The time has come to write a Statement of Purpose (SOP). The SOP is an “essay about you” and can help you stand out from a large pool of applicants with similar grades and resumes. Even if the Australian institution that you’re applying to doesn’t require one, the Australian Department of Home Affairs requires an SOP when you apply for a student visa. Some educational institutions say that it’s the most important document that a student can submit. To avoid last minute stress, start preparing to write your Statement of Purpose today. If you don’t know where to start, this blog is a great place to begin!
What is a Statement of Purpose?
A statement of purpose outlines a student’s personal story of what they hope to accomplish by pursuing higher education in Australia. The SOP is often the deciding factor when it comes to whether or not a student receives an offer letter from their desired academic institution. In the statement, you should talk about who you are and why you’ve decided to study in Australia. Additionally, describe how you plan to achieve success before, during, and after your studies. To grab the attention of the admissions team, you must write an engaging story.
Avoid generalized statements taken from other resources. The admissions team will be able to recognize these cookie-cutter answers, as they’ll sound repetitive, uninspiring, and won’t effectively communicate your purpose. SOPs are often tested for plagiarism, so make sure the document is written in your own words.
Instead of viewing your Statement of Purpose as an intimidating part of the study abroad application process, see it as an exciting opportunity to showcase your goals, skills, and ambitions. Follow the steps below to write your best Statement of Purpose.
Rules for Writing a Statement of Purpose
Before we outline our recommended steps for writing an SOP, we’d like to discuss a few rules you should consider throughout the writing process:
- Avoid plagiarism.
- Be truthful.
- Do your research.
- Be clear.
- Be clear about your plans to gain a quality education in Australia and your plans to return home. Don’t include any statements that can be interpreted as wanting to stay in Australia after graduation.
- Understand employment opportunities.
- Research job opportunities available to you in your home country post-graduation and clearly articulate the benefits of completing the course you’ve applied to in relation to employment opportunities.
- Avoid general facts.
- Refrain from using general facts about the academic institution and course.
- Double check that all required information has been included.
- Don’t wait until the last minute to get writing.
Steps for Writing a Statement of Purpose
1. Prepare
You should begin by gathering your thoughts and brainstorming your motivations for studying abroad in Australia. Start by jotting down all of your relevant experiences in chronological order to determine what details you should include in your SOP. If you’ve been out of school for a number of months, then you’ll need to explain your study gap. You should explain what you’ve accomplished since being out of school. This could include work experience and/or volunteer experience.
If you’ve yet to complete the required research on the academic institution, your course of choice, and Australia as a study abroad destination, this is the time to do it.
Tip: If the academic institution you’re applying to provides an SOP checklist, go through it to learn exactly what is required from you.
2. Write
Now it’s time to start writing your SOP. The writing part should be easy if you’ve thoroughly completed step one! Your SOP should be written at a level equivalent to your English test scores.
Both the Department of Home Affairs and the academic institution want to learn more about you and how you’ve prepared for this course. Begin by sharing your background information.
Ensure you cover the following areas:
- Academic history and relevant work experience
- Reason for choosing Australia
- Reason for selecting the particular institution and course
- Your incentive to return home and what you’ll gain by obtaining this education in Australia
3. Justify
International students must justify their interest in Australia and the course they’ve applied to. Ensure you’ve provided evidence of the research you’ve conducted. You can do this by including supporting documentation or being able to access it easily if requested. A student’s interest in a specific course typically needs to be supported by their previous field of study or work experience.
If you’ve chosen a field of study outside of your previous experience, you must provide a strong reason for why you’ve chosen this course. It’s important to keep in mind that the academic institution is more likely to deny requests where academic history doesn’t line up directly with course selection.
Examples of supporting documentation that may strengthen your SOP:
- Financial bank statements and documents that demonstrate you and/or your sponsor(s) can financially support the costs of your education, travel, overseas health insurance, and living accommodations while studying abroad in Australia
- Resumes and letters from your employer or volunteer work you’ve done
- Potential future job offers and expected salaries
- Medical or employment records justifying any study gaps you may have
Note: Ensure that all of the claims you’ve made in your SOP can be supported with documentation.
4. Proofread and Rewrite
Review your SOP and ensure that it tells your authentic story. Ask friends or family members to read your SOP and provide constructive feedback. It may take a few revisions before you’re completely satisfied with your SOP. Just know all the time and effort is worth it. A strong SOP can leave a lasting impression on the Department of Home Affairs and the academic institution’s admissions team.
Now you know how to write a top-tier Statement of Purpose. Continue your search for your perfect course and academic institution on the ApplyBoard Platform.
