STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Main Contents of an SOP

Introduction
Your Background (Personal & Professional)
Your Goals
Why are you choosing a Particular University/Program
Conclusion

Things to do before you

Saraswatis Note - Higher education and graduate studies is not for
start.
Slackers It takes focus and determination to pursue an advanced degree.
The admissions committees examine your statement of purpose very
closelythey want to see whether you have the potential right stuff to
succeed in graduate school. Dont write How rounded you are They are not
interested to know how well you play cricket or how well you cook and bake .
They want focussed professionals who speak about their suitability for
graduate work. As a graduate student, you'll be called upon to do difficult
coursework and research. You may have to teach undergraduate classes
within your field and conceivably even design a course. And you'll have to
get along with a diverse group of colleagues who will sometimes work very
closely with you. Any experience in school, work or your extracurricular life
that speaks to those abilities is worth talking about. Be technical as much as
possible
Remember to write your SOP with the following questions in mind . Different
schools will give you different prompts for the statement of purpose.
Nonetheless, they're all asking for the same four pieces of information:
What you want to study at graduate school?

INTRODUCTION/OPENING
STATEMENT
Saraswatis Comments: Has to be broad in nature. Take the reader
from known to unknown. Using quotes of great men would help . Make
sure you are using relevant ones
EXAMPLE
The rapid pace at which the developments are taking place has caught everybodys
imagination. The ever-changing environment and the challenges it posed led me to take up
computer science as a career option. I had once read a quote by Bill Gates which was In this
business, by the time you realize you're in trouble, it's too late to save yourself. Unless you're
running scared all the time, you're gone. This is when I thought to myself that if the best
brain in this field could feel so insecure,how a novice like me should feel an how secure is my
future. This was when I decided that I would work hard and ensure I am up-to-date at all times.

EXAMPLE
The Pharmaceutical Industries are coming up with new breakthroughs every day. As a student
of Pharmacy, to keep myself updated and withstands the competition it is very important for
me to be equipped with appropriate knowledge and training. A graduate degree is a necessity
in todays competitive scenario. My goal is to sharpen the tools of reasoning and to
intellectually equip myself to pursue an innovative, productive and satisfying career in Drug
Regulatory affairs

Write about what got

you interested in this
field.
Saraswatis Comments:Give
believable reasons . Do some soul searching
before you write . Dont be vague . Getting a computer as a gift for your
birthday or seeing someone suffer from a disease cannot be reasons for
taking up a profession .
EXAMPLE:
Getting into computer science was not a tough choice as I was always very inquisitive and
explorative in nature. I got introduced to software in 8th standard and always have wanted to
know more about it ever since. The thought that mankind has only been able to scratch the tip
of the iceberg and there is so much more to invent and innovate is the prime motivator for
most people like me working in this field.

EXAMPLE:

I realized how dynamic innovations were when my home started having appliances like a
Washing Machine, Television, an Air-conditioner etc. but I remember life changing drastically
once we purchased a personal desktop computer. For me personally as well, it was a turning
point because I had new reasons to be inquisitive and new answers to derive. This whole
process helped me understand that whatever I chose it had to be aligned with CS. I was also
good in biology and which is why everyone in my family including me felt that a Degree in BioInformatics was what I had to do.

Description of your
Academic background in
the field
Saraswatis Comments: Don't go too far back! You could write about
the subjects you did at the Bachelors level or some project that you did
or the job profile that you have right now which has necessitated you to
look at higher studies to specialize in a particular subject . Remember to
keep toe in to the first 4 questions in the TO DO list above
EXAMPLE:
My interest in this wonderful field actually increased after I joined ..in 2008 .I started
realizing that programming is not only limited to coding, theres more to it than meets the
eye. I also got acquainted to other fields of computing like Computer Networks, Systems
Programming, Operating Systems, Web Technologies, Computer Graphics, Artificial
Intelligence and Software Engineering which covered the fundamentals of the different areas
of computing. I have developed a keen interest in fields of Programming Languages, Analysis
of Algorithms, Compilers, and Operating Systems and database management. I have taken
several small but innovative projects in these areas. My strong mathematical and logical skills
helped me analyze and implement some complex algorithms using programming languages
like C++ and Java. Also, I took projects on compiler construction, study of different operating
systems. These projects crystallized the theoretical concepts that I learnt in the
aforementioned topics. I attended training sessions in TCS on topics like UNIX, RDBMS Oracle,
Software Engineering, Web Services, Object Oriented programming etc. This helped me
greatly to keep myself updated with the advancements in these areas. Whenever I get some
free time I browse the internet to read articles on computer science topics.

