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Stanford Online

How to write a compelling statement of purpose for graduate school.

A statement of purpose (SOP) is a critical component of most graduate school applications, and are often required for various types of graduate level programs, including Graduate Certificates and Master’s Degrees .

An SOP offers you the opportunity to showcase your motivations, qualifications, and aspirations to a school’s Office of Admissions. Crafting an effective SOP requires careful planning and attention to detail. Whether you're applying to Stanford or any other institution, here's a guide on how to write a standout statement of purpose that shows how your goals align with the program's expectations.

Understanding the Prompt

A prompt's comprehensive nature offers you the chance to provide a holistic view of your journey, motivations, and aspirations. Be sure to check the websites of any programs you’re applying to, as they often have additional information or suggested frameworks to get you started.

Stanford Master’s Degree

If you are applying to a Stanford master’s degree program , the recommended maximum length for your SOP is 1,000 words and the prompt for the statement of purpose emphasizes several key elements:

• Reasons for applying
• Preparation for the field of study
• Research interests
• Future career plans
• Relevant aspects of your background

Stanford Graduate Certificate

If you are applying to take individual graduate courses or pursue a graduate certificate through Stanford Online, the prompt contains less elements than for the master’s program. This statement of purpose should be brief, as you’re limited to 4000 characters. You should summarize:

• Specific course work on your transcript that meets the course and or certificate prerequisites
• Relevant aspects of your professional experience

Tips for Writing your Statement of Purpose

After you fully understand the prompt for the program you’re applying to, use these tips to guide your writing:

• Be Concise and Focused Most institutions have maximum lengths for words or characters. With limited space, it's important to be concise and focused. Use each word purposefully to convey your message. Ensure that every paragraph adds value and contributes to your overall narrative.
• Start Strong Your opening should be attention-grabbing. Consider sharing a personal anecdote, a relevant quote, or a thought-provoking question that sets the tone for your SOP. Engaging the reader from the beginning can make your statement more memorable.
• Address the Prompt Thoroughly Cover each aspect of the prompt thoroughly, addressing your reasons for applying, your background preparation, your research interests, and your future career plans. Use specific examples to illustrate your points. For instance, if you're applying to a computer science program, discuss projects, coursework, or experiences that highlight your passion and readiness for further study in this field.
• Showcase Fit with the Program Demonstrate a clear understanding of the program you're applying to and explain why it's an ideal fit for your academic and career goals. Highlight specific courses, professors, research opportunities, or unique features of the program that attracted you. This showcases your commitment to the program and demonstrates that you've done your research. You may consider including reasons your presence will benefit the program as your uniqueness may help set you apart from other applicants.
• Highlight Research Interests Discuss your research interests in detail. Explain how your past experiences have shaped your interests and how the program's resources can help you further develop them. Share any relevant research projects you've been a part of and explain their impact on your academic journey. If your program includes a capstone, you may want to include more actionable, compelling examples.
• Connect to Your Future Career Articulate your future career plans and explain how the program will prepare you for success. Whether you plan to pursue academia, industry, or another path, convey how the skills and knowledge gained from the program will contribute to your career trajectory.
• Weave in Personal Background Share aspects of your personal background that are relevant to your journey. This could include challenges you've overcome, experiences that have shaped your perspective, or unique qualities that set you apart. Ensure that these details contribute to your overall narrative and that adding them showcases your qualifications.
• Edit and Proofread After writing your SOP, review it meticulously for grammar, punctuation, and clarity. Typos and errors can detract from the impact of your statement. Consider seeking feedback from mentors, professors, or peers to ensure your SOP effectively conveys your message.
• Tailor for Specific Programs If you're applying to multiple programs, make sure to customize each SOP to align with the specific program's offerings and requirements. Avoid using a generic SOP for all applications, this tends to be very noticeable to admissions.
• Seek Inspiration from Examples If you’re applying to a Stanford Master’s program, the Stanford Graduate Admissions website provides specific guidance on the statement of purpose. Review your program’s recommendations and, if available, consider reading sample SOPs from successful applicants to gather inspiration and insights.

Writing a compelling statement of purpose for graduate school requires thoughtful reflection, careful planning, and clear communication. By addressing the prompt comprehensively, showcasing your fit with the program, and demonstrating your passion and readiness, you can craft an SOP that stands out and may even increase your chances of admission to your desired program. Although it’s far from the only criteria that will be considered in the admissions process, your SOP is your chance to tell your unique story and show why you are a perfect candidate for graduate study. We hope you find this guide useful as you write your statement of purpose, please know that following this guide does not guarantee your admission to any program.

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Graduate School Statement of Purpose

Criteria for success.

Your statement of purpose, sometimes referred to by other names including “statement of objectives,” should…

• convince a faculty committee that you are qualified for their program and that you are a good fit for their program’s focus and goals.
• show a select group of skills and experiences that convey your scientific and technical accomplishments and interests.
• include concrete and quantitative experiences, accomplishments, and qualifications.
• adhere to the length and formatting guidelines of the program to which you are applying (usually no more than 2 pages).

Structure Diagram

The graduate school statement of purpose should strengthen your chance of acceptance into a graduate program by demonstrating that you are a good match for the particular department or program. Matching goes both ways: they should be interested in you, and you should be interested in them. Your statement should make this match clear by telling your personal story as a researcher.

Analyze Your Audience

Your statement of purpose is typically read by a graduate committee, a handful of faculty from your program. They’re trying to determine if you will be a successful graduate student in their department, a positive force in the department’s intellectual life, and a successful researcher after you graduate. They are therefore interested in your qualifications as a researcher, your career goals, and how your academic focus matches their labs and department.

The graduate committee could read hundreds of applications a year. To make it easy for them to figure out that you are a good fit, make direct, concrete statements about your accomplishments and qualifications. To make it easy for them to remember you, create a narrative that “brands” you.

Create an individual narrative

PhD programs invest in the professional and technical growth of their students. Get the committee excited about investing in you by opening your essay with a brief portrait of what drives you as a scientist or engineer. What research directions are you passionate about, and why? What do you picture yourself doing in 10 years?

If you’re not quite sure what you want to do in graduate school, it’s still best to focus on a specific area or topic in your application. What would you work on if you had to start graduate school tomorrow? You can always change your research focus later.

Any personal stories should fit in the overall narrative of your research story. Avoid cliche openings like “ever since my childhood, I’ve been fascinated by…”. The statement of purpose should tell your unique research story, not your life story.  

Close your essay with a 2-3 sentence discussion of your career interests. No one will hold you to these plans; it simply helps your committee visualize your potential trajectory. Emphasize how the program you are applying to will help prepare you for these long-term goals.

Describe your experiences

Experiences are the “what” of your essay. What experiences led you to develop your skill set and passions? Where have you demonstrated accomplishment, leadership, and collaboration? Include research, teaching, and relevant work experience or extracurriculars. State concrete achievements and outcomes like awards, publications, or projects completed.

Achievements do not need to be directly tied to research projects or publications. However, they should relate to the type of work you expect in graduate school. For example, you can discuss significant, research-oriented class projects. Describe any collaborations with senior students or faculty that demonstrate your passion about relevant research topics. Computer science students can discuss projects from software internships that involved architecture design, algorithm design, security considerations, machine learning, etc. These experiences can inform your academic interests and demonstrate ability as well as more formal research experience. Also consider including experiences that demonstrate other skills that are crucial for a successful grad student such as good communication and self-motivation. 

Quantify your experiences to show concrete impact. How many people were on your team? How many protocols did you develop? How many people were in competition for an award? As a TA, how often did you meet with your students?

