Statement of Purpose

You have various reasons for wanting to apply to graduate school. The programs to which you are applying want to know what those reasons are. So they ask you to write a statement, variously known as a Statement of Purpose, Statement of Intent, Statement of Reasons for Graduate Study, etc.

The statement also serves other purposes. It is an example of your ability to express yourself clearly in writing. It helps the program faculty to determine whether or not your goals and interests fit with theirs. And it can be expanded to include additional information which can affect your admissibility.

The statement is usually the only opportunity you as an applicant have to present yourself as a person distinct from your gradepoint average or test scores.

• What Information should I include?
  
• How Long Should My Statement Be?
  
• Is There a Preferred Format or Style?
  
• What do Colleges Look for in an SOP?
  
• How do I start?
  
• Start Writing Editing and Rewriting
• Structuring Your SOP
  
• Tips for better writing
  
• Words to Avoid