An excellent SOP addresses four key topics: who you are, what you have
accomplished so far, what you intend to do—your academic and professional
goals—and how the university can support you. In order to give the admissions
officer a sense of who you are as a person and a student, each of these four
elements must be woven together coherently and clearly. The SOP can make or
break your chances of receiving an acceptance letter for this reason.

The SOP is what a cover letter would be for a job application. Your SOP and your
exam results will be considered by university admissions panels when determining
whether to offer you a spot on a degree program. No need to worry then!

A typical SOP is typically 800-1000 words lengthy, or 2 pages. It is double-spaced
with standard margins, and the font size is limited to 12-point. The candidate must
keep in mind that the SOP should only be written in black type and should not
contain any colored text or images.

Mistakes to avoid in a Statement of Purpose

● Starting with the SOP on the last moment
● Not writing a strong introduction
● Discussing too much about your childhood dreams
● Misguiding the reader with false information
● Copying from the internet
● Using informal type of writing and exceeding the word limit
● Not editing and proofreading again
● Writing negative statements

Starting with your SOP in the last moment

Spend a couple weeks working on your SOP before the deadline. You won’t be
writing all of this time; instead, utilise it to come up with ideas and look at sample

SOPs. You don’t want to copy them word for word because it would be overly
obvious, but if you read enough samples, you’ll start to notice trends in the content
and format.

It is crucial to include all pertinent details in a logical sequence. outlining the
characteristics of how one thing leads to another and how it occurred to you to apply
for additional studies while demonstrating how it fits into your future plans for
accomplishing your goals. Your SOP must be written slowly, without using time as a
constraint.

Not writing a strong introduction

Ever heard of the statement that first impression is the last impression? Making an
intriguing opening will impress the reader and keep his attention because it is the
first thing that anyone ever reads. Similar to this, begin your 1000-word essay with a
strong sentence, such as a phrase that describes your academic background or one
that reflects your mindset, thinking, or objectives, to make sure the admissions
committee reads the entire thing. You can even use a quote of some famous
philosopher.

Discussing too much about your childhood dreams

When drafting your SOP, keep in mind that overseas colleges seek out applicants
who are focused, practical, and serious about their future. You should sound like an
achiever and a focused person rather than like a daydreamer. Always keep in mind
that your childhood aspirations will only help you choose your academic streams for
the 11th and 12th grades, not for the rest of your life. You should be specific if you
discuss how your early aspirations influenced your decision to pursue your field
(short and crisp).

Misguiding the reader with false information

You must present documentation for everything you have done, from your academic
achievements to your extracurricular activities, because the admissions committee

wants you to provide material that is entirely accurate. The authorities deem us at
fault and reject our application if we are unable to give them the required proofs of
our efforts, such as academic transcripts and participation certificates for all the
activities we have participated in. They might occasionally permanently blacklist our
profiles.

The admission committee expects you to provide information that is 100% true,
which is why you are required to submit proof for everything you have done ranging
from your academics to extracurricular activities. If we are unable to provide them
with the desired proofs of our endeavours such as academic transcripts and
participation certificates for all the activities done, the authorities find us at fault and
reject our application. In some cases, they may permanently blacklist our profiles.

Copying from the internet

In institutions overseas, plagiarism is seen as a serious offence. Never replicate
anything from documents belonging to former applicants or from the Sample SOPs
or Sample Essays that are available online. Copies or plagiarism in documents can
result in an immediate rejection from foreign universities and a permanent
blacklisting of the applicant’s name. Always compose your article or SOP
independently.

Using informal style of writing and exceeding the word limit

Make use of formal language. Be careful to speak in a respectful, official, and polite
manner. Remember that you have good grammar and vocabulary. A group of
distinguished academics will read your submission. Don’t use colloquialisms, slang,
or informal language. Your phrases ought to be brief and understandable. Use only
the terms and expressions you are accustomed to and comfortable using. Don’t try to
adorn your writing with fancy language.

One typical error students make while drafting their SOP is to exceed the word limit.
The word limit is sometimes exceeded by applicants in an effort to appear intelligent
or well-rounded. Everyone needs to stay away from this error. SOPs that are longer

than the word limit may hurt your chances rather than help them. So respect the
word restriction and be selective with your wording.

Not editing and Proofreading again

Proofread your Statement of Purpose again and again and then again! By
proofreading your work, you can avoid the following mistakes:

● spelling errors
● typographical mistakes
● incorrect grammar
● Repeat what you said.
● inconsistent transitions between paragraphs

Any errors in your SOP will reflect poorly on you and may prevent you from being
admitted to the university of your choice because English language fluency is a
prerequisite for studying abroad. Additionally, proofreading aids in getting rid of
ineffective, boring sentences from your writing. Utilise the free writing tools
accessible online to weed out mistakes, and then read the paper out loud to ensure
you catch all of them. Before submitting it, have a trusted friend or relative review it.

Writing negative statements

This could be a precarious slope. While it’s necessary to own your mistakes, you
shouldn’t dwell on them too much. In order for the reader to understand that you are
capable of overcoming setbacks and moving forward, you must find a constructive
method to introduce your shortcomings.
Your SOP and application essays could decide whether or not you are admitted to
your dream college, regardless of your prior academic performance. As a result, it is
imperative to seek professional advice rather than tinkering with the document on
your own.
You should give significant thought to all of the aforementioned points because they
will enable you to create an application that is exceptional and noteworthy.

You can always ask for assistance from industry specialists at Edubound because
our experts have the idea about the most recent developments in the sector and can
advise you on what would be best for you. You can always apply on your own with
the right information, but when getting expert support, you’ll know the difference
between applying on your own and getting assistance from outside agencies.