11 Most Common Mistakes in SOP

 

The stress of writing a brilliant and flawless Statement of Purpose to get admitted into an international institution is every student’s source of concern. A Statement of Purpose is a sure-fire way to make your application catch the eye and get into your dream university abroad. However, your SOP can also be your reason of rejection if not well drafted.

In this blog, we cover some of the most common mistakes while drafting an SOP, so that when you write down yours, you do not repeat them!

1. Hastening Your Sop

Drafting your SOP without giving it enough time is the most common mistake that an applicant can make when writing an SOP. An SOP reflects you as a person, your accomplishments, and your plans for the future. Take sufficient time to write, conduct groundwork, brainstorm concepts, and appropriately articulate your goal and purpose. Edit your document several times before submission to ensure that you do not repeat the same information or emphasize uncalled-for details.

2. Amorphous Writing

It is needless to be pretentious and extemporize. One common mistake made by a candidate is to write an SOP without a structure in mind. It is always best to scribble down a proper structure before you actually begin to write. Make an effort to think about your involvement in various extra-curricular activities or hobbies that are in line with your course of application.

3. Incorporating Untruthful Details

Adding false information is a big no. Don't try to exaggerate or lie about your accomplishments, as this could land you into serious trouble. The admission officers at the university authenticate every declaration made by you. Therefore, withholding information or lying about your scores or hiding backlogs will get you expelled from the university. 

4. Boasting About Your Achievements

It is of utter importance to strike an appropriate balance between showcasing modesty and bragging. It is undeniable that your achievements make your SOP stand out, however, they need to be approached organically and in the correct context. It is always a plus to include your accomplishments, nevertheless, it is unnecessary to include every single accomplishment. For instance, if your course of application is MBA, you do not need to include your pass time in hobbies. Rather, place emphasis on your work experiences, academic projects, and volunteering activities reflecting your leadership and management skills.

5. Concentrating On The Inessentials

Every year heaps of SOPs are received for each course offered by the university, leaving them with minimal time to sift through your document. Thus, it is essential to get straight to the point and not beat around the bush. This problem can be evaded easily by developing an appropriate structure and writing down the points to be covered. Steer clear of going on and on, making use of jargon and flowery language, childhood fantasies, or absurd hobbies. You should also exclude common or generic statements like I am an honest and hardworking person. Alternatively, write about your future goals, aspirations, and how you will contribute to the university.    

6. Not Adhering To The Word Limit

This is by far the most common mistake made by the applicants. To make an appearance of being smart and competent, applicants go the extra mile and surpass the word limit. SOPs with a word count of more than the stated limit does not necessarily make an application good, instead, it may increase the chances of rejection. So it is advised to adhere to the limit and choose your words wisely.

7. Focusing On The Negatives

As important as it is to acknowledge your failures, it is equally important to not stress about them. You need to come up with a healthy approach to present your failures so that the reader knows you possess the ability to overcome defeat and move on.

8. Making Use Of The Same Sop

Generally, study abroad aspirants apply to multiple universities concurrently and make the mistake of using the same SOP for applying to all of them. It is recommended to curate a different SOP for each university of application. This enables you to address the university and course specifically making your document look well-researched.  

9. Not Proofreading The Document

Proofreading your SOP is the most obligatory facet. Multiple reading sessions to leave no room for spelling errors or grammatical blunders are necessary. Proofreading also helps in eliminating bland, repetitive sentences. Filter out errors and read the document manually so you don’t miss out on any mistakes.

10. Plagiarism

Plagiarism is another huge mistake for any applicant to get debarred. Plagiarism is considered to be a serious crime and universities reject applications on the grounds of plagiarised content. Personalize your SOP, and make sure your document is your original piece of work. Besides, if you make use of any quotes, give credits. 

11. Not Asking For Help

Applicants often make the mistake of writing and submitting their SOP without anyone reviewing it. Approach a trusted family member or an acquaintance who has a strong command over language or the course of your application. You can also choose to seek professional help as it is an ideal approach to significantly enhance your chances of admission.

For further assistance or queries students can contact us, Edwise International, and avail for our wide range of services for students on destinations like Universities in UK, study in UK, study in USA, study in Ireland, study in Canada, study in Australia, study in New-Zealand, study in Singapore and many other countries.