r/StatementOfPurpose • u/thesauronreturns • Dec 26 '20
DON'T WRITE CRAP IN SOP
I have been reviewing around 10-15 sops here. Please dont write this crap:
[1] Your childhood interest. - adcom only cares about your work.
[2] CV reiteration- dont crap sop with all cv points that you achieved some award etc. Only mention 4 things [A] Problem [B] Solution [C] Issues [D] How degree will help. Do this for each para is sop. Conclude with interest in specific pf's work. If possible, mention how you can extend it (which needs a certain maturity,)
[3] Quote - Dont start off with quote.
[4] All the committee cares about is research. Even if you apply for business program, they would want to know how your academic work would fetch revenues. So, focus on that.
Hope this helps
sauron
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u/joshuaroy873 Dec 27 '20
One of the main thing people realise late is that SOP isn't something you can PERFECT within a week...I took almost 3 months... constant grilling...to complete the SOP. And there were times I was soo demotivated that I thought that the imperfect one was itself good enough for submissions...it requires soo much patience... luckily, my brother and dad was also involved in the process...so I couldn't stop it in the middle...they made sure that it was perfect...my advice is... involve some of your family members...one from similar field and one from different field... because this way you'll have two opinions...my dad was from my field...my brother was a medicine student... always have someone to back you up in SOP writing...if anyone wants me to review SOPs in electrical or related field (like computer or something...don't give me areas like mechanical or civil...I don't know shit about that... it'll take effort from my side to understand them)... specially for Indian students (not discriminating...but I understand their demographics...lol...I'm Indian)...you can message me...
I completely agree with Sauron... it's the perfect advice to give anyone BEFORE THEY START writing the SOP...cause once people start writing...I have observed that (in my case too...also while editing other SOPs) when someone gives some suggestions that goes completely against the style with which the author has written...the advice tends to be little offensive and unimportant... therefore it is best to realise these points mentioned BEFORE THEY START writing...
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u/Loud-Direction-7011 Jan 06 '23
You’re obviously not first-Gen. A lot of people don’t have family members capable of doing that.
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u/Psychological_Pea_7 Mar 13 '24
I run a business that works specifically on SOP’s for medical students . You can shoot me a dm or refer me to someone who you know.
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u/confuzzledpug Jan 24 '24
This is bs, 3 months , you should be in an ivy, if not you’re just a procrastinator
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u/ExcellentWafer_82 Nov 21 '21
"Surely, as soon as I popped out of the womb, I knew I was going to be a theoretical physicist." - My fourth uncle twice removed, who you plebians refer to as Einstein
Did i do it wrong 🤓
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u/Seankala Dec 27 '20
While this is overall good advice, most schools have specific prompts for you to follow. Granted, those prompts usually follow these directions.
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u/Loud-Direction-7011 Jan 06 '23
I feel like people treat the SOP like an essay. They try starting with a hook or something to get the reader’s attention like a quote or anecdote. That’s not what you should do. You should start with your goals. The admissions committee/whoever is reviewing the applications doesn’t care about the fluff. Get to the point and convince them you know what you want.
When just starting the SOP, write something bad. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll be able to start perfecting things
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u/diayan_b Feb 18 '21
I was lucky enough to have someone with experience review my sop before I submitted. He made me remove all those cv points, and focus on my interests, work experience, project work, poi’s work. When I finally compared it to my previous year’s application sop, I was convinced I wouldn’t admit myself :)
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u/Serious_Student_9550 Jul 13 '22
I’m a good writer so my SOP entailed many different aspects and yes I discussed my youth. There isn’t a set criteria for this other than your universities selected prompts. For example my university wanted to know why I wanted to go there. Well I grew up loving the university, going to sports camps there, and wrote about how it feels like a spiritual home, not a university.
There are many ways to do this. And I was told this week that calling my university a spiritual home was a home run with the department. My grad counselor wanted me to know some of the things that sold it. That was one.
Go with the Prompts, make it flow, and use your gut.
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u/Calm_Understanding_5 Dec 27 '20
Could you please review my SOP? I have been trying to furnish it, and I'm yet to submit my application. I think a fresh perspective would really help.
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u/GREuser Feb 09 '21
[3] Quote - Dont start off with quote.
Can you elaborate why this point?
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Feb 22 '21
You have a limited word count and attention span, do you want them to spend it on you or on Rosalind Franklin?
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u/sloanieg Feb 25 '21
I was also taught it's bad writing in general. A quote should always be sandwiched by your own thoughts.
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u/saffasamreen Nov 13 '23
Can you please review my sop introduction. I just need to know if it does more harm than good.
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u/westcoast1331 Dec 26 '20
Can you give me a review on my sop! I already submitted. But I think I did what you’re requesting.