I was in recovery from anorexia, but suffered from depression. While I used to only compare myself to models, the growth of social media meant I also compared myself to my friends and acquaintances. I felt left out when I saw my friends’ excitement about lake trips they had taken without me. As I scrolled past endless photos of my flawless, thin classmates with hundreds of likes and affirming comments, I felt my jealousy spiral. I wanted to be admired and loved by other people too. However, I felt that I could never be enough. I began to hate the way that I looked, and felt nothing in my life was good enough. I wanted to be called “perfect” and “body goals,” so I tried to only post at certain times of day to maximize my “likes.” When that didn’t work, I started to feel too anxious to post anything at all.  

Body image insecurities and social media comparisons affect thousands of people – men, women, children, and adults – every day. I am lucky – after a few months of my destructive social media habits, I came across a video that pointed out the illusory nature of social media; many Instagram posts only show off good things while people hide their flaws. I began going to therapy, and recovered from my depression. To address the problem of self-image and social media, we can all focus on what matters on the inside and not what is on the surface. As an effort to become healthy internally, I started a club at my school to promote clean eating and radiating beauty from within. It has helped me grow in my confidence, and today I’m not afraid to show others my struggles by sharing my experience with eating disorders. Someday, I hope to make this club a national organization to help teenagers and adults across the country. I support the idea of body positivity and embracing difference, not “perfection.” After all, how can we be ourselves if we all look the same?

This essay covers the difficult topics of eating disorders and mental health. If you’re thinking about covering similar topics in your essay, we recommend reading our post Should You Talk About Mental Health in College Essays?

The short answer is that, yes, you can talk about mental health, but it can be risky. If you do go that route, it’s important to focus on what you learned from the experience.

The strength of this essay is the student’s vulnerability, in excerpts such as this: I wanted to be admired and loved by other people too. However, I felt that I could never be enough. I began to hate the way that I looked, and felt nothing in my life was good enough. I wanted to be called “perfect” and “body goals,” so I tried to only post at certain times of day to maximize my “likes.”

The student goes on to share how they recovered from their depression through an eye-opening video and therapy sessions, and they’re now helping others find their self-worth as well. It’s great that this essay looks towards the future and shares the writer’s goals of making their club a national organization; we can see their ambition and compassion.

The main weakness of this essay is that it doesn’t focus enough on their recovery process, which is arguably the most important part. They could’ve told us more about the video they watched or the process of starting their club and the interactions they’ve had with other members. Especially when sharing such a vulnerable topic, there should be vulnerability in the recovery process too. That way, the reader can fully appreciate all that this student has overcome.

Essay Example #8: Becoming a Coach

”Advanced females ages 13 to 14 please proceed to staging with your coaches at this time.” Skittering around the room, eyes wide and pleading, I frantically explained my situation to nearby coaches. The seconds ticked away in my head; every polite refusal increased my desperation.

Despair weighed me down. I sank to my knees as a stream of competitors, coaches, and officials flowed around me. My dojang had no coach, and the tournament rules prohibited me from competing without one.

Although I wanted to remain strong, doubts began to cloud my mind. I could not help wondering: what was the point of perfecting my skills if I would never even compete? The other members of my team, who had found coaches minutes earlier, attempted to comfort me, but I barely heard their words. They couldn’t understand my despair at being left on the outside, and I never wanted them to understand.

Since my first lesson 12 years ago, the members of my dojang have become family. I have watched them grow up, finding my own happiness in theirs. Together, we have honed our kicks, blocks, and strikes. We have pushed one another to aim higher and become better martial artists. Although my dojang had searched for a reliable coach for years, we had not found one. When we attended competitions in the past, my teammates and I had always gotten lucky and found a sympathetic coach. Now, I knew this practice was unsustainable. It would devastate me to see the other members of my dojang in my situation, unable to compete and losing hope as a result. My dojang needed a coach, and I decided it was up to me to find one.

I first approached the adults in the dojang – both instructors and members’ parents. However, these attempts only reacquainted me with polite refusals. Everyone I asked told me they couldn’t devote multiple weekends per year to competitions. I soon realized that I would have become the coach myself.

At first, the inner workings of tournaments were a mystery to me. To prepare myself for success as a coach, I spent the next year as an official and took coaching classes on the side. I learned everything from motivational strategies to technical, behind-the-scenes components of Taekwondo competitions. Though I emerged with new knowledge and confidence in my capabilities, others did not share this faith.

Parents threw me disbelieving looks when they learned that their children’s coach was only a child herself. My self-confidence was my armor, deflecting their surly glances. Every armor is penetrable, however, and as the relentless barrage of doubts pounded my resilience, it began to wear down. I grew unsure of my own abilities.

Despite the attack, I refused to give up. When I saw the shining eyes of the youngest students preparing for their first competition, I knew I couldn’t let them down. To quit would be to set them up to be barred from competing like I was. The knowledge that I could solve my dojang’s longtime problem motivated me to overcome my apprehension.

Now that my dojang flourishes at competitions, the attacks on me have weakened, but not ended. I may never win the approval of every parent; at times, I am still tormented by doubts, but I find solace in the fact that members of my dojang now only worry about competing to the best of their abilities.

Now, as I arrive at a tournament with my students, I close my eyes and remember the past. I visualize the frantic search for a coach and the chaos amongst my teammates as we competed with one another to find coaches before the staging calls for our respective divisions. I open my eyes to the exact opposite scene. Lacking a coach hurt my ability to compete, but I am proud to know that no member of my dojang will have to face that problem again.

This essay begins with an in-the-moment narrative that really illustrates the chaos of looking for a coach last-minute. We feel the writer’s emotions, particularly her dejectedness, at not being able to compete. Starting an essay in media res  is a great way to capture the attention of your readers and build anticipation for what comes next.

Through this essay, we can see how gutsy and determined the student is in deciding to become a coach themselves. She shows us these characteristics through their actions, rather than explicitly telling us: To prepare myself for success as a coach, I spent the next year as an official and took coaching classes on the side.  Also, by discussing the opposition she faced and how it affected her, the student is open and vulnerable about the reality of the situation.

The essay comes full circle as the author recalls the frantic situations in seeking out a coach, but this is no longer a concern for them and their team. Overall, this essay is extremely effective in painting this student as mature, bold, and compassionate.

The biggest thing this essay needs to work on is showing not telling. Throughout the essay, the student tells us that she “emerged with new knowledge and confidence,” she “grew unsure of her own abilities,” and she “refused to give up”. What we really want to know is what this looks like.

Instead of saying she “emerged with new knowledge and confidence” she should have shared how she taught a new move to a fellow team-member without hesitation. Rather than telling us she “grew unsure of her own abilities” she should have shown what that looked like by including her internal dialogue and rhetorical questions that ran through her mind. She could have demonstrated what “refusing to give up” looks like by explaining how she kept learning coaching techniques on her own, turned to a mentor for advice, or devised a plan to win over the trust of parents. 

Essay Example #9: Eritrea

No one knows where Eritrea is.

On the first day of school, for the past nine years, I would pensively stand in front of a class, a teacher, a stranger  waiting for the inevitable question: Where are you from?

I smile politely, my dimples accentuating my ambiguous features. “Eritrea,” I answer promptly and proudly. But I  am always prepared. Before their expression can deepen into confusion, ready to ask “where is that,” I elaborate,  perhaps with a fleeting hint of exasperation, “East Africa, near Ethiopia.”

Sometimes, I single out the key-shaped hermit nation on a map, stunning teachers who have “never had a student  from there!” Grinning, I resist the urge to remark, “You didn’t even know it existed until two minutes ago!”

Eritrea is to the East of Ethiopia, its arid coastline clutches the lucrative Red Sea. Battle scars litter the ancient  streets – the colonial Italian architecture lathered with bullet holes, the mosques mangled with mortar shells.  Originally part of the world’s first Christian kingdom, Eritrea passed through the hands of colonial Italy, Britain, and  Ethiopia for over a century, until a bloody thirty year war of Independence liberated us.

But these are facts that anyone can know with a quick Google search. These are facts that I have memorised and compounded, first from my Grandmother and now from pristine books  borrowed from the library.

No historical narrative, however, can adequately capture what Eritrea is.  No one knows the aroma of bushels of potatoes, tomatoes, and garlic – still covered in dirt – that leads you to the open-air market. No one knows the poignant scent of spices, arranged in orange piles reminiscent of compacted  dunes.  No one knows how to haggle stubborn herders for sheep and roosters for Christmas celebrations as deliberately as my mother. No one can replicate the perfect balance of spices in dorho and tsebhi as well as my grandmother,  her gnarly hands stirring the pot with ancient precision (chastising my clumsy knife work with the potatoes).  It’s impossible to learn when the injera is ready – the exact moment you have to lift the lid of the mogogo. Do it too  early (or too late) and the flatbread becomes mangled and gross. It is a sixth sense passed through matriarchal  lineages.

There are no sources that catalogue the scent of incense that wafts through the sunlit porch on St. Michael’s; no  films that can capture the luminescence of hundreds of flaming bonfires that fluoresce the sidewalks on Kudus  Yohannes, as excited children chant Ge’ez proverbs whose origin has been lost to time.  You cannot learn the familiarity of walking beneath the towering Gothic figure of the Enda Mariam Cathedral, the  crowds undulating to the ringing of the archaic bells.  I have memorized the sound of the rains hounding the metal roof during kiremti , the heat of the sun pounding  against the Toyota’s window as we sped down towards Ghinda , the opulent brilliance of the stars twinkling in a  sky untainted by light pollution, the scent of warm rolls of bani wafting through the streets at precisely 6 o’clock each day…

I fill my flimsy sketchbook with pictures from my memory. My hand remembers the shapes of the hibiscus drifting  in the wind, the outline of my grandmother (affectionately nicknamed a’abaye ) leaning over the garden, the bizarre architecture of the Fiat Tagliero .  I dice the vegetables with movements handed down from generations. My nose remembers the scent of frying garlic, the sourness of the warm tayta , the sharpness of the mit’mt’a …

This knowledge is intrinsic.  “I am Eritrean,” I repeat. “I am proud.”  Within me is an encyclopedia of history, culture, and idealism.

Eritrea is the coffee made from scratch, the spices drying in the sun, the priests and nuns. Eritrea is wise, filled with ambition, and unseen potential.  Eritrea isn’t a place, it’s an identity.

This is an exceptional essay that provides a window into this student’s culture that really makes their love for their country and heritage leap off the page. The sheer level of details and sensory descriptors this student is able to fit in this space makes the essay stand out. From the smells, to the traditions, sounds, and sights, the author encapsulates all the glory of Eritrea for the reader. 

The vivid images this student is able to create for the reader, whether it is having the tedious conversation with every teacher or cooking in their grandmother’s kitchen, transports us into the story and makes us feel like we are there in the moment with the student. This is a prime example of an essay that shows , not tells.

Besides the amazing imagery, the use of shorter paragraphs also contributes to how engaging this essay is. Employing this tactic helps break up the text to make it more readable and it isolates ideas so they stick out more than if they were enveloped in a large paragraph.

Overall, this is a really strong essay that brings to life this student’s heritage through its use of vivid imagery. This essay exemplifies what it means to show not tell in your writing, and it is a great example of how you can write an intimate personal statement without making yourself the primary focus of your essay. 

There is very little this essay should improve upon, but one thing the student might consider would be to inject more personal reflection into their response. Although we can clearly take away their deep love and passion for their homeland and culture, the essay would be a bit more personal if they included the emotions and feelings they associate with the various aspects of Eritrea. For example, the way their heart swells with pride when their grandmother praises their ability to cook a flatbread or the feeling of serenity when they hear the bells ring out from the cathedral. Including personal details as well as sensory ones would create a wonderful balance of imagery and reflection.

Essay Example #10: Journaling

Flipping past dozens of colorful entries in my journal, I arrive at the final blank sheet. I press my pen lightly to the page, barely scratching its surface to create a series of loops stringing together into sentences. Emotions spill out, and with their release, I feel lightness in my chest. The stream of thoughts slows as I reach the bottom of the page, and I gently close the cover of the worn book: another journal finished.

I add the journal to the stack of eleven books on my nightstand. Struck by the bittersweet sensation of closing a chapter of my life, I grab the notebook at the bottom of the pile to reminisce.

“I want to make a flying mushen to fly in space and your in it” – October 2008

Pulling back the cover of my first Tinkerbell-themed diary, the prompt “My Hopes and Dreams” captures my attention. Though “machine” is misspelled in my scribbled response, I see the beginnings of my past obsession with outer space. At the age of five, I tore through novels about the solar system, experimented with rockets built from plastic straws, and rented Space Shuttle films from Blockbuster to satisfy my curiosities. While I chased down answers to questions as limitless as the universe, I fell in love with learning. Eight journals later, the same relentless curiosity brought me to an airplane descending on San Francisco Bay.

“I wish I had infinite sunsets” – July 2019

I reach for the charcoal notepad near the top of the pile and open to the first page: my flight to the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes. While I was excited to explore bioengineering, anxiety twisted in my stomach as I imagined my destination, unsure of whether I could overcome my shyness and connect with others.

With each new conversation, the sweat on my palms became less noticeable, and I met students from 23 different countries. Many of the moments where I challenged myself socially revolved around the third story deck of the Jerry house. A strange medley of English, Arabic, and Mandarin filled the summer air as my friends and I gathered there every evening, and dialogues at sunset soon became moments of bliss. In our conversations about cultural differences, the possibility of an afterlife, and the plausibility of far-fetched conspiracy theories, I learned to voice my opinion. As I was introduced to different viewpoints, these moments challenged my understanding of the world around me. In my final entries from California, I find excitement to learn from others and increased confidence, a tool that would later allow me to impact my community.

“The beauty in a tower of cans” – June 2020

Returning my gaze to the stack of journals, I stretch to take the floral-patterned book sitting on top. I flip through, eventually finding the beginnings of the organization I created during the outbreak of COVID-19. Since then, Door-to-Door Deliveries has woven its way through my entries and into reality, allowing me to aid high-risk populations through free grocery delivery.

With the confidence I gained the summer before, I took action when seeing others in need rather than letting my shyness hold me back. I reached out to local churches and senior centers to spread word of our services and interacted with customers through our website and social media pages. To further expand our impact, we held two food drives, and I mustered the courage to ask for donations door-to-door. In a tower of canned donations, I saw the value of reaching out to help others and realized my own potential to impact the world around me.

I delicately close the journal in my hands, smiling softly as the memories reappear, one after another. Reaching under my bed, I pull out a fresh notebook and open to its first sheet. I lightly press my pen to the page, “And so begins the next chapter…”

The structuring of this essay makes it easy and enjoyable to read. The student effectively organizes their various life experiences around their tower of journals, which centers the reader and makes the different stories easy to follow. Additionally, the student engages quotes from their journals—and unique formatting of the quotes—to signal that they are moving in time and show us which memory we should follow them to.

Thematically, the student uses the idea of shyness to connect the different memories they draw out of their journals. As the student describes their experiences overcoming shyness at the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes and Door-to-Door Deliveries, this essay can be read as an Overcoming Obstacles essay.

At the end of this essay, readers are fully convinced that this student is dedicated (they have committed to journaling every day), thoughtful (journaling is a thoughtful process and, in the essay, the student reflects thoughtfully on the past), and motivated (they flew across the country for a summer program and started a business). These are definitely qualities admissions officers are looking for in applicants!

Although this essay is already exceptionally strong as it’s written, the first journal entry feels out of place compared to the other two entries that discuss the author’s shyness and determination. It works well for the essay to have an entry from when the student was younger to add some humor (with misspelled words) and nostalgia, but if the student had either connected the quote they chose to the idea of overcoming a fear present in the other two anecdotes or if they had picked a different quote all together related to their shyness, it would have made the entire essay feel more cohesive.

Where to Get Your Personal Statement Edited

Do you want feedback on your personal statement? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Next Step: Supplemental Essays

Essay Guides for Each School

How to Write a Stellar Extracurricular Activity College Essay

4 Tips for Writing a Diversity College Essay

How to Write the “Why This College” Essay

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

BUILDING STELLAR PROFILES FOR DREAM ADMITS

Statement of purpose (SOP) done right! [with Samples]

Statement of Purpose (SOP) or Personal Statement forms a crucial element of the graduate school application process. For the uninitiated, a Statement of Purpose is an essay that introduces YOU to the Admissions Review Committee (AdCom). It contains your accomplishments, career plans, and reasoning of why you think a particular graduate program is the ‘right fit’ for you. 

Nearly every respectable graduate program in the world, be it a Master of Science, Engineering Management, MiM or MBA requires applicants to submit a Statement of Purpose while applying.

The AdComs put a lot of value on a candidate’s SOP, evaluating their ‘intent for applying to that program’ and whether it resonates with the University’s mission and objectives.

Jared Pierce, associate director of enrollment services at Northeastern University, says a strong statement of purpose can be the deciding factor in a graduate student’s admission.

“Your statement of purpose is where you tell your story about who you are and why you deserve to be a part of the [university’s] community. It gives the admissions committee the chance to get to know you and understand how you’ll add value to the classroom,” he says.

Clearly then, you will have to construct your statement of purpose which tells your “story” rather than list out your “achievements”

So, how do the applicants go about writing the SOP? Which experiences are viewed favorably by the AdCom, and what should be avoided. In this blogpost, I touch upon the effective strategies that if adopted, can transform your SOP into your story.

STEP – I: Decoding the types

Let’s start by clearing out a few things about the Statement of Purpose. They go by different names — Personal statement, letter of intent, letter of motivation, mission statement, elevator pitch, video sop…. The list is too long! Each of them serves a different purpose and should be written within the frameworks of the university guidelines.

Perhaps the first step you should do before you start writing your SOP is to prepare an outline and use it as a roadmap.

To be honest, this is not a very popular step with most of the students. They imagine that this “extra” step will add time and complicate their application process when in fact, creating an outline can not only help streamline one’s essay writing but can also go a long way in boosting the resulting essays’ effectiveness.

By organizing your thoughts in the form of short phrases and key terms, you will observe that your story unfolds more easily. Moreover, it also ensures that there are no gaps of information in what you are trying to convey. This translates to a more persuasive final SOP and, in most cases, fewer rounds of editing and revision.

Sample Outline A

• Passion for chess – coaching and playing
• Volunteer activities with Greenpeace 
• Love of Shah Rukh Khan films
• Managing literature conference at IIT, Mumbai
• Love of biking – Sunday bike rides with “team”
• Semester exchange in France 
• Travel to 21 countries – Iceland, Russia and Peru highlights
• Close relationship with grandma
• Budding love of cooking
• Love of Mumbai

Once a sample outline has been prepared, it is now easier to construct a structure for the statement of purpose.  

STEP – II: Break it down

Building upon the outline, each SOP needs to be structured so that it logically fits in the narrative.

Many clients that we have encountered confuse ‘structure’ with ‘chronology’. When asked to write a draft of the essay, they present their achievements in chronological order, thinking that this will give the essay a proper structure.

However, your experiences and how they have translated and shaped you into what you are today, may or may not be chronological. Thus, you have to start your essay with the most significant one and connect the dots from there.

The Admissions Review Committee is looking out for very specific things in your application. Unless you break it down, it will be an arduous task to explain them your story. And no one wants a confused AdCom guy in their life.

What is the Admission Committee looking for?

The simple answer would be – what makes you, YOU.

But if only things were so simple. What they are really looking for is how you fit into the overall scheme of things at the University.

Broadly, there are 5 factors they are trying to evaluate you on:

– Why have you applied for that particular program?

– What kind of skills do you have to succeed in that program?

– How do you want to leverage your university connections to network and contribute to the school community?

– How are your professional goals aligned with the program outcomes?

– Why are you the ‘best fit’ for the university?

Your statement of purpose or letter of motivation should talk in brief about all these points.

Even for the most practiced of writers, crafting a successful application essay can be an uphill task. So, trust us on this – Most of the SOPs that we read make us go….

Ideating and then organizing thoughts into outlines for essays will facilitate this process, as we illustrated in Part 1 of this guide, and now we will offer a few basic steps that will help you create and refine your drafts.

STEP- III: Tell your story

As we discussed it earlier, your statement of purpose is not merely an instrument to present facts from your life to the AdCom. Infact, it’s a platform to tell your story. Of who you are, and how has your experiences shaped you. You should therefore focus on narrative writing (which primarily describes) rather than expository writing (which primarily explains). In a narrative, the central facts about a situation are not just bluntly introduced, but are presented in a way that lets them speak for themselves and paint a rounded picture of an experience.

Consider the following examples:

My upbringing in a family full of entrepreneurs made me acquainted to data analytics early in life. When I supported my father’s organization, where they manually used to analyze data and predict delivery date & raw material ordering, I helped them develop an automated system with the use of pivot tables and slicers, that can be used together to visualize data and create easy to use dashboards.