Describe actions, not just changes in your internal mental or emotional state. A statement of purpose is a way to make a narrative out of your CV. It is not a diary entry

Explain the meaning of your experiences

Meaning is the “why” or “so what” of the document. Why was this experience important to your growth as a researcher? What does it say about your abilities and potential? It feels obvious to you, but you need to be explicit with your audience. Your descriptions of meaning should also act as transition statements between experiences: try to “wrap” meaning around your experiences.

Demonstrate match to your target program

Demonstrate an understanding of the program to which you’re applying and about how you will be successful in that program. To do this:

• Read the program’s website. See what language they use to describe themselves, and echo that language in your essay. For example, the website for MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory displays three main research areas and the values of the lab .
• In some areas (often those with a more rigid lab structure), reaching faculty is very important. You should know what faculty members are taking new students and whether or not you would be a fit for their lab before applying. In other areas, contacting faculty is not expected and may be difficult. Reach out if in doubt and consult current graduate students, undergraduate professors, or graduate admissions officers if you are unsure what is typical in your area.
• State which professors in the program you would plan to work with. Show how their research areas align with your background and your goals. You can even describe potential research directions or projects. It can also be helpful to mention other departments or groups at the university that you might be interested in collaborating with or learning from.

Content adapted by the MIT Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Communication Lab from an article originally created by the MIT Biological Engineering Communication Lab .

Related Resource

For more information, see these statements from MIT EECS faculty about what they look for in a grad school statement of objectives.

Resources and Annotated Examples

Annotated example 1.

Personal Statement submitted by graduate student enrolled at MIT in CSAIL 192 KB

Annotated Example 2

Personal Statement submitted by graduate student enrolled at MIT in EECS 292 KB

Annotated Example 3

Personal Statement submitted by graduate student enrolled at MIT in EECS 873 KB

How To Write a Statement of Purpose for Graduate School

Congratulations! You’ve chosen a graduate program , read up on tips for applying to grad school , and even written a focused grad school resumé . But if you’re like many students, you’ve left the most daunting part of the application process for last—writing a statement of purpose. The good news is that the task doesn’t have to feel so overwhelming, as long as you break the process down into simple, actionable steps. Below, learn how to write a strong, unique statement of purpose that will impress admissions committees and increase your chances of getting into your dream school.

What is a statement of purpose?

A statement of purpose (SOP), sometimes referred to as a personal statement, is a critical piece of a graduate school application that tells admissions committees who you are, what your academic and professional interests are, and how you’ll add value to the graduate program you’re applying to.

Jared Pierce, former associate director of enrollment services at Northeastern University, says a strong statement of purpose can be the deciding factor in a graduate student’s admission.  

“Your statement of purpose is where you tell your story about who you are and why you deserve to be a part of the [university’s] community. It gives the admissions committee the chance to get to know you and understand how you’ll add value to the classroom,” he says.

How long should a statement of purpose be? “A statement of purpose should be between 500 and 1,000 words,” Pierce says, noting that it should typically not exceed a single page. He advises that students use a traditional font at a readable size (11 or 12 points) and leave enough white space in the margins to make the statement easy to read. Make sure to double-space the statement if the university has requested it, he adds. 

How to write a statement of purpose: a step-by-step guide

Now that you understand how to format a statement of purpose, you can begin drafting your own. Getting started can feel daunting, but Pierce suggests making the process more manageable by breaking down the writing process into four easy steps.

1. Brainstorm your ideas.

First, he says, try to reframe the task at hand and get excited for the opportunity to write your statement of purpose. 

“Throughout the application process, you’re afforded few opportunities to address the committee directly,” he explains. “Here is your chance to truly speak directly to them. Each student arrives at this process with a unique story, including prior jobs, volunteer experience, or undergraduate studies. Think about what makes you you and start outlining.”

When writing your statement of purpose, Pierce suggests asking yourself these key questions:

• Why do I want this degree?
• What are my expectations for this degree?
• What courses or program features excite me the most?
• Where do I want this degree to take me, professionally and personally?
• How will my unique professional and personal experiences add value to the program?

Jot these responses down to get your initial thoughts on paper. This will act as your starting point for creating an outline and writing your first draft.

2. Develop an outline.

Next, you’ll want to take the ideas that you’ve identified during the brainstorming process and plug them into an outline that will guide your writing. 

An effective outline for your statement of purpose might look something like this:

• An attention-grabbing hook
• A brief introduction of yourself and your background as it relates to your motivation behind applying to graduate school 
• Your professional goals as they relate to the program
• Why you’re interested in the specific school and what you can bring to the table
• A brief summary of the information presented in the body that emphasizes your qualifications and compatibility with the school

An outline like the one above will give you a roadmap to follow so that your statement of purpose is well organized and concise. 

3. Write the first draft.

Your statement of purpose should communicate who you are and why you are interested in a particular program, but it also needs to be positioned in a way that differentiates you from other applicants. 

Admissions professionals already have your transcripts, resumé, and test scores; the statement of purpose is your chance to tell your story in your own words.

When you begin drafting content, make sure to:

• Provide insight into what drives you , whether that’s professional advancement, personal growth, or both.
• Demonstrate your interest in the school by addressing the unique features of the program that interest you most. For Northeastern, he says, maybe it’s experiential learning; you’re excited to tackle real-world projects in your desired industry. Or perhaps it’s learning from faculty who are experts in your field of study.
• Be yourself. It helps to keep your audience in mind while writing, but don’t forget to let your personality shine through. It’s important to be authentic when writing your statement to show the admissions committee who you are and why your unique perspective will add value to the program.

4. Edit and refine your work.

Before you submit your statement of purpose:

• Make sure you’ve followed all directions thoroughly , including requirements about margins, spacing, and font size.
• Proofread carefully for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Remember that a statement of purpose should be between 500 and 1,000 words. If you’ve written far more than this, read through your statement again and edit for clarity and conciseness. Less is often more; articulate your main points strongly and get rid of any “clutter.”
• Walk away and come back later with a fresh set of eyes. Sometimes your best ideas come when you’re not sitting and staring at your computer.
• Ask someone you trust to read your statement before you submit it.

Making a lasting impression

Your statement of purpose can leave a lasting impression if done well, Pierce says. It provides you with the opportunity to highlight your unique background and skills so that admissions professionals understand why you’re the ideal candidate for the program that you’re applying to. If nothing else, stay focused on what you uniquely bring to the classroom, the program, and the campus community. If you do that, you’ll excel.

To learn more tricks and tips for submitting an impressive graduate school application, explore our related grad school success articles .

Need more application help?

Join one of our application workshops to get your questions answered.

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Editor’s note: This article was originally published in March 2017. It has since been updated for thoroughness and accuracy.

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How to Draft Statement of Purpose (SOP) Computer Science PhD? (Sample Included)

• Post author: admin
• Post published: November 29, 2023
• Post category: SOP
• Post comments: 0 Comments

Imagine applying for a Computer Science PhD is like setting out on a thrilling adventure. Now, at the heart of this adventure is a document that holds the key to your academic dreams—the Statement of Purpose (SOP). It might sound like a fancy term, but think of it as your personal story, told in a formal way, showcasing your love for learning and your big dreams in research.

The SOP isn’t just a box to tick; it’s more like your self-painted portrait. This document, carefully crafted, lets you share your academic journey and spill the beans on why you’re excited about diving deep into Computer Science. In the world of PhD applications, especially in Computer Science, the SOP is your secret weapon.

It not only shows off your smarts in academics but also reveals your passion for exploring new frontiers in research. So, let’s break it down and see how you can turn this piece of paperwork into a compelling story that makes you stand out!

Structure of a Strong SOP for Computer Science PhD

Alright, let’s break down the SOP into bite-sized pieces to create a roadmap that admissions committees can effortlessly follow.

