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Applying to grad school means having to write a killer statement. This statement can be either a statement of purpose or a personal statement (or both, as we’ll explain later). But what exactly is the difference between these two types of essays?

In this guide to the statement of purpose vs personal statement, we take an in-depth look at the unique purposes of the grad school statement of purpose and personal statement, how the two essays are different and alike, and what you can do to ensure you produce an essay that’s guaranteed to get you into grad school.

What’s the Difference Between a Personal Statement and a Statement of Purpose?

First off, what is the main difference between a statement of purpose and a personal statement for grad school?

The short answer is that a statement of purpose is about what you want to do, while a personal statement is about who you are. Each essay has its own goals in what it’s supposed to do for you and the program you’re applying to.

Whereas the statement of purpose showcases your academic strengths and background, career goals, research interests, and fit with the program, the personal statement highlights your personal motivations for applying to the program and any major accomplishments you’ve had or challenges you’ve faced along the way.

In spite of these big differences, both statements essentially serve the same overarching purpose: to make the admissions committee think you are a good fit and will be successful in the program to which you’re applying.

Here’s a brief overview of the biggest differences between a personal statement and a statement of purpose:

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Statement of Purpose vs Personal Statement: Which Do You Need to Write?

Now that you know the main difference between a personal statement and a statement of purpose, which one will you have to actually write for your grad school applications?

The answer to this question depends on what documents your school requires and how it defines the two types of essays.

While some grad schools, such as  Michigan State University and the UC system , clearly distinguish between the two essays and require two separate statements for admission, other schools don’t distinguish at all between the personal statement and statement of purpose. In fact, many grad programs use the terms interchangeably!

Meanwhile, some grad schools combine qualities from both statements into one comprehensive statement.  Notre Dame’s Creative Writing MFA program , for instance, requires an essay that’s really a combination of the personal statement and statement of purpose: it asks applicants to talk about their future academic and professional goals as well as any personal aspects of their identity that influence their writing.

Generally, most grad programs will require at least one essay. For research-based programs, this will likely be the more academic, more formal statement of purpose.

To figure out which essay you’ll need to write for your program (and whether you’ll need to write more than one), check the program’s official website. You should be able to find details on either the program’s application requirements page or the application itself.  I also advise checking the FAQ page to see whether anyone has asked a question about the program’s essay requirements.

If you’re still confused about what your grad school admissions essay should focus on and/or what type of essay you’re required to write for your application, contact the program directly by email or phone.

How to Approach the Statement of Purpose vs Personal Statement: 11 Tips

In light of these major differences between the personal statement and statement of purpose, it’s important that you also know the differences in how you approach each essay.

In this section, we give you our top tips for how to write a truly effective and compelling personal statement and statement of purpose for grad school. We also give you some general tips you can use for both essays.

How to Write a Statement of Purpose

We’ll start with the statement of purpose—the more formal, more academic essay.

Tip 1: Consider Your Future Goals

Most statements of purpose will require you to introduce your future goals (academic, professional, or both) and describe how this particular program will help you achieve these goals. Therefore, it’s important that you clearly lay out in your essay the ambitions you have, and explain how these relate to the field you want to enter and the program to which you’re applying.

Think deeply about what you hope this grad program will do for you, academically and/or professionally. For example, if you’re applying for a master’s program in computer science, you could talk about how you plan to leave your career as a real estate agent to become a freelance web developer.

Make sure that you also explain why this program in particular will help you. Perhaps you enjoy the grad program’s emphasis on internships and believe these will let you more easily enter the professional world upon graduation, for example.

Tip 2: Research the Program and Its Professors

You likely already did some research on the program—why else would you be applying?—but it’s important to dig even deeper so you can write about specific aspects of the program that interest you.

Here are some examples of features you could write about:

• Professors with whom you wish to work
• Certain classes you hope to take
• Internships, networking events, and/or other professionally oriented events offered by the program or school
• The program’s emphasis on a certain topic, idea, or skill
• Any other attributes of the program, such as its small class sizes, its emphasis on group projects, its contests or competitions in your field, etc.

Note that it’s best NOT to mention these things in your essay:

• The program’s selectivity or acceptance rate
• The program’s ranking

The best way to begin research on your program is to simply look at the program’s official website. This should give you all the information you need on what the program requires, what it focuses on, what types of students it’s geared toward, and so on.

I also recommend visiting websites such as The Grad Cafe and Reddit . With these websites, you can get the inside scoop by reading what real students have to say about the program you’re applying to.

Tip 3: Explain How You’re a Good Match

Grad programs must make sure that the applicants they admit will be able to study what they want to research and will fit well with the program’s overall focus and its faculty members’ areas of expertise.

This point is especially important for those applying to doctoral programs, since you’re most likely going to be working one-on-one with a specific faculty member on a major research project or dissertation.

Here are some things you can write about in your statement of purpose to highlight your “fit” with the program:

• A professor whose research areas and expertise align with your research interests, background, and/or skills
• The academic or professional focus of the program and how this matches your future goals (see Tip 1)

For example, maybe you hope to work with a professor whose research areas match the general topic you want to write about for your dissertation.

Tip 4: Emphasize Your Accomplishments

The statement of purpose isn’t just for explaining your goals and fit but also for talking about your (relevant) academic and professional accomplishments.

You don’t want to repeat what’s already on your undergraduate transcript or CV/resume, so try to be extremely specific  here about what you’ve done and how this achievement has influenced your decision to get a graduate degree in this field.

How to Write a Personal Statement

Now that we’ve covered how to write a statement of purpose, let’s look at how your approach might differ for the personal statement.

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Tip 5: Tell a Story

Since the personal statement is less formal and more personal, you’ll want to ensure you’re telling a compelling story. In other words, you have more free rein to be creative with the personal statement than you do with the statement of purpose.

The personal statement is the one part of your grad school application where you can really flex your creative muscles. For instance, you don’t need to stick with the conventional chronological format (though there’s nothing wrong with this, of course).

A good way to show off your creativity is to use a variety of literary techniques , from imagery and metaphors to dialogue and colloquialisms. It’s also OK to write a little less formally than you would in a statement of purpose. So go ahead and tell that joke, or share that eccentric story!

Just be careful to not go overboard with informalities,  and make sure you’re still clearly presenting yourself as a serious applicant who is an ideal fit for the program.

Tip 6: Focus On Your Personal Motivations

Since the personal statement allows you to be a bit more personal than the statement of purpose does, it’s best to use this space to focus more on your own personal reasons for developing an interest in this field and applying to this grad program specifically.

Take time to consider what motivated you to apply to grad school and to continue schooling in this particular field. Don’t just focus on grad school in general but on the specific program you are applying to. What initially drew you to this program and at this time?

Tip 7: Explain Any Weaknesses/Challenges You’ve Overcome

You can also use your grad school personal statement to discuss any major weaknesses in your application or any challenges or barriers you’ve overcome in recent years. These can be personal struggles with things such as your career, school, health, money, etc.

For example, maybe your undergraduate GPA wasn’t that high your freshman year because you struggled with living away from home and not knowing anyone at your college. In your personal statement, you could discuss how joining your school’s badminton team helped you make friends and more easily adjust to college life.

Regardless of the challenge you write about,  put a positive spin on it. This will prove to the grad admissions committee that you’re able to overcome challenges on your own and can push forward to be successful.

General Tips for Both the Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement

In this final section, we give you some general tips you can use for both grad school statements.

Tip 8: Read the Instructions Carefully

The #1 most important rule for any statement for grad school is that you follow all the instructions for the essay.  Specifically, this means you should do the following:

• Answer the prompt and all the questions in it —some prompts won’t require you to answer every single question it asks, though it’s best to answer most if you can
• Adhere to the length requirements —most grad school essays will give you either a word limit (e.g., 500 words) or a page limit (e.g., two to three double-spaced pages), so don’t go over this!
• Include any information the program requires you to put on each page of your essay —this will most likely be your full name and might also include the document type, page number, etc.

If you have any questions about the requirements for your personal statement or statement of purpose, contact the grad program directly to ask.

Tip 9: Use Specific Details

In any essay you write, it’s important to be as specific as possible. And in a grad school personal statement and statement of purpose, it’s critical that you  include the names of people and places, as well as vivid descriptions of people, ideas, events, and emotions.  Doing this will make your essay not only more realistic but also more relatable to the admissions committee.

Moreover,  try to touch on specific aspects of the grad program, including your research interests and what drew you to this field of study. Don’t just write, “I developed an interest in psychology after taking an introductory psychology class in college.” Tell us who taught the class, the topics you studied that were most fascinating to you, and why you initially decided to enroll in this class.

Tip 10: Be Authentic

While a statement of purpose is more formal than a personal statement is, you still want to sound authentic in both essays. So  make an effort to write in your real, honest voice.  Don’t feel the need to grab a thesaurus to look up difficult vocab words to include in your essay—the admissions committee will be able to tell you’re just trying to sound smart!

Ultimately, you want to write in a sophisticated yet natural-sounding voice that shows off your personality while also highlighting your intelligence and maturity.

Tip 11: Edit and Proofread

Finally, give yourself plenty of time to edit and proofread your essays for your grad school applications. A big part of the personal statement and statement of purpose is showing off your superior, grad-level writing skills, so take your time to craft a compelling (and technically correct!) statement.

Once you’ve got a rough draft completed, look it over for any typos; errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation; and awkward or irrelevant areas. After you’ve done your own edit, give your essay to someone else to read, such as a former professor (if he or she has agreed to look at it   for you),   and ask for some feedback on what you could improve or change.

Conclusion: The Critical Difference Between a Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement

When it comes down to the statement of purpose vs personal statement for grad school, how exactly are the two different—and how are they alike? While both essays are meant to make the grad admissions committee want to admit you, they each contain pretty different information.

The statement of purpose is the more formal of the two, highlighting your academic/professional background and accomplishments, your future goals, and how you see yourself fitting with the program you’re applying to.

By contrast, the personal statement is less formal and focuses more on who you are as a person, including what motivated you to apply to grad school (and this program) and what kinds of obstacles you’ve faced in life.

Most grad programs require at least one statement; this could be either a personal statement, a statement of purpose, or a statement that’s some sort of combination of the two. And some programs require both essays.

Because a statement of purpose differs from a personal statement, the way you approach each statement is also different.

Here’s what you want to do for a statement of purpose:

• Consider your future goals
• Research the program and professors
• Explain how you’re a good match
• Emphasize your accomplishments

For a personal statement, on the other hand, you’ll want to do the following:

• Tell a story
• Focus on your personal motivations
• Explain any weaknesses or challenges you’ve overcome

Finally, for both statements, be sure to take these four steps:

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• Read the instructions carefully
• Use specific details
• Be authentic
• Edit and proofread

Now that you understand the major difference between a statement of purpose and personal statement, you can get started on writing an amazing grad school admissions essay!

What’s Next?

Still not sure how to approach the grad school statement? Then check out our collections of real examples of statements of purpose and personal statements .

For even more tips on how to write a killer grad school essay, take a look at our expert guides to how to write the statement of purpose and how to write the personal statement .

What does a grad school application look like? Learn more about grad school application requirements , and get tips on how to find acceptance rates for the grad programs you’re applying to .

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

Author: Hannah Muniz

Hannah graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in English and East Asian languages and cultures. After graduation, she taught English in Japan for two years via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel. View all posts by Hannah Muniz

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You may be asked to provide a Statement of Purpose (SOP) or a Personal Statement (PS) when applying to graduate school. Although the two documents may sound similar, they have different purposes and distinct structures. Understanding the differences between an SOP and a PS can help you tailor your application and improve your chances of acceptance. Here are the key differences between a Statement of Purpose and a Personal Statement:

The main difference between an SOP and a PS is their purpose. An SOP is typically used for graduate school applications. It serves as a formal document outlining your academic and professional background, your research interests, and your goals for graduate school and beyond. A PS, on the other hand, is typically used for undergraduate applications and serves as a more personal document that highlights your life experiences, values, and character.

An SOP is focused on your academic and professional goals. In contrast, a PS is focused on your personal experiences and qualities. An SOP should provide evidence of your academic preparation and intellectual curiosity, as well as your research interests and career goals. A PS should showcase your unique experiences, perspectives, and values and provide insight into your character and personality.

3. Length and Structure

An SOP is typically longer than a PS and has a more formal structure. SOPs usually range from 500 to 1000 words and are divided into sections that cover your background, research interests, academic achievements, and future plans. A PS, on the other hand, is usually shorter (around 500 words) and has a more flexible structure. It may be divided into paragraphs that cover your personal experiences, values, and goals.

An SOP has a more formal and professional tone than a PS. It should be written clearly and concisely, and avoid using personal anecdotes or casual language. A PS, on the other hand, may include personal stories and a more conversational tone. It should still be written professionally but can showcase your personality and writing style.

5. Audience

An SOP is primarily aimed at the admissions committee, while a PS may be read by a wider audience. Since an SOP is a more formal document, it is essential to use technical terms and jargon that are relevant to your field. A PS, on the other hand, should be accessible to a wider audience and should avoid using technical terms or jargon.

In conclusion, an SOP and a PS have different purposes and distinct structures. While an SOP is focused on your academic and professional goals, a PS is focused on your personal experiences and qualities. An SOP is longer and has a more formal structure and tone, while a PS is shorter and has a more flexible structure and tone. Understanding the differences between these two documents can help you tailor your application and showcase your strengths and unique qualities.

Statement of purpose vs. personal statement: knowing the difference

If you’re applying to graduate school, then you might remember the headaches of that application process that you encountered many years ago. Maybe you struggled to decide on a topic for the personal statement, maybe you debated which extracurriculars were worth listing, or maybe you were torn between taking the ACT or SAT. But for all the anxieties induced by college applications, at least those applications (especially, if you remember, those sent through the Common App) spoke the same language: that is, most schools needed the same essential materials, asked the same kinds of questions, and expected the same kinds of answers.

Graduate school applications, by contrast, are far less universal. Since many programs are highly specialized, you may be applying to several programs that each require their own unique statements and supporting materials. Even if you are applying to seemingly identical programs, one school may ask for a one-page statement while another asks for three pages, one school may ask for five recommendations while another asks for three; the variations are endless! Just wrapping your head around the different application requirements can be tiring. 