Coming from a business background and having an undergrad degree in Information Technology, it was only natural for me to have a formidable combination of – entrepreneurial streak and technical expertise. My formative years were spent engaging in insightful dining table discussions with my father, pertaining to our business-related products and services. As a result, I was presented with several opportunities to understand the legal, commercial and technical aspects of our business. However, the opportunities that I loved most were the technically challenging ones that had the potential to impact our business positively. One such opportunity that I got was to review and remodel our existing data management system, which had severe limitations in terms of performance and scalability.

Which one of the above example do you think creates a more compelling image of the person you are reading about?

While example A is vague in terms of details, example B has a lot of specifics. It creates a holistic picture of the candidate and evokes imagery for the reader, which is more compelling. Thus, leaving out important details is detrimental to the health of the essay.

STEP – IV: Connect the dots

A good story is as good as its parts. Details, which are crucial to the development of the story, if left out does not reveal the entire picture and leaves the readers confused.

As you write your essay drafts, check each sentence to make sure that it includes a key part of the story you are telling. If you can remove a sentence and your essay still makes sense, that line is unnecessary and should remain deleted. However, if your narrative suddenly becomes unclear, that is your proof that the sentence in question is not superfluous and that you are on your way to creating a profoundly connected narrative.

Having a keen interest in operations research motivated me to work on my bachelor’s thesis: Efficient utilization of weight and volume capacity of a fleet of goods containers. The objective here is to build an algorithmic model for transportation of goods, cargoes, and shipments by utilizing the maximum load and volume capacity of the containers. The study is being carried out with a view to enabling the freight companies in reducing cost and enhancing operational efficiency. I have identified the constraints posed such as categorization of goods according to their suitability, shortest route according to the consignments, delivery of goods within the prescribed time, maximizing the profit and providing customer satisfaction, and successfully developed a mathematical model for the intercity transport, using shortest route and minimum cost per volume using traveling salesman and transportation concepts. Moreover, I am also trying to implement algorithm theory and computational complexity theory to solve the combinatorial problem considering the constraints faced.

Notice how the dots are getting connected.

1st sentence – Having a keen …. – Provides a justification to work on the bachelor’s thesis in Operations Research based on the interest of the applicant.

2nd sentence – The objective here is to build an algorithmic model…. – Clears the aim of the the project and gives idea to the AdCom about the scope of the project.

3rd sentence – The study is being carried out …. – End goal of the project is described.

4th sentence – I have identified the constraints… – talks about problem/constraint identification that the student is trying to resolve

… and successfully developed a mathematical model… -highlights the solution to the given constraints.

Leaving out any sentence written in this paragraph would be eliminating a key detail, and thus will confuse the reader about the project. In short, the story will be difficult to follow.

STEP – V: Create a ‘hook’ in the Introduction paragraph

Sometimes the most difficult part of writing a strong essay is determining the best way to start it. Even when you have a strong outline in hand, crafting those first few words or phrases can be challenging. To help you over this hurdle, we offer a few strategies for beginning your essays.

Maintaining a mystery

This is one of the best ways to grab the attention of the AdCom.

There are only a few rare moments in life, interspersed within our chaotic daily routines, during which we find our true calling. And those moments generally come like a blitzkrieg, inspiring us to make choices which define who we eventually become. I encountered one such moment, as a part of my internship with Bless Foundation, an NGO which strives to alleviate the sufferings of the underprivileged.

(Selected at University of South California, MS in Computer Science).

Do people shape cities or do cities shape people? Irrespective of the order of transformation, I am of the belief that city landscapes impact our daily lives in a significant way.

(Selected at TU Delft, MS in Architecture)

While watching the digitally remastered and coloured version of 1960 Bollywood classic ‘Mughal-e-Azam’, then shot in monochrome, I realised that I was less concerned about the cinematic brilliance but more about certain stats I read about the movie.

(Selected at Cornell University, MPS program in Applied Statistics)

The main stage was set while I enthusiastically waited in the crowd for Guns N’ Roses to surface from behind the spotlight. It was an absolute dream for me to witness the band live in concert, after having grown up and getting inspired by Slash and his musical eccentricities. As they emerged on stage and plucked the first strings, I was transported in a trance of hedonistic pleasure. Surprisingly, it was not the music that had the greatest influence that night.

(Selected at Stanford, MS in Computer Science)

In all of the above examples, the first few lines draw the reader into the essay and make him ask the question, what happens next? This approach is a sure shot way to indulge the AdCom into reading your application in full.

Strictly avoid: Clichés

Let’s be honest here. The AdCom knows when clichés are coming. And no one likes them. Consider this for example:

Being an ardent fan of the Marvel Universe, I believe that if we have the thirst for knowledge, ability to rectify the errors and better our skillset like Ironman and if we have grit, perseverance and will to do good for the mankind like Captain America, then we can win any battle and achieve something great. I tried to follow these ideologies while working on all my projects and technical papers.

My profound interest in mathematics, computers, and problem-solving became the basis for furthering a career in Computer science. In order to broaden my horizons of technical acumen, I joined Oracle after completing my undergrad. This allowed me to develop a clearer vision about pursuing a career in my field of Software Engineering.

It’s safe to say that introductions like these should be avoided at all costs as they have been read by the AdCom a million times. You don’t want to be the million plus one candidate.

Lead with your best

When you are pitching your application to the AdCom, it is highly recommended that you start your essays with your most compelling experience. Do not follow a template of chronological detailing of your academic records and professional achievements. Show your best foot forward. You do not always have to outline your history to create context for your narrative.

Example A (Student Version of her internship)

Due to these rewarding experiences and key learnings acquired from projects, I secured a position as a Developer at Barclays India, which has been exhilarating from the onset. In a span of four months, I underwent intensive training in several technologies like Java, JavaScript, Embedded JavaScript, Spring Framework, Servlets etc.

Example B (Gradsmiths version)

At Barcalays, internship not only meant exposition to multimillion-dollar client portfolio, but also getting intensive training in tools like Java, JavaScript, Embedded JavaScript, Spring Framework, and Servlets.

Example A exhibits significant backstory, but the most important parts that she learned new technologies was mentioned after the third line. In example B, this happens right in the second line, and is smartly packaged for the reader.

This introduction—just one sentence long, rather than four—introduces the reader to the individual’s high- level position right away and is therefore much more compelling and effective.

Step – VI: Don’t put extra information in your essays

Although it seems to be a no brainer, most students end up doing this. They provide irrelevant information in their essay, which makes it a boring read.

Consider this:

My final year project was ‘Analysis and Design of a high rise building with R.C Shear wall’. This project was done by 4 undergrads. In the initial phase, a 3-storied building is designed in ETABS software using Dead and Live load. In the next phase a 15-storied building with shear walls considering Earthquake and wind load is designed under G. A. Bhilare Consultants Pvt. Ltd., Pune. Seismic design parameters like story drift, lateral displacement was studied and shear forces, axial forces, bending moment were interpreted. This project increased my understanding of ETABS and improved my skills .

In the example above, there are too many details like the no. of storey of the building and name of the consultants, which are not required. It adds on to the word count and makes it a slow-developing paragraph.

Revised version

To gain more understanding of structures and the mechanics of forces at play, my final year project focused on the analysis and design of a high rise building with R.C Shear wall. In association with three other undergrads, we worked to design a 3-storied building, followed by its higher version in ETABS software using Dead and Live load. Carefully monitoring the shear walls considering Earthquake and wind load, we studied Seismic design parameters like story drift, lateral displacement. All this culminated under a sponsored industry project in collaboration with top architects of the city. This experience helped me to analyse complex structural models with loads, and design them in the most sustainable way, a skill which I am confident will prove beneficial during my graduate studies.

Step VII: Honour the word limit

Although we can assure you that no one will toss your application in the trash if your essays exceed the school’s stated word limits a little, in general, sticking as closely as possible to these limits is the best plan. Doing so indicates to the admissions committee not only that you pay attention to and can follow directions (which reflects positively on you as a potential student who will be required to follow numerous guidelines throughout the course of the MS program) but also that you are willing to put in the work required to convey your story effectively within the stated parameters. Also, you show respect for the school as well as for the admissions readers, who must sort through thousands of essays each week. A good rule of thumb is to not surpass the school’s requested word count by more than 5%, though of course, the fewer extra words you include, the better—and minimizing any risk of a negative impression resulting from exceeding the set word count is best.

Step VIII: Answer the question

This is our most obvious rule yet, but one that must be stated nonetheless: make sure that you answer the question the school is asking. Sometimes candidates possess a great story and really want to “spin” it for a particular essay prompt. Other times, applicants work and rework an essay so much that when they are done, they do not realize that they have changed their initial story entirely and the resulting essay no longer addresses the school’s question. Not answering the question is one of the admissions committees’ biggest peeves. In addition to indicating an ability to follow directions on your part (if not an outright attempt to withhold information), not answering the question asked means that you have not provided the information the admissions committee is specifically seeking and needs. So, regularly revisit the essay prompts as you revise your essays, ensuring that you are on track and providing a topical response.

Step IX: Customize your responses

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to customize your essays for your choice of University. Many a times, we have seen that one SOP is sent to 5 different universities, with just a few line changes.

To us, this is a very easy and a lazy approach to essay drafting. Moreover, the AdCom through their years of experience of reading SOPs figure out whether you have followed a template or not.

Your short and long term goals should be aligned with the research areas and expertise of the University. AdCom loves to see how the university can help you realize your personal and professional milestones.

A common point of contention among students is whether or not to include the names of professors. In our opinion, you should go beyond name-dropping and identify key research areas where you would like to work. This creates a better representation of your academic interest and underlines your motivation to apply for the program.

It is important to understand that the AdCom is looking for unique and interesting candidates, who contribute to the campus and community. Thus, desire to work in student clubs, campus organizations, or community service is viewed positively. It shows that you have a multi-dimensional personality and go beyond your academic interests. Another quirky thing to add is why the location of the college is important to you and your goals. It can be the vibrant startup culture of the place, proximity to tech centers or Silicon Valley, or even the music vibe of the place.

Step X: Read, Re-read, Proofread. Repeat.

If you have followed all the steps above, and drafted your statement of purpose, great work done! Now will be a good time to send it to your friends, relatives, colleagues, and anywould who would care to read it.

You will amazed at how many grammatical errors get discovered. And we don’t even want to get started on the formatting bits.

Your goal, before sending out your statement of purpose should be to make it as error-proof as possible. This can be achieved by proofreading it multiple times to check for nasty little bits of flaws that hides furtively behind the pompous words and achievements.

The Statement of Purpose is perhaps the hardest thing you will encounter during your application stage.

The good news is that the process does not seem so overwhelming when you break it down into simple, actionable steps as described above.

At Gradsmiths, we have come across more than a thousand essays and SOPs, some brilliant while some total disasters. What really saddened us was that the same mistakes were being repeated in every other document, which motivated us to compile these steps that we follow into this post to draft an awesome statement of purpose.

Statement of Purpose (Samples and formats)

Statement of Purpose that got accepted to UPenn MS in Computer Science

Sample Statement of Purpose that got accepted to MS in Mechanical Engineering, Arizona State University

Statement of Purpose that got accepted to Cornell University’s Engineering Management program

Enjoyed the blog? Why not drop in your e-mail address below, and we send more such tips and strategies straight to your mailbox.

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If you have got the time, do check out our FREE E-book on ‘Biggest Mistakes you make in your resume’. It contains some super pointers on how to modify your resume and make it fit for a graduate school application.

Interested in talking to a Gradsmiths expert on how to go about your essays? Book your calendar here.

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• Applying to graduate school

How to Write a Statement of Purpose | Example

Published on February 13, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on June 1, 2023.

When you apply for graduate programs or scholarships, the admissions committee is looking for more than just a list of grades. The statement of purpose (also known as a statement of intent or motivation letter) is your chance to stand out from the crowd and showcase your motivation, skills and potential. It should:

• Outline your academic or professional interests and goals
• Discuss relevant skills, experience and achievements
• Demonstrate why you’d be a good fit for the program

Table of contents

Successful statement of purpose example, requirements and prompts, personal introduction, experience and achievements, goals and motivations, fit with the program, tips for an effective statement of purpose, other interesting articles.

The torment of the Founding Fathers is responsible for my interest in Classics. My desire to learn Latin stemmed from reading American Revolutionary-era history during junior high and high school, and particularly from the countless Latin quotations I found in John Adams’ writings. Always eager for a challenge, I was intrigued by the American founders’ accounts of the torture of learning such a difficult language. In my first semester at university, I started learning Latin and thoroughly loved it. As I learned more and more about classical civilization through the language, I realized that I was passionately interested in many aspects of the field of Classics. I have since taken courses on mythology, art and archaeology, and religion, on ancient history, and on the classical tradition. I have also learned Greek, of course, starting with an intensive two-semester course at the university’s summer school. My experience studying abroad in Florence and traveling through Italy and Greece intensified my zeal for the field and, in particular, fueled my ambition to specialize in classical archaeology.

My personal philosophy of life is that everything is connected, and this conviction drives my desire to study Classics. The most rewarding moments for me are discovering and investigating connections – both broad ones, between fields and disciplines, and more specific ones, like the relationship between a piece of literature and an object of material culture. My liberal arts education has equipped me with a broad base of knowledge in the sciences, social sciences, humanities, and arts, and in the honors program I pursued independent projects exploring academic and personal connections, including a paper on ancient Mayan astronomy, a self-observation study on the effects of nutrition and hydration on exercise performance, and a paper on the influence of political context on the changing artistic representations of John Adams. By seeking out connections between seemingly unrelated areas of academia, I have acquired a well-rounded outlook which helps me approach new ideas with both a range of prior experiences and a mind always open to different interpretations.

In accordance with my personal philosophy, I have also continued to explore connections within Classics and between Classics and other fields. In 2007, I published an article in my university’s undergraduate humanities journal; inspired by my studies in Florence, I compared representations of the birth of Venus in ancient and Renaissance literature and art. My major academic achievement to date, however, has been my senior honor thesis on John Adams’ connection to the Classics. Funded by a Hilldale Research Fellowship, I conducted research in the Adams Papers at the Massachusetts Historical Society and in John Adams’ personal library at the Boston Public Library on the influence of the classical tradition on Adams’ worldview and how he consciously modeled himself on classical ideals. It was particularly fulfilling to connect historical and classical research in writing about the figure most responsible for instigating my study of the Classics.

As well as my research skills, I have demonstrated proficiency in the classical languages, winning prizes for both Latin and Greek translation from the Classics Department, as well as receiving an enthusiastic nomination from the department for the Pearson Fellowship from the American Philological Association. I am also the president of the undergraduate Classics Society, which allows me to share my enthusiasm for Classics with other students and the larger community.

One of the most appealing aspects of studying Classics is the vast range of topics encompassed by the field. Because my interests are broad and I value an interdisciplinary approach, I would like to pursue graduate study ultimately leading to a PhD in Classical Archaeology. Archaeology in itself is, of course, a multi-faceted field, requiring knowledge of history, language, anthropology, and various scientific and technological methods. I have already started building my skills in this area: I participated in a microartifact analysis from the excavation of a Maya site in Belize as part of an honors project, and this summer I will take part in two archaeological projects in Turkey after working as a research assistant on related material in the spring semester. This PhD program includes many other opportunities I am eager to explore, such as palaeography and papyrology courses, and especially the variety of fieldwork and museum experiences available. I believe that my strong background in the classical languages and wide range of courses on classical civilization and archaeological methods have prepared me well for this program, and I am convinced that, guided by my philosophy of interconnectedness, I will flourish in this program.

The first step is to read the application instructions. These should include the length of the document (usually 1-2 pages), any formatting requirements, and often a question or prompt that indicates what you should focus on.

In some cases, you might also be asked to submit a personal statement . Similar advice applies to both of these documents—both should give a sense of who you are, what you’ve done and what you want to do. But a statement of purpose is often more formal, tightly focused on your academic background and your suitability for the program.

If you are working on multiple applications, don’t try to write a one-size-fits-all text—tailor your statement of purpose to each program. Make sure to respond to the prompt and include all the information you’re asked for. A typical statement of purpose prompt looks like this:

Your focus will be slightly different depending on whether you’re applying for research-based academic programs (such as a PhD ) or professional qualifications (such as an MBA). But all statements of purpose should contain the following elements.

This is your chance to introduce yourself to the admissions committee and let them hear your voice. The statement of purpose shouldn’t tell your life story, but it should give a glimpse into who you are.

Academic and personal background

Give an overview of your academic background, and show what drives your interest in this field or profession. You might want to include some personal background too—your family history, social circumstances, personal relationships and life experiences have all shaped your trajectory and perspective. What unique insights will you bring with you?

Characteristics and personality

Think about aspects of your character that make you well-suited for graduate school. Don’t just list generic adjectives—give examples that demonstrate your strengths and show why they’re relevant.

• Are you organized enough to handle a high-pressure workload?
• Do you have the creativity needed to develop original ideas, or a systematic mindset perfect for problem-solving?
• Do you have strong leadership skills, or are you great at working collaboratively?

Avoid including irrelevant autobiographical detail in the statement of purpose. Everything you include should be aimed at showing why you’d be a strong candidate for the program.

Your experience shows that you have the necessary skills to succeed in graduate school. Don’t just summarize everything you’ve done—pick out some highlights to build a clear picture of your strengths and priorities, illustrating how you’ve learned and developed along the way.

Academic experience

If you’re applying for a research-focused program, such as a PhD, show your knowledge of the field and outline your research experience. This might include:

• A brief summary of your thesis or final project
• Courses that you found particularly valuable
• Projects you contributed to
• Publications
• Presentations
• Extracurriculars that gave you relevant skills or experience

Professional experience

If you’re applying for a professional program, such as an MBA, outline your experience so far and show how it relates to your career plans. This might include:

• Past or current job roles
• Projects you led or participated in
• Internships
• Voluntary work
• Training courses

In all cases, give specific examples with details of what you worked on, what you achieved, and what you got out of the experience.

As well as showing that you’re prepared for the program, explain what you expect to get out of it. What are your motivations for applying? How do you plan to make the most of its opportunities, and how will it help you achieve your goals?

Academic motivations

For academic programs, indicate your research interests, showing how they follow from and build upon what you have studied so far. This might include:

• A subfield that you want to strengthen your expertise in
• A specific problem or question that you’d like to address
• An initial idea for a research project
• A theoretical or methodological approach that you want to develop

This isn’t the place for an in-depth research plan, but it’s a chance to show your enthusiasm and knowledge of your field.

Professional motivations

For professional programs, outline your career aspirations and show how your experience informs your goals. This might include:

• The next step you want to take in your career. What position are you aiming for and how will the program help you achieve it?
• Your motivations for a career change. Can you make a link between your previous experience and your new direction?
• Your long-term goals. Where do you want to be in five or ten years, and how do you see yourself getting there?

The admissions committee wants to know that you’re genuinely motivated to complete the program, and the clearer your plans, the more convincing your commitment.

It’s important to show not only why you want to study this subject, but also why you want to do it in this particular institution and department.

• Do your research, and mention particular classes, specialisms or faculty that attracted you.
• Show why you’re a good fit. Do your priorities align with the values and culture of the institution? What will you contribute to the department?
• Discuss the specific skills, knowledge and experience you expect to get from the program.

The statement of purpose isn’t only about selling yourself—it’s about illustrating an ideal match between you and the program.

Once you’ve made sure to cover all the key elements, you can work on strengthening and polishing the text. Follow these tips to make your application the best it can be.

Stay focused

It can be tempting to try to cram in everything you’ve done, but a good statement of purpose requires careful selection to craft a focused narrative. One way to do this is by building your text around a central theme—for example, a character trait, an intellectual interest, or a career goal.

This strategy helps structure your text and puts your priorities centre stage. Link each paragraph back to the central idea, making it clear how everything fits together.

Think about your structure

The structure of a statement of purpose is somewhat flexible, as long as you include all the relevant information in an order that makes sense.

For example, you might start with a chronological story of where your interests began, or you might open with your goals and then select a series of examples that show your capacity to achieve them. If you’re desperate to study in this specific program, you could lead with a summary of why it’s your ideal choice, and then elaborate on each aspect to show why you’re a perfect fit.

The important thing is that the text showcases your strengths and motivations in a compelling, coherent way. As in any other piece of academic writing, make sure each paragraph communicates one main idea, and that each sentence flows smoothly and logically from the last. Use transition words and topic sentences to move between paragraphs.

Add meaning to your resume

The bare facts of your achievements—grades, prizes, work experience—are already included in your graduate school resume and transcripts. Use the statement of purpose not to repeat yourself, but to add personal meaning and texture to these facts.

If you got top marks for your thesis, describe the research process and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the topic. If you completed an internship or participated in a project, explain what new skills you learned and which aspects you found most valuable. If you already have lots of experience in the field, show how each step developed your skills and shaped your current plans.

Revise, edit, proofread

Your statement of purpose isn’t only about the content—it’s also a chance to show that you can express yourself fluently, confidently and coherently in writing. Spend plenty of time revising, editing and proofreading your text before you submit.

