Statement Of Purpose Guidelines printable pdf download

Statement of Purpose Guidelines

A written statement of purpose is a standard requirement for graduate school admission. It is a tool

for the faculty on graduate school admissions committees to assess the knowledge, experience,

motivation, intellectual maturity and readiness of applicants to pursue graduate education at their

institution. The statement of purpose is a crucial component of the graduate school admissions

process. It can determine whether an applicant is accepted or rejected, irrespective of their other

qualifications. This document outlines the 5 stages that a graduate school applicant should go

through in order to write an impressive and successful statement of purpose.

Stage I: Do your Homework

1. Browse through the websites of the schools/departments/programs of interest to you. Obtain

brochures and booklets and read through them carefully. Highlight the aspects of the

programs that appeal to you.

2. Read up on the research interests and projects of the faculty in the

schools/departments/programs. Read publications from a faculty of interest.

3. Browse through recent articles from the research field of interest and try to get a general

understanding of how the field developed and what are its current problems and challenges.

Stage II: Reflect and Brainstorm (on paper)

1. Reflect on your intellectual development.

• What and when were the major moments in your life that have led you to your

current research interest(s) and school/department/program?

• What or who influenced your decision or interest (i.e. role models)? What quality

about them appealed to you?

2. Why did you choose your research topic(s)/field/school?

3. Why did you choose your undergraduate major?

4. What are your career goals?

• Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

• What do you hope to accomplish?

• What drives you? What motivates you?

Stage III: Outline your Statement of Purpose

1. From the results of Stage II, determine a central theme/topic that stands out or dominates

your reflections and brainstorm.

2. Using bullet points and brief comments/statements, organize your reflections and brainstorm

ideas that strengthen the central theme/topic of your statement of purpose.

• Concentrate on your life experiences and give specific examples.

• Put down only those things that excite you.

• Do not make things up!

3. Your outline should cover these areas and, preferably, in this order:

• What aspects of the school/department/program appeals to you?

• What are your research interest(s)?

• How did you become interested in your current research topic/area?

Statement Of Purpose Guidelines