In this post, I want to de-mystify one difference that I found particularly disorienting when I applied to graduate school: the distinction between the “statement of purpose” and the “personal statement.” Most graduate schools will ask for a statement of purpose, and only some will ask for a personal statement, so in the majority of cases, the statement of purpose is considerably more important. But pointing out the difference between the two statements also emphasizes what exactly a statement of purpose is (and what it is not!).

As I mentioned earlier, the confusing lack of common terms across graduate school applications means that the following distinction might not even hold for all applications. You may, for example, come across a program that asks for a “personal statement,” but the actual essay prompt essentially describes the more standard “statement of purpose.” Or you might encounter a request for a very specific kind of personal statement--one that, for example, only focuses on your ethnic background. Be sure to fully read each application and any accompanying resources so that you address exactly what each application requires. With that important caveat aside, here are the distinctions for what are most commonly called the “statement of purpose” and the “personal statement:”

Statement of Purpose

Think of the statement of purpose like a cover letter. You might start off with something autobiographical or anecdotal, but most of the essay should be about your relevant training and technical career goals.

A strong statement of purpose should:

• Focus on your specific research interests within a particular field
• Detail how your academic and professional experiences have developed those research interests and prepared you to pursue them at a higher academic level
• Explain how those research interests can be pursued at this particular institution in this particular program

Here are some tips for writing an effective statement of purpose:

• Spend at least a paragraph discussing your interest in the specific program to which you’re applying. List specific professors whose work aligns with your own academic experience or research interests (and explain that connection). List specific institutions, programs, and opportunities associated with the program and explain how you would utilize them.
• Be as specific as possible about your research interests. This doesn’t mean you should know exactly what your dissertation topic will be in five years, but you should be able to identify a specific field within the department and professors who work in that field. Often admissions decisions are based on specialties (an English department probably doesn’t want an entire class studying Victorian literature and a biology department probably doesn’t want an entire class researching genetics), so narrowing your field can be essential.
• Anecdotes and autobiography can be effective in your introduction, but make sure the bulk of your statement is technical and academic. Only include extra-curriculars if they directly relate to your research interests. In all likelihood, your personal history has shaped your research interests, and your statement of purpose shouldn’t sound like a generic, lifeless script. But you primarily want to prove to the committee that you can succeed in coursework, excel in lab, finish a dissertation, or teach an undergraduate class.

Personal Statement

Think of the personal statement, by contrast, as more of a bio. You still want to mention your research interests and the specific program you’re applying to, but you also have an opportunity to flesh out your personal history. 

A strong personal statement should:

• Focus on the intersection of your personal, academic, and professional lives
• Detail various life experiences that have developed your character, work-ethic, and perspective
• Explain how your background particularly suits your for this program and/or will allow you to contribute a unique perspective to the community 

Some tips for writing an effective personal statement:

• Some institutions use the personal statement to assign various fellowships based on students’ backgrounds. If you’ve overcome or still face any barriers to education, this is an opportunity to explain those experiences.
• If you haven’t overcome any significant barriers, don’t stretch the truth. Instead, you might talk about how certain experiences have shaped your perspective or widened your understanding of the barriers that others face. Maybe you haven’t experienced any significant hardships but are still driven to help others who do, and you can discuss how this program will help you to achieve that goal. Or you might explain how you look forward to learning from a diverse and dynamic academic community.
• Though the personal statement is an opportunity to share information about yourself that might not directly map onto your academic career, you should still explain how your personal experiences ultimately make you a stronger student, colleague, and/or teacher.

Hopefully these distinctions have helped to clarify some key terms you’ll encounter while applying to graduate school. While these essays are usually the hardest part of applications, they can also be the most rewarding. If you think carefully about why exactly you want to apply to a program, what exactly you would study while there, and how that experience fits into your larger personal history, you’ll be both a stronger candidate and graduate student.

Related Content

Personal Statement vs. Statement of Purpose: Key Differences

Reviewed by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 4/15/24

What is the difference between a personal statement vs statement of purpose? Keep reading as we differentiate between the different types of statements you might have to write for your application. 

Scholars wanting to take the next step in their academic career and apply to grad school will most likely have to write personal statements and statements of purpose in the application process. 

The big question is: what is the difference between a personal statement vs a statement of interest? Is a statement of purpose the same as a personal statement? Which one should you submit? 

To best stand out on applications and impress admissions officers, understanding the expectations of each statement is key. 

If you’re getting your grad school applications together and are unsure of which statement to write or the differences between the two, we’ve got you covered! 

Keep reading as we outline the differences between the two statements and answer some of your frequently asked questions. 

What is The Difference Between a Personal Statement and a Statement of Purpose?

A personal statement and a statement of purpose serve distinct purposes in the admissions process. 

The personal statement is typically a concise one-page document where you reflect on your academic journey and personal growth. It's an opportunity to share how your experiences have shaped your character and influenced your decision to pursue further education.

In contrast, the statement of purpose is a longer, more detailed document that focuses on your qualifications, motivations, and aspirations related to the specific program or field of study you're applying to.

Ultimately, both statements have similar goals. They both require the applicant to demonstrate why they are a great candidate for the chosen program and institute and why they should be accepted into the program. 

Personal Statement vs. Statement of Purpose: Which One To Write?

First and foremost, ensure that you read the instructions on the school’s webpage! The webpage will clearly list and define what each school is asking for. Look at the program’s FAQ page for more information as well. 

Some schools will clearly define which type of statement they require hopeful students to submit. Some schools, however, ask for a mix of the two. 

For example, the University of Notre Dame’s MFA in Creative Writing program asks applicants to write a statement of intent that describes both personal goals and motivations for applying to the program. Make sure you know exactly what the program is asking for before you begin writing. 

If you need to make the call on which statement to submit on your own, there are a few things you should consider. One thing to keep in mind is the program you are applying to. 

Typically, research-based programs will be looking for more professional essays. In this case, submitting a statement of purpose may be the better choice.

If you are applying to a creative writing program or a grad program in the humanities, writing a personal statement may be more fitting. Typically, humanities programs want to know more about you as a person and how your experiences have shaped you into the person you are now. 

Humanities programs, like English or Gender Studies, want to see that students can be reflective, as the research topics pursued in these programs often require self-reflection and critical thought. In cases like this, you should write a personal statement as it often provides more insight into who you are. 

Tips on How to Write a Personal Statement

Your personal statement is a necessary element of many college applications. It may seem like a daunting task, but here are some tips to help you tackle it: 

• Start with a hook : If you want your personal statement to stand out from the rest, you’ll need to start with a bang . Consider using a descriptive or action-packed hook to grab your reader’s attention right off the bat and keep them reading. 
• Stay away from clichés : Admissions officers have to read tens of thousands of personal statements; they hear the same things over and over again. It’s okay to talk about an experience that may be considered cliché, but make it your own. Include details that are unique to your personal story. 
• Use engaging language : Your personal statement should draw the reader in. Paint a picture with your words. Use sensory language and descriptive details to convey your emotions and experiences. If you’d like, you can take a look at some personal statement examples to give you inspiration. 

Some other details to include in your personal statement include but are not necessarily limited to the following:

• Personal information 
• Specific courses that changed your perspective or inspired you 
• Your passions 
• Your hobbies and extracurricular activities

Remember to stay focused while writing. Your personal statement should answer the question, “What do I want the college admissions team to know about me?” Don’t get off-track and make your statement any longer than it needs to be . 

If you’re still overwhelmed by this task, there’s nothing wrong with seeking help. You can get expert help with personal statements to make your application stand out from the crowd!

Tips on How to Write a Statement of Purpose

Your statement of purpose, while similar, should be more direct than your personal statement. As you write, remember that you’re trying to answer the question, “What do I intend to do with this degree?” 

• Provide specific examples : Show, don’t tell. You can make many claims about your skills or abilities, but you need to back up these claims with specific evidence. UC Berkeley advises students to use examples for everything - “don’t say directly that you’re a persistent person, show it.”
• Demonstrate your knowledge of the school : Be specific about why you want to attend this particular school. This shows passion and a sense of direction and motivation. Avoid writing a generic, lackluster statement of purpose to reuse for multiple schools. Instead, include certain classes or professors that intrigue you. 
• Look toward the future : Make sure to end your statement of purpose with a glimpse into your future at the school and beyond. How will attending this particular school and program help you to make strides in your career and the world around you? 

Some other achievements to highlight in your statement of purpose include:

• Extracurricular activities that you participated in
• Community service or volunteer hours 
• Long-term career goals

Of course, having good grammar and spelling applies to both statements. Make sure that your work is error-free by proofreading multiple times and asking friends or family members to read it over for you. 

FAQs: Personal Statement Vs. Statement Of Purpose

Now that we’ve answered “is a statement of purpose the same as a personal statement?”, let’s move on to answering some of your other frequently asked questions about personal statements vs statements of purpose. 

1. What is the Difference Between a Personal Statement and SOP?

Simply put, a personal statement should include your motivations and interests–speaking more to who you are as a person. Meanwhile, a statement of purpose focuses more on why you want to study in the program you’re applying to and your academic abilities. 

While writing a statement of purpose, make sure to write what the admissions committee wants to hear. Writing a persuasive statement of purpose can help your college application stand out amongst your competition.

2. Can I Submit a Statement of Purpose as a Personal Statement?

As the two statements differ a lot from each other, it won’t be the best idea to submit your statement of purpose as a personal statement. You can, however, tweak your SOP a bit to make it fit into the criteria of a personal statement. 

Your statement of purpose should outline your academic achievements and credentials. You can change up the wording and alter the content a bit to take a more personal approach for a personal statement. 

In showing off your academic prowess and attention to detail, you should pay close attention to how you’re writing your statement. College admission committees will notice if your statement is vague or does not follow what they asked for. 

While it may be time-consuming to write multiple statements (if you are applying for various programs), it is in your best interest to take the time and write a specific statement for each program. 

Don’t cut corners for your college applications.  

3. Is a Personal Statement the Same as a Statement of Purpose?

A personal statement is not the same as a statement of purpose. As we have discussed throughout the article, the two take different tones and have different objectives. 

A personal statement is more of a storytelling piece that reveals how you got to where you are today. It can be less formal and a bit more poetic and intimate than a statement of purpose. 

You can be a bit more creative with your personal statement as well! Try starting it off with a relevant quote or a clever opening line to engage your audience right away. 

A statement of purpose is more traditionally academic in its tone and structure. A statement of purpose should be more formal and focused on your credentials and accomplishments compared to a personal statement.

Final Thoughts

College admissions are no joke. Even if you are a strong applicant, there will also be tons of other applicants that have all the qualifications. Understanding the difference between a personal statement and a statement of purpose is crucial to standing out amongst thousands of other college applicants . 

If you are applying to a research-based program, a statement of purpose will probably fit the requirements more. If you are applying to a humanities program, something more personal and less formal, like a personal statement, would be more fitting. 

Use your own judgment to decide whether a personal statement or a statement of purpose would be most appropriate for the program. 

Best of luck!

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Is a Personal Statement The Same As a Statement of Purpose?

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Table of Contents

When applying for graduate, dental, or medical schools, admissions typically request a personal statement or statement of purpose (SOP) from you, the applicant. The admissions department may use either of these terms interchangeably for application purposes.

So, you might wonder what each one is and why you might see one or the other when applying. A statement of purpose and a personal statement have both similarities and differences and we are going to cover them in this article.

First, we will inspect what a statement of purpose should entail.

Statement of Purpose (SOP)

Overall, your statement of purpose should showcase your future goals and what you are pursuing. When writing it, your focus should be on your future, not the past. The only time you might mention the past is when you explain your reasoning for your goals, which is very important. In addition, talk about why you are pursuing the specific degree you are applying for. Also, elaborate on exactly what you want and where you want to be once you obtain your degree. This section is important to the admissions committee and should be emphasized.

An overarching theme to keep in mind when composing this document is formality. Your statement should conform to academia and professionalism.

Specific elements to include in SOP:

Your degree and why you are pursuing it

Your career expectations and specific job(s) you want

Overall and long-term goals

Now, let’s look at what makes a personal statement different.

Personal Statement

This time, you are looking back at your life and acknowledging what important experiences inspired you. In your personal statement, you should discuss who you are as a person and what about your past has molded you. You should also detail your motivations for applying to your desired program.

Moreover, you must write about your past accomplishments. A creative way to do this would be by telling your success stories. Talk about a special time where you met someone who became your role model or saw something that inspired you to reach for the goals you have today.

Lastly, try to mention challenges you have faced and overcome. This will show admissions that you have come a long way and did not let the obstacles stop you.

Specific elements to include:

Pertinent previous experiences that helped shape your goals

Accomplishments

Motivations

Both a statement of purpose and a personal statement aim to reveal a student’s background, experiences, knowledge, interests, and most importantly, goals. They are used in the admissions process to understand a student’s passion, mindset, and long-term vision. A statement of purpose is typically not requested until graduate school, and personal statements are often needed at the undergraduate level.

Remember, the statement of purpose is more formal and academic, while the personal statement is less formal and more personal.

As it can be difficult to grasp these unique requirements and to get started on the process, ApplyGround can help. We can assist you from the start of the process till the end in several ways. The differences and necessities are important to understand and include in your statements, so taking the initiative to get assistance would be worth it in the long run.

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Difference between SOP and Personal Statement

• What is SOP
• SOP Writing Tips
• Statement of Purpose for Masters
• SOP for MBA
• Statement of Purpose for Phd

Updated on 09 November, 2023

Akansha Semwal

Study abroad expert.

Most reputed universities ask for a statement of purpose (SOP) or a personal statement. Although the Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement contain different information, the two are very alike. A student must know the difference between a personal statement and a statement of purpose if they plan to study overseas. It will help them to answer effectively according to the university’s requirements, which can increase your possibilities of selection into the university. Thus, a student should know the difference between the two before drafting one.

Table of Contents

Personal statement, understanding the difference between sop and personal statement, understanding the key similarities between sop and personal statement, plan the structure:, write their motivational instances:, find unique qualities:, tell about weakness or challenges that they succeeded in:.

• Objectives of Personal Statement

Frequently Asked Questions

In the SOP (Statement of purpose), a student needs to tell the admission committee about their intention of pursuing a particular program and how they make the right fit for the program. It is indispensable to understand a student’s academic interests and evaluate their aptitude and preparation for graduate work, as well as their fit with the proposed program of study. It is also used to assess their ability to write convincing and coherent prose.