Introduction: A Captivating Kickoff

• Start your SOP with a bang! Craft an introduction that grabs attention.
• Keep it concise but powerful, setting the stage for what’s to come.
• Use this section to hint at your passion for Computer Science and why you’re ready to dive deep.

Academic Background: Your Educational Canvas

• Paint a picture of your academic journey so far.
• Highlight key courses, projects, or achievements that shaped your love for Computer Science.
• Don’t just list, narrate. Share the story of your academic evolution.

Research Experience: Unveiling Your Investigative Side

• Showcase any research projects or experiences you’ve had.
• Emphasize not just what you did but what you learned from each experience.
• Connect your research ventures to your passion for advancing knowledge in Computer Science.

Future Goals: Casting Your Academic Vision

• Envision the future! What do you aspire to achieve with a Computer Science PhD?
• Be specific about how this particular program aligns with your goals.
• Convey a sense of excitement about the impact you aim to make in the field.

Tips for a Cohesive Flow:

• Thread of Continuity: Ensure a smooth transition between sections. Let one idea naturally flow into the next.
• Connect the Dots: Clearly show how each section contributes to the bigger picture—your journey and your aspirations.
• Avoid Repetition: Be mindful not to repeat information. Each section should add a new layer to your story.
• Maintain Clarity: Use straightforward language. Remember, you’re telling a story, not penning a mystery novel.
• Pacing is Key: Don’t rush. Give each section the attention it deserves, balancing details without overwhelming the reader.
• Reflect Your Voice: Let your personality shine through. An SOP is not just about facts; it’s about you.

By following this roadmap, your SOP becomes a compelling narrative that not only checks the boxes but leaves a lasting impression on those reviewing your application. Now, let’s dive into each section and discover how to make your SOP a standout piece in the world of Computer Science PhD applications!

How to Tailor Your SOP for a Computer Science PhD: Crafting a Stellar Narrative

Tailoring your Statement of Purpose (SOP) for a Computer Science PhD is akin to creating a bespoke masterpiece. Here’s your guide to weaving a narrative that not only stands out but also resonates with the unique vibe of the Computer Science academic realm.

Precision in Passion: Illuminate Your Unique Spark

• Engage with Details: Dive into the specific aspects of Computer Science that light the fire in your academic soul.
• Steer Clear of Generalities: Avoid vague statements; instead, pinpoint the precise areas that fuel your passion.
• Why Here, Why Now: Clearly articulate why pursuing a PhD in Computer Science is the next logical step for you, especially at this particular institution.

Aligning Stars: Mapping Your Journey to the Program

• In-Depth Program Research: Showcase your familiarity with the program’s strengths, faculty, and distinctive features.
• Demonstrate Fit: Explicitly align your research interests with what the program specializes in.
• Highlight Synergy: Illustrate how your academic journey seamlessly integrates with the unique offerings of the program.

Unique Contributions: Spotlight Your Distinctive Brilliance

• Unveil Your Uniqueness: Showcase skills, experiences, or perspectives that make you stand out.
• Contribution Quotient: Emphasize how your presence will enrich the academic community.
• Connect the Dots: Demonstrate how your background aligns with the ethos and culture of the program.

Previous Collaborations: Weaving a Tapestry of Connection

• Faculty Interactions: If you’ve interacted with faculty members before, mention these experiences.
• Seamless Continuity: Illustrate how these interactions have influenced your decision to pursue a PhD in Computer Science.
• Building Bridges: Show that you’re not just an applicant but someone who already shares a connection with the academic community.

Research Synergy: Harmonizing Your Goals with Program Initiatives

• Concrete Examples: Discuss specific research initiatives within the program that resonate with your interests.
• Showcase Alignment: Use tangible examples to illustrate how your research goals complement the ongoing work within the department.
• Paint a Collaborative Vision: Convey how your research contributions can seamlessly integrate with the existing research landscape.

Forward-Looking Fit: Crafting a Visionary Finale

• Future Research Aspirations: Share your vision for future research endeavors and how the program acts as the catalyst.
• Resource Utilization: Illustrate how the program’s resources, faculty mentorship, and collaborative environment will propel your academic ambitions.
• Infuse Excitement: Convey a sense of eagerness for the journey ahead, painting a vivid picture of the exciting possibilities within your grasp.

Showcasing Academic Background for a Computer Science PhD: Crafting Your Academic Narrative

Your academic background is the canvas upon which you paint the story of your readiness for a Computer Science PhD. Make this narrative captivating by strategically presenting your achievements. Start by delving into specific courses, projects, or research experiences that highlight your prowess in the realm of Computer Science.

Instead of a mere laundry list, narrate the significance of each academic milestone, showcasing how it has fueled your passion and prepared you for the challenges and innovations integral to a PhD journey.

Emphasizing Research Experience for a Computer Science PhD: Unveiling Your Investigative Journey

In the intricate tapestry of your Statement of Purpose (SOP) for a Computer Science PhD, the spotlight on your research experience is akin to revealing the heart of your academic journey. Elevate the significance of detailing your research escapades; this is your chance to showcase your prowess in tackling real-world challenges and contributing to the evolving landscape of Computer Science.

When delving into your research experience, don’t merely list projects—narrate them. Provide a window into your contributions, methodologies, and outcomes. Break down the complexity of your work, ensuring that the reader not only comprehends your technical prowess but also appreciates the tangible impact of your research.

Aligning with Faculty and Research Opportunities: Forging Connections in Your Computer Science PhD Journey

Navigating the labyrinth of a Computer Science PhD application involves not only aligning with the program but also forging connections with the academic trailblazers—faculty members. Understanding the pivotal role that faculty play in shaping your academic odyssey, it’s crucial to delve into the significance of researching their work. You can use resources like LinkedIn to connect with faculty members.

Take the time to explore the research portfolios of faculty members within the Computer Science department. Uncover their contributions to the field, ongoing projects, and areas of expertise. Expressing genuine alignment with specific faculty members in your Statement of Purpose (SOP) isn’t just a formality; it’s a strategic move that showcases your investment in the program and your vision for collaborative research.

Addressing Potential Weaknesses: Navigating Challenges with Transparency and Resilience

In the candid narrative of your Statement of Purpose (SOP) for a Computer Science PhD, addressing potential weaknesses becomes an art of transparency and resilience. Rather than sidestepping challenges, use this opportunity to showcase your ability to navigate them with honesty and determination.

  If there are gaps or weaknesses in your academic or research background, embrace them with transparency. Acknowledge the hurdles you’ve faced and elucidate the steps taken to overcome them. Whether it’s a dip in grades during a particular semester or a shift in research focus, be forthright about the circumstances. However, don’t stop there—highlight the lessons learned, the skills gained, and the resilience fostered through these experiences.

Editing and Proofreading Tips: Polishing Your Computer Science PhD SOP to Perfection

In the final lap of crafting your Statement of Purpose (SOP) for a Computer Science PhD, the spotlight shifts to the crucial phase of editing and proofreading. This meticulous process is not just about fixing typos; it’s about sculpting a narrative that sparkles with clarity, conciseness, and error-free precision.

