Statement of Purpose

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The Art of Sopping
Statement of Purpose plays a very very important role in the application process. It adds value or kills your application, depending on what and how you write. The Statement of Purpose is not something to be written overnight, it requires ample amount of time. Two months of preparation is great, but practically speaking 2-3 weeks is really needed. You have solid control over your statement of purpose, unlike recommendation letters etc.
A Statement of Purpose is also known as "Personal Statement", "Statement of Intent" etc.

How to write
Start writing about your academics and research that you have done, in a rough manner. Don't start with the introduction. You can gradually fill the other details and the introduction. After you are quite satisfied with your SOP, make some of your friends to read your SOP. Better if someone is very good in English. You can also send your SOP to some senior who apped before, to professors you know who know what to look for, and if you know some English professor then show it to him/her. It helps.

What to write
You have to mention your academics, give a stress on the researchwork you have done,internships if any, then projects and term projects, why would you like to do PhD, why that particular university.
So this can be taken as a simple layout to your sop:

• Introduction
• About yourself (your educational background, CGPA details, position in class)
• Your research background (two three paragraphs max if possible)
• Projects, term projects, presentations.
• Extracurricular (and if possible how you will contribute to their diversity - to be written if you are different)
• Why PhD?
• Why "univ-name"?

Meanwhile, have a look at Statementofpurpose.com for a wealth of information about Sopping!

Next : Prepare the groundwork