A well-written SOP could convince the admission officers to accept their applications. Additionally, to make an impeccable SOP, a student must include the following aspects:

1) Career goals

2) Academic excellence

3) Education background

4) Professional recognition

5)What is their purpose when applying for graduate study in a specified program? A student’s area(s) of interest, including any subfield(s) or interdisciplinary interests.

6) What experiences have prepared you for advanced study or research in this degree program? What skills have you gained from these experiences? 

7) Share essential past experiences that may aid the selection committee in examining a student’s preparation and aptitude. 

8) Long-term and short-term goals after acquiring the degree 

9) Why that particular country (for undergraduate students

A personal statement is an opportunity for a student to mention additional details that may aid the selection committee in examining their aptitude and preparation for graduate study. In a personal statement, they need to explain why they are the right applicant for the particular course. In it, they need to prove their readiness for taking admission to particular courses. They need to demonstrate their enthusiasm for the field they are applying for.

A few details they need to add to their statement include

• Are their economic, personal, educational, cultural, or social experiences, not mentioned in their Statement of Purpose, that have shaped their academic journey? If so, elucidate. Have any of these experiences provided unique perspective(s) that they would contribute to their program, field or profession?
• How have their life experiences and educational background informed their understanding of the barriers facing groups that are underrepresented in higher education?
• Describe predicament(s) or barriers they have faced in pursuing higher education. What was their motivation to persist? And how did they surpass those challenges? Share the evidence of their progress. 
• How do they intend to engage in scholarly discourse, creative efforts, research, teaching, and/or community engagement during their graduate program that has the potential to advance diversity?

1) The statement of purpose is all about what you want to achieve in your career and is more focused on your academic/ professional qualities while the personal statement is about your present achievements and personal motivation that make you the right candidate for the program.   

2) The statement of purpose consists of educational excellence, career goals, and how well you fit in the program while the personal statement expresses your motives for applying for the specific programs and any other major challenge or accomplishment you have faced till now. 

3) The SOP is a forward-looking essay in which admission officers are keenly watching every detail you present to them related to future career plans and research goals. On the other hand, the personal statement is a reflection of your happenings which is more concerned with your prior studies.

4) SOP can be a two-page essay, a much more detailed version. While a personal document is usually a crisp and one-page essay.

Although an SOP and a personal statement share a common goal, still, both essays dictate how meritorious a student is to get success in the program. In both essays, a student needs to carefully read all the directions, use a professional tone, be honest, and proofread many times. Both types of essays need to be written between 1-2 pages. Moreover, students should ensure to avoid cliches while writing both. 

SOP or Personal Statement: Which One to Write?

Choosing the right essay completely depends on the conditions of universities as some institutions would want you to write an SOP while others would instruct you to write a personal statement. Some global grad institutes ask for separate statements for admission while some combine the qualities of both essays and want applicants to write a comprehensive essay. For instance, a combination of SOP and personal statement is like talking about the academic and professional goals with a personal touch of successes and motivation. To find out which essay a student needs to write, check the website of the university, they will find the details on the program application requirements page. 

Tips to write an impactful personal statement

Students should outline the structure before they start writing the personal statement. Write down their thoughts in an organized manner and ensure that the essay flows smoothly. 

They should specify the personal reasons that motivate them to apply for the particular program. Spend time checking what motivated them and to apply for the course specifically. 

Students should talk to their friends and family members and ask them about their unique qualities. Sometimes, it is difficult to list down their strengths so it is better to ask their friends. Ask them if they remember any story and these situations will set you apart from other aspirants.

They can discuss their weaknesses or challenges that they overcame in recent years. They can talk about personal struggles they encountered during school or college. Despite any challenge, write a positive conclusion, in the end, that will tell the admission committee that they can tackle any challenge and get success in any field or situation.

Objectives of Personal Statement 

Let us look at some of the main objectives of a personal statement:

• A student must demonstrate their writing skills personally when applying to a graduate program. Remember, their personal statement will help the authorities evaluate their nature and qualities as a person.
• They must also discuss their career, personal, and educational goals clearly and answer general questions as laid down by the university’s admission committee.
• They should gauge their analytical and critical thinking and their editing skills, writing, and general reasoning. Moreover, they need to share their work experience and educational qualifications.
• Their writing must give an insight that will help the university’s admission committee to determine whether they are a good fit or not.

The personal Statement vs. Statement of purpose will give us a detailed understanding of both documents. It is important to understand their importance and topic of focus for best results.

Comparison: Personal Statement Vs. SOP

Difference between Statement of purpose and personal Statement:

Personal Statement vs. SOP will help all new applicants to write them better and have a powerful impact on the admission committee of the universities.

Both SOP and personal statements are meant to influence the admission committee by presenting important information in the applicant’s words. The SOP is more formal, which highlights their academic or professional background, recognitions, realizations, future goals that tells if they are a worthy candidate for the program. In contrast, a personal statement is a document that focuses on their qualities as a person. Most grad courses require a personal statement or SOP or a combination of both, however there are some universities which require both.

For more information about writing an exceptional SOP, check out our other blogs. Leave your comments below!

• SOP for internship

Related Reads: How to write an SOP for MIS with work experience? SOP Samples for MS – Things to Include, Format & More

What should you write in a personal statement?

A personal statement should act as a snippet of a student’ s past achievements and focus on their intent to pursue the course. Moreover, what more they can add to the field, once they complete the course. Now, let us look at the other elements that should be included or taken care of when drafting a personal statement:

• First of all, be yourself and focus on being as genuine as possible when writing a personal statement.
• Avoid using cliché statements to come across as real.
• Do not forget to proofread what you have written before sending it.
• You can use your personal experiences to create an impact and better your points of getting shortlisted. But do not make the whole document overly focused on your experiences alone.
• Use simple and easy-to-understand words. A student should be able to get their message across. 
• If a student is asked a question, they should answer it completely and confidently with specific examples and details. 
• Always write new unique experiences in your Statement for every college a student decides to apply to.

What is an example of a personal statement?

An ideal personal statement explains a student’s attributes as a deserving candidate for the institution. They must be able to explain in detail their past experiences and how it has helped them grow emotionally and mentally as a person. Human values are best learned through personal experiences, and thus it is important to show what values they hold to become a part of a specific social circle or community. For example, they can say, “I have attended various social awareness programs that discuss and work against sexual assault in society.” This experience has helped them understand the trauma a person goes through and how society reacts to it.

How do you write a personal statement?

Writing a personal statement that helps a student’s application stand out is not an easy job. Thus, one needs to focus on their reason for applying when writing a statement of purpose. They should elucidate intellectual & professional & research interest and the expertise they have gained. 

Akansha Semwal is a content marketer at upGrad and has also worked as a social media marketer & sub-editor. Experienced in creating impressive Statement of Purpose, Essays, and LOR, she knows how to captivate the attention of Admissions Committee. Her research-driven;study-abroad articles helps aspirants to make the prudent decision. She holds a bachelor's & master's degree in Literature from the University of Delhi.

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In this article, we compare a statement of purpose vs a personal statement .

We also added six things to think about while writing your statement of purpose and six tips for writing a winning statement of purpose.

Table of Contents

What is a statement of purpose, what is a personal statement, what are the important differences between a statement of purpose and a personal statement, six points to consider when writing a statement of purpose, six steps to writing a winning statement of purpose.

It’s an essay written by an applicant, usually for a graduate program.

It aims to tell the admissions committee about your academic and professional goals, professional interests, and how they can provide value to the graduate program.

It can also be called a research statement or a letter of intent. It should be one to three pages long, depending on the program’s guidelines.

The statement of purpose should be written in a formal tone and should include a brief overview of the applicant’s educational and professional experience as well as any other information that makes them a good candidate for the course and a good fit for that specific program.

It’s an essay used by applicants to introduce themselves to an admissions committee, usually for an undergraduate degree.

Personal statements usually focus on the applicant’s identity, personality and skills.

These are often short narratives or stories that show why a particular candidate is right for a particular program.

You can also include personal and academic experiences, as well as explain your motivation and enthusiasm for the field you are applying for.

1. Statement of Purpose vs. Personal Statement: Format

Both are types of documents used to apply for graduate programs, however, a statement of purpose is more commonly used especially where research is involved.

The format of a Statement of Purpose is more formal and should highlight your academic strength and background, research interests, long-term goals, and why you are fit for that particular program.

A personal statement can be informal in format and should showcase your personal motivation for applying to that program or any achievements or challenges that you faced as well as learning from those experiences.

2. Statement of Purpose vs. Personal Statement: Purpose

Both statements are used to provide insight into the applicant’s personal background, academic/professional experience, and future goals.

The Statement of Purpose typically calls for greater emphasis on the applicant’s purpose for applying to graduate school as it relates to their interests, academic/professional experience, and future goals compared to a Personal Statement which may focus more on the applicant’s personal background or story.

3. Statement of Purpose vs. Personal Statement: Content

The main difference between the two types of statements is that a personal statement focuses more on who you are as an individual while a statement of purpose emphasizes what you want to study and what you plan to do with your degree.

Additionally, personal statements often include stories from applicants’ lives that help readers get to know them better, whereas statements of purpose usually don’t have this type of personalization in them.

4. Statement of Purpose vs. Personal Statement: Accomplishments

Both the statement of purpose and personal statement can highlight accomplishments and achievements.

However, the statement of purpose focuses more on how the student wants to enhance his/her professional profile through their time at university.

For example, it may mention specific fields of interest as well as incubators or membership of networks that will help build their professional base.

On the other hand, a personal statement tends to focus more on personal achievements rather than professional ones.

It usually highlights a student’s dedication towards a certain field or activity they have been involved in for some time now – such as volunteering or participating in competitions.

It also allows them to showcase any awards they may have won along with any other notable achievements related to their hobbies or interests outside school hours.

5. Statement of Purpose vs. Personal Statement: Creativity

Both a statement of purpose and a personal statement can be creative in their tone and structure.

A personal statement is usually more individual and informal than a statement of purpose which takes on a more traditional academic tone.

While both types of statements should focus on the author’s credentials and accomplishments, personal statements may also focus on other aspects such as relationships with others or life lessons learned along the way.

6. Statement of Purpose vs. Personal Statement: Resources & Tools

Both should be checked carefully but for a statement of purpose, you should use a writing guide and samples to be sure you are organising your writing in the correct way. These include:

• The Write Ivy PhD and Master’s Guide: This FREE (and helpful) guide will help you, step-by-step.
• Sample Statements of Purpose: These can provide inspiration for your own statement of purpose and help you understand the format and structure to write your own document.
• Writing Tips: Writing tips from experts can help guide you through the process of crafting a powerful statement of purpose that stands out from the rest!
• Grammar Checker/Spell Checker Software: It is important that your statement is written correctly in order for it to be taken seriously by admissions officers; grammar checkers/spell checkers can help with this task!

1. Goals: What do you want to achieve?

Think about:

• Your goals and objectives: What do you hope to achieve after completing the program of study? Be specific and clearly outline your medium- and long-term goals.
• How the program fits with your career plans: Does the program suit your interests, professional goals, and academic background well? Will it provide opportunities for further specialization or research in your field of interest?
• The reputation of the college or university offering the program: do your research to be sure you’ll receive a quality education as well as a chance of a good job.
• How you will pay for it? Be sure to check out scholarships or financial aid available for this particular program.

2. Information: What do they need to know?

• Write concisely and clearly, with a focus on your career goals and objectives.
• Your strengths, achievements, and potential for success in your chosen field or profession.
• Your qualifications for the desired program of study.
• You should emphasize any relevant experience that would add value to your application package and future research.

3. Word Length: How long should it be?

It should usually be between 1-2 pages (single-space pages in 12-point font). Some schools may provide a word limit, in which case you must keep to it.

4. Type of Statement: Should it be a purpose or a personal statement?

A purpose and a personal statement both serve as an introduction to the candidate.

However, a purpose is more formal and objective, while a personal statement can be more creative, using a narrative style with the candidate’s voice.

Additionally, a purpose focuses on qualifications and accomplishments while a personal statement can reveal how the candidate got to where they are today.

A purpose is more traditionally academic in its tone and structure than a personal statement.

A personal statement can be less formal than a purpose and may start off with relevant quotes or clever opening lines to engage the audience right away.

Additionally, while both pieces should be proofread for grammar and spelling mistakes, they differ in that personal statements may have an additional layer of creativity not found in statements of purpose.

5. Writing Style: How should it be written?

• Make sure your statement of purpose is unique and focuses on your skills and achievements. Add concise detail to leave a lasting impression.
• Write in a more formal way: Ensure that your statement of purpose directly and clearly communicates your goals, motivations, and aspirations.
• Consider your audience: Before writing your statement of purpose, consider who will be reading it (for example, faculty members or admission officers) so that you can keep it focused, with relevant information about yourself or the subject you want to study
• Proofread carefully before submitting.

6. Writer’s Voice: What tone should be taken?

When writing a statement of purpose, it is important to focus on the positive (what you can do, what you want to learn) rather than gaps in your experience and skill set.

If you are adding example experiences to demonstrate your skills and suitability for the course, the story you choose should be interesting, with concise detail that will interest a reader.

Step 1: Explain why you want to pursue this graduate degree

When writing a statement of purpose for a graduate degree in business, it is important to explain why you are passionate about pursuing this degree, what inspires you to achieve your professional goals, and how the program aligns with your career aspirations.

Add motivating factors such as transitioning from the corporate world or completing an MBA to progress within your company.

Additionally, be sure to explain any relevant experience or qualifications that qualify you for admission into this program, with supporting data.

For example, ‘I trained new staff in using software to improve sales’ may be true, but ‘I trained 28 team members using the XYZ software package, and their sales increased 9.2% within a week’ is much better.

Step 2: Share your motivation and your dreams but be brief

• Start by brainstorming and writing down your goals and ambitions. What motivates you? What are your dreams?
• Identify your strengths (that will help you achieve these goals), as well as experience or skills that will be relevant.

Step 3: Define your research interests

• Identify your research interests: What are you interested in studying, and why? Which topics or questions are you hoping to explore?
• Name the professors at the school who you are interested in working with, explaining how their specialist research topics could fit in with your objectives. Do the same for any other programs such as work experience placements that are part of the course. For example, ‘I received an award for my presentation on the Hall Lock (used in anaesthesia) and am thrilled to have the opportunity to complete my work placement with Professor Hall’s team at Cardiff University, where this equipment was developed’.
• Provide specific examples of your interests related to the course. For example, if you’re applying for a PhD program in Clinical Psychology then it would be important to highlight what specific topics within clinical psychology interest you most (e.g., psychotherapy techniques) and why they resonate with your personal values/beliefs/experiences.