• Clarity is Key:
• Readability Check: Ensure your SOP is easily digestible. Break down complex sentences and avoid jargon.
• Logical Flow: Confirm that your ideas progress logically. Each paragraph should seamlessly lead to the next.
• Conciseness Matters:
• Trim the Fat: Weed out unnecessary details. Every word should contribute to your narrative.
• Brevity with Impact: Be concise, but make each sentence count. Quality over quantity is the mantra.
• Error-Free Zone:
• Grammar Guru: Scrutinize grammar and punctuation. Consider tools like Grammarly for a thorough check.
• Precision Matters: Accuracy in conveying your ideas is non-negotiable. Review facts, figures, and technical terms for precision.
• External Perspectives:
• Fresh Eyes: Ask a friend or mentor to review your SOP. A fresh perspective can catch overlooked errors.
• Alignment with Guidelines: Ensure your SOP aligns with the program’s guidelines. Adhering to specified word limits and formatting is crucial.
• SEO-friendly Touch:
• Strategic Keywords: Integrate relevant keywords organically, such as “Computer Science PhD,” “academic journey,” and “research aspirations.”
• Meta Tags: Optimize meta tags and descriptions with program-specific terms for increased online visibility.
• Read-Aloud Ritual:
• Auditory Check: Read your SOP aloud. This helps catch awkward phrasing and ensures a smooth, engaging rhythm.

Sample Computer Science Statement of Purpose (SOP)

To help you have a good head start, feel free to refer our sample SOP which is tailored specifically for PhD in Computer Science –

Sample Statement of Purpose for Computer Science PhD

FAQ Section: Your Queries, Answered

Q1: what makes a strong statement of purpose (sop) for a computer science phd.

A: A strong SOP for a Computer Science PhD is one that vividly communicates your passion, aligns with the program’s offerings, and showcases your academic and research journey. Be specific about your academic background, research experiences, and future goals. Tailor your SOP to resonate with the program and faculty, highlighting unique contributions you can bring to the academic community.

Q2: How should I address potential weaknesses in my academic or research background?

A: Addressing weaknesses in your SOP is an opportunity to display transparency and resilience. Acknowledge any gaps or challenges, and then emphasize the steps you’ve taken to overcome them. Highlight the lessons learned and skills gained from these experiences, demonstrating your ability to turn obstacles into opportunities for growth.

Q3: How can I align my SOP with specific faculty members and their research in the Computer Science PhD program?

A: Research faculty members thoroughly by exploring their work, ongoing projects, and areas of expertise. Express genuine alignment with specific faculty members in your SOP, citing their work that resonates with your research interests. Be authentic in showcasing how their expertise complements your academic aspirations, indicating a readiness to contribute meaningfully to their research initiatives.

Q4: What are essential proofreading tips to ensure a polished SOP?

A: To ensure a polished SOP, focus on clarity, conciseness, and error-free writing. Check for readability and logical flow, trim unnecessary details, and meticulously proofread for grammar and punctuation. Seek external perspectives for fresh insights, adhere to program guidelines, and incorporate relevant SEO-friendly keywords to optimize your SOP for search engines.

Q5: How do I make my SOP stand out in the competitive landscape of Computer Science PhD applications?

A: To make your SOP stand out, craft a compelling narrative by emphasizing your passion, unique contributions, and alignment with the program and faculty. Showcase specific examples of your academic and research achievements, articulate future goals, and demonstrate a clear understanding of how the program will support your aspirations. Engage the reader with authenticity and a well-structured, error-free narrative.

Closing Thoughts: Embarking on Your Computer Science PhD Journey

As you conclude the compelling narrative of your Statement of Purpose (SOP) for a Computer Science PhD, remember that this document is not just a reflection of your academic journey but a testament to your aspirations and resilience.

The road to a PhD is paved with challenges, but it is also a journey of self-discovery and scholarly growth. Take a moment to reflect on the milestones you’ve achieved and the intellectual terrain you’re eager to explore.

Your SOP is not merely a formality; it is your voice in the competitive landscape of PhD applications, resonating with the vibrancy and innovation that characterize the field of Computer Science. Also, feel free to go through our guide on the best universities for Computer Science in UK.

As you embark on this transformative journey, keep in mind that each word in your SOP holds the power to shape your academic future. Be genuine, be bold, and let your passion shine through every sentence. The challenges ahead are not obstacles but opportunities for intellectual triumphs and groundbreaking contributions.

Should you have any lingering questions or wish to share your experiences, I invite you to engage in the comments below. Your insights and queries are not only valuable to you but also to the broader community navigating the exciting terrain of Computer Science PhD applications.

Remember, the journey you are embarking upon is both profound and rewarding. Best of luck as you set forth on this academic odyssey, and may your SOP pave the way for an enriching and fulfilling pursuit of a Computer Science PhD.

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Writing the Statement of Purpose

The statement of purpose should convince the admissions committee that your achievements show promise for your success in graduate study. Think of the statement of purpose as a composition with four different parts.

Make sure to check on the appropriate departmental website to find out if your statement should include additional or specific information.

Part 1: Introduce yourself, your interests and motivations

Tell them what you’re interested in, and perhaps, what sparked your desire for graduate study. This should be short and to the point; don’t spend a great deal of time on autobiography.

Part 2: Summarize your undergraduate and previous graduate career

a) Research you conducted. Indicate with whom, the title of the project, what your responsibilities were, and the outcome. Write technically, or in the style of your discipline. Faculty are the people who read these statements.

b) Important paper or thesis project you completed, as well as anything scholarly beyond your curricular requirements.

c) Work experience, especially if you had any kind of responsibility for testing, designing, researching or interning in an area similar to what you wish to study in graduate school.

Part 3: Discuss the relevance of your recent and current activities

If you graduated and worked prior to returning to graduate school, indicate what you’ve been doing: company or non-profit, your work/design team, responsibilities, what you learned. You can also indicate here how this helped you focus your graduate studies.

Part 4: Elaborate on your academic interests

Here you indicate what you would like to study in graduate school in enough detail to convince the faculty that you understand the scope of research in their discipline, and are engaged with current research themes.

a) Indicate the area of your interests. Ideally, pose a question, define a problem, or indicate a theme that you would like to address, and questions that arise from contemporary research. This should be an ample paragraph!

b) Look on the web for information about departments you’re interested in, including professors and their research. Are there professors whose research interests parallel yours? If so, indicate this. Check the specific program; many may require you to name a professor or professors with whom you might work.

c) End your statement in a positive manner, indicating your excitement and readiness for the challenges ahead of you.

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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CS Statement of Purpose Guide

This page provides advice on writing your “statement of purpose” and other graduate school and fellowship essays. Many programs may ask for several essays.

Keep in mind that your essay (and all of your application materials), will be read by professors of computer science and not by admissions officers. You should assume that your readers are very well-trained in computer science.

What are they looking for?

In general, your statement of purpose should convey the following:

• You are genuinely interested in research;
• You have an idea of the subdiscipline(s) that you would like to do research in graduate school and you can speak about them with some level of sophistication;
• You’ve had some research experience(s);
• You understand the research process from selecting a problem to solving it to presenting your results;
• You’ve done your homework about this particular school and have some ideas of which faculty members and/or research groups you’d like to work with.

Organization of the Essay

There are many ways to write a good statement of purpose essay, but here’s one possible structure that works well:

• In the first paragraph, describe the area or areas of computer science that you plan to study in computer science. The more specific you can be, the better. This is not a contract that forces you to study that subdiscipline and you might change your mind later. However, most graduate schools are more more inclined to accept students who have a good idea of an area that they plan to study. After describing the area, give a summary of your prior research experiences and an overview of the contents of the rest of your statement.
• In the next several paragraphs, describe the research projects that you’ve worked on, the challenges, the approach, and your contributions to the project. A typical situation for a Mudder applying to graduate school is one summer of research, one summer of an internship at a company, and a clinic project (which you will just be starting as you write your statement of purpose). Your summer research is the most relevant part for graduate school and should come first; It merits at least one substantial paragraph. Your clinic project is likely to have enough of a research component to merit a second paragraph. If your summer internship had some aspect of research, that can be a third paragraph. We encourage you to consult with your adviser in developing the structure for your essay based on your own experiences.
• Next, one paragraph can be devoted to describing the research that you would like to conduct in graduate school in some detail and your long-term career ambitions.
• The last paragraph should be customized to indicate why you want to go to this particular graduate school. You should spend some time looking at the web pages and publications of researchers at that university and mention the faculty and the research projects that you would be interested in joining. Generally, it’s wise to mention at least a few faculty members and projects.