Make sure you stay within the recommended length, and check if there are any specific formatting requirements. If not, use a standard 12pt font, 1-inch margins and 1.5 line spacing.

When you have a final draft, our professional statement of purpose proofreading service can offer an extra pair of eyes to make sure every sentence is perfect.

Proofread my statement of purpose

Checklist: Statement of purpose

My statement of purpose clearly responds to the prompt.

I have introduced my academic, professional and/or personal background.

I have described any relevant experience and shown my development over time.

I have highlighted key achievements that demonstrate my talents.

There is a clear connection between my previous experience and my future plans.

I have explained how the program will help me achieve my goals.

I have mentioned specific aspects of the program, department and institution that appeal to me.

Every paragraph focuses on one central idea.

The paragraphs are organized in a logical order and tell a clear, coherent story.

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If you want to know more about college essays , academic writing , and AI tools , make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

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How to Write a Statement of Purpose: Tips, Guidelines, and Statement of Purpose Examples

Success in college and grad school applications begins with knowing how to write a statement of purpose. A statement of purpose should succinctly express your goals, stand out among others, and convince the selection committee that you are well-suited for the program.

According to Statista, the projected number of master’s degree recipients for the 2022 to 2023 academic year is 836,000. The statement of purpose examples provided in this guide will help you shine in your college application and get into the graduate program of your dreams. Keep reading to learn some quick tips for beginning and ending a good statement of purpose.

Find your bootcamp match

What is a statement of purpose.

A statement of purpose is a graduate school application essay that articulates one’s interests, academic and professional experience, career goals, accomplishments, and reason for applying to the program. It is written by the prospective student and is a prerequisite for graduate and undergraduate college admissions.

A statement of purpose is your chance to tell the admissions committee who you are, how you can impact the academic community, and why you are an attractive candidate. If you want to get accepted into a good college , it is necessary to learn how to write a statement of purpose.

What Are the Parts of a Statement of Purpose?

• Introduction. You should start your statement of purpose by introducing yourself. Focus on your academic interests and what motivated you to pick your particular field. The admissions team has a large number of applications to review, so it’s vital to highlight your background and interest in your program of choice.
• A summary of your academic journey. Your academic record is a vital part of your statement of purpose. To qualify for a graduate program and start your chosen career path, you must state where you obtained your undergraduate degree. Place attention on your undergraduate thesis and how it has impacted your academic and career choices.
• A description of relevant experiences and accomplishments. Discuss relevant personal experience you have in your fields such as jobs, internships, or volunteer work, and indicate what your responsibilities were. This part of your essay should be original as it’s your chance to show a more personal side of yourself to the selection committee.
• Conclusion. End your statement of purpose by briefly stating your long-term goals . Explain how the program will prepare you to accomplish your future plans. Be clear and precise when you articulate your professional goals and ensure they relate to your program of choice.

How to Write a Statement of Purpose: Beginning and Ending

As with any piece of writing, it can be difficult to decide how to begin or end a statement of purpose. Read the guidelines below to learn how to keep your reader engaged from start to finish.

How to Begin a Statement of Purpose

If you’ve ever written a personal statement, writing a statement of purpose might seem quite similar. However, a statement of purpose is a formal academic piece that tells the reader about your career plans, not about who you are. It requires a slightly different approach. Your statement of purpose needs to stand out.

Your opening paragraph helps readers form their first impression of you and assess your academic proficiency. Starting with a famous short quote is a fun way to relate to the program or tell the committee relevant details about yourself. You want to highlight your academic interest, your passion for the field of study, and the motivating factor behind your choice of program.

How to End a Statement of Purpose

The closing paragraph must convey a sense of completeness and flow from the central theme of your essay. You should end your statement of purpose by restating its strongest points. Make sure not to include any information that shifts from the contents of the main body of the essay.

Show some enthusiasm by ending your statement of purpose on a positive note. Show the reader that you’re excited about the program and are prepared to take on the responsibilities that it entails. Ending your essay is just as important as starting it as it’s the impression that will linger for the admissions team.

How to Write a Statement of Purpose: 5 More Useful Tips

Don’t Tell Your Life Story

While you may be trying to intrigue the reader and catch their attention, avoid excessive storytelling in your essay. The admissions committee prefer concise essays that explain a person’s academic goals and career objectives, so don’t waste time sharing personal experiences that are irrelevant to your application.

Customize Your Essay

A common mistake many students make is using one essay as a template for all of their different school applications. Every school has diverse characteristics and requirements, so it’s important to customize your statement of purpose to suit each school or program. You want to show the team that you’re attentive to detail and not cutting corners.

Show Your Qualifications

You want to convince the reader that you are an ideal candidate for the program, so be elaborate and specific about the area of study you are interested in and show your qualifications. Include a summary of your academic journey, relevant extracurricular activities, accomplishments, and work experiences that relate to the program.

Use a Formal but Conversational Tone

You want to use a formal yet conversational tone when writing a statement of purpose. Although you want to be professional, your essay should also be conversational and engaging. Do your best to maintain a balance between incorporating the required information in a formal and concise way and letting the reader get a sense of your personality.

Proofread Your Essay

Proofreading is a critical phase in any writing process. Read over your statement of purpose several times to spot any grammatical errors or writing inconsistencies. We recommend having someone else proofread your essay to gain a third-person perspective and be prepared.

Statement of Purpose Examples to Help You Get Accepted Into College or Graduate School

Now that you’ve learned how to write a statement of purpose, we’ve drafted a few examples to help you write a strong statement of purpose and nail your graduate school application.

Statement of Purpose Example 1: Culinary Arts Statement of Purpose

“A recipe has no soul. You as the cook must bring soul to the recipe.” I was eight years old and the youngest at the kid’s culinary camp when I first heard this quote by Thomas Keller. I remember writing it down and immediately picturing what it would look like engraved on the wall of my restaurant. That’s the day I knew I wanted to be a cook. My high school days exposed me to recreational cooking classes where I gained hands-on experience and knowledge about different elements of the food industry. My interest in culinary arts was further fueled by encounters I had with culinary entrepreneurs from around the world, from winemakers in France and chefs in Mexico to local food truck owners across my street.

I developed my leadership skills when I started a cooking club at my high school. I followed this ambition to college where I hosted the school’s first mini chef-style competition. My culinary journey continued when I took up cooking as a community service project and volunteered at a homeless shelter in California. I learned about flavors from different cultures, which I hope to share with guests at my restaurant, someday. This experience motivated me to take a course in sustainable food and agriculture, fulfilling my intellectual curiosity about food and nutritional security.

One of the driving factors behind seeking admission into your culinary program is the prospect of working with Chef André. His intriguing recipes and diet planners are promising areas for advanced study on sustainable diet and food security. I would be thrilled to work with him and explore my interest in these topics. I am also drawn to your extensive curriculum featuring culinary innovations, and your yearly seminars and conferences that bring together the best culinary experts from around the world. With my academic background, experience, and passion for culinary arts, I believe I am a perfect candidate for your program.

I am very proud of my ability to carry my passion for culinary arts from my childhood to this stage with the limited resources that I had. When I visit the cities of New York and California, I feel connected with my culinary journey, which further fuels my passion. With this program, I aim to acquire skills that are crucial to the evolution of my practice as a professional chef and restaurant owner.

Statement of Purpose Example 2: Mechanical Engineering Statement of Purpose

My journey to mechanical engineering began with an obsession with taking apart and rebuilding random objects around my family house. Soon after, this curiosity metamorphosed into an overarching desire to become a part of the engineering community. My passion for building began to evolve into creating. I was modifying everyday objects to make them look less conventional. By the time I was 17, I had built a remote-control mini drone.

My undergraduate studies in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Denver Institute of Technology have provided me with vast knowledge about different areas of the engineering field, such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and machinery kinetics. In college, I was focused on creating designs that improved the efficiency and safety of objects rather than just modifying their appearance. For my undergraduate project, I designed and fabricated a burglary-proof door. For about a year and a half, I worked as a junior engineer at Hawks Automobile. My responsibilities involved research before I was transferred to the design team after a few months. Some of my designs were integrated into their inventions and I hope to create more designs for future innovations across top-level engineering companies.

With my experience in both the academic and industry aspects of mechanical engineering, I look forward to working with experts to design prototypes that solve more complex human problems. I am certain that your master’s program will give me the skills and knowledge I need to excel as a trained professional in the engineering industry. The insights I will have learned from your program will equip me to tackle industry-level challenges with interdisciplinary solutions. This will help me gain a competitive advantage in the mechanical engineering job field.

Engineering has been an essential part of my life. I look forward to deepening my understanding of engineering concepts from a research perspective to reinforce my drive and natural predisposition to the field of mechanical engineering.

How to Use Statement of Purpose Examples to Write Your Own

Using a sample statement provided, you should be able to write a powerful statement of purpose that will leave a lasting impression on the admissions officers. Follow the guidelines and steps outlined in this article to write an original, motivating and truthful statement of purpose.

Now that you know how to write an effective statement of purpose, you’re one step closer to confidently acing the admissions process and walking through the gates of your dream school. We recommend you get acquainted with commonly asked college interview questions and have a look at the US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ employment outlook for graduate-level occupations .

How to Write a Statement of Purpose FAQ

No, a statement of purpose does not require any title or labels. The most important function of a statement of purpose is to express the candidate’s academic interest, future career goals, and reasons for wanting to join their program of choice.

A typical statement of purpose has an average word count of 800-1000 words and should not go beyond one to two pages. However, the range of 800-1000 words is not the standard word count, as some schools set their minimum word count to 500 and the maximum word count to 1200 words. Make sure to read the application instructions carefully.

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No, you don’t need to write your name on a statement of purpose unless otherwise stated in the application instructions. Your essay is one part of the admissions bundle required by the admissions office during the application process. Your application already contains your name, so you do not need to include it in the statement of purpose.

A statement of purpose is important because it’s a requisite for prospective students. It helps articulate your interests and goals and is one of the defining factors in whether or not you’re admitted into your dream school. For these reasons, it’s important to have a carefully crafted statement of purpose.

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College Application Essay Writing

Statement Of Purpose

How to Write a Strong Statement of Purpose for Any Program

Published on: Mar 2, 2021

Last updated on: Apr 18, 2024

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Are you a student looking to apply for graduate school? One of the most important documents you'll need is a statement of purpose. 

This brief essay is your chance to showcase your passion, skills, and qualifications to the admissions committee. But with so much riding on this document, it can be daunting to know where to start.

In this blog post, we'll guide you through the process of writing an effective statement of purpose. We'll cover everything from understanding the SOP to crafting a narrative that will grab the attention of the admissions committee.

So if you're ready to take the first step toward your future career, let's get started!

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What is a Statement of Purpose?

A Statement of Purpose (SoP) is a written document that outlines an individual's goals, experiences, motivations, and qualifications. 

It is typically required as part of the application process for admission to educational institutions, such as universities or graduate schools. It may also be requested for certain job applications or research positions.

The purpose of an SOP is to help the admissions committee to understand your background, interests, aspirations, and your suitability for the program.

How Long is a Statement of Purpose?

A statement of purpose (SOP) typically ranges from 500 to 1,000 words, although some institutions might have specific length requirements. It's important to adhere to any guidelines provided by the institution or program to which you're applying. 

The aim is to convey your background, your goals concisely, and why you're interested in the particular program or institution.

Here is an informative video explaining the statement of purpose in detail. Check out:

Statement of Purpose Format 

The format for a Statement of Purpose (SoP) generally includes several key elements. There might be variations depending on the institution or program requirements.

Let's take a look at the commonly accepted statement of purpose template here:

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How to Write a Statement of Purpose - Step by Step 

Writing an effective statement of purpose can be a tiring task, but it doesn't have to be. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to write an effective statement of purpose:

Step 1: Brainstorm The Ideas

• The first step is to brainstorm and gather your thoughts . Identify key aspects of your personal and academic journey that align with the four parts: introduction, undergraduate and previous graduate career, recent and current activities, and academic interests.
• Reflect on experiences that have shaped your motivations and interests.

Ask yourself the following questions: 

• Why do I want this degree?
• What do I hope to achieve with it?
• What excites me about the courses or program?
• Where do I see myself going with this degree?
• How do my experiences make me valuable to the program?

Note down your answers to these questions as a starting point for a smoother beginning.

Step 2: Develop a Clear Outline

Next, create a structured outline that encompasses the different parts of your Statement of Purpose. Utilize the ideas identified in the brainstorming phase and incorporate them into an effective outline, ensuring a clear and organized flow in your writing.

Your outline should have clear sections for:

1. Introduction

• Begin with an attention-grabbing hook to captivate your reader.
• Introduce yourself briefly, establishing a connection between your background and your motivation for pursuing graduate school.
• Showcase your field-related experiences and accomplishments with real examples. 
• Example 1: [Provide a concise, specific example from your experiences.]
• Example 2: [Illustrate another relevant accomplishment or experience.]
• Example 3: [Include a third concrete example that highlights your qualifications.]

Outline your professional goals, aligning them with the program's objectives. Express your genuine interest in the specific school, offering tangible reasons, and articulating the unique value you bring to the program. Use specific details, such as faculty members, research opportunities, or program features.

3. Conclusion

• Summarize the information presented in the body concisely.
• Emphasize your qualifications and underscore the alignment between your goals and the strengths of the school. Consider mentioning how your unique experiences contribute to the program.

Step 3: Write The First Draft

Now that you have a structured outline, it's time to bring your Statement of Purpose to life by writing the first draft. This initial draft is your opportunity to communicate your unique identity, motivations, and aspirations. 

Remember, this is more than just a recitation of facts; it's a chance to set yourself apart from other applicants.

When crafting your first draft, keep the following points in mind, expanding on the given sample text:

• What Drives You: Provide insight into what drives you, whether it's professional advancement, personal growth, or a combination of both. Share a brief personal story or experience that illustrates your passion and motivation.
• Interest in the School: Demonstrate your genuine interest in the school by highlighting unique features of the program that resonate with you. For instance, if applying to Harvard, express excitement about experiential learning and how you envision tackling real-world projects in your desired industry.
• Be Authentic: Be yourself. While keeping your audience in mind, let your personality shine through. Showcase authenticity to help the admissions committee understand who you are and why your unique perspective will contribute value to the program.

Remember, your Statement of Purpose is your narrative. It's an opportunity to tell your story in your own words beyond the data found in transcripts and resumes. Make your draft engaging, personal, and a true reflection of your aspirations and suitability for the program.

Step 4: Edit And Refine Your Work 

Once you've completed the first draft, it's time to refine your Statement of Purpose:

• Review each section for clarity, coherence, and relevance. Ensure that your writing effectively communicates your passion and qualifications.
• Check for consistency in tone and style throughout the document.
• Seek feedback from mentors, peers, or advisors to gain different perspectives and insights.
• Revise and polish your draft, paying attention to grammar, punctuation, and overall presentation. Make sure your Statement of Purpose is error-free and professionally presented.

By adapting the general steps to include the specific parts you've outlined, you can create a well-structured Statement of Purpose.

Statement of Purpose Examples 

Here are some strong statement of purpose samples to get you inspired:

Statement of Purpose for Internship

Statement of Purpose Sample

Statement of Purpose for MBA

Statement of Purpose Ph.D.

Statement of Purpose for Scholarship

Statement of Purpose for Masters

Tips for Writing a Strong Statement of Purpose

Here are some quick tips for writing a strong statement of purpose for graduate school:

• Tailor to the Program: Customize your statement for each graduate program, highlighting why you are an excellent fit.
• Highlight Research Interests: Clearly articulate your research interests, showcasing a strong connection between your goals and the program.
• Demonstrate a Good Fit: Illustrate how your academic background aligns with the graduate school's mission and values.
• Address Graduate Studies: Explicitly state your motivation to pursue graduate study and how it aligns with your undergraduate studies.
• Be Specific: Provide concrete examples to support your claims, illustrating your achievements and experiences.
• Show Enthusiasm: Convey genuine enthusiasm for the program and explain why it stands out among others.
• Craft a Cohesive Narrative: Create a cohesive story that connects your past experiences, current aspirations, and future goals.
• Professional Tone: Maintain a professional tone throughout your statement, showcasing your serious commitment to academic pursuits.
• Proofread Thoroughly: Eliminate errors and ensure clarity by proofreading your statement thoroughly before submission.

By following these tips, your graduate school statement of purpose will effectively convey your suitability for the program.

Final Thoughts on Statement of Purpose!

Writing a statement of purpose is an important step in your graduate school application process. Your statement of purpose should showcase your skills, experience, and goals to the faculty members reviewing your application. 

It is essential to understand the statement of purpose meaning and how to craft a compelling and professional statement. 

We hope that this guide will help you and increase your chances of being accepted as a graduate student. 

If you need further assistance with your statement of purpose, CollegeEssay.org is here to help. 

Contact our team of expert writers for top-notch essay service today to get the help you need!

Frequently Asked Questions

What tone should be maintained in an sop.

Maintain a professional and focused tone in your Statement of Purpose (SoP). Be sincere and articulate, showcasing your commitment to academic and professional pursuits.

What is the difference between a personal statement and a statement of purpose?

A personal statement often emphasizes personal experiences, motivations, and aspirations, while a Statement of Purpose (SoP) tends to focus on academic and professional goals, research interests, and alignment with a specific program.

Is it appropriate to express passion for multiple aspects of a program in the SoP?

It's appropriate to express passion for multiple aspects of a program in an SoP, but ensure each aspect is connected to your overall narrative. Maintain a balance to avoid diluting the focus and demonstrate a clear connection between your interests and the program's offerings.

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Barbara is a highly educated and qualified author with a Ph.D. in public health from an Ivy League university. She has spent a significant amount of time working in the medical field, conducting a thorough study on a variety of health issues. Her work has been published in several major publications.

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College Statement of Purpose Writing: How to Craft an Ideal One

What is a college statement of purpose.

The college statement of purpose is a personal essay that enables students to express their motivations, academic objectives, and future career plans. It is a golden opportunity to introduce yourself to the admissions committee beyond the confines of test scores and transcripts. This document highlights your individuality, passions, and unique perspectives, making it an indispensable element of your college application.

Why Should Students Write a College Statement of Purpose?

The College SoP is your canvas to paint a vivid picture of your potential as a student and your alignment with the institution’s values. Admission officers seek students who will not only thrive academically but also contribute to the campus community positively. Your SOP offers a glimpse into your character, resilience, and the life experiences that have shaped your ambitions. By writing a compelling SOP, you get a chance to make an indelible impression that could tip the scales in your favor during the admissions process.

College Statement of Purpose vs. College Application Essay vs. University SoP

While the terms “College Statement of Purpose,” “College Application Essay,” and “University SoP” are often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences in their focus and purpose.

College Statement of Purpose: This essay specifically centers around your academic and career goals, emphasizing your reasons for applying to a particular college or university.

College Application Essay: This broader essay may prompt you to share a significant life experience, delve into your personal values, or discuss a specific topic. It focuses on revealing your personality rather than academic ambitions.

University SOP: Similar to the College SOP, the University SOP is generally used for graduate school applications. It delves deeper into your research interests, professional background, and your fit with a particular graduate program.

How to Start a College SOP: Captivating Openings

The opening paragraph of your College Statement of Purpose (SOP) is your chance to grab the reader’s attention and set the tone for the rest of your essay. A compelling start can leave a lasting impression and make your application stand out among the sea of candidates. Here are a few examples of attention-grabbing phrases to kick-start your college SOP:

• Engaging Anecdote: “In the bustling streets of my hometown, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of healthcare accessibility, sparking within me an unwavering commitment to make a difference in the lives of underserved communities.”
• Thought-Provoking Question: “What does it truly mean to impact the world? As I stand at the cusp of my college journey, this question echoes in my mind, driving my unwavering pursuit of knowledge and the desire to create meaningful change.”
• Powerful Quote: “As Maya Angelou once said, ‘You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.’ Embracing this wisdom, I stand before you, ready to embrace the challenges and growth that come with my college experience.”
• Vivid Description: “The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the vast expanse of knowledge awaiting me. With boundless curiosity and a heart brimming with passion, I step onto the threshold of my college journey.”
• Personal Reflection: “Throughout my life, the pursuit of knowledge has been a beacon of light, guiding me through moments of uncertainty and inspiring me to dream big. Now, as I prepare to embark on my college journey, I carry with me the unwavering belief in the power of education to shape the world.”

Remember, the opening paragraph is your chance to showcase your unique voice and set the stage for a captivating narrative. Choose a phrase that resonates with your experiences and passions, and let it lead the way towards an exceptional college SOP.

What Does a College Statement of Purpose Consist Of?

A well-crafted College SOP typically contains the following components:

• Introduction: A captivating opening that hooks the reader and introduces your academic interests and passion for the chosen field.
• Academic Background: A concise summary of your academic achievements, relevant coursework, and any exceptional experiences.
• Motivation and Goals: Clearly articulate your motivations for pursuing higher education, your specific goals, and how the college aligns with these aspirations.
• Extracurricular Involvement: Highlight your engagement in extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and community service, demonstrating your well-roundedness.
• Relevant Experiences: Share any relevant work experiences, internships, or research projects that have influenced your career choice.
• Fit with the College: Show how the college’s values, culture, and academic programs resonate with your personal and academic ambitions.
• Conclusion: Summarize your key points and reiterate your enthusiasm for joining the college.