Step 4: Outline your strengths and suitability for the program

• Create an outline before you start writing the statement of purpose.
• Write down your thoughts in an organized manner and ensure that your essay is coherent.
• Find personal reasons that motivate you to apply for the program, then spend some time reflecting on what motivates you specifically for this course of study.
• Discuss any challenges that you have overcome in recent years to highlight your problem-solving abilities.
• Conclude on a positive note by assuring the admission committee that you can tackle any challenges ahead successfully.

Step 5: Show by example how you have achieved goals in the past

Showing by example how you have achieved goals in the past can help with writing a winning statement of purpose because it provides the admissions committee with an insight into your strengths and achievements.

You can also demonstrate that you have the determination and drive to succeed in this graduate program.

Additionally, these examples show that you are able to take initiative and make a positive impact on whatever situation or project you are involved in, building trust between yourself and the admissions committee.

Step 6: Follow all instructions!

• Check all the instructions and requirements for writing a statement of purpose.
• Follow all instructions to the letter, without trying to be smart or creative to get them.
• Once again, make sure that your essay meets six basic requirements: it should be concise, well-structured, coherently organized, grammatically correct and free from spelling mistakes, and coherently written in perfect academic English without any slang or typos.
• Make sure you have included all the necessary information such as name/surname/contact details/college applied to/date submitted etc., at the end of your essay before submitting it online or via an email attachment if instructed to do so by the admissions team.

FAQs – (Some of these are covered in more detail above)

What is the difference between a statement of purpose and a personal statement in terms of undergraduate and post-graduate programs.

Both a statement of purpose and a personal statement can be used for undergraduate admission or graduate/post-baccalaureate programs.

A statement of purpose usually places greater emphasis on an applicant’s reasons for applying to graduate school as it relates to their interests, academic/professional experience, and future goals.

A personal statement often calls for applicants to discuss their personal background (not necessarily academic or professional).

How long should a Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement be?

When writing a statement of purpose or personal statement, it is important to consider the length of the document.

Generally, both types of essays should be between 1-2 pages (single-space pages in 12-point font).

Some schools may provide a word limit, in which case you should strictly adhere to it. Brevity is key, so try to focus on only the most relevant information and make every word count.

What format should I use for a Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement?

The format for a statement of purpose or personal statement depends on the program you are applying to.

For graduate studies, business or law school, it is usually best to write in story form and use a more narrative style with your voice.

For medical programs, it is typically more formal and objective. Regardless of the program, you are applying for, it is important to proofread your essays for grammar and spelling before submitting them.

What are the requirements for a Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement?

The requirements for a Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement include:

• It should be well-written, coherent, and clear.
• It should be concise and focused on the topic at hand.
• It should address why you are applying to the program or university in question and why you would be a good fit for it.
• It should highlight relevant experiences, achievements, or skills that make you an ideal candidate for the program or university’s graduate degree program/scholarship/fellowship award/etc..
• It should demonstrate your ability to succeed in the chosen field of study by providing examples of past successes related to that field of study (e.g., research papers).

What strengths should I highlight in my Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement?

When writing a Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement, it is important to highlight your strengths. Some examples of strengths you can include are:

• Leadership skills
• Problem-solving abilities
• Dedication and perseverance
• Initiative and drive to succeed
• Communication skills
• Persuasive speaking abilities
• Multicultural understanding and awareness

How do I make sure my Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement stands out?

• Research the field you are applying to and find out what they are looking for in a statement of purpose or personal statement.
• Make sure your statement is personalized and focused on why you want to pursue that particular degree/field of study/career path, rather than just listing your qualifications and experience.
• Make sure it is concise, clear, and easy to read – use simple language that will not distract from the main message of your statement or bore the reader with unnecessary details or long sentences.
• Proofread carefully for any grammar or spelling mistakes before submitting it as this can make a bad impression on the admissions committee from the start!
• Make sure it has an interesting opening sentence or paragraph that will capture their attention right away; this could be something related to their field of study/research topic if possible since they will be more likely to take notice if they recognize what you’re referring to right away!

What resources are available to help me write my Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement?

There are a variety of resources available to help you write your Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement. These include:

• Sample statements and templates to guide you in composing your own statement
• Tips and advice from experts on how to write an effective statement
• Guidance on how to format and structure your document for maximum impact
• Resources such as dictionaries, thesauruses, and style guides for enhancing the quality of your writing

What mistakes should I avoid when writing my Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement?

When writing your Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement, you should avoid the following mistakes:

• Not clearly stating your purpose or goal in writing the statement.
• Using clichés or overused phrases in your statement. Phrases such as ‘I passed the exam with flying colours’ tend to come up quite regularly in statements so it’s better to write, ‘I received four A grades and achieved a 3.9 GPA’
• Trying to fit too much into one statement, results in it becoming convoluted and difficult to read and understand.
• Failing to proofread thoroughly for grammar and spelling errors before submitting your statement for review or acceptance into a program of study/scholarship/funding opportunity etc.

Is a personal statement the same as a statement of purpose?

A personal statement and a statement of purpose both provide an opportunity for applicants to introduce themselves and explain why they are qualified for the position they are applying for.

Both types of statements should be well-written, concise, and compelling.

Personal statements typically focus on an applicant’s background, accomplishments, skillset, and goals while the statement of purpose focuses more on what motivates the applicant to pursue a particular career path or program at a specific university or institution.

Personal statements are often used in applications for graduate school or scholarships whereas the statement of purpose is used more often in applications for jobs or internships.

When it comes down to the statement of purpose vs personal statement for grad school, how exactly are the two different—and how are they alike?

The statement of purpose is the more formal of the two essays, highlighting your academic/professional background and accomplishments, your future goals, and how you see yourself fitting in with the program you’re applying to.

By contrast, the personal statement is less formal and focuses more on who you are as a person, including what motivated you to apply to grad school (and this program) and what kinds of obstacles you’ve faced in life.

The way you approach each essay is also different: for a statement of purpose, consider your future goals; research the program and professors; explain how you’re a good match; emphasize accomplishments; while for a personal statement tell a story focus on your personal motivations to explain any weaknesses or challenges overcome

More Personal Statement Tutorials

• Guide to Writing a Winning Personal Statement for University

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between a personal statement and a statement of purpose.

A statement of purpose is usually more formal, focusing on your academic or professional goals. It shouldn’t include anything that isn’t directly relevant to the application.

A personal statement can often be more creative. It might tell a story that isn’t directly related to the application, but that shows something about your personality, values, and motivations.

However, both types of document have the same overall goal: to demonstrate your potential as a graduate student and s how why you’re a great match for the program.

Frequently asked questions: Graduate school

In the US, most graduate school applications require you to include:

• Transcripts from previous educational institutions
• Standardized test scores (such as the GRE or MCAT)
• A graduate resume
• 2–3 letters of recommendation
• A statement of purpose

Some programs may ask you to write a personal statement in addition to, or instead of, a statement of purpose. You may also be asked to an interview .

Always carefully read the application instructions for the specific program you’re applying to.

Most medical school programs interview candidates, as do many (though not all) leading law and business schools.

In research programs, it depends—PhDs in business usually do, while those in economics normally do not, for example.

Some schools interview everyone, while others only interview their top candidates. Look at the websites of the schools you’re applying to for more information on whether they conduct interviews.

In addition to thinking about your answers for the most commonly asked grad school interview questions , you should reach out to former and current students to ask their advice on preparing and what sort of questions will be asked.

Look back through your resume and come up with anecdotes that you could use for common questions, particularly those that ask about obstacles that you overcame. If you’re applying for a research program, ensure that you can talk about the previous research experience you’ve had.

You should also read as much research in your field as possible. Research the faculty at the schools you’re applying to and read some of their papers. Come up with a few questions that you could ask them.

Graduate schools often ask questions about why you are interested in this particular program and what you will contribute.

Try to stay away from cliche answers like “this is a good program” or “I got good grades in undergrad” and focus instead on the unique strengths of the program or what you will bring to the table. Understand what the program is looking for and come up with anecdotes that demonstrate why you are a good fit for them.

Different types of programs may also focus on different questions:

• Research programs will often ask what topics you’d like to research and who you would like to work with, as well as specific questions about your research background.
• Medical schools are interested in your personal motivation, qualities such as integrity and empathy, and how you’d respond to common ethical dilemmas.
• Business schools will focus on your past work experience and future career prospects, and may be particularly interested in any experience you have managing or working with others.

Some students apply to graduate school straight from undergrad, but it’s also common to go back to school later in life. The ideal time to do so depends on various financial, personal, and career considerations . Graduate school is a big commitment, so you should apply at a time when you can devote your full attention to it.

Your career path may also determine when you should apply. In some career fields, you can easily progress without a graduate degree, while in others—such as medicine, business, and law—it’s virtually impossible to move up the career ladder without a specific graduate degree.

Most graduate school applications for American graduate programs are due in December or January for a September start.

Some types of programs, especially law school, are rolling applications, meaning that the earlier you apply, the earlier you’ll hear back. In this case, you should aim to apply as early as possible to maximize your chances.

Medical school follows a completely separate timeline with much earlier deadlines. If you’re applying for medical school, you should speak to advisors at your university for more information.

A good starting point to aim for is about 18 months before you would start the program, or 6–9 months before the applications are due.

In the first few months of the process, research programs and study for any standardized exams you might need.

You can then begin writing your personal statements and statements of purpose , as well as contacting people to write your letters of recommendation . Ensure that you give recommenders plenty of time to complete their letters (ideally around 2–4 months).

In the US, the graduate school application process is similar whether you’re applying for a master’s or a PhD . Both require letters of recommendation , a statement of purpose or personal statement , a resume or CV , and transcripts. Programs in the US and Canada usually also require a certain type of standardized test—often the GRE.

Outside the US, PhD programs usually also require applicants to write a research proposal , because students are expected to begin dissertation research in the first year of their PhD.

A master’s degree usually has a higher upfront cost, but it also allows you to start earning a higher salary more quickly. The exact cost depends on the country and the school: private universities usually cost more than public ones, and European degrees usually cost less than North American ones. There are limited possibilities for financial aid.

PhDs often waive tuition fees and offer a living stipend in exchange for a teaching or research assistantship. However, they take many years to complete, during which time you earn very little.

This depends on the country. In the United States, you can generally go directly to a PhD  with only a bachelor’s degree, as a master’s program is included as part of the doctoral program.

Elsewhere, you generally need to graduate from a research-intensive master’s degree before continuing to the PhD.

This varies by country. In the United States, PhDs usually take between 5–7 years: 2 years of coursework followed by 3–5 years of independent research work to produce a dissertation.

In the rest of the world, students normally have a master’s degree before beginning the PhD, so they proceed directly to the research stage and complete a PhD in 3–5 years.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

It’s best to ask in person if possible, so first reach out and request a meeting to discuss your graduate school plans.

Let the potential recommender know which programs you’re applying to, and ask if they feel they can provide a strong letter of recommendation . A lukewarm recommendation can be the kiss of death for an application, so make sure your letter writers are enthusiastic about recommending you and your work!

Always remember to remain polite. Your recommenders are doing you a favor by taking the time to write a letter in support of your graduate school goals.

This depends on the program that you are applying for. Generally, for professional programs like business and policy school, you should ask managers who can speak to your future leadership potential and ability to succeed in your chosen career path.

However, in other graduate programs, you should mostly ask your former professors or research supervisors to write your recommendation letters , unless you have worked in a job that corresponds closely with your chosen field (e.g., as a full-time research assistant).

Choose people who know your work well and can speak to your ability to succeed in the program that you are applying to.

Remember, it is far more important to choose someone who knows you well than someone well-known. You may have taken classes with more prominent professors, but if they haven’t worked closely with you, they probably can’t write you a strong letter.

The sections in your graduate school resume depend on two things: your experience, and the focus of the program you’re applying to.

Always start with your education. If you have more than one degree, list the most recent one first.

The title and order of the other sections depend on what you want to emphasize. You might include things like:

• Professional experience
• Voluntary and extracurricular activities
• Publications
• Awards and honors
• Skills and certifications

The resume should aim for a balance between two things: giving a snapshot of what you’ve done with your life so far, and showing that you’re a good candidate for graduate study.

A resume is typically shorter than a CV, giving only the most relevant professional and educational highlights.

An academic CV should give full details of your education and career, including lists of publications and presentations, certifications, memberships, grants, and research projects. Because it is more comprehensive, it’s acceptable for an academic CV to be many pages long.

Note that, outside of the US, resume and CV are often used interchangeably.

No, don’t include your high school courses and grades. The education section should only detail your college education.

If you want to discuss aspects of high school in your graduate school application, you can include this in your personal statement .

A resume for a graduate school application is typically no more than 1–2 pages long.

Note, however, that if you are asked to submit a CV (curriculum vitae), you should give comprehensive details of all your academic experience. An academic CV can be much longer than a normal resume.

Always carefully check the instructions and adhere to any length requirements for each application.

If you’re applying to multiple graduate school programs, you should tailor your personal statement to each application.

Some applications provide a prompt or question. In this case, you might have to write a new personal statement from scratch: the most important task is to respond to what you have been asked.

If there’s no prompt or guidelines, you can re-use the same idea for your personal statement – but change the details wherever relevant, making sure to emphasize why you’re applying to this specific program.

If the application also includes other essays, such as a statement of purpose , you might have to revise your personal statement to avoid repeating the same information.

The typical length of a personal statement for graduate school applications is between 500 and 1,000 words.

Different programs have different requirements, so always check if there’s a minimum or maximum length and stick to the guidelines. If there is no recommended word count, aim for no more than 1-2 pages.

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Free PDF: The 4 questions every SOP must answer → Master’s or PhD

What’s the Difference Between the SOP and Personal Statement?

• By Jordan Dotson
• Updated: July 3, 2023

In the 2021 admissions cycle, one of my rockstar students, Lee, was a quantum integration engineer from East Asia. For a STEM researcher and non-native English speaker, Lee was a marvelous writer. His SOP was profound. Yet, when it came time to handle his other essays, Lee asked (and answered) two questions that clarified something for me in a powerful way: “What is the difference between the SOP and Personal Statement? And how does this relate to the CV?”