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We request that you upload your Statement of Purpose into the  Electronic Graduate School Application .

There is no word limit but it is in your best interest to be concise.

We prefer that you write a comment or short paragraph under each of the following headings and upload into the electronic application system:

• Applicant's Name:
• Long Term Degree Objective:
• Research Experience:
• Publications:
• Future Research Interests:
• Other Comments:

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How to Write a Statement of Purpose for PhD Admission

The dreaded doctoral statement of purpose — every PhD program asks for it, but why is it so difficult to write? Writing a strong statement of purpose is essential to getting into your top PhD programs. A PhD statement of purpose gives admissions committees an introduction to your research interests and why their specific program is of interest to you.

Like a cover letter for a job application, a great statement of purpose allows you to highlight your strengths, interests and experience. If you need statement of purpose advice, keep reading for guidance on how to write a successful statement of purpose that will make your PhD application stand out.

Statement of purpose vs. personal statement

Though the two may sound similar, they’re not necessarily interchangeable. A personal statement gives insight into who you are, while a statement of purpose is meant to showcase what you want to do. Rarely will you be asked to write a personal statement for a PhD program.

As you go through the PhD application process, you will likely see schools requesting either a statement of purpose or a research statement. In most cases, they're both looking for the same thing. Admissions committees want to know about your academic background, your research goals and what you hope to accomplish as a candidate in a PhD program.

Your research goals should align with faculty research

Being admitted to a PhD program is a great feeling, but if you enroll in a program that doesn’t match your research interests or help support your career goals, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment later down the road.

Applying for admission to a program is all about fit. Faculty reviewers are looking for students who best represent the department’s mission and will help them obtain their research objectives.

By the time you apply, you should have a solid understanding of what the department’s primary research and content areas are, as well as which faculty members you’d like to work with more closely. This might mean finding information about what their labs do and reading published articles related to their work.

Be sure to include how your interests and past experiences align with the work that they do and how you would be an active contributor to those endeavors. This approach shows that you took the time to look into their program, so the committee will be more willing to invest theirs in reviewing your application.

Don’t be afraid to address your weaknesses

Many people assume they should avoid listing their shortcomings in their essays. The whole point of applying to a program is to impress the reviewers, right? But constructively addressing your weaknesses can be a great way to demonstrate how this program can help you achieve your academic goals.

Look at the catalog and read through the courses that are part of the program. If there is a particular class that fascinates you, talk about how it could help you obtain a new skill or a better understanding of a concept that you’ve struggled with before.

This demonstrates that you are actively seeking programs to help you better your education. It also exhibits that you’re mindful of what areas of your knowledge need some improvement, which shows maturity and the ability to self-assess.

Keep it succinct

If your program of interest does not specify a page word or word limit, it’s best to assume that your statement should not exceed two pages total. It should be enough to give them a glimpse of who you are and what you have to offer but not share your life story.

The aim is to communicate how and why this particular program will help you meet your academic and career goals. Limited space means you must prioritize what you include in your statement.

Create an outline before you start writing to ensure you are including points that are relevant to your application and the program to which you are applying. Your statement is also an example of how well you can write. By framing your essay before you write it, you can avoid stream-of-consciousness writing that can often come across as undefined and incoherent.

Proofread! And read it over and over

When you think you have a finished product, read your essay out loud. This makes it easier to catch typos, poor grammar, and oddly worded sentences. If you have a friend who is also applying to grad school, help each other out by editing each other’s essays.

Having someone else read your statement and ask questions can help you clarify your points and make it more compelling. Your statement is your one chance to present yourself professionally in your own words. The occasional mistake is excusable, but messy writing will make them think you lack attention to detail.

Before you hit submit on that application, be sure that you have attached the correct document for the right institution. It can be very embarrassing if your statement mentions the wrong faculty member’s name or refers to another school’s library! It could also cause the reviewers to think you are not as serious about their program.

You’ve spent a good amount of time perfecting your application, so take your time to review everything before you submit it so you can rest easy knowing you’ve presented your best.

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Eugenie Y. Lai

Contact: eylai [at] mit.edu GitHub: ey-l Twitter: @EugenieLai eugeniesday --> Scheduled — --> CV , transcript

News [ More Updates ] 2021.04 Joining the Data Systems Group (DSG) at MIT EECS CSAIL as a PhD student in Fall '21.

Theme by orderedlist

Another Annotated Example: CS PhD Statement of Purpose

Date: 2021-04-22

This post is inspired by the Statement of Objective examples provided by the MIT EECS Communication Lab . Some programs (e.g., Berkeley EECS) require a Statement of Purpose (SoP) and a Personal Statement (PS). In this post, we will dissect and annotate my SoP submitted to MIT EECS, which is a hybrid of both, in my case.

I also shamelessly include a copy of my first draft for a before-after comparison and show how far I have (and maybe anyone could) come by applying the learnings discussed in this post. It would be difficult to measure the impact of something without showing the starting point, which is often missing in the existing resources for SoP.

Also, if you are an anxious applicant, let’s not compare ourselves. I know it’s easier said than done, and I still fall into that trap too. But it is unfair to compare the ins and outs of ourselves to only the best side of others (e.g., their SoP). This note was first brought up to me by Dr.* Maria De-Arteaga back in 2019 when I just started to pivot my profile towards grad school and has been helping me get off the overthinking treadmill since.

*Note: I heard Prof. and Dr. are distinct in the states, but we use Dr. for both in Canada. I didn’t know until the visit days and only used Dr. in my SoP. So let’s use Dr. in this post to keep everything consistent.

Before We Start

Intended audience: Future and current CS PhD applicants.

The role of SoP in grad admissions: Touched on by this Twitter thread , which could be specific to MIT EECS.

My result: I applied to 8 programs and was fortunate to get in almost everywhere, with 5 offers (i.e., Berkeley, MIT, UBC, UMichigan, and UWashington) and 3 withdrawals (i.e., Columbia, Maryland, and NYU).

A non-exhaustive list of caveats that may make this post not as applicable so readers’ discretion is advised:

• I applied during a pandemic, not sure how that affected my experience.
• I only applied to programs in the US and Canada so the experience is subjective to the system here.
• I’m in data systems so please question if the content is field-specific.

Motivation to (uncomfortably) put myself out there:

• Writing crystallizes my learning and is a skill I’m working on. The pressure helps me practice.
• The potential of helping someone trumps the fear of being judged.
• I received so so much help and support throughout this grad application cycle and just want to give back.

Speaking of support, a list of direct help I received for my SoP:

• I was privileged to be assisted by the MIT GAAP and Berkeley EAAA program . A huge thank you to my MIT GAAP mentor, Xuan , who chatted with me bi-weekly since October 2020, provided extremely valuable feedback on my SoP, and helped me navigate through the applying process. It still feels surreal that I will actually meet her in person at MIT this fall.
• Many thanks to my labmates and my research parent, Dr. Rachel Pottinger , who offered both helpful comments and emotional support.
• I happened to take COMM 395 Business Communication with Elizabeth Bowker that term (to fulfill my undergraduate degree requirement at UBC). I found some materials covered for presentations transferable to writing, and a big thank you to her for the additional support.
• I was also privileged to get help from the Writing Centre and Student Service Centre at my undergraduate university.
• Just to reiterate, the examples by the MIT EECS Communication Lab are particularly helpful. Many other schools/programs (e.g., CMU ) provide such examples too.
• I was also influenced by these YouTube channels: Lillian - AlphaGenesis , Casey Fiesler , The Kath Path , Andy Stapleton .