Basic Length, Format, and Structure Requirements

The length of a College SOP can vary, but it is generally around 500 to 750 words. Adhere to the college’s guidelines and word limits, as exceeding them may reflect poorly on your ability to follow instructions.

The format is usually standard, with a clear font, one-inch margins, and double-spacing. Avoid using fancy fonts or excessively bold styling, as it may distract from your content.

The structure should follow a logical flow, starting with a captivating introduction, followed by well-organized paragraphs that transition seamlessly, and concluding with a memorable closing statement.

The Most Popular Questions to Answer in Your College SOP

• What inspires you to pursue higher education? Discuss the key factors that drive your passion for learning and personal growth.
• What are your academic and career goals? Explain your long-term objectives and how obtaining a degree from the college will help you achieve them.
• What sets you apart from other applicants? Emphasize your unique qualities, experiences, and perspectives that contribute to the college’s diverse community.
• How will you contribute to the college community? Showcase your potential contributions to campus life, clubs, organizations, or initiatives.
• Why did you choose this specific college? Demonstrate your research and knowledge about the college, including its programs, faculty, and opportunities.

Other Things to Consider in Your College SOP

• Be Authentic: Be true to yourself and avoid embellishing or fabricating experiences. Admissions officers can usually discern sincerity from insincerity.
• Showcase Growth: Discuss challenges you’ve faced and how you’ve overcome them, highlighting personal growth and resilience.
• Relevance is Key : Stay focused on the college application; avoid discussing unrelated or controversial topics.
• Proofreading and Editing: Eliminate grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and awkward phrasing. Seek feedback from teachers, counselors, or family members.

How to Properly Finish Your College SOP

The conclusion of your College SOP is your final opportunity to leave a lasting impression. Instead of simply summarizing your points, aim to end on a strong note that reinforces your passion and commitment to contributing to the college community. Consider expressing gratitude for the admissions committee’s time and reaffirming your excitement about potentially joining the college.

Empower Your Journey with a Stellar College Statement of Purpose

Your College Statement of Purpose can be a game-changer in the competitive college application process. Embrace this opportunity to showcase your unique voice, aspirations, and determination. By crafting a compelling and authentic SOP, you can captivate the admissions committee and embark on an enriching academic journey that aligns perfectly with your goals. So, seize the pen and paint the masterpiece that will lead you to your dreams. Good luck!

Writing a good statement of purpose for college admission

As your student applies to various colleges, they may be asked to write a statement of purpose. Also known as a personal statement or application essay, a statement of purpose is an opportunity for your student to explain to admission representatives who they are, their interests and accomplishments, their academic and personal goals, what they bring to their academic program, and the “why” behind their academic aspirations.

With the following guidance, your student can write a well-crafted statement of purpose that will increase their odds of getting into their desired college.

Your student will want to follow the statement of purpose parameters provided by the college, including word count, formatting, font size, etc. Following these instructions demonstrates to the college that your student can be counted on to pay attention to detail, and that will help increase their chances of admission.

The content

Every application will have its own specific instructions, but a basic content outline can look like this:

Introduction

Your student should share a little about their background — who they are, where they’re from and how they arrived at this moment. They can mention something unique that sets them apart, whether that’s a fun fact or a personal interest. They’ll also want to show the college how they’re prepared for higher education.

Their areas of interest

Your student’s statement of purpose should include a section about what they’re interested in and why. The “why” part is important as it will help explain their motivations. Maybe when they were young they loved taking things apart and figuring out how they work, and now they want to get into engineering. They should explain these things in their essay.

Once your student explains what they’re interested in, they should focus on their ambitions — what do they want to do after studying their area of interest? Continuing our engineering example, in this section the student should explain what they want to do as an engineer, e.g., build car motors, design high-tech products, etc.

Why this university

There are thousands of universities. Why does your student want to attend this one? They should be prepared to answer such a question. Maybe this university offers the program they’re interested in, or it has a good reputation in engineering. Whatever their reason, your student should explain why they want to go there.

What they’ll bring to the university. Attending college is a two-way street. College can offer your student a great deal, but what can your student offer the college? Probably plenty. This is the section of the statement of purpose where your student can sell themself. Did they get good grades in high school? Participate in extracurriculars? Volunteer or work while in high school? Colleges are always on the lookout for well-rounded students who can thrive at their institutions. Your student should show that they are that type of student by discussing all they’ve accomplished and been involved in during high school.

Closing. Your student should wrap up their statement of purpose by summing up everything they highlighted and thanking the admission representative for their time and consideration.

Your student will want to make their statement of purpose stand out. Here are some tips from the pros that can help:

Keep it concise

College admission representatives read a lot of statements of purpose. They’ll appreciate your student keeping the wordiness to a minimum. That’s not to say your student should cut important information from their statement of purpose. They should just cut the extra words. Have them read through it a couple times and keep cutting. There are always places where they can make the copy shorter and more precise.

Organize and edit

Your student will want to make sure that their copy flows well and that there are no typos, grammatical mistakes or punctuation problems. If grammar isn’t your student’s forte, they should consider having it edited and proofread by someone with an editing background, either a friend or possibly even hiring an editor.

Make it personal and original

Your student should write from the heart. Even if they’re not the most confident writer, an admission representative can tell when they’re being genuine. And they should not even consider using a program such as ChatGPT to write their statement of purpose for them. Not only is it ethically wrong, but artificial intelligence can’t capture the originality that only your student can communicate.

Your student’s statement of purpose is an important piece of their admission application for those colleges that require it. But it need not be intimidating. A concise, well-written, honest statement is the name of the game.

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Gre prep online guides and tips, 7 successful statement of purpose examples.

Not sure what graduate schools are looking for in a statement of purpose? Looking at successful graduate school statement of purpose samples can help! In this guide, we’ll orient you to what makes a great statement of purpose or letter of intent for graduate school. Then we’ll provide you with four successful statement of purpose examples from our graduate school experts. We’ll also provide analysis of what makes them successful. Finally, we’ll direct you to even more helpful examples that you can find online!

The Graduate School Statement of Purpose: An Overview

A statement of purpose (also called a letter of intent or a research statement) introduces your interests and experience to the admissions committee. For research-focused programs, like most PhDs and many master’s degrees, your statement of purpose will focus primarily on your past research experience and plans. For more professionally-focused graduate programs, your statement of purpose will primarily discuss how your pursuit of this professional program relates to your past experiences, and how you will use the skills from the program in your future career.

A statement of purpose for grad school is also where you sell the admissions committee on why you belong in their program specifically. Why do you fit there, and how does what they offer fit your interests?

What’s in a Great Grad School Statement of Purpose?

Here are the essential elements of a strong graduate school statement of purpose:

Clear Articulation of Goals and Interests

A strong statement of purpose will clearly and specifically lay out your goals in undertaking the program and what you hope to accomplish with the degree. Again, for a research-focused program, this will focus primarily on the research project(s) you want to undertake while you are there. For a more professional program, discuss what interests you within the professional field and what skills/knowledge you hope to gain through the program.

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You should be as specific as possible in discussing what interests you. Use examples of particular phenomena, tools, or situations that you find exciting. If you are vague or say that everything in the field interests you, you run the risk of seeming unfocused or not actually that passionate.

Don’t worry that being too specific will box you into a particular research area or subfield during your entire tenure in graduate school. Your program understands that interests change—they won’t be pulling out your research statement to cross-reference with your dissertation proposal!

Evidence of Past Experience and Success

A great graduate school statement of purpose will also show programs that you have already been successful. They want applicants that will be able to follow through on their research/professional plans!

To this end, you’ll need to provide evidence of how your background qualifies you to pursue this program and your specific interests in the field. You’ll probably discuss your undergraduate studies and any professional experience you have. But be sure to draw on specific, vivid examples.  You might draw on your thesis, major projects you’ve worked on, papers you have written/published, presentations you’ve given, mentors you’ve worked with, and so on. This gives admissions committees concrete evidence that you are qualified to undertake graduate study!

Interest and Fit With the Program

The third essential ingredient to a great statement of purpose is to clearly lay out why you and the program are a good fit. You should be able to identify both specific reasons why your work fits with the program and why the program suits your work/interests! Are there particular professors you’d like to work with? Does the department have a strong tradition in a certain methodology or theory you’re interested in? Is there a particular facet to the curriculum that you’d like to experience?

Showing that you and the program are a match shows that you chose the program thoughtfully and have genuine interest in it. Programs want to admit students who aren’t just passionate about the field. They want students who are genuinely enthused about their specific program and positioned to get the most out of what they have to offer.

Strong Writing

The final essential piece of a strong statement of purpose or letter of intent is strong writing. Writing skills are important for all graduate programs. You’ll need to demonstrate that you can clearly and effectively communicate your ideas in a way that flows logically. Additionally, you should show that you know how to write in a way that is descriptive but concise. A statement of purpose shouldn’t ever be longer than two pages, even without a hard word limit.

Admissions committees for humanities programs may be a little more focused on writing style than admissions officers for STEM programs. But even in quantitative and science-focused fields, written communication skills are an essential part of graduate school. So a strong statement of purpose will always be effectively written. You’ll see this in our statement of purpose for graduate school samples.

Real, Successful Statement of Purpose Samples

In this section, we’ll present four successful graduate school statement of purpose examples from our graduate school experts, along with a brief commentary on each statement. These statements come from a diverse selection of program types to show you how the core essentials of a statement of purpose can be implemented differently for different fields.

Note: identifying information for these statements have been changed—except for example four, which is my statement.

• Statement of Purpose Sample One: Japanese Studies MA

This statement of purpose is notable for its great use of space and its vivid descriptions. The author is able to cram a lot into about a page. She discusses how she came to her two primary research interests (and how they are connected). She integrates this discussion of her interests with information on her past experiences and qualifications for pursuing the course of study. Finally, she includes details on her goals in pursuing the program and components of the program that interest her. Her examples are specific and fleshed-out. There’s a lot very cleverly included in a small amount of page space!

Additionally, the language is very vivid. Phrases like “evocative and visceral” and “steadily unraveling,” are eye-catching and intriguing. They demonstrate that she has the writing skills necessary to pursue both graduate study and her interest in translation.

• Statement of Purpose Sample Two: Music MM

This sample is fairly long, although at 12 point Times New Roman it’s under two pages single-spaced. The length of this statement is partially due to the somewhat expansive nature of the prompt, which asks what role music has played in the applicant’s life “to date.” This invites applicants to speak more about experiences further in the past (in the childhood and teen years) than is typical for a statement of purpose. Given that this is for a master’s degree in music, this is logical; musical study is typically something that is undertaken at a fairly young age.

This statement does an excellent job describing the student’s past experiences with music in great detail. The descriptions of the student’s past compositions and experiences performing new music are particularly vivid and intriguing.

This statement also lays out and elaborates on specific goals the student hopes to pursue through the program, as well as features particular to the program that interest the student (like particular professors).

• Statement of Purpose Sample Three: Economics PhD

One of the first things you’ll likely notice about this statement is that it’s a little on the longer side. However, at 12 point Times New Roman font and single-spaced, it still comes in under 2 pages (excluding references). It makes sense for a PhD statement of purpose sample to be longer than a master’s degree statement of purpose—there’s more to lay out in terms of research interests!

The writing style is fairly straightforward—there’s definitely a stronger focus on delivering content than flashy writing style. As Economics is a more quantitative-focused field, this is fine. But the writing is still well-organized, clear, and error-free.

The writer also gives numerous examples of their past work and experience, and shows off their knowledge of the field through references, which is a nice touch.

• Statement of Purpose Sample Four: History of the Book MA

This is actually my statement of purpose. It was for a program that I got accepted to but did not end up attending, for a Master’s in the History of the Book. You’ll notice that the two essay prompts essentially asked us to split our statement of purpose into two parts: the first prompt asked about our research interests and goals, and the second prompt asked about our relevant experience and qualifications.

I’ll keep my comments on this graduate school statement of purpose sample brief because I’ll do a deep dive on it in the next section. But looking back at my statement of purpose, I do a good job outlining what within the field interests me and clearly laying out how my past experiences have qualified me for the program.

Obviously this statement did its job, since I was accepted to the program. However, if I were to improve this statement, I’d change the cliche beginning  (“since I was a child”) and provide more specificity in what about the program interested me.

Deep Dive Analysis of a Sample Statement of Purpose for Graduate School

Next, we’ll do a paragraph by paragraph analysis of my statement, statement of purpose sample four. I’ll analyze its strengths and suggest ways I could shore up any weaknesses to make it even stronger.

Essay 1: Academic Interests

To refresh, here’s the first prompt: Please give a short statement that describes your academic interests, purpose, objectives and motivation in undertaking this postgraduate study. (max 3500 chars – approx. 500 words)

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Paragraph 1

Since I was a child, my favorite thing has always been a book. Not just for the stories and information they contain, although that is a large part of it. Mostly, I have been fascinated by the concept of book as object—a tangible item whose purpose is to relate intangible ideas and images. Bookbindings and jackets, different editions, the marginalia in a used book—all of these things become part of the individual book and its significance, and are worth study and consideration. Books and their equivalent forms—perfect bound, scrolled, stone tablets, papyrus—have long been an essential part of material culture and are also one of our most significant sources of information about the human historical past. Through both the literal object of the book, the words contained thereon, and its relationship to other books—forms of context, text and intertext—we are able to learn and hopefully manage layers of information with which we would otherwise have no familiarity.

First, the good: this paragraph does a good job introducing my academic interest in the book-as-object, and shows off pre-existing knowledge both of the study of material culture and literary theory. Additionally, the language is engaging: the juxtaposition of “tangible” and “intangible” in the beginning and phrases like “perfect bound, scrolled, stone tablets, papyrus” lend life to the writing and keep the reader engaged.

If I were to go back and improve this paragraph, first, I would absolutely change the first sentence to something less cliche than talking about my childhood. I might try something like “My love of books is a multifaceted thing. I don’t only love them for the stories and….” Second, I would chill out on the em dashes a little bit. Three sets in one paragraph is a little excessive. Finally, I might actually cut this paragraph down slightly to make more room word-wise later in the statement to discuss what specific things about the program interest me.

Paragraph 2

Furthermore, blogs, webcomics, digital archives, e-readers, and even social media sites like tumblr and Facebook have revolutionized the concept of the book by changing how we share and transmit ideas and information, just as the Gutenberg printing press revolutionized the book all those years ago in the fifteenth century. Once again there has been an explosion both in who can send out information and who can receive it.

This paragraph briefly and effectively introduces my other main academic interest: how new technology has changed the concept of the book-as-object. The tie-back to the printing press is a nice touch; it’s a vivid example that shows that I’m aware of important historical moments in book history.

Paragraph 3

I am deeply interested in the preservation of the physical book, as I think it is an important part of human history (not to mention a satisfying sensory experience for the reader). However I am also very concerned with the digitization and organization of information for the modern world such that the book, in all of its forms, stays relevant and easy to access and use. Collections of books, archives, and information as stored in the world’s servers, libraries and museums are essential resources that need to be properly organized and administered to be fully taken advantage of by their audiences. My purpose in applying to the University of Edinburgh’s Material Culture and History of the Book is to gain the skills necessary to keep all forms of the book relevant and functional in an age when information can move more radically than ever before.

This paragraph actually has a focus problem. Since it covers two topics, I should split it into two paragraphs: one on the integration of my two interests, and one on my goals and interests in the program. I could also stand to expand on what features the program has that interest me: professors I’d like to work with, particular aspects of the curriculum, etc.

In spite of these things, however, this paragraph does a good job clearly integrating the two academic interests related to the book I introduced in the first two paragraphs. And the language is still strong —“satisfying sensory experience” is a great phrase. However, I’ve been using the word “information,” a lot; I might try to replace with appropriate synonyms (like “knowledge”) in a couple of places.

Paragraph 4

Additionally, I intend on pursuing a PhD in Library and Information Sciences upon completion of my master’s and I feel that this program while make me uniquely suited to approach library science from a highly academic and interdisciplinary perspective.

This final paragraph offers just quick touch on my future goals beyond the program. It’s typically fine for this to be relatively brief, as it is here, just so long as you can clearly identify some future goals.

Essay 2: Relevant Experience

The second prompt just asked me to describe my relevant knowledge, training, and skills.

As a folklore and mythology student, I have gained a robust understanding of material culture and how it relates to culture as a whole. I have also learned about the transmission of ideas, information, stories and pieces of lore among and between populations, which is an important component of book history. Folklore is also deeply concerned with questions of the literary vs. oral lore and the tendency for text to “canonize” folklore, and yet text can also question or invert canonized versions; along with this my studies in my focus field of religion and storytelling have been deeply concerned with intertextuality. One of my courses was specifically concerned with the Heian-period Japanese novel The Tale of Genji and questions of translation and representation in post-Heian picture scrolls and also modern translations and manga. In addition to broader cultural questions concerned with gender and spirituality both in historical Japan and now, we considered the relationships between different Genji texts and images.

This is a strong, focused paragraph. I relate my academic background in Folklore and Mythology to my interests in studying the book, as well as showing off some of my knowledge in the area. I also chose and elaborated on a strong example (my class on the Tale of Genji ) of my relevant coursework.

I also have work experience that lends itself to the study of the book. After my freshman year of college I interned at the Chicago History Museum. Though I was in the visitor services department I was exposed to the preservation and archival departments of the museum and worked closely with the education department, which sparked my interest in archival collections and how museums present collection information to the public. After my sophomore year of college and into my junior year, I worked at Harvard’s rare books library, Houghton. At Houghton I prepared curated collections for archival storage. These collections were mostly comprised of the personal papers of noteworthy individuals, categorized into alphabetical folders. This experience made me very process-oriented and helped me to understand how collections come together on a holistic basis.

This paragraph also has a clear focus: my past, relevant work experience. Discussing archival collections and presenting information to the public links the interests discussed in my first statement with my qualifications in my second statement. However, if I were to revise this paragraph, I would add some specific examples of the amazing things I worked on and handled at Houghton Library. In that job, I got to touch Oliver Cromwell’s death mask! An interesting example would make this paragraph really pop even more.

Finally, in my current capacity as an education mentor in Allston, a suburb of Boston, I have learned the value of book history and material culture from an educational perspective. As a mentor who designs curriculum for individual students and small groups, I have learned to highly value clearly organized and useful educational resources such as websites, iPad apps, and books as tools for learning. By managing and organizing collections in a way that makes sense we are making information accessible to those who need it.

This final paragraph discusses my current (at the time) work experience in education and how that ties into my interest in the history of the book. It’s an intriguing connection and also harkens back to my discussion of information availability in the paragraph three of the first statement. Again, if I were to amp up this statement even more, I might include a specific example of a book-based (or book technology-based) project I did with one of my students. I worked on things like bookbinding and making “illuminated manuscripts” with some of my students; those would be interesting examples here.

This statement is split into two parts by virtue of the two-prompt format. However, if I were to integrate all of this information into one unified statement of purpose, I would probably briefly introduce my research interests, go in-depth on my background, then circle back around to speak more about my personal interests and goals and what intrigues me about the program. There’s not really one correct way to structure a statement of purpose just so long as it flows well and paragraphs are structured in a logical way: one topic per paragraph, with a clear topic and concluding sentence.

More Statement of Purpose Examples

We’ve provided you with four great graduate school statement of purpose examples from our graduate school experts. However, if you’re looking for more, there are other sample letters of intent and statements of purpose for graduate school online. We’ve rounded up the best ones here, along with some strengths and weaknesses about each example.

Majortests Statement of Purpose Sample

This is a fairly straightforward, clearly written statement of purpose sample for a biology program. It includes useful commentary after each paragraph about what this statement of purpose is accomplishing.

• This statement of purpose sample is well-organized, with clear topic sentences and points made in each paragraph.
• The student clearly identifies what interests her about the program.
• The student proactively addresses questions about why she hasn’t gone directly to graduate school, and frames her professional research experience as a positive thing.
• She gives a tiny bit of color about her personality in a relevant way by discussing her involvement with the Natural History Society.
• In general, discussing high school interests is too far back in time unless the anecdote is very interesting or unusual. The detail about The Theory of Evolution is intriguing; the information about the high school teacher seems irrelevant. The student should have condensed this paragraph into a sentence or two.
• While this statement is cogently written and makes the candidate sound competent and well-qualified, it’s not exactly the most scintillating piece of writing out there. Some of the constructions are a little awkward or cliche. For example, the “many people have asked me” sentence followed by “the answer is” is a little bit clunky. This is probably fine for a STEM program. But just be aware that this statement is not a paragon of writing style.

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UC Berkeley History Statement of Purpose Sample

This is a graduate school statement of purpose example from the UC Berkeley History department’s PhD program, with annotations from a professor as to why it’s a successful statement.