Of course, Lee had already read Structure is Magic . So, he understood the SOP beautifully. I sent him Diversity Statements 101 , and he began to understand what schools look for in these “personal essays.”

Soon, we had a discussion about how these essays are not “info dumps,” but “arguments.” They shouldn’t be stuffed full of details about your past. I told Lee that this is probably the most common mistake my students make: jamming too much info in the SOP due to anxiety. They worry the reader won’t fully understand their background.

All of that detail goes in the CV, I told him, where the reader can find it if necessary. “Curriculum vitae” means “summary of career.” But the essays are an argument for why your career matters . You’re not repeating information. You’re explaining why you matter .

Then, Lee said: “Okay, let me get this straight…” and he proceeded to write something so profound, he actually taught me something.

SOP versus PS versus CV

In Lee’s own words:

The SOP – “What I can do and be for your school, and why you should believe my words.”

The Personal Essay – “What kind of person I am and what would make me an attractive member of your community.”

The Resume/CV – “All the technical and pedantic supplementary aspects of my career (‘if you are interested’).”

The relationship between these three parts of your application is important. It gives universities a complete picture of who you’ve been in the past (academically and personally), and explains who you’re likely to be in the future as part of their intellectual community.

Previously, I’ve pointed out that the PS (or Diversity Statement) is about the past, while the SOP is about the future:

Both of those essays, however, seek to convince the reader that you’ll be a certain kind of student in the future: one who’s whip-smart, with clear research or professional goals, and with whom everyone will be happy to work. Unfortunately, VERY FEW schools actually make this clear in their essay prompts. Few take the time to explain what they want to see.

However, a few schools do explain this relationship, and reading their prompts can be extremely helpful.

The Statement of Purpose

Carnegie Mellon’s Master of Human-Computer Interaction program offers the following SOP prompt:

Prepare a concise one or two-page essay that includes at least the following items:

• Your objective in pursuing a Master of Human-Computer Interaction degree, including your career goals, and your reasons for choosing to apply to Carnegie Mellon.
• Your background in Human-Computer Interaction or other fields relevant

Notice how the prompt asks for, in order:

• Your objective (“ Sentence of Purpose ”)
• Why you’re applying to CMU (Why This Program)
• Your relevant background (Why I’m Qualified)

Does that structure look familiar? If you’ve read my essay guides, it should!

Here’s another great prompt from Cornell’s PhD program in Civil and Environmental Engineering :

Please use the Academic Statement of Purpose to describe (within 1000 words) the substantive research questions you are interested in pursuing during your graduate studies, and explain how our program would help you achieve your intellectual goals. Additionally, detail your academic background, intellectual interests, and any training or research experience you have received that you believe has prepared you for our program. Within your statement, please also identify specific faculty members whose research interests align with your own interests.

Again! The prompt tells us exactly what to write:

• Your substantive research questions (Sentence of Purpose)
• How our program will help you achieve your goals (Why This Program)
• Your academic background (Why I’m Qualified)

Lastly, check out this incredibly pithy and wonderful prompt from the Quantitative Finance program at ETH Zurich. In European style, it’s written like a letter, but still tells us so much:

Please upload a Letter of Motivation. Content like a job application letter: ie why you want to do this master (interests, career path), why you qualify for it (strengths), maximum 2 pages.

What are your goals and why us?

Why do you qualify?

It can’t get any simpler than that.

Notice that none of these schools ask for a detailed history of your academic and work experience. They want to know about your future and why you’re choosing them. As Lee said, they want to know: what you can do and be for their school, and why they should believe you.

The Personal Essays

Personal Statement. Personal History. Personal Contributions. Diversity Statement. They all want to know the same thing:

“What kind of person I am and what would make me an attractive member of your community.”

These prompts are usually far more useful than SOP prompts. The schools take the time to explain what they want to see. As I explain in my guide to Personal Essays , you could choose to write about your cultural background or obstacles you’ve overcome. You could write about how your research will help a specific population of people. Whatever you write, it should be personal, and it should help the reader understand who you will be in the future.

Most importantly, however, the  Personal Essays should NOT just describe historical facts from your life, and it should not repeat anything from the SOP.

NYU’s Master’s in Data Science program makes this very clear:

The Personal History Statement is optional and gives information on your background. The purpose of this essay is to get to know you as an individual and as a potential graduate student, and to understand how your background will add to the diversity of our school. Please describe how your personal background has motivated you to pursue a graduate degree. You may discuss educational, familial, cultural, socioeconomic, or personal experiences or challenges; gender identity; community services, outreach services, first-generation college status or other matters relevant to your decision to pursue graduate education. Please note that the Personal History Statement is not meant to be a general autobiography . The statement is optional and should not exceed two double-spaced pages. It should not duplicate the Statement of Academic Purpose .

Just as with the SOP, the Personal History is NOT a general autobiography. It’s an argument for who you will be in the future, not a list of historical facts.

The SOP says: “This is the kind of scholar I will be.”

The PS says: “This is the kind of human I will be.”

The Resume and CV

Most grad schools ask you to submit a resume or CV as part of your application. Very few (if any?) explain its purpose. So, let’s make this simple:

The CV is reference material.

It’s your personal encyclopedia. It’s your Wikipedia page.

This is where you DO get to stuff in all of that info you’re desperate for the admissions committee to see. All of your research projects. All of your relevant community service. All of your programming and spoken languages. As long as it’s relevant, it belongs here.

As Lee pointed out, the resume/CV includes all the technical and pedantic supplementary aspects of your career… if they’re interested .

This background detail – all of those research experiences you want to stuff in – are NOT hugely important. This is only context for the argument you make in your SOP. Most important is that you make this document easy to scan and read .

Think about how you use Wikipedia.

When you’ve read an interesting article about the philosopher Slavoj Žižek, and want to learn more about his academic background , do you read every single word of this Wikipedia page? Or do you click the “Education” link and skip all the rest?

That’s exactly how admissions readers use your CV or resume. They scan the highlights. They reference any extra detail they may want to know. But if you try to stuff all that info in your essays first…trust me, they won’t even make it to your CV. They’ll just say, “Ugh, this student can’t write,” and move to the next essay on the pile.

What’s the difference between the SOP and Personal Statement? What’s the function of the CV? We can’t say it any clearer than Lee did:

• The SOP : What I can do and be for your school, and why you should believe my words.
• The Personal Essay : What kind of person I am and what would make me an attractive member of your community.
• The Resume/CV : All the technical and pedantic supplementary aspects of my career (“if you are interested”).

The first two paint a picture of the future, using HIGHLIGHTS from your past as evidence. The latter is a repository of ALL the relevant facts.

Stuff the essays full of background info at your peril. As NYU told us, essays aren’t autobiographies. If you want to be competitive, you’ll structure your essays in an intelligent way. You’ll use this guide for master’s applicants , or this one for PhDs . You’ll craft an argument. And you’ll stand out.

Still don’t understand the difference between the SOP and Personal Statement? Worried yours overlap? I can help!

How are you going to make your essays unique, intelligent, and profound?

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Statement of Purpose Vs. Personal Statement – A Guide for Early Career Researchers

You were busy gathering information on how to apply for PhD programs abroad and you came across terms like Statement of Purpose (SOP), personal statement, letter of recommendation, etc. You are aware of these documents but how is one different from another, is still confusing. Your peers did mention how important these documents are while seeking admissions!

Among the researchers there always was confusion in understanding the difference between these academic documents . Moreover, many have a notion that statement of purpose and personal statement are the same. In this article, we will discuss statement of purpose vs. personal statement , why they are important, and which one to write when?

What is a Statement of Purpose (SOP)?

The statement of purpose is a letter that explains your rationale for applying to a graduate program and why an early career researcher is good for the program. The admission panel is interested to know why the candidate is interested in the program. This statement acts as a bridge to a possible candidate’s past and future in academics.

The early career researcher should have a substantial amount of experience in the field of research they are applying for. However, the program one applies to defines whether the early career research must mention their past experiences in the field of study. For example, it does not solve the purpose to mention the research experience in detail if they are applying for an MBA program.

Writing a statement of purpose requires understanding the academic journey. It is good to observe all the past events and life-changing turns in the career. This will help the candidate create strong reasoning for wanting to apply to the necessary program. Furthermore, once the candidate understands the academic past and possible future and does thorough background research, he/she must focus on how to create an original story.

A Well-Written Statement of Purpose

A well-written Statement of Purpose (SOP) could convince the admission panel to accept your application. The statement of purpose should have believable responses to questions such as –

• Why did you choose this school/university?
• Which field of research you are passionate about?
• Why you can’t pursue it in your country?
• Which Professor(s) is pursuing this field? And how does their work align with your interest?
• What do you want to gain from this academic experience?
• How has your background prepared you to develop this interest?
• What are your career goals?
• Why did you not score well on certain tests and what did you learn from that failure?
• And finally, what is special about you, and how does it set you apart from the rest?

What is a Personal Statement?

The personal statement is a personal note wherein the applicant writes about the personal as well as the academic background. The essay lets you share personal and professional experiences along with your academic experiences. However, there is less emphasis on research or future intent as compared to statement of purpose, in a personal statement.

In a personal statement, you are promoting yourself based on your skills as to why you are the right applicant for the particular course. Furthermore, it is essential to mention your readiness for the course and enthusiasm for the field you are applying for.

A candidate should add the following details while writing a personal statement –

• Candidates’ goals and values
• A personal story based on acquired skillset
• Discussion over what motivates the candidate
• Importance of the chosen course in today’s world.

Difference Between Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement

A statement of purpose explains why you want to study a given subject topic (it could be for a program) and a personal statement explains why you are a right candidate for a program. Furthermore, the statement of purpose discusses the area of interest while a personal statement discusses your motivation for applying.

An SOP focuses on highlighting the early career researcher’s credentials and qualifications. A personal statement focuses on the candidate’s acquired skills. Finally, a statement of purpose discusses how the candidate plans to achieve academic or professional goals. While a personal statement focuses on candidate’s relevant experiences, challenges, or accomplishments.

Statement of Purpose Vs. Personal Statement – Which One to Choose?

Choosing the right essay depends on the requirements of the universities because some institutions ask for a statement of purpose while others instruct for writing a personal statement . Some global graduation institutes would ask for separate statements and during admission they combine the qualities of both essays and may ask applicants to write a comprehensive essay. To find out which essay to write, it is good to check the university website, the requirement page will give details on the program.

Tips for Statement of Purpose Vs. Personal Statement

For statement of purpose –.

• Help the admission committee to analyze your aptitude and motive for taking admission to their university. Thus, write what the admission committee wants to know.
• Admission officers read hundreds of SOPs in each academic session. Then can find flaws quite efficiently. However, a genuine statement of purpose that talks about realistic achievements and thoughts of the future will intrigue their interest.
• All applicants are equally worthy. For your application to stand out, you must write a statement that stands out from the others. Start with an interesting introduction to capture the admission officer’s attention. Starting with an incident or a real-life experience would be the best way to write an introduction for your statement of purpose.
• Introduce your career goals. Be specific about how the program will help you attain your career objective. Mention your objectives related to the program you are applying to.
• Don’t be boastful but mention your academic and professional achievements. Try to be precise about the achievements and your decision in choosing the particular program.

For Personal Statement –

• Create an outline before you start writing the personal statement . Write down your thoughts in an organized manner and ensure that your essay is coherent and flows smoothly.
• You need to find personal reasons that motivate you to apply for the particular program. Spend some time to check what motivated you and apply for the course specifically.
• Talk to your friends and family members to find out about your unique qualities. You could also ask for an honest opinion from your siblings, they will be a better judge of your qualities.
• Discuss your weaknesses or challenges that you overcame in recent years. Also, mention your struggles during school or college. In the end, conclude on a positive note, this will tell the admission committee that you can tackle any challenges and succeed in any field.

When it comes to statement of purpose vs. personal statement , they are written to influence the admission committee by presenting the most important information about your life in words. A statement of purpose is more formal, highlighting your academic or professional background. Meanwhile, a personal statement is a bit informal and focuses on your qualities as a person.

Did you know the difference between statement of purpose vs. personal statement ? Did you write a statement of purpose or a personal statement? What ways did you follow to write these essays? Do write to us or leave a comment below!

great article to read

Your website provided alot of insight into the two keywords which are not found in many websites,however it will do good to include examples to further highlight the differences in the two words.Thanks

Great read. Thanks. It’d be perfect to add some samples to further highlight the application of the differences.

Very well received with thanks.

I loved the information and I am willing to learn more

What is the difference between a Statement of Purpose (SOP) and a Personal Statement when applying for PhD programs abroad?

This is really a good guide. Thank you

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Personal Statement vs. Statement of Purpose: Comparative Analysis

EssayEdge > Blog > Personal Statement vs. Statement of Purpose: Comparative Analysis

Applications for graduate school include writing samples, particularly a personal statement or a statement of purpose. But what is a personal statement, and what is a statement of purpose? You must know the difference between these two types of statements in order to respond effectively to the university’s instructions and to improve your chances of admission to a competitive program.

Briefly, a personal statement looks back and a statement of purpose looks forward, or, in other words, a personal statement explains who you are, while a statement of purpose describes what you want to do. Both focus on your experience and knowledge, but the first tells the reader about you as a person and the second emphasizes what you want to study and what you plan to do with the degree you hope to earn. Personal statement/statement of purpose, no matter what essay you write, both of them should be written perfectly.

Table of Contents:

A good personal statement should contain

• Your personal motivations for applying to the program
• Your accomplishments and success-stories
• The challenges you’ve faced and overcome

A personal statement is less formal and more personal, as it is written in a way that lets the reader get to know you – your background, your hopes and dreams, your practical experience, your challenges and the hardships you have overcome.

Three main points to remember about the personal statement:

1. tell a story..

Often written in ‘story’ form, the personal statement format gives you an opportunity to show why you are a good candidate for graduate study or medical, business or law school, for instance. The personal statement is a great opportunity to show off your writing skills as well as your determination to succeed while telling the reader why you are applying to their program – and why you should be accepted.

2. Add details to engage the reader’s interest.

Share a well-told story about your life – be funny or sad but, above all, be compelling and memorable. The more concise details that you can add to your personal statement, the better it will be. Consider sharing your triumphs and fears, your motivation to study medicine based on your father’s illness, your long-term desire to study law to right wrongs experienced or witnessed by your family or your interest in robotics or AI research. Be personal and unique.