So the first takeaway is clear: Be resourceful. Ask around. Keep an eye out for opportunities and resources, which shouldn’t take up much energy. Just have that running in the background.

Overall Thought Process

The grad application as a whole is supposed to show a 3D us to let the committee make a sensible decision. If we think backwards, SoP is only included for a reason. Like any member of a K-Pop group, it has a unique proposition in the package.

I wanted to show a 3D me by leveraging the application package with little overlaps between materials. But so far, the transcript and CV only put me into numbers and project names.

So something is missing – without showing my thought process and personality, I’m boring, cold, and flat. This gap is where SoP comes in, and it is the only* opportunity to add that third dimension. We will use sketching as an analogy and go through the things that I constantly reminded myself of when thinking about my SoP at a high level.

*Note: Letters of recommendation (LoRs) help too, but they are observations of us. SoP is the one thing in our full control.

Convey the why’s. Like all drawings, SoP needs a purpose, a main message that both utilizes the space in the application and fills the gap. From most of the resources above, the purpose should be conveying the why’s (e.g., why research, why grad school, why this subfield).

Find a common thread and tell a story about professional development. Now we know what to include, but how could we organize the content in a way that shows the reader how we think? We need a skeleton first. I could tell my why’s in a plain list. But wouldn’t some layered structure to show how my research journey evolved add more character? Inevitably, we have to repeat what’s in the CV, but the added value comes from the personality and thought process illustrated through those experiences. The experiences are just a tool at this point, instead of the main focus, so don’t worry about repeating the content.

Bring in personality. Let’s colour the black-and-white skeleton with a personal pallet. I tried to make every sentence read like something only I would write. Admittedly, bringing in a personal voice while staying professional is a fine line to walk, but it’s possible. The annotated SoP is (trying to be) an example. So is this post. We will talk about a few ways to do that in the detailed comments.

Help the reader focus. We have limited paint. Be concise and precise. Every sentence is an opportunity to draw a line and should together portrait a clean image. We don’t want to waste any bits or distract the reader with random, extra lines so every word should have its place. I also thought hard about what to leave in and leave out. Although I was involved in many things throughout my undergraduate time, I only included experiences that are pertinent to my story.

Detailed Comments by Section

There is a lot to unpack. We will walk through my reasoning for each section at a detailed level, which can also be seen as a concrete embodiment of the high-level takeaways discussed above.

Statement of Objectives

Introduction

We don’t want to be a boring person. Opening with questions grabs the reader’s attention better than the laundry list of who I am and what I do in my first draft. The questions plant seeds too, as we will see later. Opening with research interests directly is also interesting.

How can we propagate breakthroughs in the scientific community to the real world? With the explosion of big data, how can we help fields outside of computer science (CS) extract and leverage its value? Inspired by these questions, my current research focuses on facilitating user interaction with databases.

Elaborate on my current research interest with the techniques (in the method space) and a use case (in the problem space). The use case also hints at my why’s, coming soon.

Specifically, I apply visualization and machine learning techniques to alleviate the barriers between users and databases to help users access and make sense of data. By helping users better explore and understand the data they have collected, I hope to enable data-driven decision-making in a wide range of fields. It is with these broad goals in mind that I am applying to pursue a PhD.

Finding My Research Interests

This section shows two things, my technical competency and why’s. I described 3 research projects and used the reflection on the experience to answer the why’s.

+1 to the example provided by the MIT EECS Communication Lab, the formula I used to describe a research project, one line each: summary + clarification of terms if necessary + need of the work (e.g., gaps) + our contributions + outcomes + my specific input . We will see this formula twice later in this section.

With a focus on data provenance summarization, my research journey began under Dr. Rachel Pottinger at the UBC Data Management and Mining Lab. The provenance of a query over a database is a subset of the data in the database that contributed to the query answer. While comprehensive, query provenance consists of large volumes of data and hence is overwhelming for users to explore. We presented an approach to provenance exploration that builds on data summarization techniques and provides an interface to visualize the summary. This work led to the first two papers I co-authored, Summarizing Provenance of Aggregation Query Results in Relational Databases (ICDE’21) and Pastwatch: On the Usability of Provenance Data in Relational Databases (ICDE’20). My main contributions include identifying the limitations in the existing methods, implementing the existing and our summarization methods, and running the experiments.

We love the dark times. Dr. Brené Brown said vulnerability and hardships help people connect and build trust. Being rejected is my true experience, and I intentionally included that to make myself relatable to the reader. In this case, it also shows resilience and segues into my first why, why research but not industry. As you may have also noticed, this concept is used everywhere in this post too.

Our work experienced a few submissions. Although I felt discouraged at first, I learned to reflect and was encouraged by how much our work had improved after each round. I also enjoyed my experience in research more than the industry for the autonomy and ownership over my work.

But I didn’t want to just tell my why’s like a list. I envisioned a story structure inspired by The Secret Structure of Great Talks by Nancy Duarte. She introduced a shape at around 6:00. Applying that concept, I first established what is, what could be, and the gap here. Like the shape, we will see me traversing between what is and what could be in the rest of this section.

However, I had some burning questions regarding my research interests going forward. Although I was engaged by the technical aspects of solving open-ended problems, I wanted to find something that would really excite me – what is the thing that would get me out of bed every morning? And how could I find it?

Transition to my next project to show more technical competency while keeping the flow of the story.

My next project, Developing a Data-Driven Electric Vehicle (EV) Strategy in Surrey, BC, Canada, helped me answer those questions.

Another example of the formula above but in a slightly different order to make things flow better.

Working with another undergraduate student under the supervision of Dr. Raymond Ng, we set out to address the challenge of how the city of Surrey should place EV charging stations. Prior to our work, the approach to determine where to install an EV charging site was solely based on expert opinions, despite a large volume of data collected by the city of Surrey. To help city planners make strategic decisions informed by evidence, I developed a web application to give them a user-friendly way to explore and make sense of the data. I used interactive maps and graphs to visualize the spatial distribution and time trends of Surrey’s vehicle stock, traffic flows, and land use. In September 2019, the city used my tool to choose 20 charger locations for a Canadian federal funding proposal, and I was proud to co-present this work at the SIGKDD’20 Social Impact Session this summer.

Talking about our values is another good way to bring in our personality while staying professional, which also helps answer some why’s. For example, what kind of research keeps us excited? I’m excited about real-world users (in the problem space), but everyone is motivated differently. Maybe you are excited about system design? Cool! Or applying new ML models? Also cool! Note that this part also ties back to the opening questions.

Through zooming in and out on a pressing, real-world issue, I realized what I should be looking for in the research I pursue: the possibility of helping others and the insight into real-world issues that would spark that possibility. I started to envision making an impact on the real world through my research. The value of our work in the scientific community can only be actualized when our tools are adopted by downstream users such as domain experts and decision-makers. Hence alleviating user-database barriers is a vital step in advancing data-driven decision-making in a wide range of fields.

Transition to the 3rd and final project. Another piece of advice I got (for almost everything grad application related) is don’t tell, but show . Earlier I said that I’m motivated by real-world issues, and here I showed that I followed through my words with actions.

With that overarching goal in mind, I initiated a project to facilitate user interaction with databases by identifying the major stakeholders and their challenges when interacting with databases, and then mapped that to their needs.

Apply the formula again to describe the project.