• The author is able to very clearly and articulately lay out her research interests and link them to past work she has successfully completed, namely, her thesis.
• She is able to identify several things about the program and Berkeley that indicate why it is a good fit for her research interests.
• She addresses the time she spent away from school and frames it as a positive, emphasizing that her use of time was well-considered and productive.
• Her writing is very vivid, with excellent word choice and great imagery.

While very well-written and engaging, this sample statement of purpose for graduate school is a little bit on the long side! It’s a little over two single-spaced pages, which is definitely pushing the limits of acceptable length. Try to keep yours at 2 pages or less. Some of the information on the thesis (which comprises over half of the statement of purpose) could be condensed to bring it down to two pages.

Pharmacy Residency Letter of Intent Sample

This is not technically a sample letter of intent for graduate school because it’s actually for a pharmacy residency program. However, this example still provides illumination as to what makes a decent graduate school letter of intent sample.

• This is a serviceable letter of intent: the writer clearly lays out their own goals within the field of pharmacy, what qualifications they have and how they’ve arrived at their interests, and how the program fits their needs.
• The writing is clearly structured and well-organized.
• The main weakness is that some of the writer’s statements come across as fairly generic. For example, “The PGY-1 Residency Program at UO Hospitals will provide me with the opportunity to further develop my clinical knowledge, critical thinking, teaching, research, and leadership skills” is a generic statement that could apply to any residency program. A punchier, more program-specific conclusion would have amped up this letter.
• While the writer does a decent job providing examples of their activities, like working as a tutor and attending the APhA conference, more specificity and detail in these examples would make the statement more memorable.
• There’s a typo in the last paragraph —a “to” that doesn’t belong! This is an unprofessional blip in an otherwise solid letter. Read you own letter of intent aloud to avoid this!

NIU Bad Statement of Purpose Example

This is an ineffective graduate school statement of purpose example, with annotations on why it doesn’t work.

As you might imagine, the main strength in this document is as an example of what not to do. Otherwise, there is little to recommend it.

• The annotations quite clearly detail the weaknesses of this statement. So I won’t address them exhaustively except to point out that this statement of purpose fails at both content and style. The author includes irrelevant anecdotes and lists without offering a decisive picture of interests or any particular insight into the field. Additionally, the statement is riddled with grammatical mistakes, awkward sentence structures, and strange acronyms.
• You’ll note that the commentary advises you to “never start with a quote.” I agree that you should never start with a freestanding quote as in this example. However, I do think starting with a quote is acceptable in cases like the Berkeley history example above, where the quote is brief and then directly linked to the research interest.

Graduate School Statement of Purpose Examples: 4 Key Points

Graduate programs ask for statement of purpose to hear about your interests and goals and why you think you and the program would be a good fit.

There are four key elements to a successful statement of purpose:

• A clear articulation of your goals and interests
• Evidence of past experiences and success
• Interest and fit with the program
• Strong writing

We’ve provided you with four successful statement of purpose samples from our graduate school experts!

We also provided additional statement of purpose samples (and a sample letter of intent) for graduate school from other sources on the internet. Now you have all kinds of guidance!

What’s Next?

If you’re looking for more information on graduate school , see our guide to what makes a good GPA for grad school .

Not sure if you need to take the GRE ? See if you can get into graduate school without GRE scores .

Want more information about the GRE? We can help you figure out when to take the GRE , how to make a GRE study plan , and how to improve your GRE score .

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Author: Ellen McCammon

Ellen is a public health graduate student and education expert. She has extensive experience mentoring students of all ages to reach their goals and in-depth knowledge on a variety of health topics. View all posts by Ellen McCammon

How to Write a Statement of Purpose for Graduate School

Congrats! You’ve chosen a graduate program , read up on tips for applying to grad school , and even wrote a focused grad school resumé . But if you’re like many students, you’ve left the most daunting part of the application process for last—writing a statement of purpose. The good news is, the task doesn’t have to feel so overwhelming, as long as you break the process down into simple, actionable steps. Below, learn how to write a strong, unique statement of purpose that will impress admissions committees and increase your chances of getting into your dream school.

What is a statement of purpose?

A statement of purpose (SOP), sometimes referred to as a personal statement, is a critical piece of a graduate school application that tells admissions committees who you are, what your academic and professional interests are, and how you’ll add value to the graduate program you’re applying to.

Jared Pierce, associate director of enrollment services at Northeastern University, says a strong statement of purpose can be the deciding factor in a graduate student’s admission.  

“Your statement of purpose is where you tell your story about who you are and why you deserve to be a part of the [university’s] community. It gives the admissions committee the chance to get to know you and understand how you’ll add value to the classroom,” he says.

How long should a statement of purpose be?

“A statement of purpose should be between 500 and 1,000 words,” Pierce says, noting that it should typically not exceed a single page. He advises that students use a traditional font at a readable size (11- or 12-pt) and leave enough whitespace in the margins to make the statement easy-to-read. Make sure to double-space the statement if the university has requested it, he adds. 

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How to Write a Statement of Purpose: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you understand how to format a statement of purpose, you can begin drafting your own. Getting started can feel daunting, but Pierce suggests making the process more manageable by breaking down the writing process into four easy steps.

1. Brainstorm your ideas.

First, he says, try to reframe the task at hand and get excited for the opportunity to write your statement of purpose. He explains:

“Throughout the application process, you’re afforded few opportunities to address the committee directly. Here is your chance to truly speak directly to them. Each student arrives at this process with a unique story, including prior jobs, volunteer experience, or undergraduate studies. Think about what makes you you and start outlining.”

When writing your statement of purpose, he suggests asking yourself these key questions:

• Why do I want this degree?
• What are my expectations for this degree?
• What courses or program features excite me the most?
• Where do I want this degree to take me, professionally and personally?
• How will my unique professional and personal experiences add value to the program?

Jot these responses down to get your initial thoughts on paper. This will act as your starting point that you’ll use to create an outline and your first draft.

2. Develop an outline.

Next, you’ll want to take the ideas that you’ve identified during the brainstorming process and plug them into an outline that will guide your writing. 

An effective outline for your statement of purpose might look something like this:

• An attention-grabbing hook
• A brief introduction of yourself and your background as it relates to your motivation behind applying to graduate school 
• Your professional goals as they relate to the program you’re applying to
• Why you’re interested in the specific school and what you can bring to the table
• A brief summary of the information presented in the body that emphasizes your qualifications and compatibility with the school

An outline like the one above will give you a roadmap to follow so that your statement of purpose is well-organized and concise. 

3. Write the first draft.

Your statement of purpose should communicate who you are and why you are interested in a particular program, but it also needs to be positioned in a way that differentiates you from other applicants. 

Admissions professionals already have your transcripts, resumé, and test scores; the statement of purpose is your chance to tell your story in your own words.

When you begin drafting content, make sure to:

• Provide insight into what drives you , whether that’s professional advancement, personal growth, or both.
• Demonstrate your interest in the school by addressing the unique features of the program that interest you most. For Northeastern, he says, maybe it’s experiential learning; you’re excited to tackle real-world projects in your desired industry. Or perhaps it’s learning from faculty who are experts in your field of study.
• Be yourself. It helps to keep your audience in mind while writing, but don’t forget to let your personality shine through. It’s important to be authentic when writing your statement to show the admissions committee who you are and why your unique perspective will add value to the program.

4. Edit and refine your work.

Before you submit your statement of purpose:

• Make sure you’ve followed all directions thoroughly , including requirements about margins, spacing, and font size.
• Proofread carefully for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Remember that a statement of purpose should be between 500 and 1,000 words. If you’ve written far more than this, read through your statement again and edit for clarity and conciseness. Less is often more; articulate your main points strongly and get rid of any “clutter.”
• Walk away and come back later with a fresh set of eyes. Sometimes your best ideas come when you’re not sitting and staring at your computer.
• Ask someone you trust to read your statement before you submit it.

Making a Lasting Impression

Your statement of purpose can leave a lasting impression if done well, Pierce says. It provides you with the opportunity to highlight your unique background and skills so that admissions professionals understand why you’re the ideal candidate for the program that you’re applying to. If nothing else, stay focused on what you uniquely bring to the classroom, the program, and the campus community. If you do that, you’ll excel.

To learn more tricks and tips for submitting an impressive graduate school application, explore our related Grad School Success articles .

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in March 2017. It has since been updated for thoroughness and accuracy.

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Statement of Purpose [Examples + The Definitive Guide to Unbox Statement of Purpose Writing]

Education is an important aspect of our lives; it gives us knowledge of the world around us and changes it into something better. As a student, you learn how to use your education to achieve your goals and succeed on a personal and professional level.

Although stages of higher education are different, they have one thing in common – to advance to the next stage your admission package needs to include a well-written statement of purpose. Scroll down to see how to write this essay and impress every admission committee.

Statement of Purpose: Definition

To truly impress every admission officer, your statement of purpose has to be impeccable. It’s not just enough to follow format rules and word count or to say why you’re passionate etc. The paper also has to be error-free and should be on an academic level. Editing your SoP isn’t the easiest thing in the world because it’s difficult to find and correct mistakes in your own work.

Let’s not forget that you always have doubts whether you did something wrong or if you should delete some parts.This essay is too important to do it on your own. Now that you’ve written your SoP, you should get editing help from professionals.Edusson’s editors and proofreaders have reviewed and corrected thousands of application essays, and they can help you too. Save $20 on editing and submit your SoP right now.

Types of Statement of Purpose

Colleges and universities provide application material with detailed requirements. Your statement of purpose has to meet the provided criteria in order to be taken into consideration by the committee. This means your application essay will need to meet a specific word count and formatting requirements, but successful completion of this task also lies in knowing the difference between different types of SoP.

The personal statement can be divided into several categories depending on the program you want to enroll or the purpose of writing such a statement.

Statement of Interest for Grad School

Personal statements for graduate school are very different from the essay you have to submit when you’re just starting the college education. At that point, the student lacks the experience to focus on academic results and other important facts and personal statements usually revolve around their vision of the world. The admission essays for grad school are more complex.

Throughout this paper, an applicant should describe reasons for applying to the proposed program and his/her preparation for this field of study. In addition, students should also include research and study interests, future career plans, and other aspects of background and interests that could help the admission committee evaluate one’s aptitude and motivation for the graduate program.

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Statement of Intent / Letter of Intent

A statement of intent is required with applications to graduate school in an academic subject e.g. Ph.D. in Chemistry or M.A. in Economics. It’s a common misconception that a letter of intent is just another expression for a personal statement. The statement of intent communicates your research interests and career goals. The paper requires an applicant to describe the subject area of interest, what he/she intends to research within the program, and academic/research experiences.

Personal statement has a similar goal, to help the committee understand why you’re the perfect candidate, but it uses a combination of personal and educational experiences to prove the point.

Ph.D. Statement of Purpose

The Ph.D. statement of purpose provides additional info on applicant’s academic background, motivations for undertaking postgraduate research, and relevant experiences. Bearing in mind the Ph.D. is the highest academic achievement, by the time they reach this level, students gain necessary experience that allows them to focus primarily on their work and academic/research results.

It’s similar to SoP for grad school but involves more info previous projects and an applicant has to describe the goal of his/her further research.

Writing a Statement of Purpose for Grad School

The grad school SoP is your first contact with the admission committee and it’s important to make it stand out. The importance of this essay probably makes you nervous and you’re not sure how to write it in a manner that will impress admission officers. Tips found below will help you.

How to Write a Good Statement of Purpose?

• Avoid including unnecessary information and irrelevant details from personal life
• Instead of mentioning facts one after another, include them through a story, let admission committee understand your knowledge, intellect, and other qualities
• Quantify results and accomplishments, avoid vague expressions
• Be specific and on point, avoid wateriness or text fluffing
• Use a formal, but conversational tone
• Decide how you want to portray yourself or message you want to convey, and make sure information you enter helps you do that
• Be yourself, don’t exaggerate anything
• Focus on your strengths

• Avoid finding excuses for your weaknesses and try not to use a SoP to explain why you didn’t achieve something
• Don’t use same statement for every application
• Show why you belong to a specific program rather than asking or pleading committee to accept your application
• Avoid using vocabulary you don’t understand
• Demonstrate your personal and professional growth through different stages of education and explain how the next step can help you achieve even more
• Revise, edit, and proofread

What to Include in a Statement of Purpose?

Your SoP should include:

• Inspiration or motivation to pursue a specific program
• Life experiences which contributed to your interest or career in specific field (but don’t overdo it)
• Research, internship, volunteer work, or other activities related to your field where you participated
• Specific information about courses and professors in the courses you’ve already taken
• Detailed description of both short- and long-term goals
• Description of way(s) the specific program will help you achieve academic and career goals

How to start a Statement of Purpose?

Do you want to start writing your SoP, but can’t think of anything? Beginnings are always the most difficult parts of the process. When ideas start flowing, it gets easier to finalize your essay. These tips will help you get started:

• Have a clearly thought-out goal – when you’re about to write your SoP, the most important thing is to have a clear goal regarding your education, career, and what do you want to achieve with the specific program. Without a defined goal, it becomes difficult to describe why you applied
• Write down your reasons for enrolling into the program – take a piece of paper and write your motivation or other reasons why you think a specific graduate program will help you accomplish your goals. It’s important to write stuff down so you don’t forget them later on Research – it’s always essential, regardless of the type of paper you’re writing. Now that you’ve defined goals and reasons, you can start researching. There are plenty of things you can research e.g. the university itself, a program, professors, your field of education, current developments regarding your academic and career interests etc.
• Research is great for generating ideas and it helps you write a well-informed paper
• Start writing – you can choose to write the first draft on your computer or a blank piece of paper. Don’t pay attention to sentence structures and other factors. Just write down everything that comes to your mind. Once you’re done, read it again and polish it to meet requirements and eliminate mistakes or unnecessary parts
• Make sure your introduction is strong to grab a reader’s attention

How Long Should a Statement of Purpose Be?

The length of the statement of purpose varies from one college or university to another. Generally, applicants are required to submit SoPs that are between 500 and 1000 words long. In the section with requirements, you’ll also get format rules to follow e.g. single-space, 12 font. It’s very important to stick to the recommended word count and avoid writing more or less than required.

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Statement of Purpose Examples

In some cases, the application material provides a question you should answer through your SoP, while in many instances students have the liberty to create their own from scratch. It can be a problem to figure out what to write about and these examples can help.

Grad School Statement of Purpose Examples

• Why do you want to study at graduate school?
• Why did you choose this program?
• Why did you choose this particular college?
• How much and what kind of experience you have in this field?
• What you plan to do with your degree after graduation?
• What are your expectations from the graduate program and the university?

Letter of Intent Examples

• What do you plan to do, professionally, with this degree?
• Why are you applying to this program?
• How has your academic or work experience prepared you to enter this program?

Statement of Intent Examples

• What are your research goals?
• What are your career goals?
• How can this program help you achieve career goals?
• Description of previous research projects and how they influenced your decision to apply to this program
• How can this program help you overcome obstacles you came across in previous research projects?

Sample Statement of Purpose

My interest in branding derives from a number of factors, including the fact that branding is a broader term than we realize, my university studies, my work experience, and traveling to different locations. We tend to assume brand is associated with companies only, but it can apply to everything. It is simple, the way you present yourself and what message you send to others can be considered as a form of branding.

I have seen firsthand how important brands are to modern companies and how different cultures have an entirely different opinion or understanding of some specific brand. I realized that brands are not just strategies that companies use to sell products and services. Branding means that everything deserves to have a name, to be recognized, and send the most positive message to others.

Although well-known, branding is largely misunderstood and my goal is to investigate everything it entails, but that is only possible with a well-structured management program. It is due to my desire to further the knowledge of branding that I am inspired to apply to the MSc Brand Management program. I have acquired work experience in brand development and marketing. Working in this field has created a solid foundation where I can build my knowledge.

Reasons I applied to this specific program include the fact it is ranked among the best business schools on the market, it utilizes the latest strategies and approaches to ensure students’ knowledge is up to date, and it helps students easily glide into the competitive business world. The program is challenging, it helps students think outside the box, and my previous academic and work experience has prepared me for every challenge of joining this study program. I held numerous professional positions while at the university and I also worked as an Assistant Manager at a Los Angeles-based retail company. My role was to monitor whether other employees comply with the company’s marketing strategy, oversee the implementation of sales goals, and submit reports to my supervisors on a regular basis.

The environment was competitive and fast-paced, but it was also an eye-opening experience. This job position made me more independent, helped me understand my skills and develop new ones, and it showed me how marketing trends quickly change and affect brand or the way people perceive it. I am an ambitious individual by nature and always strive to evolve and improve myself. We live in a busy world where being able to keep up with different standards is crucial for success. Marketing and branding are the same. Specializing in branding will also allow me to explore my creativity and push the boundaries. After completing my master’s degree, it is my goal to use all the knowledge I have gained to help brands, both big and small, promote themselves in the best possible manner.

In addition, I want to help people reinvent themselves and achieve success in their new or existing career.

Statement of Purpose Editing and Writing Service

To truly impress every admission officer, your statement of purpose has to be impeccable. It’s not just enough to follow format rules and word count or to say why you’re passionate etc. The paper also has to be error-free and should be on an academic level.

Editing your SoP isn’t the easiest thing in the world because it’s difficult to find and correct mistakes in your own work. Let’s not forget that you always have doubts whether you did something wrong or if you should delete some parts.

This essay is too important to do it on your own. Now that you’ve written your SoP, you should get editing service from professionals. Edusson’s scope of work includes: essay writing service as well as editors and proofreaders that have reviewed and corrected thousands of application essays, and they can help you too. Save $20 on editing and submit your SoP right now.

Things you will improve through Statement of Purpose Editing

• Statement of purpose meets all the requirements and is written according to the latest standards
• Academic level writing
• 24/7 service allows you to stay in control of the entire process
• Your own writing skills will improve too Unlimited revisions
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Stanford Online

How to write a compelling statement of purpose for graduate school.

A statement of purpose (SOP) is a critical component of most graduate school applications, and are often required for various types of graduate level programs, including Graduate Certificates and Master’s Degrees .

An SOP offers you the opportunity to showcase your motivations, qualifications, and aspirations to a school’s Office of Admissions. Crafting an effective SOP requires careful planning and attention to detail. Whether you're applying to Stanford or any other institution, here's a guide on how to write a standout statement of purpose that shows how your goals align with the program's expectations.

Understanding the Prompt

A prompt's comprehensive nature offers you the chance to provide a holistic view of your journey, motivations, and aspirations. Be sure to check the websites of any programs you’re applying to, as they often have additional information or suggested frameworks to get you started.

Stanford Master’s Degree

If you are applying to a Stanford master’s degree program , the recommended maximum length for your SOP is 1,000 words and the prompt for the statement of purpose emphasizes several key elements:

• Reasons for applying
• Preparation for the field of study
• Research interests
• Future career plans
• Relevant aspects of your background

Stanford Graduate Certificate

If you are applying to take individual graduate courses or pursue a graduate certificate through Stanford Online, the prompt contains less elements than for the master’s program. This statement of purpose should be brief, as you’re limited to 4000 characters. You should summarize:

• Specific course work on your transcript that meets the course and or certificate prerequisites
• Relevant aspects of your professional experience

Tips for Writing your Statement of Purpose

After you fully understand the prompt for the program you’re applying to, use these tips to guide your writing:

• Be Concise and Focused Most institutions have maximum lengths for words or characters. With limited space, it's important to be concise and focused. Use each word purposefully to convey your message. Ensure that every paragraph adds value and contributes to your overall narrative.
• Start Strong Your opening should be attention-grabbing. Consider sharing a personal anecdote, a relevant quote, or a thought-provoking question that sets the tone for your SOP. Engaging the reader from the beginning can make your statement more memorable.
• Address the Prompt Thoroughly Cover each aspect of the prompt thoroughly, addressing your reasons for applying, your background preparation, your research interests, and your future career plans. Use specific examples to illustrate your points. For instance, if you're applying to a computer science program, discuss projects, coursework, or experiences that highlight your passion and readiness for further study in this field.
• Showcase Fit with the Program Demonstrate a clear understanding of the program you're applying to and explain why it's an ideal fit for your academic and career goals. Highlight specific courses, professors, research opportunities, or unique features of the program that attracted you. This showcases your commitment to the program and demonstrates that you've done your research. You may consider including reasons your presence will benefit the program as your uniqueness may help set you apart from other applicants.
• Highlight Research Interests Discuss your research interests in detail. Explain how your past experiences have shaped your interests and how the program's resources can help you further develop them. Share any relevant research projects you've been a part of and explain their impact on your academic journey. If your program includes a capstone, you may want to include more actionable, compelling examples.
• Connect to Your Future Career Articulate your future career plans and explain how the program will prepare you for success. Whether you plan to pursue academia, industry, or another path, convey how the skills and knowledge gained from the program will contribute to your career trajectory.
• Weave in Personal Background Share aspects of your personal background that are relevant to your journey. This could include challenges you've overcome, experiences that have shaped your perspective, or unique qualities that set you apart. Ensure that these details contribute to your overall narrative and that adding them showcases your qualifications.
• Edit and Proofread After writing your SOP, review it meticulously for grammar, punctuation, and clarity. Typos and errors can detract from the impact of your statement. Consider seeking feedback from mentors, professors, or peers to ensure your SOP effectively conveys your message.
• Tailor for Specific Programs If you're applying to multiple programs, make sure to customize each SOP to align with the specific program's offerings and requirements. Avoid using a generic SOP for all applications, this tends to be very noticeable to admissions.
• Seek Inspiration from Examples If you’re applying to a Stanford Master’s program, the Stanford Graduate Admissions website provides specific guidance on the statement of purpose. Review your program’s recommendations and, if available, consider reading sample SOPs from successful applicants to gather inspiration and insights.

