Graduate School Statement of Purpose - Where to Start

Graduate School Statement of Purpose - Where to StartStatement of Purpose is an important part of the application essay. It helps the admissions committee to know your goals and personal preferences for your future education. It serves as an introduction to why you are applying to the school of your choice, and if you've done all the research necessary to get the ideal job. Many students don't do this part of the essay preparation properly.A common misconception is that it's a formality because you have already been accepted into the program. That's not the case, however. Some programs require a personal statement, while others don't. The curriculum vitae is just an introduction to what you want to achieve in the program, not necessarily to why you're applying to it. A personal statement should be more than just 'I want to go to this school.'A statement of purpose should be focused on specific objectives, specifically the ones you have outlined in your personal statement. It should b e accurate, comprehensive, and concise. This can sometimes be a daunting task. At times students will lose focus or may not be comfortable making a list of their goals. If you haven't done the research necessary, you might not even know what you want to achieve from your undergraduate program. Without a specific goal to motivate you, a statement of purpose might seem empty.By focusing on a specific outcome or goal, you can give your statement much greater weight. Instead of just saying you'd like to become a teacher, you have a detailed plan. You can't just talk about your interests in graduate school. It has to be grounded in a concrete goal. Be specific. Every word counts.Students who have done a fair amount of research and are confident they will thrive in graduate school should simply list their passion areas. The current graduate school president, faculty, or deans can look over the sample essays provided to them by applicants. This allows them to read it, then decide for thems elves if the applicant has the academic capability to succeed in the graduate program. If they feel confident, they may recommend that the student not attend graduate school at all. To avoid this dilemma, try to focus your statement of purpose as much as possible on the goals you want to attain in graduate school. A focus on one objective can help to cut through the overwhelming list of things you have to do to be successful.In the absence of a full focus, students should take a step back and evaluate whether they would still like to pursue graduate school. It's easy to compare the other applicants in the undergraduate program. The diversity of backgrounds, beliefs, experiences, and personalities may be enticing. When you're faced with so many options, you may feel overwhelmed. Perhaps it's time to pull back and narrow your focus. Instead of using your graduate school sample essays to inspire you, use it to clarify your goals and put them in writing.You don't have to wait until you' ve been accepted to the program to write your statement of purpose. Ask for help from any classmates who are applying or find a professional development course that offers a portfolio review. Your graduate school counselor can also guide you through the process. Reviewing your statement of purpose with the admissions committee can help you and they can help you prepare to write a statement of purpose that is absolutely the best you can make. Don't leave yourself with little room for error.