Common Mistakes that you should avoid while writing your SOP

The Statement of Purpose of the Personal Statement is an essay that you are required to submit while seeking admission to a university for any level of study. Usually spanning 500 to 1000 words, this all-encompassing document outlines your academic and professional achievements, your aspirations as well as the role of the university in helping you achieve them. Additionally, it is one of the building blocks to a great application.

 

Here we describe some common mistakes while drafting an SOP:

Talking too much about your childhood fantasies:

Childhood fantasies when discussed in a graduate application or an MBA SOP make a document less considerable. These can nevertheless be discussed in an undergraduate application. Childhood dreams help you decide what you pursue in your secondary education (11th and 12th grade) to achieve your undergraduate aims by enrolling in a bachelor’s program. While making an application to higher education (master’s degree), you need to sound more focused and clear rather than a dreamer. Your goals need to be precise instead of discussing how you ended up developing an interest in a certain field, which works for the undergraduate applicants on the other hand.

 

Not giving it enough time:

It is essential to mention all the vital information in a flow that makes sense. Covering the aspects on how one thing leads to another and how it struck you to apply for further studies explaining how it fits into your plans of achieving your goals, your SOP needs to be drafted with patience not keeping time as a constraint.

 

Using informal language:

Use professional language. Ensure that your tone is polite, formal, and respectful. Keep in mind that your grammar and vocabulary are good. Your essay will be read by a panel of distinguished academics. Avoid using slang, abbreviations, and informal vocabulary. Your sentences should be concise and clear. Additionally, use only words and phrases you are comfortable and familiar with. Do not try to embellish your writing with lofty words.

 

Not conducting your research: 

Writing random stuff about the chosen course, university or college, and country in your SOP would not make a good impression. If you talk about your fantasies of studying abroad without any goal or a popular destination you have always aspired to join without giving any relevant reasons for choosing that destination or giving out reasons like college infrastructure or country’s weather conditions or even some familiar people living in the chosen country, then the admission committee may consider you to be naive. Conducting proper university research on the course curriculum, college faculties, campus facilities, and industrial exposure you might get by studying in the country when related to your goals would bring out your candidature as a more focused one.

 

Using jargon or technical terms more often:

Please ensure to use simple language keeping in mind that the people working in the admission committee are not technically sound as per your industry. Using too much jargon would confuse them making them feel disconnected and they may end up losing interest. It is okay to use technical terms a few times just to explain your motives clearly and letting them know that you know what you are planning to do with your life. They should relate to your decision to apply to a particular course and your plan for the future.

 

Common Mistakes that lead to Rejection or Permanent Blacklisting!

Did you know that if not drafted honestly, an SOP may lead to a rejection or permanent blacklisting, which is even worse? Check out the most essential points you should keep in mind while drafting your SOP or Admission Essays:

 

Never lie or provide false information in documents

The admission committee expects you to provide information that is 100% true, which is why you are required to submit proof for everything you have done ranging from your academics to extracurricular activities. If we are unable to provide them with the desired proofs of our endeavors such as academic transcripts and participation certificates for all the activities done, the authorities find us at fault and reject our application. In some cases, they may permanently blacklist our profiles.

 

Never copy your SOP or essay from your friends or the internet

Plagiarism is considered a serious offense in universities abroad. Never copy anything from the Sample SOPs or Sample Essays spread across the internet or any ex-applicant’s documents. Copied/plagiarized documents may lead to a straight-away rejection from the abroad universities, which may also result in permanent blacklisting of the aspirant’s candidature. Always write your essay/SOP on your own.

 

All the points discussed above need to be considered seriously as they would help you make your application remarkable and outstanding. You may always seek help from the industry experts as they are updated with the latest industrial trends and hence would be able to guide you with what is best for you. With proper research, you can always apply on your own, though when taken professional assistance, you would understand the difference between self-apply and taking help from outside agencies. In both cases, we wish you all the best in your application!

 

Also, read our other article on the SOP –

Statement of Purpose (SOP) All you need to know! | TCL Global

Common Mistakes that you should avoid while writing your SOP | TCL Global 

 How to Write a Statement of Purpose (SOP) | TCL Global

 Tips for Writing a Powerful Statement of Purpose | TCL Global 

 Statement of Purpose (SOP) FAQs | TCL Global

Download writing guidelines of SOP: Writing guidelines of  SOP