Extracurricular/Cocurricular Activities in
the field
Saraswatis Comments: Talk about projects you worked on. Details
of courses and projects help to show focus.
EXAMPLE:
One of the most important projects was my final year project at in which I did in the final
year of engineering - Office Automation with ID recognizer and timestamp. The circuit
can be used to note the in time and out time of the employees. It can also be used to
trigger multiple actions such as opening the door. In the project we used 89C51 as
Microcontroller and applied the concepts of wireless communication for data
transmission. This project evaluated me on my research skills, analytical skills and core
fundamentals of computer science.

Publications/Professiona
l accomplishments in the
field
Saraswatis Comments: You could use this para to write about the
projects , professional accomplishments at work ( Only if relevant ) .
EXAMPLE:
Conference Presentations or Public Readings.

EXAMPLE:
In todays web enabled context, programming and database systems define the very character of
an enterprise. I am fast and accurate in coding, capable of learning and using new technologies. In
fact I have already used a number of technologies in the course of my work. Though I have
developed a considerable amount of confidence as far as technology is concerned, I still need to
extend and supplement my knowledge. Technology changes very fast and it is important to remain
up to date. Working with one of the best IT company has been very enriching. However a job
quickly stagnates growth by its repetitive nature and tends to isolate one from the recent
technological advances in the field. A considerable work experience and further studies would
complement each other well. Comprehensive knowledge of the subject and the exposure through
research would arm me to face up to the challenges that lie ahead. Information Technology has
removed the distances and differences those were present in the world before, which is why I feel
that it is a very interesting field. As its a wide ranging field, a lot of research has been done, but a
lot remains to be explored, so the possibilities are inexhaustible. I realized that domain functional
knowledge is equally important to make a way in a career in Information Systems. Management
Information Systems (MIS) program is concentrated on arming us with the aptitude to evaluate
industry related problems or situations, discover business opportunities and requirements,
delineate solutions, and escort teams to implement these solutions by application of various
information technologies. I will be able to capitalize on the value of education by providing me with

Explanations about
problems in
Saraswatisbackground
Comments:
Explain the reasons for any unusual features of your career (taking a
year out, poor performance, etc.). Include social and extracurricular
activities to show balance in your life or because they are relevant to
the course.

Why a specific Grad

School
Saraswatis Comments:
Mention one or two professors in that school and what you know
of and appreciate about their work
Specific features of the grad program which attract you. Try to
show that you are fully familiar with the course you are applying
for.
EXAMPLE:
While going through the syllabus, I found that the courses offered by your school were
the required courses I needed to pursue. The courses offered will give me a fair insight
into the industrial sector, from the point of view of a balanced professional who
comprehends and relates to the industry. I am enthusiastic to join the industry and the
courses offered here give me the suppleness to switch myself to the industry related
topics and problems. I look forward to hear from you in the positive soon

Short term and

Long term goals

Saraswatis Comments: This is a very important part of the SOP .

Since taking up graduate studies is in itself a big endeavor , your
goals need to be obviously clear and straight . So write about the
same very clearly
EXAMPLE:
Although I am eligible to join any technical company at present, I believe in doing so I would not be
doing proper justice to my education. I have already secured a job in INFOSYS as an assistant
software engineer. I want to ensure that I am not just an undergrad but a professionally trained
graduate before I join the industry.
Having completed my engineering under the rigorous curriculum of the Mumbai University, I
already have the necessary technical skills to join the industry.A degree in Engineering
Management from your prestigious college will enable me to further build on these skills. I see
myself as a technical manager, who is adept not only in the aspects of technology but equally
good in managerial skills. I have always been a people person. Keeping this backdrop in mind and
considering my Engineering background, my short-term aim is to gain as much business knowledge
as possible for me to emerge as a successful Techno commercial executive of the future. The
courses will further offer me an increased ability to understand how to analyse various business
issues and develop workable solutions to such problems. I understood that to lead , one should
have a blend of skills of technology and management. And I strongly believe that MEM has all those
things, which I am looking for. Its absolutely apt to my requirements. My career aspiration is to
actualize my full potential in the global business by employing all my talent and skills in harnessing
knowledge, imagination and human resources. My career strategy will be to work in new ways and
to gather newer experience on the way. I see myself working at a top-level management positions
in some of the most professional working environments of the country and this will further be a

Send
the
completed
SOP
to
sop@gyanfoundation.com
If you have any further questions
call us at 40050666 / 40050777