What Graduation Admissions Committees look for in an SOP?
The statement of purpose should convince readers– the faculty on the selection committee– that you have solid achievements behind you that show promise for your success in graduate study. Think of the statement of purpose as a composition with four different parts.
The primary question admissions committee members ask themselves when they read a Statement of Purpose is: What does this essay tell me about the person who wrote it?
“A way of understanding how the applicant developed her interest in social work and how she has experienced her interest through employment, internships, and/or volunteer experiences”. The statement helps the committee understand if the applicant’s decision to pursue a career in social service is grounded in a realistic view of the profession.
A sample of the applicant’s writing. Schools of social work believe that good writers are good thinkers. Expressing oneself clearly, intelligently and succinctly in written form is essential to success in social work school. “The ability to analyze problems and formulate sound realistic and practical solutions is center to being a social work student and professional.”
How well the applicant follows instructions. Committees expect applicant to be through and thoughtful in following instructions. “Neglecting to follow directions can project an image of sloppy and careless work.”
So are the admission officers looking for specific personality sorts? Well, yes and no. Creativity, curiosity, pride in your work, an enthusiasm for learning, a capacity for teamwork, the ability to think independently and so on are all good attributes, and most of us share these in varying proportions. But what schools look for is a mix of individuals that together, form a well-balanced class. This would include several personality types.
Finally, you have to show a desire to learn. From your books and teachers, from your classmates, from music or art, from life itself.
Too vague for you? Turn to the section on starting your SOP and find out how these attributes translate into concrete steps.
Essential Tips
1. What the admissions committee will read between the lines: self-motivation, competence, potential as a graduate student.2. Emphasize everything from a positive perspective and write in an active, not a passive voice.
3. Demonstrate everything by example; don’t say directly that you’re a persistent person, show it.
4. If there is something important that happened to you that affected your grades, such as poverty, illness, or excessive work, state it. Write it affirmatively, showing your perseverance despite obstacles. You can elaborate more in your personal statement.
5. Make sure everything is linked with continuity and focus.
6. Unless the specific program says otherwise, be concise; an ideal essay should say everything it needs to with brevity. Approximately 500 to 1000 well-selected words (1-2 single space pages in 12 point font) is better than more words with less clarity and poor organization.
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