3. Share your motivation and your dreams but be brief.

Be crisp in writing about yourself. Use strong verbs and avoid hackneyed phrases, such as “the experience opened my eyes” or “to make a long story short.” Write as if you were speaking directly to the reader and make each word count. Do not use a thesaurus in hopes of upgrading every other word in your essay because that can make the flow of ideas awkward and will not appear to be written in your own voice and style. Given the large number of applications received by most schools today, the admissions committee reader will appreciate a succinct, well-written story to introduce your candidacy. Focus on your dreams as if you only had a few minutes to convince the reader of your value to their program – because that is the truth. Make these moments count.

Need help? Check out EssayEdge editing services:

An impressive statement of purpose should demonstrate

• Your academic strengths and background
• Your research interests
• Your career goals
• The way you fit with the program

Alternatively, schools that request a statement of purpose format want you to tell them about your reasons for pursuing this field of study and your long-term goals in the field. A statement of purpose is more formal and academic, as it is supposed to show your academic background and professional experience in this specific field.

So, now you can deeper understand personal statement vs statement of purpose difference.

1. tell the reader why you want to pursue this graduate degree..

Do you have a natural affinity for scientific research or a commitment to teaching at the university level that will require an advanced degree? Perhaps you need an advanced business degree to be competitive in the corporate world or want to be a physician to help the underserved population in a specific country.

2. Describe how your interest developed in this discipline.

Again, briefly detail your experience in the classroom, in volunteer work, in shadowing opportunities, in internships. Cite mentors, if you were lucky enough to have expert guidance on your journey. Highlight your preparedness for study in this academic discipline.

3. What do you plan to do with this degree?

Emphasize that you are committed to this field and to a specific long-term goal, such as a career in research, teaching, human rights work, policy development, international affairs, finance, healthcare, or any of the many other compelling fields of study. Be specific.

So, the difference between these two types of essays is that the Personal Statement focuses on your individual background and your own special reasons for pursuing the degree while the Statement of Purpose spotlights your career goals and preparedness for this degree program. You have to know the difference between statement of purpose and personal statement to succeed, but it is also important to be aware of the things that are common for a personal statement and a statement of purpose.

Things you should know about writing a Personal Statement or SOP

• You have to read the instructions carefully and answer the prompt accurately. Don’t forget to add any information required by the program or university you are applying to.
• Try to use specific details and write in your real, authentic voice. Such an approach to writing will make your personal statement or statement of purpose more realistic and relatable to the admissions committee. Don’t just write that you are interested in sociology because you had a sociology class before. Tell the admission officer more about the topics you studied or your extracurricular experiences.
• Edit and proofread thoroughly. A big part of a personal statement or statement of purpose is your ability to demonstrate excellent writing skills. Take your time to craft a compelling statement.

Don’t confuse these two notions, although they have similar names. A statement of purpose is similar to a motivation letter since they both address the future. And the latter paper is sometimes even more difficult to tackle. That’s why students prefer to order motivation letter editing on EssayEdge to protect themselves from failure.

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TopAdmit- Online Application Essay Editing

College admissions essay editing, statement of purpose, personal statement & study plan.

When applying to any school, whether it’s undergraduate or graduate, you will always be required to submit one or more written documents. The purpose of these documents is to allow the admissions committee to find out more about the students on a personal level. Looking at your test scores, credentials, class rank, and similar data is not enough. There are thousands of students applying from all over the world with a similar application to yours. Therefore, your writing is arguably more important than anything else you submit, as it gives you the chance to express what makes you stand out from the rest of the applicants.

However, different schools ask for different formats, and this tends to confuse students, which leads to off-topic writing. Writing off-topic, no matter how creative and special your story is, could lead to automatic filtering by the admissions committee because you have failed to read the requirements and deliver what they are asking for.

Let’s look at the differences individually.

Statement of Purpose (SOP) – Just by looking at the title, we should already know that this paper is focused on your purpose, or the reasons why you want to study a particular course/major at this university. Usually, schools will assign what they call “prompts,” which are focused questions which you need to answer in detail. Failure to answer the question automatically marks you as an unfit candidate. It is very important to direct your response to the particular questions at hand. Don’t go off topic and start talking in detail about your past achievements, hopes, or dreams. Effective SOP writing discusses your career plan and future goals. This must be well thought out, as it takes focus and determination to pursue a degree, especially if you are applying for a master’s or doctorate degree. The admissions committee wants to see how well organized and prepared you are. Your readers need to know that you are serious about the degree program. They do not want slackers; they want well-defined research interests. A well-written SOP formally expresses the candidate’s background (education, interests, credentials, etc.), but the candidate does not brag. The candidate explains in detail his or her desire to gain acceptance into the program of choice. Check out free Statement of Purpose essay samples here .

Personal Statement – The keyword “personal” already tells you how different this is from an SOP. Here is your chance to show off what you have accomplished in your academics, any major skills you have, and any extracurricular activities in which you have participated. In this paper, you have the chance to represent yourself to stand out from the other students; you have the freedom to talk about anything and everything in your life, as long as it is relevant to the program to which you are applying. A common mistake with this type of document is that some applicants have too much to say, and they do not know how to choose relevant details or transition fluidly from idea to idea. Jumping from one story to another in one paragraph will put off the admissions committee, so organize your thoughts in advance. Plan what you want to write and structure your essay logically. Most importantly, don’t lie! The best personal statements are straightforward, reflective, and honest, so don’t overthink the task. Just express yourself.

Study Plan – A study plan is just another way some schools around the world, particularly in Asia, refer to a personal statement/SOP. They are looking to learn about your personality, past achievements, present roles, and future goals. There may be a shorter word limit for a study plan or no limit at all, depending on each individual school’s guidelines. When you are reading through the requirements, pay special attention to what the school is asking for so that you can focus the essay accordingly. If you do research on how to write a study plan, notice that the term “study plan” can also refer to a planned schedule to help students prepare for tests and exams. For instance, some students make study plans or schedules to determine how many words per day they should review for the SAT, GRE, or TOEFL. However, this use of the term “study plan” is unrelated to the application essay, so make sure you do not confuse these two meanings. One way to avoid confusion is to read about personal statements and use those guidelines instead.

To simplify the differences, you can think of them this way. An SOP describes why you want to attend a university while offering some details about your fit for the program, whereas a personal statement or study plan is all about representing yourself, your skills and accomplishments, and why this university should choose you.

It is always useful to read other people’s work to get a sense of what good essays are. To assist you, TopAdmit provides you some college admissions essay samples written by counselors and editors hailing from prestigious schools including Harvard. This page contains personal statement samples, statement of purpose samples, and application essay samples for college. But please remember, these are for your reference only; it is not to your benefit to copy their style or concepts. It not only violates academic ethics and could lead to an automatic rejection by the admissions committee — the point of our service is to help you construct a unique essay — not one similar to other essays.

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SOP (Statement of Purpose): Format, Samples, and Tips

• Updated on  
• Feb 17, 2024

To aesthetically present a movie on the screen, great actors are the requisites. Similar is the case when one is carving their own career path. From choosing the right course to getting into your dream university, you need to take each step carefully. As a crucial part of the eligibility criteria, the universities often demand LOR s, SOPs or entrance test scores to assess the candidates and their suitability for the chosen course. A Statement of Purpose (SOP) is one such element that beholds great value in the admission process of those aspiring to study abroad. Creating an alluring SOP is essential to help the assessment committee understand your willingness for the program you have applied for. This blog aims to provide a comprehensive step-by-step guide on drafting a statement of purpose that can help you sail smoothly through the assessment process and get entry into your dream academic institution.

This Blog Includes:

What is a statement of purpose (sop), why is sop important, sop format, 2. formulate, 3. revise and modify, what do colleges look for in an sop, how to write a perfect statement of purpose (sop / admissions essay), introduction, academic background and professional experience, career goals, why this course, why this university, how long should an sop be, what to include in an sop, what not to include in an sop, 10 tips to write a successful statement of purpose, sop sample for business analytics, sample statement of purpose for mba , sample statement of purpose for masters, sop formats for usa, canada, uk, and australia, top 5 mistakes to avoid while writing an sop, how can you reduce your chances of rejection from your chosen university, can sops help with scholarships, sop vs letter of motivation, sop vs personal statement.

A Statement of Purpose can be referred to as an informative document, containing personal statements, and is essentially required as part of the admission procedure of study abroad programs. Also referred to as an application essay, it comprises the basic details of a candidate along with their professional and personal interests, academic highlights as well as future aspirations. An SOP plays an integral role in the application process of a study abroad program as it provides the admission board with the key information about the candidate and why they want to study a particular course at their institution. It not only describes who you are as an individual but also gives an idea about your writing skills and proficiency in the English language.   

A well-written SOP is an extremely significant element during your admission process. While the academic record and other exam scorecards, academic transcripts and backlog certificates are essentially objective in nature, an SOP is the only truly subjective aspect of your application. It is the only document in your application that allows you to prove that you have something unique which makes you stand out from the crowd. As such, it is the document of your application docket that can hugely determine your admission.

Also Read: Statement of Purpose vs Personal Statement

As such, there is no particular or proper format for writing a statement of purpose or an SOP. Students have to write an SOP just like an elaborative and descriptive English essay dividing the whole context into different paragraphs. Each paragraph must be having distinctive features describing different scenarios, features or characteristics about yourself. You can take the help of the below-provided structure and get started with writing an SOP for the university you want to study in. 

How to Write a Statement of Purpose?

As a pivotal document for any study abroad application, an SOP needs to be precisely well-written. To help you understand the different elements of this document, we have curated a step-by-step procedure that you can follow to curate an impressive statement of purpose.

The first step of the process of drafting a statement of purpose is to think about the varied aspects of your candidature that you should mention in it. The mandatory inclusions of an SOP are academic achievements (especially at the undergraduate level), prior work exposure or volunteering experiences. Start with framing an outline for the document and ask yourself the following questions:

• Which field of study excites me the most?
• Why do I want to pursue this degree?
• What are my expectations from this degree?
• What outgrowth can this degree offer me?
• Where can this degree take me, personally and professionally? 
• Through my pre-requisites, what values can I add to this program?

Once you have made key pointers for most of the questions mentioned above, you can begin jotting them down in a thorough and comprehensive manner.

Now that you know what you want to mention in your SOP, it’s time to curate a rough outline for the document. Here is a list of some essential tips you need to keep in mind while formulating your statement of purpose:

• Since the admission committee strives to understand your candidature through the SOP, you need to be honest in describing your career aspirations and objectives. Focus centrally on maintaining the authenticity of your mentioned details. Duly elaborate on your advantageous perception of the chosen course.
• Creatively cite your personal and professional interests. Mention what you are passionate about and what excites you. Then, sensibly connect it with your chosen program and how it will assist you in grooming your skills. For instance, you can state that you are aspiring to gain experiential learning or training in your desired industry through the course.
• What brought you here should be a sure-shot mention in your SOP. You can begin with stating those features of your chosen course that convinced you to opt for it. Then, write down the objectives you want to fulfil by studying the program. It can be personal growth or professional upliftment or even both. Try to be unique and precise when listing your reasons. 

Once you have jotted down your SOP as per the above-mentioned necessary tips, the final and concluding step is to revise and make changes accordingly. Go through the list that you created in the beginning and ensure that you have added all of them.

• The word limit for a statement of purpose is between 500-1000. 
• Do not miss out the predefined sizes for spacing, margins and font size.
• Try getting a second opinion but getting your SOP read from a friend or an experienced professional.

Many foreign and even national universities ask for a Statement of Purpose (SOP) from candidates wanting to enrol in suitable courses that the university has to offer. They ask for the SOP from candidates in order to check and look at the following things:

• The writing capabilities of the writer or the candidate 
• The X factor that makes their writing stand out from the crowd
• Choice of thoughts and ideas that has been explained in the SOP
• The unique personality of the candidate 
• Candidate’s talent, previous experiences, interests and potential
• How and what can the candidate contribute to the department of the college/university
• Candidate’s motivation or inspiration to study a selected course must be evident and justified
• The reason behind to choose a particular university/college and a particular course of study
• Academic and extracurricular achievements and recognitions (if any)
• Originality and clarity of the SOP as a whole. 

To know more, read our blog on – How to Write an SOP?

Check out the video on the same below!

How to Write a Powerful and Convincing SOP?

Whether applying for undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate programmes, the strategy of writing a powerful statement of purpose should be sound focused throughout. Starting from your academic and professional background to your career aspirations, you need to carefully connect all the dots between reaching your goals through your choice of school and course. The essay should always go in a flow covering your past experience, present involvements, and future plans. An important point to remember while writing your SOP would be to divide it into paragraphs that cover all the pointers. Here is a look at how you may write the SOP presenting your profile strongly:

This paragraph is often confused with self-introduction. It should not introduce you but should discuss what you are about to discuss in your SOP. There are multiple approaches you may adopt to go about this paragraph:

• Discuss your long-term goal and connect it with your idea of pursuing the course you are applying to
• Present your understanding of the chosen field and write how you want to contribute to that field
• Explain your background in 2-3 lines and connect it with your future goals
• Write about an anecdote that helped you realise your professional interest in the chosen field

This comprises of your academic background: what you have done so far, what you are currently pursuing, your academic strengths and projects, and the industrial exposure you have attained.

This is the most important paragraph, where you should discuss your short and long-term goals. Your immediate goal would be where you would want to work right after completing this course. You should be able to name some companies within India along with the designation you see yourself working at. This should explain the kind of job profile you would be working on.

Then comes your long-term goal, wherein you should mention where you see yourself from 10-12 or 15 years down the line. This may include your desire of working at the CEO/CFO/CTO level or maybe establish a firm that you own. It may also include your dream of expanding your existing family business overseas. You may also be interested in further studies like a PhD which can be included here.

More in this section may include your desire of becoming a professor or researcher. In any case, it is suggested that you discuss your business aim, principles, and core values or how you would influence the young aspirants of this industry. You should be able to portray ‘how you wish to make a difference in the industry keeping in mind the current industrial scenarios and emerging trends.

In this paragraph, you should discuss why you want to join a course and what modules would you tap during this course. It should also cover the skills you would acquire in this duration along with the exposure that would help in developing the skills desired to realise your goals.

This is a specific paragraph wherein you can convince a university as in how they are suitable for your profile and you are an ideal candidate for their university. You should discuss the course curriculum, research work, faculty names, as well as the university-specific activities that would help you in enhancing your profile.