Database users often interact with databases via SQL query sessions. From our analysis, users pose a variety of SQL queries in sequence with changes in SQL keywords and query fragments such as tables and attributes. However, the existing approaches only consider queries individually and make recommendations based on query similarity and popularity. We presented a new approach to recommend query information by learning from the sequential knowledge exploration patterns of historical users. We modelled our query recommendation problem as a query prediction task and used sequence-to-sequence models to predict the next query. Supervised by Dr. Pottinger, this work led to Sequence-Aware Query Recommendation Using Deep Learning, submitted to VLDB’21. As the lead researcher, I identified knowledge gaps in the existing work, defined and scoped the research problem, analyzed the workload data, implemented the deep learning models, ran the experiments, discussed the results, and wrote the paper.

Tie back to the motivation and answer why grad school to wrap up the story.

Seeing a connection between my work and the quantifiable impact gives me a rush of excitement that I am contributing to help those real-world users in need. Through this project, I found myself enjoying both scoping and solving open-ended problems and hope to further improve with additional formal training in graduate studies.

Equal Access in STEM

I added this section following the same MIT EECS Communication Lab example and used the previous formula to explain the project as well.

It may seem odd to risk the flow of a research-focused SoP and make us question if this section is even relevant. But MIT EECS doesn’t require PS, and I wanted to show what I care about and where I come from. This section is also intended to help the SoP stay professional when I touched on my personal background in the last section. Again, fine line to walk. Lastly, grad school to me is more than research. This section adds another dimension to my professional development and connects to my career pursuit in academia mentioned later.

My other goal in graduate school is to further my pursuit of advancing equal access to educational resources for students in marginalized groups. Besides mentoring young women in STEM throughout my undergraduate time, for the past year, I worked on the UBC CS Undergraduate Program Evaluation and Renewal project. In the process, I realized how my experience with data visualization and user interface design could help to improve equity in education. Degree planning is challenging and time-consuming since students have to envision their career path and go to individual course pages to ensure they meet prerequisites accordingly. First-generation college students are especially vulnerable as they lack adequate guidance from their immediate support system. To solve this problem, I designed an interactive directed graph to show the dependencies between courses, provide a holistic view of the CS program, and visualize potential academic trajectories at UBC CS. I was thrilled to present my work at the UBC Board of Governors Meeting in Spring 2020. I deployed the graphs to the UBC CS website this summer and am currently helping UBC Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology adapt the graphs campus-wide. Participating in this project allowed me to advance equal access in a higher level of education and help as many students thrive as possible.

Future Work

This section aims to convince the reader that I know the strengths of the program, our interests align, and I’m valuable specifically to them. The first part outlines my overall research interests, while I gave specific examples about the program and PIs in the second part.

I chose to put my research statement here, not anywhere else. Up to this point, I’ve been signalling pieces about my motivation and research interests using the opening questions, projects, and my why story. The reader now has enough context and is ready for a punch.

All my experiences collectively shaped my research interests and motivated me to pursue graduate studies. Today, database systems provide a vital infrastructure to access high volumes of data in a variety of applications. Seeing the user-database barriers and the potential of data-driven decision-making in areas outside of CS (e.g., city planning and sustainability) incites my urge to build my work around the theme of facilitating user interaction with databases. With a deep understanding of the problem space and skills gained through solving problems in this space, I hope to continue this line of work by applying visualization and ML techniques to help database users access and make sense of data.

I find this part becomes more candid and compelling when I write it as if the PIs would actually read it (and mine really did). Also, it only becomes attractive when the interest goes both ways. I wanted to show how they could help me but also what unique skills I could offer.

MIT CSAIL’s past and current work indicates its members’ unique strengths on this topic. Specifically, I would be excited to work with Dr. Tim Kraska and Dr. Sam Madden. Dr. Kraska has made outstanding contributions to enabling data analytics for individuals outside of CS using ML-inspired techniques. The sequential features of query sessions discussed in his recent work, IDEBench (SIGMOD’20), are fundamental to my work on sequence-aware query recommendation, where we empirically analyzed the query sequences in two real-life workloads. Extending my work under his supervision would give me strong support in leveraging query session information using ML techniques. My research interests also greatly overlap with Dr. Madden’s work, such as Data Civilizer, on building end-to-end systems to facilitate domain experts with data exploration. I would be excited to work with Dr. Madden by bringing my skills and experience in applying ML techniques to SQL queries.

Where I See Myself

I wanted to address why I spent 6 years at UBC, which is relatively uncommon and often raises questions (e.g., if I can handle a rigorous course load). However, it was difficult to word my reason in a professional way at first. So I only briefly mentioned the personal aspect while elaborating on my work experience. Xuan pointed out the key is to relate personal struggles to professional development and helped me further emphasize the value of the experience and how it contributed to my goals in graduate studies.

As a first-generation college student from a low-income, single-parent family, working puts additional constraints on my course load yet is the most effective way to support myself. Although I spent six years on my undergraduate degree, I did two years of co-op at three different places in industry, non-profit, and academia. While studying full-time, I have also worked part-time in retail, administration, and teaching. Through these valuable experiences, I not only learned about the many real-world challenges that people face on the job, but also discovered research interests that would allow me to address some of those challenges.

Let’s not leave any loose ends and tie the two goals together to wrap up.

After graduate studies, I aim to pursue a career in academia, so that I can develop the research and tools to address these challenges and more. Furthering my education at MIT would bring me one step closer to my goal of advancing data-driven decision-making in a wide range of fields and improving equal access to educational resources for students like me in marginalized groups.

Other Takeaways

I also learned and applied these general/minor things.

Just start writing. It is an iterative process. The first draft is the hardest and almost guaranteed to suck, but it gets our brain going. It gets a lot easier once we gain the momentum and just have to make incremental changes.

Start early , which goes hand-in-hand with the last point. I wanted to leave ample time for that interactive process, finished my first draft in late August, and finalized it in the first week of December 2020. I feel grateful that I took the time to reflect on my why’s, which also came in handy later in the (quite intense) interview process in January 2021.

Don’t stress too much about tailoring the SoP to each program. Partial thanks to SIGMOD ‘20*, I had a general research direction when applying. The programs and labs I applied to may have nuances in their research interests and strengths, but my motivation, research interests, and skillsets didn’t need to change much. I only swapped out the second half of the future work section for each program. However, someone with a broader interest and a more diverse set of programs may want to customize the SoP more and have different answers for each why depending on the program.

*Note: More on my experience at SIGMOD ‘20 .

Read each program’s prompts and formatting requirements carefully. The point above is about the content, while this one is about the format and separation of the content. Programs like Berkeley EECS require an SoP and a PS so the separation depends on the prompts. I include my final copy of SoP and PS to Berkeley to show how I did it with minimum additional effort, which also helps illustrate the point above. The formatting requirements all have slight differences (e.g., word limits, header, title) so just be aware.

Choose what feedback and advice to take in. Going back to the point of being resourceful, we may later find ourselves getting various or even conflicted advice from different sources, which can be confusing and overwhelming. My apologies if this post is making it worse. But I always ask two questions whenever I get advice from people:

• Do they know the field ?
• Do they know me ?

Although some advice is generalizable, this sanity check is a reminder to further verify if the information is credible and applicable to me, especially when I get negative (but not necessarily constructive) feedback.

An extreme example is the words from my relatives and family friends when they laughed at my school list. It still hurt at the moment, but the rational me didn’t take their comments to heart because they’re not in CS, and they don’t know my profile. More than a filter to allow in helpful advice, the questions are also shields to protect us, much needed in such a sensitive time.

Through the applying process, I had countless breakdowns moments where I felt that I had already tried everything, but my SoP just read shallow, and my writing would never be good enough.

But it’s because SoP is hard to write!! It not only demands writing techniques but also deep reflections of the why’s from our experiences. Although writing the SoP challenged me hard on both fronts, I’m glad that I took the time and saw it as an opportunity to grow: It reminded me that improving my writing is a never-ending process, and the reflection indeed made me question my life but also assured my decision to pursue graduate studies.