Writing a compelling statement of purpose for graduate school requires thoughtful reflection, careful planning, and clear communication. By addressing the prompt comprehensively, showcasing your fit with the program, and demonstrating your passion and readiness, you can craft an SOP that stands out and may even increase your chances of admission to your desired program. Although it’s far from the only criteria that will be considered in the admissions process, your SOP is your chance to tell your unique story and show why you are a perfect candidate for graduate study. We hope you find this guide useful as you write your statement of purpose, please know that following this guide does not guarantee your admission to any program.

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Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Statements of Purpose: Drafting Your Statement

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Write one essay for each program. Although they may sound similar, each program’s statement prompts asks for slightly different pieces of information about who you are. You may be fortunate to have two or three similar prompts for a few programs, but even then, remember that you must meld your own interests with the opportunities available at each particular program--so, no two statements should read exactly alike. In essence, be prepared to draft (and continuously revise) dedicated statements for each program application. Don’t send out a boilerplate essay.

Attempt to create one unifying theme in your narrative. Some applications ask you to include the answers to broad prompts in your statement. For instance, the only instructions you get may be: describe your goals and preparation to pursue graduate study in no more than 1500 words. Conversely, others may ask you to answer a series of very specific questions such as your reasons for applying to their program in particular, how your background fits into your professional goals, how your past achievements would aid you during your time in graduate school, and what you have learned from your prior professional experience. Regardless of the particular kind of writing situation, attempt to fit your narrative into one unifying theme. For example, if your essay focuses on how family has played an important role in your decision to go to graduate school, do not throw in an experience from your trip to a foreign country as another factor in your decision making process unless it is strongly tied with the overall theme of family. Also, be sure to stick to the word limits.

Strong statements of purpose answer four important questions that inform admissions committees of who you are professionally and personally.

Professionally, statements of purpose answer two questions for the committee.

First: what kind of work are you interested in doing in graduate school?

Be specific, don’t make the mistake of thinking that being vague in your focus will reach a wider audience. For instance, if you mainly want to study business ethics with two prominent faculty members who focus on that topic, write that in your statement. Do not worry that you are pigeonholing yourself by being specific and instead list several other areas that you could be interested in. There will not be enough time to go into all of these areas and it will make your statement sound aimless and disconnected.

Second: why is the program you are applying to a good fit for you?

This is where your online research on each program comes into play. Be specific about what makes the program that you are applying to your ideal choice. Avoid general statements such as “your program is one of the best in the country.” Focus more on the specific things that you think make it great—for you and your research in particular. If it has a good instructor to student ratio, how will that benefit you? If what separates the program from the rest is that it provides excellent field training before you graduate, how will you take advantage of this? Be specific. You may also talk about your goals after grad school. Where do you see yourself? Does the program have a good history in helping other students get there? You don’t have to be one hundred percent certain about your future plans; no one will pull your application essay before you graduate and express shock and disappointment if your interests happen to change. But generally, going to graduate school is a huge commitment. Admission committees want to know that you understand this and that you envision some type of gain for your dedication.

A word of caution: Avoid changing your statement just to get into a program if it is a bad fit for you. You’ll save yourself time and money down the line.

Be aware that while it is generally a good idea to be as honest about your intentions as possible, avoid being too candid about your reasons for applying to a certain school if they are less than scholarly. For instance, admission committees do not want to hear that you are applying to their program primarily because of the school’s proximity to significant others, family, friends; because it is located in a place with a great college town feeling; or, because it offers a variety of funding opportunities (however, you could probably mention this last one in passing if their funding is outstanding among other programs, signaling a dedication to its students’ goals).

Personally, statements of purpose also answer two questions for the committee.

First: What matters to you—and why?

The committee will receive a lot of data about you. The statement of purpose allows you to give that data meaning. It is important that you not just rephrase whatever is on your CV or resume because this won’t get at the meaning behind your experiences. A job or a class may have lasted only a few months, but it may have been the impetus for you to go to graduate school because of a unique experience that occurred there. The statement of purpose should give the committee a sense of who you are and how you have personally interpreted events in your life.

Second: How are you unique from the other candidates?

Above all, avoid playing it safe with bland language. It can be tempting to resist making yourself stand out in your statement because you don’t want to ruin your chances by “sounding weird.” Ironically, this type of information may be what makes you the most compelling candidate. Graduate program committees receive dozens—sometimes hundreds—of applications each year. Make your voice stand out among the rest by showing that you are not only professional but that there’s a person behind the important decisions you have made. What was the human element that motivated you to get you to where you are?

Many people wonder whether they should mention their minority status. Generally, you should mention your minority status only if it pertains to your studies. For instance, did working with a minority group (that you belong to) motivate you to go to graduate school? How so? Are you interested in undertaking minority issues once you have earned your degree—and, if so, in what capacity? For example, once you earn your Masters in Social Work, are you hoping to help Hispanic individuals who suffer from serious and persistent mental illness? Tie this with your background to give this goal some context.

Remember to switch over between other graduate application tasks such as asking for letters of recommendation, ordering your transcripts, filling out the questionnaire for each school, and so forth. This will break up the writing task and help to re-energize you.

Works Consulted

Getting In: A Step-By-Step Plan for Gaining Admission to Graduate School in Psychology . Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. 1997. Print.

Kaplan, Inc. Get into Graduate School: A Strategic Approach . New York: Simon & Schuster. 2003. Print.

Stelzer, Richard J. How to Write a Winning Personal Statement for Graduate and Professional School . 3rd. ed. Lawrenceville, NJ: Peterson’s Publishing, 2002. Print.

Stewart, Mark Allen. Peterson's How to Write the Perfect Personal Statement . Lawrenceville, NJ: Peterson’s Publishing, 2009. Print.

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Nursing MSN & DNP

| 18 December 2019

How to Write a Statement of Purpose: Tips & Topics

Congrats! You’ve chosen a graduate program and are ready to begin your application. An important piece of the graduate school application is your statement of purpose, also called a “personal statement” or “letter of intent.” Admissions committees will examine this to see if you’re a good fit for their school.

Your statement of purpose can help you stand out from the crowd and could be your ticket into the graduate program of your dreams. This guide explores how to write an impactful statement of purpose, including formatting, topics, and tips for success.

What is a Statement of Purpose?

A statement of purpose is an essay that tells the admissions board who you are, why you’re a good candidate for your chosen program, and how earning this degree would further your career aspirations. It is one of the most important aspects of your application. Your statement of purpose should answer questions like:

• In what ways are this school and program a good fit for you?
• What makes you unique?
• What obstacles have you overcome in your life to get to where you are now?
• What is your long-term career goal , and how would earning this degree support th is goal?

How Long is a Statement of Purpose?

Length typically ranges between 500 and 1,000 words but be sure to follow the guidelines specified by the school. Use a standard font such as Times New Roman in a readable size (11 or 12 points). Double-space your essay and use normal margins.

9 Tips for Writing a Great Statement of Purpose

• Read the instructions : This may seem obvious, but after filling out several applications, some students begin to skip over vital information. Different programs have different prompts and requirements, so make sure to thoroughly read the instructions before you begin.
• Research the program : Learn everything you can about the particular program you’re applying to. Referencing unique attributes of the school and program will leave a more lasting impression and will show the admissions office r that you have done your homework.
• Know your audience : Remember that you’re writing to a university admissions officer—not judges in a creative writing contest. They are not looking for an extensive or artistically innovative story. They are expecting a clear, well-structured essay.
• Choose your angle : The purpose of your statement is to present your personal story to the admissions committees. It should not be generic or cliché. How have you overcome challenges in your life? What did you learn that could apply to succeeding in graduate school?
• Outline what you will bring to the program : Focus on the life experiences and personal qualities that make you unique. What talents and perspectives will you bring to their program and graduate student community? In which ways do you stand out from your peers? Which campus organizations do you plan to get involved in?
• Discuss what you studied in undergrad : Mention what you studied in your undergraduate program. What courses did you find most exciting? Discuss how you will build on that knowledge in graduate school.
• Mention valuable experiences outside of school : Discuss any research, paid, or volunteer experience you’ve done outside of school that relates to your degree and future goals.
• Add quantifiable details : It’s great to mention that you volunteered, but be sure to include quantifiable details such as how long, where, and any accolades you received (as space permits).
• Ask for feedback : Once you’re done with your first draft, ask people you respect to review your essay. Consider family members, professors, or other mentors who can provide a unique perspective on how your statement conveys your skills and passion.

Examples of Topics for Specific Programs

Nursing If you are applying to a graduate nursing program , your graduate school statement should provide insight into your passion for nursing, perhaps illustrated by an anecdote from your career. Highlight what attracts you to this particular program and why. Make sure to discuss which field of nursing you are currently working in and how earning your graduate degree in nursing would further your long-term career goal . List your academic background and accolades, any relevant paid or volunteer experience, and the individual characteristics that would make you a valuable addition to their program.

Want to know more about our nursing programs?

Occupational Therapy When writing a personal statement for an occupational therapy program , begin by showing your enthusiasm for the profession. Demonstrate your knowledge of what occupational therapy is and how it helps patients live to their fullest potential. Make sure to include any relevant work experience or volunteer experience as well as your educational background and academic interests , as these are common interview questions . You might explore the moment you realized you wanted to be an occupational therapist—or discuss why it’s so important for patients to improve their function in daily occupations.

Want to know more about our OT programs?

Physical Therapy To write a personal statement for a physical therapy program , make sure to write sincerely and passionately. You could start by choosing an experience that motivated you to pursue the profession. How did this experience shape you and your future goals as a physical therapist? Be sure to mention your academic background and work experience. Consider also discussing:

• An experience you had with a person who has an injury or disability
• The importance of quality of life and movement
• Which PT specialty you are most interested in

Want to know more about our PT programs?

The University has five campuses in  San Marcos , California; St. Augustine  and  Miami  in Florida; and Austin  and  Dallas  in Texas. Our entry-level, first-professional degree offerings include:  Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) ,  Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) ,  Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) , Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) , and  Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) . The University also offers graduate post-professional education programs, including the  Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) ,  Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) ,  Master of Health Administration (MHA) , P ost-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy Degree (PPOTD) , Doctor of Education (EdD) and continuing education seminars and certifications for currently licensed therapists. 

The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) , 1080 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 500, Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 748-9001, www.wscuc.org .

The University maintains programmatic accreditation on a campus-by-campus basis with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) for Speech-Language Pathology, and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). For Physician Assistant Studies, the Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Provisional; all new programs are required to go through a provisional accreditation period prior to receiving full accreditation. PA program graduates will be deemed to have graduated from an accredited program if their PA degree program was accredited at the time of their matriculation. Learn more about the University’s institutional and programmatic accreditation.

The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) completed a rigorous assessment by B Lab®, an independent non-profit organization that serves as a global movement of people using business as a force for good, and  became a Certified B Corporation® . 

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• Statement of Purpose, Personal Statement, and Writing Sample

Details about submitting a statement of purpose, personal statement, and a writing sample as part of your degree program application

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Statement of Purpose 

The statement of purpose is very important to programs when deciding whether to admit a candidate. Your statement should be focused, informative, and convey your research interests and qualifications. You should describe your reasons and motivations for pursuing a graduate degree in your chosen degree program, noting the experiences that shaped your research ambitions, indicating briefly your career objectives, and concisely stating your past work in your intended field of study and in related fields. Your degree program of interest may have specific guidance or requirements for the statement of purpose, so be sure to review the degree program page for more information. Unless otherwise noted, your statement should not exceed 1,000 words. 

Personal Statement

A core part of the Harvard Griffin GSAS mission is to identify and attract the most promising students to form a dynamic and diverse community. We are committed to educating individuals who reflect the growing diversity of perspectives and life experiences represented in society today and who will contribute to our commitment to sustain a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment. Please share how your experiences or activities will advance our mission and commitment. Your statement should be no longer than 500 words.

Writing Sample 

Please visit Degree Programs and navigate to your degree program of interest to determine if a writing sample is required. When preparing your writing sample, be sure to follow program requirements, which may include format, topic, or length. 

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Statement of Purpose Examples

When applying for admission to a higher education institution, your reference letters and academic transcripts provide the admissions committee with crucial information about your academic achievements. However, a statement of purpose delves deeper, presenting you in a holistic manner by highlighting what distinguishes you from other applicants and why you’re an ideal fit for their program. Including a well-crafted statement of purpose in your application could be the pivotal factor that secures your spot at your desired institution. In this article, we’ll explore the intricacies of this essential document and offer some statement of purpose examples for reference.

Statement of Purpose Examples & Templates

Statement of purpose examples are illustrative documents often used as a reference by aspiring students and professionals alike. When applying to an educational institution, job, or internship, these statements accompany the main application to provide a comprehensive perspective on the applicant, encompassing not just their academic credentials but also their motivations, experiences, aspirations, and suitability for the program or position . Here are some useful examples to help guide you in crafting your own.

Academic Statement of Purpose Example

An Academic Statement of Purpose (SOP) is a formal document often required by universities or research institutions during the admissions process. It provides insight into an applicant's academic background, motivations for pursuing a particular course or research area, and their long-term goals. This statement serves as a written representation of the candidate's aspirations and suitability for the program, helping the admissions committee assess the applicant's fit and potential contribution to their institution.

Phd Statement of Purpose Example

A PhD Statement of Purpose is a formal document submitted by applicants to graduate schools, primarily to express their intentions, motivations, and qualifications for pursuing a doctoral degree in a specific field. It provides the admissions committee insights into the applicant's academic background, research interests, professional experiences, and aspirations, aiding in evaluating the candidate's suitability for the program. Typically, it's used during the admissions process for PhD programs at universities and institutions.

Statement of Purpose Grad School Example

A Statement of Purpose for Graduate School is a document that outlines an applicant's academic background, professional experiences, research interests, and future goals as they apply to a specific graduate program. It serves as a written testament of an individual's motivation and suitability for advanced study, offering the admissions committee insight into the candidate's fit for the program. Typically submitted as part of a graduate school application, this statement provides context for the applicant's achievements and aspirations, helping universities evaluate their potential for success in their chosen field of study.

Statement of Purpose Example

A statement of purpose example provides the reader with a clear and concise framework of how to effectively communicate their intentions, goals, and motivations for pursuing a particular course, program, or position. By analyzing a well-crafted example, the reader can discern the essential components, structure, and tone appropriate for their intended audience, thus aiding in the creation of a compelling and personalized narrative. Furthermore, such examples can offer insights into the specific experiences, achievements, or aspirations that can be highlighted, ensuring that the statement not only fulfills its basic requirements but also stands out in a competitive pool. This statement of purpose example is available in Word and PDF.

What Is a Statement of Purpose?

A statement of purpose is a crucial component of both academic and professional applications. It serves as a detailed narrative that presents an applicant’s motivations, aspirations, qualifications, and suitability for a specific program, role, or institution. This document goes beyond merely listing educational backgrounds and interests; it delves deeply into the applicant’s unique experiences, achievements, and any relevant professional endeavors that reinforce their candidacy. In an academic context, the SOP offers insights into the applicant’s passion for their chosen field and their aspirations within the program and their future career.

Meanwhile, in a professional setting, it can highlight one’s drive, career trajectory, and alignment with a particular role or organization. Given its importance, it’s paramount to note that institutions and companies might have distinct guidelines for these statements. Therefore, before drafting, it’s essential to review any provided instructions to ensure alignment with the desired length and content expectations.

Why Is a Statement of Purpose Important?

As already mentioned, a statement of purpose sets you apart from the other applicants. If you are all applying to the same program, chances are you have pretty much the same qualifications. A statement of purpose is more personal. It gives you the opportunity to explain why you are the ideal candidate. Here is what your statement of purpose tells the admissions committee:

• Your inspiration: Why are you applying to this particular program? Why have you chosen this institution as the place where you will pursue the program?
• Your background: How have your experiences prepared you to pursue this program? What are your plans if you get accepted?

Subject: Statement of Purpose – [Your Full Name]

Dear [Recipient’s Full Name],

I am writing to express my strong interest in [Applying for the position, Admission in the academic program, Grant Application, etc.] at [Name of the University/Company/Organization]. I believe my academic background, professional experiences, and personal skills make me a strong candidate for this [Job/Program/Opportunity].

I am a [Your Current Occupation, or Status like Student, Job Title, etc.] with a major in [Your Major or Area of Study/Expertise]. Throughout my academic journey and professional career, I have developed a deep interest in [The specific field/area that you are applying for]. My interest in [this field] was triggered by [mention an experience, event, or aspect that sparked your interest in this field]. Since then, I have been committed to deepen my knowledge and skills in this domain.

At [Your current university/organization/job], I [describe a project or responsibility you undertook, emphasizing the skills you used or developed and any significant achievements]. This experience not only enhanced my knowledge in the area of [specific field/area] but also equipped me with the practical skills necessary to excel in a professional setting.

One of the most impactful experiences during my academic/professional journey was when I [describe another significant project or role and the impact it had on you]. This reinforced my passion for [specific field] and my commitment to contributing meaningfully to this field.

In addition to my academic/professional experiences, I have also honed essential skills such as [mention a set of soft skills, e.g., leadership, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, etc.]. I believe these skills will be beneficial in contributing to [the university/organization/company] and will further assist me in achieving my long-term career goals.

As for my future aspirations, I aim to [mention your long-term goals and how you plan to achieve them]. I am confident that being a part of [university/organization/company] will provide me with the right mentorship and learning environment to make significant strides towards these goals.

I am particularly attracted to [university/company/organization] because of [mention specific features, resources, or opportunities offered by the institution that attract you]. I believe that with its [mention specifics such as curriculum, culture, approach, reputation, etc.], I can grow both professionally and personally.

In conclusion, I am excited about the prospect of joining [the university/company/organization] and am eager to contribute my knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm to your prestigious [institution/company/organization]. I am confident that this [job/program/opportunity] will be a stepping stone to fulfill my career goals and aspirations. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my application with you further.

Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely, [Your Full Name] [Your Contact Information]

Statement of Purpose Example for Graduate School

Dear Admissions Committee,

I was standing over the open hood of my grandfather’s Series 490 Chevrolet when I realized that I wanted to commit my life to Mechanical Engineering. Watching the jumble of parts I did not yet understand and realizing they made the car move intrigued me beyond anything I had ever experienced until then. Since then, I have dedicated my academic and social pursuits to becoming an engineer.

I joined Berkley High School in 2025 and maintained a 4.0 GPA during my four years there. I took on advanced Math, Science, and Engineering classes, clearing them with high scores. Outside of school, I worked weekends and holidays at O’Neal Motor Works, where I continued to learn more about cars.

Getting into MIT has been a lifelong dream, and I believe it will help me realize my fullest potential as an aspiring engineer. Besides being the best engineering school in the country, it has a comprehensive research program that will quest my thirst for information and discovery.

As an engineer, I plan to focus on developing intelligent, environmental-friendly, and renewable auto parts. I believe engineering should be used to preserve the earth and move us toward development. If I am chosen to join your program, I will pursue this plan fearlessly.

Statement of Purpose Writing Service

Subject: Statement of Purpose for [Your Full Name]

My name is [Your Full Name], a [current role or position] at [current company/university/organization], and I am writing to express my interest in [apply for a job, pursuing a particular course of study, joining a particular organization, etc.]. With a deep passion for [specific field of interest], it is my ambition to [explain what you wish to achieve].

I am motivated to [apply for this job/course/etc.] due to [explain your reasons and how it aligns with your goals]. My passion for [specific field of interest] was ignited during [mention a particular event or experience]. This led me to pursue my [degree, career, or other relevant achievements] in [specific field], which further solidified my interest and resolve.

During my tenure at [past or present job, academic institution, or volunteer experience], I [provide specific examples of your responsibilities and accomplishments]. These experiences not only refined my skills in [mention specific skills] but also provided a practical exposure that underscored the importance of [explain what you learned or how it impacted you].

Furthermore, I have also been involved in [additional activities such as research projects, volunteer work, etc.], where I [explain what you did and what you achieved]. I believe these experiences have prepared me well for [the position or course you are applying for] by [explain how your past experiences make you a good fit].