Also Read: How to Write a Best Statement of Purpose?

Ideally, if considering an internationally renowned university, then the statement of purpose should be at least 1-2 pages long. In terms of word count, then the same should be around 1000 words. Having said that, the word limit and the length may also sometimes depend on the university that the candidate is targeting and also on the level of degree. Like for example, a candidate who is writing an SOP for an undergraduate program may not exceed 800 to 1000 words whereas a candidate who is writing an SOP for a PhD or M.Phil degree course has to write it in around 1200 words and sometimes even more. Some universities even have a fixed length and word count which is uniform for all the programs and courses. 

There are many elements to an SOP. Universities could ask question-based essays or simply a general statement of purpose. Until and unless categorically asked, an SOP must include your goals and the career path you have taken up so far as well as your academic progress. Other elements that are further important to the SOP are also the personal motivations that lead you to choose the university/course you have applied to as well as how you intend to use that experience to achieve that goal.

Following are a few things that you must do in order to make your SOP application strong:

• Your Statement of Purpose should have a unique and engaging beginning as well as an end. It must be original, a reflection of you. 
• Explain your academic background, present and future aspirations. Through this, you must justify your choice of a particular course for masters or doctorate courses.
• Upon reading your SOP, the admission officer should be able to understand how you can contribute to the university in terms of research and further scope in your chosen area. 
• Always write your SOP in an active voice and ensure you provide information in a manner that is a reflection of your passion and optimism. If you have any statements or references, try quoting them with relevant examples rather than being direct.

Often universities come across a lengthy statement of purpose and yet they reject it. Even when you cannot find one grammatical error, the seemingly excellent SOP would be rejected. And the primary reason is – too much unnecessary information. For instance, just because you might want to talk about your family, does not mean you go on and on to talk about only your family. While your SOP should be a brag sheet, it should be a brag sheet with a substance. You need to pick and choose what to include. Pick a theme and mention the accomplishments that make the most sense to your candidacy.

• Weave your career path into a story, not statements.
• Do not write what you think should be written. Personalise the SOP and make it your own.
• Do not stress over it. Although it is an important part of your application, the SOP should be a direct reflection of you.
• Find the deeper meaning behind the events of your life and pen them down.
• Give a strong reason as to why you chose the particular school and course.
• Be specific in the timeline of events.
• Use a formal but conversational tone.
• Accept your mistakes and explain how you are willing to act on improving. Use action items.
• Give yourself enough time to write the SOP and edit it constantly. 
• Proofread, edit, re-edit and then edit it again! There is always room for improvement, remember that.

Also Read: SOP for Scholarship

Statement of Purpose Samples

Here are some good examples of well structured SOPs that you can refer to while writing your own.

“ A successful career in Business Management requires adequate knowledge to utilise the strengths and weaknesses of an individual. In my undergraduate degree, I majored in economics and psychology because I believe that understanding these two fields is important for leading a successful business. I want to increase my experiences and knowledge further by pursuing an Executive MBA, which will equip me with advanced skills that are necessary to achieve my career goals.

As I have carried out various leadership positions, I have learned how to efficiently work in teams and pursue the specified goals. In my previous company, ABC, I successfully implemented the strength-cum-weakness finder software which helped us assign projects to the groups based on the mapped data. As employees got allotted tasks as per their efficiency, it resulted in a 30% net gain for the company over the following year. I believe that a successful business leader understands the importance of strategically utilizing a company’s resources to ensure the maximum potential and development of the company. Further, the pivotal thing I learned about myself by taking up leadership roles is that teamwork is a crucial element of successfully achieving an organisation’s objectives. An Executive MBA will help me furnish my leadership skills imparting me with the knowledge of hierarchical structures and how to work with other leaders of different domains in an effective manner.

Studying for an Executive MBA, I plan to take charge of multiple team projects throughout the duration of the degree so that I can polish my teamwork skills. I aspire to work under industry leaders and attain global exposure. Pursuing this degree from your institution, I aim to gain professional as well as personal skills that can help me soar through my career journey. ”

I had a keen interest in Biology since childhood. I was eager to learn about the living organisms around my surroundings and how they function. I took this interest forward and decided to pursue my higher education in biology. When I was first introduced to the field of biotechnology, I was mesmerized by what technology can do to improve the life of any living organism. This inspired me to look at various research programmes in biotechnology and how we are moving towards a phase where technology can alter even the basic fragments of any living organism and change the course of life an organism goes through. I observed the various research patterns that have been taking place in the agricultural industry with the advent of GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) giving birth to the Green Revolution. This was only one potential achievement in the extensive list of achievements that biotechnology was progressing towards. I worked with a reputed biotech firm which gave me an insight into how fast-paced the research in biotechnology is. The firm gave me the necessary exposure leading me to decide that I want to pursue MS in Biotechnology. My ambition to work in this field lies essentially in bringing changes in the lifestyle of people in a way that I can research and extensively study the required positive steps towards climate change. My goal is to achieve a sustainable lifestyle for every individual. The exposure that your esteemed institution will give me in the field of research will help me achieve this goal by working at a reputed platform

• Sample SOP for Australian Student Visa
• SOP for MIM
• SOP Samples for MS
• SOP for Business Analytics
• Sample SOP for MS in CS
• SOP for PG Diploma in Canada
• SOP for MBA: Essentials to Mention & Samples
• SOP for Australia

Here is the basic format for USA, Canada, UK and Australia:

If you are planning to study abroad and want to write a good and outstanding statement of purpose for the university that you are targeting, then here are some of the common mistakes that you can avoid from the very beginning while writing an SOP:

• Writing the SOP at the last moment without any plan of action or a roadmap
• Writing a weak and vague introduction and conclusion 
• Using informal language, slangs, short forms in your SOP
• Exceeding the word limit and not reaching the correct word limit at all
• Making your SOP excessively flashy and flattery

If you are eligible for any college-specific scholarships, then during the application process you will be required to write a separate essay/SOP. Either you will be given an essay prompt/question along with a word limit or they would simply ask for an SOP stating the reasons why you think you deserve this scholarship and/or what makes you unique from the rest of the candidates? Thus, a generic SOP is different from a scholarship SOP.

Must Read: LOR: Types, Format, Sample and Tip s

A Letter of Motivation is a letter directly addressed to the admission committee/department faculty explaining your objectives, motivation and goals related to the course. The SOP is not addressed to any specific person or department, it is drafted in an essay format, whereas, the motivational letter is always addressed to a professor or department under whose guidance you will be studying.

Also Read: How to Write a Motivation Letter?

Very much similar to an SOP, Personal Statements are an on-page essay where you write about your motivation, inspiration, goals, and achievements. Personal Statements usually have a more intimate tone than SOP as it talks about the highlighted incidents of your life. Another crucial difference between an SOP and a Personal Statement is that an SOP is addressed to no one in particular, while a Personal Statement is addressed to a professor or department under who you choose to study.

Relevant Reads:

Only your LORs need to be attested by your college or company. An SOP need not be attested/self-attested until and unless specified by the university. If you take a LOR from your college professor/school teacher or a Principal/Dean, then that LOR needs to be signed by the recommender along with the college/school stamp and letterhead. Similarly, for professional LORs, they need to be signed by their respective recommenders on the company’s letterhead and company stamp.

Once you have finalised your SOP draft, give it a double-check for grammatical and formatting mistakes. Your next step should be to analyse and critique your essay. Look at your SOP through the eyes of the Adcom and see what you find lacking. For more effective inputs, you can show your drafts to your friends and family and see how they react to them. Accordingly, you can make some changes but do not overdo it or deviate from the format. Lastly, check for spacing errors and save the final SOP which you will be using for the application process.

You should avoid mentioning any low marks or shortcomings about yourself in any of the application documents, including SOP. There are very few universities that ask you about your gap year. For them, you can mention the reason for the gap between your studies. Generally, no university asks about low grades during your study period as your selection depends on various criteria like exam scores, student profile, financials, and so on. Thus, it is advised against mentioning any flaws or low marks.

Hence, we hope that now you are geared up with all the quintessential tips to start carving out your SOP. If you still have doubts or need further professional guidance, you can always reach out to our Leverage Edu experts and we’ll assist you throughout the admission process, be it selecting a suitable course and university or drafting impressive SOPs and LORs. Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session.

Team Leverage Edu

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I was really impressed and happy with the informations I was able to get reading through your well documented page.

I am really impressed reading through your sample and guides in writing an SOP.I was able to put mine together and I have submitted awaiting feedback from the Admissions office. Thanks so much.

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Statement of Purpose (SoP) vs Personal Statement vs Letter of Motivation (LoM)

• December 3, 2020
• Study Abroad

Statement of Purpose (SOP), Personal Statement, and Letter of Motivation (or Letter of Intent) are the three things that people often struggle to differentiate between, or rather they just confuse one with another. No worries. We are here to put each one of them into their respective perspectives so as to give you a clear understanding SOP vs Personal Statement vs Letter of Motivation, and how one of them is different from the other.

SOP vs Personal Statement vs Letter of Motivation

Co-authored by Parinita Gupta

Statement of Purpose (SoP) vs Personal Statement

The majority of US and UK universities ask for a statement of purpose (aka SOP) or a Personal Statement. However, sometimes the US schools ask for both an SOP and a Personal Statement (popular for schools like UC Berkeley, UCLA, University of Michigan, etc.).

In simple words, the Statement of purpose defines what you want to do, in contradiction with the Personal statement which defines you and who you are as a person. Both of them have a unique role to play in the enrollment in the grad college program that you are applying for.

When it comes to a Statement of purpose vs a personal statement for grad/ug school, the two are very different yet very alike. While both of them cater to the same purpose of making the grad admission committee believe in you, each of them contains quite different information.

The statement of purpose lies on a little more of a formal end in contrast to a personal statement. A personal statement is rather less formal and focuses more on who you are as a person and a student.

A statement of purpose showcases your academic background and your skills relevant to the program you are applying for. It specifically lists your career goals and exactly what you are aiming for, maybe a year down the line or five. It lets the college know what your research and extra curriculum interests are and helps it decide whether you are a complete fit for the program that you are enrolling in or not.

A personal statement on the other hand highlights more on what motivates you personally, what truly drives you to pursue a grad/undergrad program, and brags about all the major accomplishments you have or any major challenges that you have faced along the way and have successfully overcome.

Here is an example, where applicants need to submit both SoP and Personal Statement:

Similar Objectives of SOP and Personal Statement

Even though a personal statement and Statement of purpose are completely different from each other, both of them essentially have the same overarching purpose, of making the admission committee believe that you are the best fit for their institution and the selected program and that you’ll be successful in completing the program with flying colors. Assuring them of the things mentioned above is your goal, bear that in mind.

What is the statement of purpose, and what is it used for?

The statement of purpose (SoP) is an integral part of your application for graduate admission and consideration for merit-based financial support.

It is used to understand your academic interests, and to evaluate your aptitude and preparation for graduate work, as well as your fit with the proposed program of study. It is also used to assess your ability to write coherent and convincing prose.

What to Write in a Statement of Purpose (SOP )?

• What is your purpose in applying for graduate study in your specified degree program? Describe your area(s) of interest, including any subfield(s) or interdisciplinary interests.  
• What experiences have prepared you for advanced study or research in this degree program? What relevant skills have you gained from these experiences? Have your experiences led to specific or tangible outcomes that would support your potential to contribute to this field (examples: performances, publications, presentations, awards or recognitions)?  
• What additional information about your past experience may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at the particular university? For example, you may wish to describe research, employment, teaching, service, artistic or international experiences through which you have developed skills in leadership, communication, project management, teamwork, or other areas.  
• Why is this graduate program to which you are applying is the best place for you to pursue your academic goals? If you are applying for a research master’s or doctoral program, we encourage you to indicate specific research interests and potential faculty mentors.  
• What are your plans for your career after earning this degree?

What is a Personal Statement and what is it used for?

The Personal Statement is an opportunity for you to provide additional information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at a particular school. It will also be used to consider candidates for specific scholarship or fellowship schemes.

What to Include in a Personal Statement?

• Are there educational, personal, cultural, economic, or social experiences, not described in your Statement of Purpose, that have shaped your academic journey? If so, how? Have any of these experiences provided a unique perspective(s) that you would contribute to your program, field, or profession?  
• Describe the challenge(s) or barriers that you have faced in your pursuit of higher education. What motivated you to persist, and how did you overcome them? What is the evidence of your persistence, progress, or success?  
• How have your life experiences and educational background informed your understanding of the barriers facing groups that are underrepresented in higher education?  
• How have you been actively engaged (e.g., through participation, employment, service, teaching, or other activities) in programs or activities focused on increasing participation by groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education?  
• How do you intend to engage in scholarly discourse, research, teaching, creative efforts, and/or community engagement during your graduate program that has the potential to advance diversity and equal opportunity in higher education?  
• How do you see yourself contributing to diversity in your profession after you earn your advanced degree at a particular university?

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Tips for Writing SoP and Personal Statement for a Single Application

Since a statement of purpose (SOP) is different from a personal statement , your approach toward each statement in these essays also has to be different.

To quickly summarize, here are a few things to keep in mind while writing a statement of purpose (SOP):

• Take your future goals into consideration
• Research well about the program and the faculties
• Explain how both of these two points mentioned above are a good match
• Emphasize your accomplishments and all the challenges which you’ve overcome

And, here are a few things to keep in mind before writing a Personal statement:

• Make it sound like you’re telling a story
• Emphasize more what your personal motivations are
• Explain in detail your weaknesses and the challenges that you’ve overcome.

Finally, keep these things in mind for either of these essays:

• Use specific details
• Edit and proofread
• Be authentic

Statement of Purpose (SoP) vs Letter of Motivation

On the other hand, one might get confused between a Statement of purpose and a Letter of Motivation. Generally, European universities (Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, etc.) ask for a letter of motivation.

So, there’s a fine line between both of them. Letter of motivation vitally focuses on the future aspects, and your career goals, specifically how your presence in the college/ grad program is going to affect you, your skills, or any professional work or internship experience that you have.

However, a statement of purpose, apart from focusing on all of these things mentioned above, in a LOM, also allows you to focus on, or rather brag about your past qualifications, grades, internships, work experience, volunteering experience, and other activities. A statement of purpose must explain how you are in your academic field of study, how your choice of subject affects you, and how your previous experiences have influenced your career choices, etc.

