Crafting a Strong Statement of Purpose for Graduate School
Understand the importance of a Statement of Purpose (SOP) in your application process. Learn what to include in an SOP, program awareness examples, and insights from a successful PhD program SOP. Get tips on showcasing your academic interests effectively to align with your desired program.
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Graduate School Statement of Purpose Workshop Brooke Boling Graduate Assistant, Academic Writing Center
What is a Statement of Purpose? A piece of the application process A get-to-know-you opportunity A chance to show your interests A chance to show how you fit with the program A chance to personalize your application
What to Include in an SOP Your academic interests Your experiences that build toward those interests How those experiences and interests fit with the program An awareness of the program and faculty How your goals and aims will contribute to the program Accomplishments as they relate to these goals and aims (not just a list; the committee has your CV/resume)
Program Awareness Examples UC English Rhetoric and Composition Small program Scholars who focus on social justice, emotional rhetoric, archival work, and Composition s history Opportunities to take up leadership positions Interesting local subject matter (Over-the-Rhine gentrification, irate8, Lucille Schultz Archive, etc.)
Brookes PhD Program SOP I applied to Rhetoric and Composition Programs I prefer smaller, intimate programs I am interested in social justice rhetoric and Appalachian literacy UC has a Rhet/Comp scholar who focuses on social justice UC also has a Rhet/Comp scholar who focuses on Appalachian literacy
Brookes PhD Program SOP For Rhet/Comp programs with scholars who focused on Appalachia, I played up my Appalachian interests and experiences with literacy instruction and study For Rhet/Comp programs with scholars outside of Appalachia, I played up my interests in interdisciplinarity or social justice For my UC application, I was able to discuss both of these interests and how they related to the work that scholars were doing
Take a Moment Brainstorm what you would say about your own academic interests What would you want from a program based on these interests? How could you handle applications to schools that do not specialize in your interests?
A Word of Warning Program Awareness Caution Be sure you have accurate and up-to-date information Professors retire Professors move Programs change focus over time What to do Reach out to the program Reach out to a grad student in the program Check the course catalog Check social media for the program
SOP Organization Like most traditional essays Introduction Body Conclusion
SOP Organization - Introduction Address the specific committee Program Department University Introduce yourself State your interest Include something memorable Don t force it Avoid cliches
SOP Organization - Body Organize paragraphs thematically Group experiences and interests around a theme These may be organized into paragraphs based on: Your experiences, your goals, your fit with the program Specific interests with examples connected to your experiences, goals, fit Remember the length requirements You will likely only have room for three paragraphs Flesh them out adequately, but do not list everything
SOP Organization - Body Importantly Be yourself Keep things formal Show your personality Avoid sterile, academic writing
SOP - Conclusion Tie everything together Reiterate your interest in the program Thank the committee for its time & express excitement about hearing from them Avoid offers for additional references or materials upon request
Addressing Red Flags Address red flags in your materials Spin the negatives into positives if possible For example: a bad semester explain the circumstances; describe overcoming adversity However, be careful not to overshare; too many personal details may give the wrong impression Also be careful about the cliche of overcoming Show, don t tell give an example Remember that all applicants will be success stories
Red Flags to Avoid Character problems For example, trouble getting along with certain people Financial or legal problems Bad reference letters Be certain you can find references who will speak of you in a good light Reasons you cannot leave the area Gives the impression of applying for convenience or necessity Trouble you have had getting into programs
SOP Grammar and Mechanics Academic English genre Active Voice Examples, Not Lists Be concise avoid flowery language 1-2 pages (500-1,000 words) Most importantly: Do NOT give the committee an easy reason to reject you
SOP Grammar Standard American English Avoid informal language Avoid text speak Use traditional spelling Example: It was totally awesome that I was nominated by my classmates for such a great award!! One of my proudest achievements is that I won this prestigious award for which my classmates nominated me.
SOP Grammar Active Voice Put agents in the active role Clarify subjects and objects Convey responsibility Example: My commitment is demonstrated by my actions. I demonstrate commitment through my actions. Even better, explain those actions
SOP Grammar Active Voice What is active voice? Subject verb object Subjects are the people, places or things doing the action In the active voice, the subject comes first the emphasis is on the noun acting Bob saw Joe. What is passive voice? Object verb subject Objects are the people, places or things receiving an action In the passive voice, the object comes first the emphasis is on the noun receiving an action Joe was seen by Bob.
SOP Mechanics Examples, Not Lists Readers may forget lists Items in a list may blend Items in a list may not be clear Example: I have demonstrated my leadership through working as a tutor, serving as spokesperson for X organization, mentoring freshmen in my program, and coordinating X conference. I developed specific leadership skills relevant for this position when I coordinated the X conference. While coordinating this conference, I had to reach out to presenters, keynote speakers, administrators, and vendors. I found that with each group I needed to take a different approach to communication. These flexible communication skills will aid me as I develop X for my graduate program.
Take a Moment Think of a relevant experience you may want to include in you SOP Write this experience as a detailed example using active voice
The Academic Writing Center Remember that the AWC can work with you on your statements of purpose Many tutors are grad students or plan to be, and can help you brainstorm, plan, draft, and revise your writing
Thank You! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at bolingbe@uc.edu
