The stress of writing a brilliant and flawless statement of purpose for admission to an international institution is every student’s concern. A statement of purpose is a surefire way to make your application grab attention and enter your dream. university abroad. However, your SOP can also be your reason for rejection if it is not well written.
In this blog, we cover some of the most common mistakes when writing an SOP, so that when you write your own, you won’t repeat them!
1. Accelerate your Sop
Writing your SOP without giving it enough time is the most common mistake a candidate can make when writing an SOP. An SOP reflects you as a person, your accomplishments, and your plans for the future. Take enough time to write, do preparatory work, brainstorm concepts, and appropriately articulate your goal and purpose. Edit your document several times before submitting it to make sure you don’t repeat the same information or underline unnecessary details.
2. Amorphous writing
No need to be pretentious and improvise. A common mistake a candidate makes is writing a SOP without a structure in mind. It’s always best to scribble down a proper structure before you start writing. Make an effort to think about your involvement in various extracurricular activities or hobbies that fit with your course of application.
3. Incorporate misleading details
Adding false information is a big no. Don’t try to exaggerate or lie about your accomplishments, as this could land you in serious trouble. University admissions officers authenticate every statement you make. Therefore, withholding information or lying about your scores or hiding arrears will get you kicked out of college.
4. Boast about your accomplishments
It is of utmost importance to strike an appropriate balance between modesty and boastfulness. There’s no denying that your accomplishments bring out your SOP, however, they need to be approached organically and in the right context. It’s always a plus to include your achievements, however, it is not necessary to include every achievement. For example, if your application program is MBA, you do not need to include your hobby in hobbies. Instead, focus on your work experiences, academic projects, and volunteer activities that reflect your leadership and management skills.
5. Focus on the essentials
Every year, heaps of SOPs are received for every course offered by the university, giving them minimal time to go through your document. Thus, it is essential to go straight to the point and not beat around the bush. This problem can be easily avoided by developing an appropriate structure and writing down the points to be covered. Avoid going on and on, using jargon and flowery language, childhood fantasies or nonsensical hobbies. You should also exclude common or generic statements such as I am an honest and hardworking person. You can also write about your future goals, aspirations and how you will contribute to the university.
6. Breaking the word limit
This is by far the most common mistake candidates make. To pretend to be smart and competent, candidates go the extra mile and go over the word limit. SOPs with a word count above the indicated limit do not necessarily make a good application, but may increase the risk of rejection. It is therefore advisable to respect the limit and choose your words wisely.
7. Focus on the negatives
As important as it is to acknowledge your failures, it’s equally important not to stress about them. You need to find a healthy approach to presenting your failures so the reader knows you possess the ability to overcome defeat and move on.
8. Use the same sop
In general, to study abroad aspirants apply to multiple universities simultaneously and make the mistake of using the same SOP to apply to all of them. It is recommended to organize a different SOP for each applying university. This allows you to address the university and course specifically, giving your document a well-researched appearance.
9. Not proofreading the document
Reviewing your SOP is the most mandatory facet. Several reading sessions to leave no room for spelling mistakes or grammar mistakes are necessary. Proofreading also helps weed out bland and repetitive sentences. Filter errors and read the document manually so you don’t miss any errors.
10. Plagiarism
Plagiarism is another huge mistake for any candidate to be excluded. Plagiarism is considered a serious crime and universities reject applications on the grounds of plagiarized content. Customize your SOP and make sure your document is your original work. Also, if you use quotes, give credits.
11. Not asking for help
Applicants often make the mistake of writing and submitting their SOP without anyone reviewing it. Approach a trusted member of your family or an acquaintance who has a perfect command of the language or the process of your application. You can also choose to seek professional help as it is an ideal approach to significantly improve your chances of admission.
For further assistance or questions, students can contact us, Edwise Internationaland take advantage of our wide range of services for students in destinations such as Universities in the UK, study in uk, study in the United States, study in ireland, study in canada, study in australia, study in new zealand, study in singapore and many other countries.