Even though a statement of purpose (SOP) and a Letter of motivation are used interchangeably, an SOP is more of something to write to an employer while applying for a job whereas a letter of motivation is something more of an application letter to write to a university or a college when applying. It’s pretty common to find universities, colleges, and employers to use these 3 terms interchangeably, you may also find them referring to LOM (letter of motivation) as a personal statement, but a letter of motivation is not alike a personal statement or statement of purpose (SOP).

How is a Letter of Motivation Different from SoP or Personal Statement?

The difference lies in the fact that how long each of these letters is supposed to be and what intention it serves. Generally, personal statements tend to get more personal, and in-depth with the candidate’s personal life, enigmas, strengths, weaknesses, etc., and even past achievements and failures, whereas letters of motivation have personal elements to it.

However, LOMs are much more focused on the applicant’s future plans and aspirations. A letter of motivation, allows the candidates to refer to their past achievements only as proof of their commitment to their future aspirations.

Before you start writing your letter of motivation, make sure that you have enough time to complete it. Important and crucial letters such as this one cannot be written in a hurry.

Therefore, make sure that you reserve some time beforehand. Also, make sure that you research well your university and its program in-depth and what their requirements and expectations are from their future pupils.

Knowing a little more about their main activities, projects, personal philosophy, and interests will help you figure out what the letter should contain and how you can frame your letter in a way that can make you look like a perfect fit for their institution.

Related Articles:

How to Write a Statement of Purpose (SOP) for Graduate School (MS/MBA)?

How to Write an MS SOP for Ivy League Schools?

What do Admission Officers and Universities Look for in SOP and Personal Statements?

About Parinita Gupta:

Parinita is a full-time banking professional. Additionally, she is also a passionate blogger and digital marketer.

She mostly writes about the Banking & Finance, Technology, and FinTech sector. But, she also enjoys writing on other topics as well.  You can follow her on  Twitter .

References: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 .

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Statement of Purpose (SOP): Format, Writing Tips, & Samples

Veda Burman

| Updated On - May 14, 2024

• A statement of purpose is an essay, required as a part of the university admission process and visa application.
• SOP is required to assess your background, skills, and potential for the selected program.
• An SOP should ideally be written within 1000-1200 words within 1-2 pages.
• An impactful SOP can be written based on country-specific and study-level specific format, unless specified.
• Even a weak profile can be enhanced by a good SOP, highlighting your ambitions and career objectives.

Statement of purpose or SOP is a personal essay reflecting your intent for admission to a higher educational institute. Some countries like USA and UK require SOP for both admission and student visa application. You can emphasize your strengths, and achievements in both academic and extracurricular fields through your SOP.

A statement of purpose should ideally be 1000–1200 words long, including 5-6 paragraphs, unless word count is specified. Some universities have a fixed SOP word limit between 500 and 1500 words. Always cater to these specified SOP word count by the university. Each paragraph of an SOP should be between 100–300 words long. A good SOP format should reflect your:

• Academic and family background
• Motivation towards pursuing the program
• Personal and professional experiences
• Future goals and career plans

How to Write a Statement of Purpose?

To write an impactful statement of intent for pursuing education in the best countries to study abroad , you should structure it well. The content should be unique, yet understandable so that the admission committee can analyze your aptitude and future prospects.

An SOP is your first medium of contact with the admissions committee before admission. It is through the SOP, how you convince them about selecting you for admission over others. That is why you must cater to all aspects in your SOP. The step-by-step process for writing a good statement of purpose is provided below:

• Introduction: Introduce yourself and briefly mention your family. Integrate a little idea about how you developed interested in the subject area to make it more effective. Do not try to begin by adding a famous quote to impress the committee.
• Background Information: Here, mention your academic and professional record till now. Explain your passion, academic and extracurricular achievements related to the field of study.
• Skills: Add a few lines about your skills and knowledge that are relevant to the academic domain. This is where you mention your final projects, internships, or volunteer work (If any).
• Choice of Program & University: Give a little detail about your aspiration in the subject. Mention specific reasons for choosing a particular institution, defining how it is the best place to enhance your education.
• Career Goals: It is advisable to mention your short-term and long-term goals and vision regarding your higher studies. This will help the selectors to assess your role and responsibility for the society.
• Conclusion: In the end, re-emphasize your major skills and qualities that make you most suitable for the course.
• Try to add unique information about yourself in a story format.
• Crosscheck if you have covered all points, catered to the word limit, and maintained coherence in your SOP.
• Step 3: P   r   oofread - Give your SOP multiple proofreads. Walk away for some time and give your SOP a fresh check to get new ideas. Edit wherever required to refine your content.

To write a statement of purpose, you should segregate it into different paragraphs, each addressing specific elements. A breakdown of the sections in an ideal SOP and the questions they are answering are as follows:

Statement of Purpose vs Personal Statement

A statement of purpose is often mistaken with a personal statement, but, there is a fine line between the two. A statement of purpose defines your academic background, strength, skills, and experiences. A personal statement is your personal story of motivation for applying to the program and relevant achievements. A side-by-side comparison of SOP vs personal statement is provided below:

SOP Format for MS, MBA, Ph.D., and UG Courses

Every course has its own set of requirements irrespective of the country. Some of these distinct requirements according to study levels are as follows:

• An SOP for UG coursework focuses entirely on your academic qualifications.
• An SOP for PhD or Masters programs includes information both academic and professional experience.
• An SOP for MS courses requires information on personal achievements, extracurricular achievements and even relevant volunteering activities.
• Compared to this, SOP for MBA talks most about your practical learning and professional experience.

SOP Format for USA, Canada, UK, & Australia

• Guidelines of an SOP for USA universities are the most stringent and rigid in terms of structure, content, and format.
• An SOP for UK and USA holds significant value for both university admission and student visa applications.
• The word count for the SOP essays is highest in Australian and Canadian universities.
• On an SOP for Canada , the tone should be more personalized than other countries.

Also Check: SOP for Germany

Statement of Purpose Sample

A statement of purpose example, written by an aspirant to pursue MS in Aerospace Engineering at University of Texas at Austin is provided below:

Since I was a child, I've enjoyed watching my older brother construct various model rockets at home. As I grew older, my interest shifted from mere observation to active participation. I eagerly joined him in the entire process, from carefully assembling the rockets to exciting excursions to a nearby open field, which served as our designated launch area. The experience of playing and launching those rockets not only intensified my interest in aerospace engineering but also instilled in me a deep sense of wonder and appreciation for the limitless potential of scientific exploration. This motivated me to pursue B.E in Aerospace Engineering from ACS College of Engineering in Bangalore.

During my undergraduate studies, I delved into a range of aerospace engineering subjects, absorbing knowledge and skills that would lay a strong foundation for my future endeavors. From studying aerodynamics and propulsion systems to aircraft design and space exploration, I embraced each opportunity to deepen my understanding of this captivating field. Along with my studies, I actively engaged in organizing 5+ workshops and seminars, collaborating with industry professionals and fellow enthusiasts. Through these engagements, I had the privilege of learning from professionals and sharing insights with my peers, further fueling my passion for aerospace engineering. Apart from this, I also participated in the National Flying Drone Competition with a team of 7 skilled members. We designed and crafted an impressive RC Ornithopter, drawing inspiration from the graceful flight patterns of birds. This unique creation, equipped with gears, BLDC motor, Lipo battery, two 9g servos, and a 2.4GHz TX and RX system, not only replicates the avian motion but can also served as a remarkable spy bird for tracing purposes. Our hard work and ingenuity paid off as we proudly secured the 2nd position among numerous participants in the competition.

After completing my undergraduate studies, I was given the opportunity to work as a junior engineer at Lockheed Martin India Private Limited. During the entire tenure of 10 months, I worked with hundreds of specialists and researchers, providing valuable insights and actively participating in cutting-edge projects. As an integral member of the esteemed research team at Lockheed Martin, I had the incredible opportunity to actively contribute to the development of advanced laser weapon systems. Our collaborative efforts focused on creating solutions to defend and protect both India and allied forces. With a deep understanding of platform integration, I worked diligently to counter a wide range of emerging threats faced by military forces and vital infrastructure across land, sea, and air domains. I now carry the invaluable knowledge and passion acquired from this experience, ready to embark on new endeavors and continue making impactful contributions in the field of aerospace engineering.

As my career progressed, I realized that I need to take on more responsibility and challenging roles in this field in order to achieve my goals. My short-term goal is to join popular aerospace companies such as Boeing or Airbus to gain practical knowledge and enhance my technical skills. My long-term goals is to be involved in designing and developing innovative aircraft and spacecraft, pushing the boundaries of human understanding and opening new possibilities for space exploration. Additionally, I aim to contribute to sustainable and environmentally-friendly aviation solutions, working towards a greener and more efficient aerospace industry. Ultimately, I hope to inspire the next generation of aerospace engineers and be recognized as a prominent figure in the field.

To turn these aspirations into reality, pursuing an MS in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin holds immense significance. This highly regarded program, renowned for its top-10 national ranking, offers exceptional research opportunities led by distinguished faculty. Through this program, I will acquire the necessary knowledge, resources, and professional connections to thrive in my chosen field. The prospect of joining a community of like-minded peers and learning from distinguished instructors and industry professionals is an inspiring catalyst for my personal and career development. I am confident that the experiences and knowledge gained from the University of Texas will lay a solid foundation for a successful career as an aerospace engineer. This will also allow me to make significant contributions to the field and accomplish my long-term objectives. This master's degree is a life-changing and career-making opportunity for me and I am hoping to get a positive reply from your esteemed institution.

Also Check: Statement of Purpose Samples

Top Mistakes to Avoid in an SOP

• Writing an SOP at the Final Hour: As you must have established, writing an SOP is a time-taking process. From penning down your points to proofreading the final draft, everything requires time and patience. Therefore, begin working on your statement of purpose well before the deadline.
• Copying from the Internet: As tempting as this might sound, copying from the internet is a bad idea. Not only because it will become difficult for you to maintain the flow of the essay, but also because it will not be consistent with your other documents.
• Lack of Structure and Organization: Ensure that your SOP has a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Present your ideas in a logical and coherent manner, allowing the reader to follow your thought process.
• Repetition of Phrases: A well-written SOP doesn’t include the same ideas multiple times.
• Usage of Informal Language: Your SOP is an essay for official usage and should be written formally.
• Excessive Length: While it's important to include relevant information, avoid making your SOP overly long. Any statement of purpose which surpasses the word count is outright rejected by the committee.
• Exaggeration: While it is significant to present your achievements and skills, avoid exaggerating or embellishing them. An overembellished SOP can be considered VAGUE by the admission committee and rejected.
• Offering False Information: Universities conduct thorough background checks on each shortlisted candidate. Therefore, be truthful and provide evidence or examples to support your claims.

The purpose of your SOP is to impress the admission committee with facts and figures. The statement of purpose should be driven towards convincing the official about your solid background and interest in the discipline. A well-written SOP can demonstrate your true potential to be successful in your academic and professional goals.

Ques. What do you write in a statement of purpose?

Ans . A statement of purpose is written to provide detailed information about yourself to the admission committee or visa official. Unless specified by the university, you should include the following information in your SOP:

• Professional contribution
• Career objectives.

Ques. What is the SOP format?

Ans . An SOP format widely varies based on the country and level of study. Your SOP should be written around 1000 to 1200 words. It should further be divided into 5-6 distinct paragraphs, each highlighting some significant factors. The pointers to be included in an ideal SOP format are provided below:

• Introduction
• Background and Motivation
• Purpose of Study
• Career Objectives
• Experience and Achievements

Ques. What is the ideal length of an SOP?

Ans . Ideally, a statement of purpose should be written between 1000 and 1200 words, unless specified. However, some universities accept SOPs from 500 words, up to 1500 words. It is recommended to break down your SOP in 4 to 5 paragraphs of 100–300 words each, depending upon the information you are providing.

Ques. What is a 500 word statement of purpose?

Ans . A 500 word statement of purpose is a compact SOP, covering all factors in brief. If your university has specified a 500 word statement of purpose, make it comprehensive. In a short SOP like this, avoid including irrelevant information, exaggerated content, and repetition.

Ques. How to start writing SOP?

Ans . There are multiple ways for you to begin your statement of purpose. Some people start their SOP with a motivational quotation, which is not recommended. Others begin with discussing their academic and family background, along with long-term goals. One way or the other, remember that your SOP should always begin with indirect self-introduction.

Ques. How should I conclude my SOP?

Ans . The conclusion of your SOP should summarize the whole content and your strong desire to pursue the program.

• When concluding your SOP, focus on highlighting your achievements and your future plans.
• Ensure that it is grammatically correct and reflects upon your strong points.
• You must also include a slight description of how the specific university or course can help you grow.
• The conclusion of your SOP should highlight what you will bring as a peer to that specific course/college/university.

Ques. Should my statement of purpose have my name?

Ans . Ans . Since your SOP aka statement of purpose is an integral part of your application package, there is no need for you to sign your name separately on the document. But, to be sure, read the guidelines carefully.

Ques. How is an SOP for PhD different from an SOP for masters?

Ans . The approach of a statement of purpose for PhD course is research-based, whereas that for a masters/professional program is career-oriented. While writing an SOP for PhD, students need to emphasize the purpose of research, and what is the end goal once their research query is solved. However, highlighting career objectives and contributing to the society with the knowledge gained can enhance a statement of purpose for master degree programs.

Ques. Can I take my professor's help to write my statement of purpose?

Ans . While it is recommended to take feedback from others while writing your SOP, it is not advisable to take help from your professors, friends, or family members. Your SOP should be totally personal and entail specific information and experience which you consider important for admission to your chosen program.

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SOP Samples for Undergraduate Programs: Format and Guideline...

SOP for undergraduate programs is a personal essay that gives the admissions committee a clear picture of the applicant's academic and professional ex...

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This subreddit is for anyone who is going through the process of getting into graduate school, and for those who've been there and have advice to give.

Statement of Purpose vs. Personal Statement

So I'm going into my senior year of undergrad, and I'm finally starting to narrow down the grad schools I want to apply to for my masters in music technology. Many of these schools want both a statement of purpose and a personal statement to accompany the application.

I'm getting mixed results on Google as to what should be discussed in each one, with many results just saying they're the same thing. Since my university is still in distance learning, it's been difficult to reach the career center to ask questions.

All this to say, what should be discussed in a statement of purpose and in a personal statement? What makes them different?

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