How To Write A Statement Of Purpose
I. Basic Outline
Format for Essay
** Say what you want to do ... do it ... say what
you have done **
A. Introduction and thesis statement
(Say what you want to do)
1. Before writing an essay you must have a thesis
statement. This is one sentence announcing the central idea of the paper. It must be
specific. This statement should sum up the basic meaning of the essay and signal to the
reader what to expect.
2. The first sentence is the most important one because it get's the
reader's attention.
3. The first paragraph (introduction) is very important. It should
"hook" the reader, i.e. make him or her want to continue reading.
B. The body of the paper (Do it)
1. Each paragraph should deal with one central idea.
This idea is introduced early in a topic sentence, telling the reader what to expect in
the paragraph. Several ideas in one paragraph will only confuse the reader. If the central
idea has several supporting points, break it into several paragraphs rather than having
one very long paragraph.
2. It is not enough to simply state ideas, you must support them. By
giving evidence, you convince readers of the truth and accuracy of your ideas. If you
successfully prove your statements, the reader should agree with your conclusion.
3. As a writer, you must structure the sequence of ideas carefully
and logically. You are mapping a course, leading the reader through the points that
support your thesis. You do not want to confuse the reader. Transitions between paragraphs
link them together logically. These "connecting sentences" keep the paper
flowing smoothly.
Ex. The man was sick, and my father was mortified that he
could not help him because he did not speak English.
Due to my father's experience, I vowed to learn a foreign
language fluently.
C. Conclusion (Say what you have
done)
1. Restates the thesis and main points supporting it.
In the conclusion, the writer should give some new ideas or information to challenge the
reader to think further.
** Timmann, Peter. "Writing Papers in the United
States", The Advising Quarterly, Winter 1990.**
II. Writing the
Statement of Purpose
"Graduate schools and competitive undergraduate
programs want students who are able to think clearly, without confusion. The statement of
purpose will demonstrate, fortunately or unfortunately, whether you possess that quality.
When one reads a proposal that is poorly organized, filled with EXTRANEOUS details, and
foggily focused, one gets the immediate impression that the mind that produced such
confusion can never be disciplined enough to regard facts objectively and present them
logically."***
A. Step One: Know Yourself
1. With the statement of purpose you can persuade the
admissions committee to accept you. In order to convince them, you must be convinced
yourself. You must be sure of what you want, why you want it, and why that particular
program can help you. Why should the school select you over someone else? YOU MUST KNOW
YOURSELF. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Before beginning to write, think. Review
your intellectual and personal development over your academic career. When you can clearly
articulate the history that led you to decide to apply to a particular American program,
you are ready to begin writing.
B. Step Two: An Outline
1. This does not need to be written in complete
sentences. The outline below is just an example. The points you want to discuss can be in
a different order, as long as you have an introduction, body, and conclusion. You need to
decide what order of ideas is the best for your essay. You want the strongest and most
logical essay that you can write.
Example
I. Introduction
A. Your goals
II. Body of the Paper
A. Explain background (Prove that you are academically
prepared for this study program)
- Where and what studied
- Past research/diploma project
- If applying to a program in a different field of study, explain how
skills learned in earning your degree can be applied to the new field.
B. Description of professional goals
- Why that field of study interesting/what influenced you to choose
that field
- Any related experience/research after university
- Future plans after receiving degree
C. What study in graduate school
- What your specific interests are in your field
- Why this program is needed for your professional development
a. Why U.S.
b. Why that particular university -- courses, faculty, research
projects/facilities
III. Conclusion
A. Summing up the main points
B. What you can contribute to the program
Ex. Growing up in Siberia during the period of perestroika
has given me first hand
exposure to the transition from a command to a capitalistic economy.
C. Step Three: Writing the Statement
If you have done a good job with steps one and two, the writing
should come easily. Keep the following points in mind:
- The first sentence is the most important one. You want the reader's
attention.
- Cut out any sentences that are not absolutely necessary. Every
sentence should be important and clearly stated. Most points can be made without a lot of
necessary background.
- Be self-confident. Frame everything positively. Use phrases such as
"actively participated in" rather than "although I was only an
assistant". Even if your English is horrible, do NOT tell them. Your TOEFL scores
will indicate your English ability. Do not write any negative statements.
- They are looking to see if your background and expectations match
with what they offer. The more specific you can be with each institution you are applying
to, the more convincing you will be.
If written correctly, the statement of purpose
should show that you are goal-oriented, that you can identify what you want, and that you
have taken steps to obtain those goals.
III. Different Programs
The emphasis in your statement of purpose depends on
where you are applying.
A. Undergraduate Program
1. Put emphasis on you as a whole person, not just
academic ability. They are looking for a well-rounded person who will adapt well into the
school's social as well as academic community. Be sure to mention sports, volunteer
activities, dance or music lessons, hobbies, etc.
B. Graduate School
1. The emphasis here is on scholarship and your
research interests. While you want to come through as a person, you want to focus on those
aspects of your personality that relate to your intellectual and academic interests and
goals.
C. Grants, Fellowships, and
Scholarships
1. What you include in your essay should depend on
the purpose of the scholarship. Whom does the organization want to support?
a. If it is a women's organization, emphasize how your goals relate
to you as a woman.
b. If it is a scientific organization, explain your scientific
achievments and future goals.
c. If the fellowship is for a business program, your work experience
in the business world will be more important than your university coursework.
D. Internships
1. Emphasize practical work experience. You want to
include your academic accomplishments, but this is secondary. It does not have to be paid
work; organizations, committee work, and classroom projects at the university are also
important.
2. Demonstrate how that internship will help further your
professional goals.
3. Highlight the qualities that make you right for that job. If the
job involves sales, you want to stress your ability to get along with people. If the job
involves research, emphasize your powers of concentration and persistence.
IV. Final Comments
A. Be honest. Be confident and positive without being
pushy or demanding.
B. There is a saying, "Nothing good is ever written, it is
re-written". No one ever writes a perfect first draft.
C. Do not be discouraged if you are not accepted. Be constructive
and analyze the possible reasons for your rejection. Could your statement of purpose have
been stronger? Are your academic qualifications strong enough for that program? Maybe it
really is not the right program for your goals.
D. Another saying is, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try
again". If you really want to study in the U.S., look into other programs. If you
were rejected from a school that you feel is really the best for you, improve your weak
points, work on new projects that show you are serious about your goals, and reapply.
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