What particularly attracts me to [the position/course/organization you are applying for] is [mention specific aspects that attracted you]. I am impressed by [mention something specific about the position/course/organization that impressed you], and I believe that [how you think you can contribute or benefit].

My long-term goal is to [explain your long-term goal], and I am convinced that [the position/course/organization] will provide an excellent stepping stone towards achieving this objective. I bring with me [specific qualities, traits, or experiences] and a strong commitment to [explain your commitment in relation to the position/course/organization].

In conclusion, I am eager to contribute my skills and experiences to [the position/course/organization] and grow both professionally and personally. I am confident that my background, passion, and dedication make me a strong candidate, and I am excited about the possibility of bringing my unique contributions to your esteemed [team/department/university/organization].

Thank you very much for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss how my background and skills would make me a valuable addition to your [team/department/university/organization].

Statement of Purpose for Editing Service

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, Zip] [Your Email] [Today’s Date]

Subject: Request for Professional Editing Service

Dear [Editor’s Full Name or Editing Company’s Name],

I am writing this letter to express my interest in employing your professional editing services for [Type of Document – Manuscript, Thesis, Dissertation, Essay, etc.] entitled “[Title of Your Work]”.

I have chosen [Editor’s Name or Editing Company’s Name] specifically because [provide reason(s) why you have selected them – their reputation, a recommendation, their specialist knowledge in your subject area, etc.] I am confident that your professional assistance will significantly enhance the quality of my work.

The main objectives I wish to achieve through this editing service are as follows:

• Clarity: Ensuring the [document/essay/report/thesis, etc.] is clear and unambiguous.
• Consistency: Checking that the style and tone remain consistent throughout the [document/essay/report/thesis, etc.]
• Accuracy: Correcting any grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors.
• Structure: Ensuring the content is logically organized.
• Syntax and Language: Enhancing the sentence construction and improving the vocabulary used.

The [Type of Document] is about [Briefly describe the content or the subject of the document. This helps the editor understand what your work is about and how best to approach it.]

The [Type of Document] is approximately [Number of Words or Pages in Your Document] and is intended for [Describe the intended audience of your work, e.g., general public, academics, professionals in your field, etc.]

The timeline I am working within for this editing service is [Your Preferred Timeline or Deadline]. I believe this timeframe will be sufficient for your team to thoroughly review my work.

Enclosed with this letter are [Specify what you’re sending along with the request – e.g., part of the manuscript, table of contents, style guide, etc.]

I kindly request a quotation for your services based on the requirements stated above. Also, please provide details about your terms of service, confidentiality agreement, and any other necessary protocols or procedures.

I look forward to a favorable reply and a rewarding collaboration with [Editor’s Name or Editing Company’s Name]. I am confident that your expertise will greatly improve the quality and impact of my [Type of Document].

Thank you for considering my request.

Best regards,

[Your Name] [Your Contact Information]

Statement of Purpose for MBA

[Your Full Name] [Your Mailing Address] [City, State, ZIP] [Your Email Address] [Today’s Date]

[Recipient’s Full Name] [Recipient’s Title] [University/College Name] [University/College Mailing Address] [City, State, ZIP]

I hope this letter finds you well. My name is [Your Full Name], and I am writing to express my sincere interest in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at [University/College Name]. With a deep passion for [mention your specific interest areas in business, such as finance, entrepreneurship, marketing, etc.] and a profound interest in [mention any specialized aspects of the MBA program that attracted you, like strategic management, international business, digital transformation, etc.], I believe that an MBA degree from your esteemed institution will provide an unparalleled boost to my career.

Over the years, I have developed a strong inclination toward the business field through my experiences in [mention your past job roles, internship roles, projects, etc.]. I graduated from [Your Undergraduate University] with a degree in [Your Undergraduate Major], where I not only honed my understanding of [mention any relevant courses or skills related to business], but also developed an interest in [mention a specific aspect of your undergraduate study that sparked your interest in business].

My professional journey began at [Your First Job/Internship Company], where I worked as [Your First Job Title]. Here, I [mention any significant contributions or achievements you made during your job role that demonstrate your skills and strengths]. Following this, I joined [Your Second Job/Internship Company], where I took on the role of [Your Second Job Title]. In this position, I [mention what responsibilities you undertook, the projects you worked on, and what you achieved during your tenure]. These experiences solidified my interest in the business field and underscored the importance of an MBA degree to advance my career.

However, I have always believed in the continuous expansion of knowledge, and so, after [number of years in your profession], I have decided to further enhance my skills and broaden my global perspective through your MBA program. I am particularly attracted to [mention specific resources, opportunities, or aspects of the MBA program at the university/college that you find appealing, like faculty, curriculum, case study approach, etc.]. Moreover, the diverse and international cohort of the MBA program at [University/College Name] will give me the opportunity to learn from various perspectives, which I am incredibly excited about.

Upon graduation, my goal is to [describe your short-term and long-term career goals. Be specific and realistic about what you want to achieve after obtaining your MBA degree]. I am confident that your program will equip me with the comprehensive understanding and practical skills necessary to achieve these goals.

I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to your prestigious program and am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to further discuss my candidacy and am available at your earliest convenience.

Yours sincerely, [Your Full Name]

Statement of Purpose for PHD

[Your Full Name] [Your Current Address] [City, State, Zip] [Your Email Address] [Today’s Date]

Admissions Office [University Name] [University Address] [City, State, Zip]

Dear Members of the Admissions Committee,

I am writing to apply for the Ph.D. program in [Specific Field of Study] at [University Name]. With an unwavering dedication to research and a commitment to the advancement of [Field of Study], my academic and professional experiences have provided a strong foundation for my Ph.D. journey.

Growing up in [Your Hometown/Country], I was [a relevant childhood experience that led to your interest in your chosen field]. From then on, I was certain that I wanted to contribute to [the field of study/its specific area]. My desire to pursue advanced research in this field has only grown stronger with time, prompting me to apply for a Ph.D. program.

As an undergraduate at [Undergraduate University Name], I studied [Major] and undertook projects in [Specific Areas]. My academic performance resulted in [Honors/Awards/Recognitions]. My interest in [Field of Study] was sparked due to [Specific Events/Projects]. I believe that these experiences have given me a broad understanding of the field and its various nuances.

Following my undergraduate studies, I pursued a Master’s degree in [Field] at [University Name]. My thesis, “[Thesis Title]”, focused on [brief explanation about your thesis]. This research experience, under the guidance of [Advisor’s Name], allowed me to delve deep into [specific topic] and solidified my resolve to further my research in this area.

In terms of professional experience, I worked as [Job Title] at [Company Name] for [Number of Years], where I [explain briefly about your job role and any specific accomplishments]. This professional stint enhanced my practical understanding of [Field of Study] and enabled me to apply the theoretical knowledge gained during my academic years.

The reasons why I am particularly interested in [University Name] include [mention specific faculty members, resources, or research areas that drew you to the institution]. I am keen to work with [Professor’s Name] given their outstanding work in [Specific Area]. I believe that joining your esteemed program will allow me to collaborate with top-notch faculty and fellow students, further expanding my knowledge and research capabilities.

Going forward, my research goal for the Ph.D. program at [University Name] is to [Describe the proposed research plan, potential research question(s), and possible implications of the intended research]. I am confident that my academic background and passion for research make me a suitable candidate to achieve these objectives.

Lastly, I want to express that my dedication to [Field of Study] extends beyond personal aspiration. I aim to leverage my research and contribute significantly to our understanding of [Specific Area]. I am excited about the opportunities that a Ph.D. from [University Name] will offer and look forward to potentially contributing to your academic community.

Thank you for considering my application. I hope for the opportunity to further discuss my suitability for the Ph.D. program during an interview.

[Your Full Name]

Social Work Statement of Purpose

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP] [Your Email] [Today’s Date]

[Admissions Committee or Name of the person (if known)] [University or Organization’s Name] [University or Organization’s Address] [City, State, ZIP]

Dear [Admissions Committee or Name of the person],

I am writing to express my interest in applying for the [specific Social Work program’s name] at [University or Organization’s name]. With my extensive background in [mention relevant work, academic background, or personal experience], I believe that I am well-equipped to contribute meaningfully to your prestigious program.

Ever since I was [a specific age or event], I have been deeply moved by the potential of social work to transform individuals and communities. My passion for social work was sparked by [describe an event, person, or experience that influenced your interest in social work]. This experience left an indelible mark on me, and it has motivated me to devote my professional life to helping others.

My academic studies in [your major or related field] at [your University or College’s name] provided a strong foundation in [mention specific skills, theories, or areas of knowledge that are relevant to social work]. Notably, my coursework in [specific courses or projects] has allowed me to explore [describe what you have learned or achieved]. I graduated [mention graduation year] with a GPA of [your GPA], which I believe reflects my commitment to academic excellence and continuous learning.

In addition to my academic achievements, I have honed my practical skills through [describe any internships, volunteer experiences, or work experiences relevant to social work]. For instance, during my tenure at [organization’s name], I was able to [mention a specific achievement or experience and how it contributed to your development as a social work professional].

I am particularly drawn to the [specific Social Work program’s name] at [University or Organization’s name] because of its commitment to [mention a specific aspect of the program that appeals to you – this could be their teaching philosophy, the research interests of the faculty, the structure of the program, opportunities for fieldwork, etc.]. I am confident that this program will equip me with the advanced skills and knowledge needed to make a significant impact in the field of social work.

In the long term, I aspire to [describe your career goals and how this program will help you achieve them]. I am eager to bring my unique perspectives and experiences to your program, and I am convinced that I will add value to my classmates’ learning experiences and the broader academic community.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to [University or Organization’s name] and to the many communities that your graduates serve.

Sincerely, [Your Full Name]

Business Statement of Purpose

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Today’s Date]

[Recipient’s Name] [Recipient’s Position] [Recipient’s Company Name] [Recipient’s Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]

Subject: Statement of Purpose for [Business Name]

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I am writing to express my intention to [state the specific purpose such as establish, expand, or collaborate on] [business name]. I am [Your Name], [Your Role/Position] at [Your Current Organization/Company Name or mention if you’re an entrepreneur or a startup founder].

The business industry I wish to penetrate is [Industry name] and my business will [describe briefly what your business will do]. Having meticulously studied the market trends, customer needs, and competition in [target location], I have observed a viable opportunity for [describe the unique selling proposition or key differentiators of your business].

With the rise in [mention the trends or needs that your business is capitalizing on], our proposed solution is to [mention how your business plans to serve this need or capitalize on this trend]. The proposed name for our business is [Business Name], reflecting our core values and commitment to [describe what the business name represents].

Our target market primarily comprises [describe your target audience, their age, gender, profession, interests, etc.]. The demand for our services/products is influenced by factors such as [mention factors like seasonality, market trends, economic performance, etc.].

The purpose of this venture is not solely profit-oriented. We aim to contribute to the [industry name] industry by [describe how you aim to contribute to the industry or solve a particular problem in the industry]. We also strive to create employment opportunities and foster an innovative and inclusive work environment.

Our short-term goals include [mention short-term goals]. In the long run, we envision [mention long-term goals]. Our financial projections indicate that [give an overview of financial projections].

To turn this vision into a reality, we are seeking [mention what you’re seeking – could be support, partnership, investment, etc.] from your esteemed [organization/company]. We strongly believe that your [mention what the recipient can offer e.g. expertise, network, financial resources, etc.] can significantly contribute to the success of our business.

Attached is a comprehensive business plan which further details our vision, operational plan, marketing strategy, competitive analysis, and financial projections. I would be glad to provide any additional information you might need or meet in person to discuss the proposal in more detail.

Thank you for considering our proposal. I look forward to the possibility of working together to make [Business Name] a success.

[Your Name] [Your Position] [Your Contact Information]

Statement of Purpose Outline Template

• Introduction 1.1 Briefly introduce yourself: [Your Name, Your Profession or Current Status] 1.2 Indicate why you are writing this statement of purpose: [Specific Purpose, e.g. applying for a job, graduate program, research grant, etc.] 1.3 Highlight what motivated you towards this opportunity: [Short Narrative or Incident that Sparked your Interest]
• Background 2.1 Detail your educational background: [Your Schools, Major(s), Relevant Courses, Academic Achievements] 2.2 Discuss your professional background if applicable: [Your Previous Job Titles, Workplaces, Duties, Achievements] 2.3 Any additional skills or experiences that make you a strong candidate: [Certifications, Languages, Soft/Hard Skills]
• Your Interest 3.1 Elaborate on your specific interest in this opportunity: [What About this Job/Program/Grant Attracts You] 3.2 Discuss how this opportunity aligns with your future goals: [Your Career Goals, Long-Term Vision] 3.3 Talk about the specific components of the opportunity that resonate with you: [Any Specific Course, Research Area, Job Responsibility etc.]
• Why You? 4.1 Discuss why you believe you are a good fit: [Your Unique Traits, Skills, Experiences] 4.2 Highlight how you can contribute to the job/program/institution: [What You Can Bring to the Table] 4.3 Share any accomplishments or experiences that exemplify your suitability: [Specific Achievements or Experiences that Prove Your Point]
• Your Plan and Vision 5.1 Detail your short-term goals if you get the opportunity: [What You Plan to Achieve/Contribute in the Immediate Future] 5.2 Discuss your long-term vision relating to this opportunity: [Your Long-Term Goals, Where You See Yourself] 5.3 Talk about how you plan to achieve these goals: [Specific Steps or Strategies]
• Closing 6.1 Summarize why you believe you’re the best fit for the opportunity: [Recap of Your Main Points] 6.2 Express your enthusiasm for the potential to join the program/job/institution: [Personal Statement on Your Excitement] 6.3 Thank the reader for their consideration and time: [Gratitude Statement]

Please Note: Each section should be written in a coherent and logical manner, ensuring a smooth transition between the sections. Remember to keep the overall tone professional and make sure to proofread the statement for clarity, grammar, and punctuation. Ensure the statement authentically represents your goals, experiences, and personality.

Before You Begin

You only have one opportunity to impress the admissions committee, which means you should get your statement of purpose right the first time. To do this, you must start preparing early by:

• Researching the institution to which you are applying (through the school website) and familiarizing yourself with their vision, mission, and values.
• Going through the statement of purpose requirements and instructions and noting down the recommended length, content, and due date.
• Contacting the appropriate school authority to ask for clarification on the instructions you don’t understand.
• Identifying possible mentors from the school faculty page and contacting them.
• Begin working on your statement of purpose 6 to 8 weeks before the due date so you can write, edit, and re-edit it until it is perfect.
• Preparing a list of the qualifications and experiences you will highlight in your statement.
• Making copies of all relevant documentation.

How to Write a Statement of Purpose

A statement of purpose holds the same format as an academic structure. The information should be presented in an easy-to-follow manner and divided into the following segments:

Introduction

The introduction should capture the reader’s attention and convince them to keep reading. It should briefly introduce you to them and layout the basis of what you will cover in the body.

The body should go into detail about the preview provided in the introduction. Try to focus on 2 or 3 experiences and explain how they have informed your decision to join the program. As you outline these points, address the following four elements:

• Your interest in the program and institution
• Your academic preparation and professional experience (e.g., internships)
• Your qualities, strengths, and weaknesses
• Your career plans

Remember to be specific, providing examples where they apply.

Lastly, your conclusion should summarize everything you have written and tie it in with the impact joining the institution will have on your personal and professional life. It should also leave the reader intrigued and wanting to learn more about you.

Statement of Purpose Do’s & Don’ts

• Start early
• Maintain notes of the experiences and achievements you will use in your statement.
• Provide a summary of your achievements
• Be specific to the program and institution
• Write honestly
• Avoid grammatical and spelling errors
• Present an image of yourself with which you are comfortable
• Be interesting, passionate, and unique
• Elaborate possible areas of concern such as a failed test
• Proofread, edit, and re-write your statement until you are satisfied with the draft.
• Have two or three people read your statement
• Read your statement before the interview so you remember the content.

Don’t:

• Overlook the statement of purpose
• Let someone else write it for you
• Wait too long to start writing it
• Highlight achievements that are not relevant to your application
• Go off-topic
• Be too general in a statement being sent to a particular institution.

The typical statement of purpose is between 500 to 1,000 words long. However, many institutions provide specific instructions about the preferred length of the statement of purpose. Check the provided requirements and adhere to them.

Technically, no. Your statement of purpose is part of your application which has your name. However, you can include your name if the program instructions call for it.

It is not necessary to sign the statement of purpose because it will be attached to your application letter, which will bear your signature. Nonetheless, there is no law against it.

Some things you should keep out of your statement of purpose include: Contractions (mustn’t, shouldn’t, isn’t, don’t) Slang and colloquial expressions that are not used in formal writing. Statements you would not repeat in a one-on-one interview Exaggerated accounts of your role during an internship program Controversial opinions (unless they are directly related to your area of study)

Final Thoughts

A statement of purpose is a personal essay that should set you apart from the crowd of applicants. It should offer a view of your full range of achievements and experience, explaining how getting into the school will help you achieve your dreams. Finally, it should be entirely about you, to the point, and written per the school’s instructions.

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Personal Statements & Statements of Purpose

Personal statements and statements of purpose are carefully crafted essays for academic applications, like graduate schools or fellowships, meant to effectively communicate to the admissions committee who you are, your motivations, your goals and how you prepared for graduate school.

Personal Statement vs. Statement of Purpose

While the terms might be used interchangeably, the two are subtly distinct from one another.

A personal statement is commonly written for scholarly fields in academia and professional fields like medicine and law. While it includes information about academic and career goals, it typically includes information about yourself as a person and your motivation for your chosen field. A strong personal statement demonstrates how much genuine motivation you have to pursue this field of study and that you have the necessary skills and background to be successful. It is typically a personal narrative.

A statement of purpose is written largely for science-oriented disciplines and typically describes your preparation to pursue your chosen field, your academic and research experience, and your career goals. A strong statement demonstrates how you have advanced your academic interests and how you plan to successfully pursue your goals. When writing a statement of purpose, you are making a case that you are a preferred candidate. Be logical, concise and clear in your writing for the best results.

Basic Content

Regardless of which version you are requested to write, a basic framework can be a good starting point. Keep in mind that your essay should be a reflection of your goals and illustrate your ability to write well. Take time to refine your personal statement and be sure to include transitional sentences between paragraphs. A good flow to your essay and story is essential to keeping your reader’s attention!

A personal statement or statement of purpose should answer the following 5 questions:

• Why do you want to go to graduate school?
• How have you prepared for graduate school?
• Why will you be a strong and successful graduate student?
• What are you career goals and how will this degree help you achieve them?
• Why do you want to attend this particular graduate program? Make sure you personalize your essay for each program and describe why the particular program or faculty is a good fit for you.

Getting Started

Do you feel like you don’t know what to focus on or don’t have experiences that will help you stand out? Try these activities to help you get started.

Brainstorming Activity

Select one of the following prompts and free write on the topic for 5 minutes.

• Think about a time you overcame an obstacle.
• Write about a person who inspires you. What qualities do they possess?
• Write about a time you acted as a leader.
• Think about key moments when you realised you wanted to pursue graduate school.
• What qualities do individuals in your field of study possess? Write about how you have demonstrated one of these qualities.

Once you have finished your free writing, have a friend read over the statement and highlight the one sentence that most interests them. Then free write for five minutes on that sentence. You will find this may help you narrow down your focus.

Call a Friend

Some people have a harder time writing than they do talking. If this sounds like you, have a conversation with a friend or family member about why you want to go to grad school and how you have prepared. Make sure to make an audio recording of your conversation and then type up when you said. This will give you some content you can start shaping for your statement.

Diving Deep into the Components

Committee members will read through hundreds of applications — How will you help yours stand out? Make sure to put significant thought into every section of your essay and that you’ve answered the 5 basic content questions above.

Introduction

Learn how to write in an engaging fashion that will bring your story to life. Avoid clichés like “ I have always wanted to be a... ” and instead paint a picture that creates connection to the reader.

The opening paragraph for a personal statement typically introduces the reader to your personal and/or professional motivations. Here are two examples:

For twenty-three years, my grandmother (a veterinarian and an epidemiologist) ran the Communicable Disease Department of a mid-sized urban public health department. The stories of Grandma Betty doggedly tracking down the named sexual partners of the infected are part of our family lore. Grandma Betty would persuade people to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, encourage safer sexual practices, document the spread of infection and strive to contain and prevent it. Indeed, due to the large gay population in the city where she worked, Grandma Betty was at the forefront of the AIDS crisis, and her analysis contributed greatly towards understanding how the disease was contracted and spread. My grandmother has always been a huge inspiration to me, and the reason why a career in public health was always on my radar.

The brain, to me, is such a complex and sovereign organism that has influence over the internal mechanisms and this has always allured to me. My true fascination has manifested from observing the external factors that can affect the function of the brain. From a young age I have been exposed to addiction; a factor which I believe has incited a passion within me to pursue a neurological career. I have witnessed the physical and psychological effects that an alcohol addiction has over an individual, and in my seventeen years the greatest thing that I have observed is the pattern of habits that relapse and evolve with an addiction. Although this can be a truly upsetting environment to have been around, I have learnt that people and their minds are incredibly resilient. This is something I wish to delve deeper into in during a Master’s in Counseling.

On the other hand, opening paragraphs for statements of purpose should grab the reader’s attention in a straight-forward manner, since the reader is not expecting that you stray too far from your academic or professional field. Openings involving research experience, classroom experience or other specifics related to the field of study are common. Here are two examples:

I might not have learned about Professor Norman Roland’s lab if it had not been for the Freshman Research Initiative. This innovative program at The University of Texas at Austin introduces high-achieving freshman to university research. As a result, I worked for two semesters with Professor Roland’s team on the mutation rates and genetic interactions of bacteria. As a young Texan from a very “business-oriented” family in El Paso, I found myself in new territory. Those first two semesters were pivotal in defining my career direction. They gave me the foundation to pursue undergraduate assistantships in two additional research labs at UT Austin, which helped me identify my own specific research interests and the motivation to pursue a Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology.

While assisting in field biology research in Prince William Sound, Alaska, I was intrigued to see that when a colony of 16,000 blacklegged kittiwakes was flushed by a predator, they made a particular descending warble vocalisation. In fact, this distinct call seemed to be the only coordinated activity in which I ever saw them participate. Later that afternoon, I practiced making the “flush call” for hours. Finally, I climbed onto the colony and did my best imitation. The thunder of the entire colony lifting off, as other birds picked up the call, cemented my long-held intention: I want to work with sound. My purpose for undertaking doctoral work in acoustics and animal behaviour is twofold. First, my professional goal is to contribute to the existing research on biological systems, which use sound. Second, my personal goal is to convey in-depth understanding and love of these systems to the students I teach.

Experiences

Admissions committees want to know where your interests originated, how they have evolved over time, and what experiences you have had in college to prepare you for success in their program. Don’t try to cram every experience on your resume into your statement. Instead, pick 2-4 of the most impactful experiences you had to describe in greater detail and how each of those experiences prepared you for graduate school.

Research or Academic Experiences

If you have had research experience or school-related activities (e.g., projects, papers, presentations) that have been influential to your goals, focus more on what you learned from these experiences if you are writing a personal statement, and more on describing the project or research study in detail if you are writing a statement of purpose. This paragraph would also be the place to mention any personal qualities that would make you a successful student in their program. Be sure to back up those statements with specific examples documenting your abilities in these areas.

Internships & Work Experience

Internships and work experience is extremely valuable when applying to graduate school. Make sure you include these in your statement especially if they are related to your field of interest.

Co-curricular Activities

Involvement outside the classroom can offer valuable experiences to your personal and professional development. This may be particularly important in business and law, where leadership qualities are given priority. For instance, being an officer in a student organization or editing the college newspaper can show programs the leadership qualities you possess. Again, do not simply describe your experiences. Thoughtfully analyze your activities and look for ways to set yourself apart from the crowd.

Career Goals

Although you do not need to have your life mapped out in detail, be able to identify some general career goals and indicate how you plan to use your graduate training. Admissions committees want to see that you can conceptualize your future. Point out how your goals are congruent with the training you would receive from that program. Keep in mind that no one in the graduate program will remember what you put for your career goals in your admissions essay so it is okay if these goals change in the future.

Goodness of Fit

Before making their admissions decisions, the committee first needs to determine if you are a good match for them and if they are a good match for you. Your academic record and exam scores, reference letters and personal statement all help them assess if you could be a successful student in their program. By pointing out what attributes about their program appeal to you and/or how the research by certain faculty is in line with your interests, you demonstrate to them your motivation to learn from their specific program. This is most appropriate when applying to a scholarly or research program and not for applied fields like law. Here is an example:

During my graduate training, I want to enhance my research skills, further my knowledge of pharmacology, and learn how to successfully and independently investigate complex research questions. I believe UTSW will provide the necessary training and resources to achieve my goals because of cutting-edge technology and a collaborative work environment. Outstanding faculty research, like the efforts to understand mechanisms of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases by Dr. Maria Chahrourand and Dr. Gang Yu, respectively, support my research interests and career goals of working in neurological diseases. Acceptance into UTSW’s graduate school would be the first step in achieving my career goal of becoming a successful research scientist.

In your final paragraph of the essay, briefly summarize your main points and remind the committee members that you are eager to be a part of their graduate program. Be mindful to not sound repetitive. A nice touch could be to return to the theme of your catchy intro and have your story conclude full circle.

Extenuating Circumstances

The statement can also provide an opportunity to explain extenuating circumstances or particulars about your background. Clarifying the reason you had a low GPA, for instance, can help the admissions committee understand your application better. The important thing is to explain, not make excuses for, your situation. We strongly recommend making an appointment with a CNS Career Coach to talk about the best way to frame your situation in your statement.

Tips and Mistakes

Our CNS Career Coaching team reads hundreds of essays each year. Here are our top tips and most common mistakes to help you be successful writing your admissions essays. 

• Focus on you : Graduate school committees are interested in knowing more about you as a person and whether or not you’re a good fit for their program.
• Follow word and/or character limits .
• Proofread : Keep in mind that these essays are a sample of your communication skills. Triple check for grammatical errors, typos and unclear passages before you submit your essays.
• Be concise and relevant : Admissions committees read hundreds of application each cycle. Keep their attention with concise and relevant writing.
• Finish before the deadline : Give yourself time to draft, revise and edit multiple times. Your recommendation letter writers will likely want to see a draft of your statement as well — another good reason to start early!
• Consider your audience : Most admissions committee members are professors in the department of the program you are applying to. 
• Create a holistic picture : Your statement should complement your resume/CV, but both documents should be understandable without the other.
• Have multiple people review your draft : CNS Career Coaches, faculty,  graduate students and the University Writing Center can all provide feedback.
• Only you will know when you are done .

Common Mistakes

• Breadth over depth : Focus on in-depth description of 2 or 3 key experiences as opposed to briefly mentioning everything you have done.
• Telling your life story : Instead, selectively mention key experiences that are most relevant to the application and you future field of study.
• Dramatic generalizations : These usually take the shape of “I always knew...” Don’t proclaim your passion. Demonstrate it.
• Not focusing on you : Make sure you hone in on what makes you uniquely qualified for this particular graduate program and how you can be an asset.
• Incomplete : Make sure your essay answers the question(s) or prompt provided by the application committee. If there is no prompt, then review our 5 questions your statement should answer at the top of this page.
• Dishonesty : Don’t just say what you think the admissions committee wants to hear. You don’t know what they want to hear. They will sense dishonesty and you lose credibility.
• Be careful with quotes: Admissions committees want to hear your story in your words. Avoid quotes unless there’s absolutely no way to tell your particular story without it.
• Mixing up schools : This usually happens when applying to more than one school. Carefully check which statement is going to whom and that any mention of the program you’re applying to is correct in the essay.

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How to Write a Statement of Purpose for Graduate School

When writing your statement of purpose for graduate school, focus on your specific plans and how the graduate program and its faculty will help you meet these goals. Graduate study is not for slackers. It takes focus and determination to pursue an advanced degree. That's why admissions committees examine your statement of purpose (also called a letter of intent or research statement) very closely—they want to see whether you have the right stuff to succeed in grad school. Follow these tips to write an effective graduate school statement of purpose.

1. Know what grad schools are really asking.

Different grad school programs have different prompts. Nonetheless, they're all asking for the same four pieces of information:

• What you want to study at graduate school?
• Why you want to study it?
• What experience you have in your field?
• What you plan to do with your degree once you have it?

Admissions committees look for candidates with clear, well-defined research interests that arise from experience. With that in mind, your statement of purpose should reveal that you care deeply about your chosen discipline and that you have the background to support your ideas and sentiments. It should also demonstrate that you're a diligent student who will remain committed for the long haul. Always answer the question asked of you. Being substantive and direct is much better than being creative or flashy.

2. Be selective about the details you include.

Grad schools don’t care that you make a great chicken casserole or play intramural bocce ball. They do care about those activities that speak to your suitability for graduate work. As a graduate student, you'll be called upon to do difficult coursework and research. You may have to teach undergraduate classes within your field and conceivably even design a course. And you'll have to get along with a diverse group of colleagues who will sometimes work very closely with you. Any experience in school, work, or your extracurricular life that speaks to those abilities is worth talking about.

Read More: 5 Tips for Choosing a Grad School

3. Make your statement of purpose unique.

While it's important to be focused, there's no need to be boring. To distinguish your essay, add unique (yet relevant) information. One of the best ways to do this is to discuss—briefly—an idea in your field that turns you on intellectually. It's an effective essay-opener, and it lets you write about something besides yourself for a bit.

Remember, the idea you choose to talk about can tell an admissions committee a lot about you. And it demonstrates your interest in your field, rather than just describing it.

4. Ask for feedback.

Be sure to show your statement of purpose to someone you respect, preferably the professors who are writing your recommendations, and get some feedback on the content before you send it in. Have someone else proofread your essay for spelling and grammar. A fresh set of eyes often picks up something you missed.

Finally, don't just reuse the same statement of purpose for each school to which you apply. You can recycle the same information, but make sure you change the presentation to fit each individual program.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, texas a&m statement of purpose examples.

Hey everyone! I'm applying to Texas A&M and I need to write a statement of purpose essay. I'm feeling kinda lost on how to approach it. Can anyone share some examples or tips to write an effective statement of purpose? Thank you!

Hey there! Writing a statement of purpose can indeed be a daunting task, but worry not, I'm here to help you out. Your statement of purpose should primarily focus on your motivation for choosing Texas A&M and your desired major, your academic and extracurricular background, and how all of this ties into your future goals. Here are some tips to help you craft a compelling statement of purpose:

1. Start by introducing your interest in Texas A&M and your intended major: Explain what specifically draws you to the university and your field of study. For example, you might mention Texas A&M's strong engineering program, the prevalence of cutting-edge research, or the unique campus atmosphere.

2. Elaborate on your academic background: Mention any relevant coursework, research experiences, internships, or projects you've completed, and how they've prepared you for success in your chosen major at Texas A&M. For instance, if you have taken advanced math and science courses, participated in a research project, or interned at an engineering firm, you could discuss how these experiences have helped you develop crucial skills.

3. Discuss your extracurricular involvement: Highlight the activities you've been involved in that demonstrate your dedication to your intended major, your leadership qualities, and your ability to contribute to Texas A&M's community. This could include clubs, sports, volunteer work, or any other initiatives you've been a part of.

4. Connect your background and goals: Explain the connection between your educational and extracurricular experiences, your intended major, and your future career aspirations. For example, if you're interested in aerospace engineering, talk about how the foundation you've built through relevant courses, internships, and research projects will help you excel at Texas A&M and, eventually, work in the aerospace industry.

5. Conclude by reaffirming your commitment and excitement: Wrap up your statement of purpose by emphasizing your enthusiasm for Texas A&M and your intended major, and how you're eager to make the most of the opportunities available to you as a student there.

Here are some examples of shorter Texas A&M essays that aren't the statement of purpose, but still can give you a good idea of what colleges are looking for: https://blog.collegevine.com/texas-am-essay-examples

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

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Purpose Statement Examples: Crafting Impactful Statements for Brand Success

Sudarshan Somanathan

Head of Content

June 7, 2024

What sets your favorite brands apart from the rest? Is it their products, marketing campaigns, or something deeper—a sense of purpose that resonates with you? 

A brand’s purpose statement is more than just a tagline; it’s a compass guiding its every move. 

But what exactly makes a purpose statement impactful? And how can you craft one that captures the essence of your brand and captivates your audience?

Let’s explore these answers with some examples of purpose statements. 

What Is a Purpose Statement?

Understanding purpose statements, how to write impactful purpose statements, purpose statement examples from influential companies, implementing purpose statements in your strategy, rewriting and evolving your purpose statement, craft a compelling purpose statement for your company.

A purpose statement is a brief declaration that defines why a company or brand exists beyond just turning a profit. 

It describes the higher ideals, values, or goals the brand seeks to fulfill or contribute to in society.

Just like each of us has a unique purpose in life—whether it’s to create something, inspire someone, or serve others—organizations also have distinctive reasons for being.

So, why bother with purpose statements? Well, they serve a multitude of purposes. 

First, they provide clarity and direction, helping everyone understand the ‘why’ behind a company’s initiatives . 

When you know why you’re doing something, staying motivated and focused is easier, like aiming for a target you can see clearly in the distance.

Essence and intention of a purpose statement

But purpose statements aren’t just for internal consumption. They also serve as a badge of honor, proudly displayed to the world. 

Imagine it as your company’s way of saying, “ This is who we are, and this is what we stand for .” It’s like wearing your values on your sleeve and inviting others to join you on your journey.

Purpose statements and corporate social responsibility

Now, let’s talk about the bigger picture. Today, businesses are expected to do more than just turn a profit.

They’re supposed to be good corporate citizens, contributing positively to society and the environment , creating a better world in the process. 

This is one neighborhood where corporate purpose and mission statements intersect with concepts like corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices.

By including values such as sustainability, diversity, and community engagement in your purpose statements, your company can signal its commitment to making a difference beyond the bottom line. 

It’s not just about doing well financially; it’s about doing good in the world.

Writing a purpose statement that truly resonates requires a thoughtful approach that blends ethics, motivation, and goal setting . 

Let’s dive into how you can create purpose statements in your own words and leave a lasting impact:

1. Start with the ‘why’

Reflect on the core values and beliefs driving your company’s actions. Consider the ethical principles guiding your decisions and the positive impact you aspire to make.

2. Be clear and concise

Your purpose statement should be succinct yet powerful, capturing the essence of your mission and vision statements in just a few words or sentences. Avoid vague or ambiguous language and strive for clarity that leaves no room for misinterpretation.

3. Focus on action and impact

A purpose statement is not just a lofty ideal; it’s a call to action. Use language that conveys a sense of urgency and determination , inspiring others to join you in pursuing your shared goals. 

Highlight the tangible outcomes or changes you aim to achieve, demonstrating your commitment to making a difference.

4. Consider your audience

Consider who will read your purpose statement and what will resonate the most with them . Tailor your language and messaging to appeal to your potential audience, whether they’re employees, customers, investors, or the broader community

5. Integrate tools for collaboration and creation

Using collaboration tools like ClickUp can simplify the process of crafting your purpose statement.

With ClickUp Docs , you get a centralized platform for brainstorming ideas, drafting purpose statements, and gathering feedback from team members. 

Its features such as real-time editing, comments, and version history ensure everyone stays on the same page throughout the purpose statement writing process.

And that’s not all. ClickUp also has the ultimate AI assistant that aligns seamlessly with your organization’s purpose: ClickUp Brain

At its core, ClickUp Brain is more than just a tool; it’s a catalyst for purposeful action. By automating tasks, progress updates, and stand-ups, ClickUp Brain enables you to focus on what truly matter s—fulfilling your mission and making a positive impact.

Imagine a workplace where tedious administrative tasks are a thing of the past, and every action is aligned with your organization’s purpose . 

With ClickUp Brain, you can automate everything from action items to subtask planning, allowing every team member to work smarter, not harder.

But ClickUp Brain isn’t just about increasing productivity—it’s also about ensuring alignment and connection across your organization. Providing quick summaries and automated updates ensures everyone is on the same page and working toward a shared purpose .

And the benefits don’t stop there. By consolidating your AI tools with ClickUp Brain, you can cut costs by up to 75%, freeing up resources to invest in initiatives that drive meaningful change.

6. Seek inspiration and templates

Don’t hesitate to draw inspiration from existing purpose statements or use templates as a starting point 

For example, the ClickUp Project Manager-Statement of Purpose Template can be a helpful framework for articulating your purpose statement. 

ClickUp’s Project Manager-Statement of Purpose Template makes crafting purpose statements easier by defining goals clearly and assigning roles to team members. 

It sets timelines and milestones, helping you track progress and stay on schedule, and you can communicate details effectively with other stakeholders and ensure consistency across teams.

This template also helps build trust with clients by showcasing a well-organized plan. Its features like custom task statuses and different views make tracking progress simple. 

To use it effectively, start by clearly understanding the purpose statement’s goals, listing objectives and needed resources, and reviewing everything with your team.

Many influential companies have recognized the importance of having a clear purpose statement that goes beyond profit-making and resonates with their employees, customers, and stakeholder management goals. 

Documents like purpose and vision statements are guiding principles that inform decision-making and shape the company’s culture. 

Here are some examples of purpose statements from well-known companies:

1. Google 

Google’s purpose statement reflects its commitment to organizing information and making it accessible to people worldwide, aligning with the company’s core values and mission of providing users with valuable and relevant information.

“To organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.”

2. Tesla 

Tesla’s purpose statement embodies its vision of driving the adoption of sustainable energy solutions to address environmental challenges. It underscores the company’s focus on innovation and sustainability in the automotive industry.

“To accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy through increasingly affordable electric vehicles in addition to renewable energy generation and storage.”  

3. Patagonia 

Patagonia’s purpose statement emphasizes its dedication to producing high-quality products while minimizing environmental impact. It reflects the company’s ethos of environmental activism and using business as a force for positive change.

“We’re in business to save our home planet. ” 

4. IKEA  

IKEA’s purpose statement sums up its commitment to offering affordable, well-designed products that improve the daily lives of its customers. It highlights the company’s focus on accessibility, affordability, and design excellence.

“To create a better everyday life for the many people.” 

5. Microsoft

Microsoft’s purpose statement underscores its mission of empowering individuals and organizations through technology. It reflects the company’s ambition to drive innovation, productivity, and societal impact globally.

“To empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.”

Crafting a purpose statement is just the first step; the real magic happens when you effectively implement it into your strategy. 

Here’s how you can integrate your purpose statement into various aspects of your business strategy:

Incorporating purpose statements in marketing strategy

Your purpose statement should be at the heart of your marketing goals , guiding everything from brand messaging to campaign development. 

Here’s how you can incorporate it into your marketing roadmap :

• Use your purpose statement as the foundation for telling your brand’s story . Highlight how your values and mission drive everything you do, resonating with consumers who share those values
• Develop content that aligns with your purpose statement and reinforces your brand’s identity. Whether it’s through blog posts, social media campaigns, or videos, consistently communicate your purpose to your audience
• Align your brand with causes that reflect your purpose statement. Partner with nonprofit organizations or launch initiatives that support causes related to your mission, showcasing your commitment to making a positive impact
• Ensure your products or services reflect your purpose statement . Innovate with sustainability, social responsibility, or other aspects of your brand’s mission in mind, appealing to consumers who prioritize these values

Importance and role of onboarding and employee retention

Onboarding and employee retention are key in bringing your purpose statement to life within your company culture. 

Here’s why they’re essential:

• Align from the get-go: Effective onboarding helps new employees understand and internalize the company’s purpose, facilitating alignment with its values and mission from the start. Engaged employees who believe in the company’s purpose are more likely to contribute meaningfully to its success
• Nurture a sense of belonging: By consistently emphasizing the importance of the purpose statement in onboarding processes, you reinforce the company’s culture and create a sense of belonging among employees. This, in turn, strengthens their commitment to the organization and its mission
• Build brand advocacy: Engaged employees who feel connected to the company’s purpose are natural brand advocates. They’re more likely to share their positive experiences with others, both internally and externally, contributing to a positive employer brand and attracting top talent
• Long-term employee retention : Employees who feel a sense of purpose in their work are more likely to stay with the company long-term. Investing in their development, recognizing their contributions, and providing opportunities for growth and fulfillment can enhance employee retention and loyalty

Your purpose statement shouldn’t be set in stone but an evolving document that adapts to your brand’s growth and the changing market. 

Here’s why and when you should consider revisiting and refining your purpose statement:

• Lack of alignment: If your current purpose statement no longer mirrors the values, objectives, or trajectory of your brand, it’s a signal for an update. Trust and credibility with stakeholders can suffer when there’s a disconnect between your purpose and actions. Conduct SOAR analysis to craft strategic goals for your company
• Market changes, shifts in objectives, or company vision : Changes in consumer preferences, industry dynamics, or competitive landscapes, along with shifts in your company’s goals or objectives as well as vision, may call for a reassessment of your purpose statement. It needs to stay relevant amidst evolving market conditions and align with your strategic direction
• Organizational growth: Your purpose statement should evolve in tandem as your company expands and evolves. What resonated with a small startup may no longer capture the essence of a larger, globally-reaching organization

A purpose statement makes you unique and guides your journey toward success. When you notice it needs a refresh or when your goals or vision change, it’s time to revise it. 

Purpose-driven brands connect with people on a deeper level, building trust and loyalty. So, as you craft or update your purpose statement, remember it’s more than just words—it’s the soul of your brand. 

For a smoother, more human-centered collaboration experience, why not consider using ClickUp? With ClickUp, you can simplify communication, track progress, and keep everyone on the same page as you shape your purpose statement. 

Ready to get started? Sign up for ClickUp today!

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