However, I do want to acknowledge that not everyone has the privilege to afford the time and energy. Further, if we consider our individual profile (e.g., GPA, LoRs) as a whole, pouring our limited resources into SoP alone may not be a strategic move. Nothing is perfect nor needs to be. So knowing when to say good enough is an important skill too (which is something I still need to work on).

Lastly, taking one step further, I find some of the takeaways transferable to other written pieces (e.g., papers), other forms of communication (e.g., presentations), or professional development in general.

Although I had much fun reflecting on my learning, I genuinely hope this post would be somewhat helpful to at least one other person on the planet, and very best of luck if you are applying soon!! <3

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PhD Program Admissions

Applying to our PhD Program

We’re thrilled that you are interested in our PhD program in computer science! This page provides an overview of the application process, some guidelines, and answers to specific questions. Please check our FAQ before emailing [email protected] with any questions not answered here.

Our program accepts a large number of applicants each year from a diverse range of backgrounds. Our applicants come directly from undergraduate or master’s programs, as well as industry positions, and from within United States and numerous countries around the world.

Visit the interactive PhD program statistics page   to view historical program data pertaining to admissions, enrollment, retention/attrition/completion, and time to degree conferral. (Select “ Computer Science” from the “Choose Program” drop-down menu.)

Ready to start your PhD application?

We’re ready for you. Click on the link below to start your application to become a PhD student at Johns Hopkins University

The Application: General Advice

The most important question we ask when reviewing applications is "Will this individual excel at research?" Every part of your application is helpful insofar as it answers this question. The three major components of an application are the statement, letters of recommendation, and grades.

This is one of the most important parts of your application; it lets us get to know you and creates a narrative of your academic career and future plans. Before you write your statement, start by thinking about what you want us to learn about you. Make a list of important achievements, perspectives, and goals. Build your statement around this list. We are looking for students who have made the most of the opportunities they have been presented with and who are smart, creative, and motivated. Keep in mind that we also have your CV and letters of recommendation, so we don’t necessarily need a list of all your accomplishments. However, your statement can fill in the narrative around what you did and, more specifically, why you did it. What motivates you? What are your research interests and why? These details aren’t found elsewhere in your application, so focus on them in your statement.

There are a few things we suggest not including in your statement. While it’s tempting to give a rationale for why you are applying to our program, don’t include it if it’s uninformed. Consider: “I want to apply to Johns Hopkins because it’s one of the premiere academic programs.” We know that already! If you do have specific reasons to be interested in our program (e.g. location, a specific project, a faculty member, etc.), be sure to mention them.

In terms of your motivation, be specific! Don’t write: “I’ve wanted to do a PhD in CS since I was six years old.” We don’t trust that six-year-olds make good career decisions. If you write “I have always found AREA X fascinating,” explain why.

Letters of Recommendation

The two most important factors of a recommendation letter are: 1) select someone who knows you well, and 2) select someone who knows how to write a letter.

First, it’s tempting to ask Professor X. to write a letter for you because they are a well-known person in the field. While we can better contextualize letters from people we know, it’s only helpful if the letter contains meaningful information. If Professor X. writes, “I’ve met the applicant a few times and they seem sharp,” that’s not useful information. It’s more important to select someone who knows you well and can discuss your achievements in detail.

Second, your letter writer should know how to write a letter. Academic research programs look for different things than a company. We often read letters from work supervisors that say nice things, but don’t speak to the qualities we find most important.

Of course, it’s a balance. You want someone who knows you well, but they still need to know how to write a good letter of recommendation.

We understand that three letters are a lot, especially for an undergraduate applying directly to a PhD program. We don’t expect each candidate to have three amazing letters. Your choices should be about balance: you want people who know you well, can write good academic letters, and know the research field. Use your choice of your three letter-writers to create this balance.

There isn’t much you can do about your grades—you have the grades you have. However, we do not use any grade cutoffs or thresholds in admissions. We want to see that you did well and excelled in whatever program you were in. Did you push yourself to take upper-level classes? Did you do well in the classes most directly related to your research area? If you have special circumstances that explain some of your grades, please include a description of them in your statement.

The Whiting School of Engineering does not require GRE General Test scores for applications to our PhD programs.

TOEFL or IELTS

Non-native English speakers must take the TOEFL or IELTS exams. Details on accepted exams, scores, and exceptions to this requirement can be found here .

Application Tips

There are many helpful guides for PhD applications. Here are a few we recommend:

• How to be a Successful PhD Student (co-authored by our own Mark Dredze )
• What Readers Look for in a Statement of Purpose
• Student Perspectives on Applying to NLP PhD Programs
• A Survival Guide to a PhD

Application Deadlines

Application Deadline:

The deadline for fall is December 15th. (No recruiting for spring admissions.)

The application will be available for submission on or around August 15.

Vivien Thomas Scholars

The Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI) is an endowed fellowship program at Johns Hopkins for PhD students in STEM fields. It provides full tuition, stipend, and benefits while also providing targeted mentoring, networking, community, and professional development opportunities. Students who have attended a historically black college and university or other minority serving institution for undergraduate study are eligible to apply. To be considered for the VTSI, all application and supplementary materials must be received by December 1, 2021.

Sample Stanford Computer Science Statement of Purpose

by Talha Omer, MBA, M.Eng., Harvard & Cornell Grad

In statement of purpose.

The following statement of purpose is written by an applicant who got accepted to Stanford’s doctoral programs in computer science. Stanford’s CS program requires a 2-page statement of purpose that covers the following points:

• Should be concise, focused, and well written
• Should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the proposed program
• Your preparation for this field of study
• Your research interests
• Your future career plans
• Other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study

You can also read another version of the same SOP that was accepted to Cambridge.

Inquisitive minds foster curiosity, which in turn, breeds innovation. The scientific world labels this process, Research. I like to call it “Making a Difference.” Now the path toward such a defining milestone does not work out as smoothly as it sounds. I, too, faced my fair share of troubles along the way, starting with my diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes. At the time, my world shattered completely. However, being determined, I re-programmed my internal GPS toward the stable ground. Somewhere along this stumbling journey, I came across the saving words of C.S Lewis: “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny,” which eventually rescued me. Ever since, they have become my guiding light, rekindling the flame – never to give up.

I am applying to Stanford University for a doctorate in Computer Science. My research interests include co-designing hardware and software configurable computer systems, performance optimization of processor architectures, and rapid prototyping through FPGAs. My curiosity in the field sparked when my undergraduate coursework exposed me to several important aspects of embedded systems and MIPS architecture. Throughout my academic career, I continuously pushed myself to raise the bar, eventually making it to the Dean’s Honor List and securing a 100% merit scholarship during my grad studies. Considering all that I have achieved, I am confident that I now possess the right technical skills and scientific approach, along with deep-rooted commitment and motivation to embark on a journey to explore this avenue in greater detail.

I passionately opted for an Electrical Engineering major for my undergraduate degree six years ago. For my senior year project, I was in a team of three who programmed and mapped a 5-staged MIPS single-core processor pipeline onto a Xilinx FPGA. The project initially came our way through a friend in contact with Dr. X, who, at the time, a post-doctoral research scientist at MIT, proposed this as a valuable thesis to serve as a strong foundation for future architectural development.

The aim was to design a basic structure that can be extended to a multi-core, fully functional embedded system in the future. We programmed the pipeline in VHDL and optimized it with a hazard detection unit, aggressive static branch prediction, and forwarding logic. We also built an assembler in C++ to convert MIPS-32 assembly instructions into machine language for the Instruction Memory.

My undergraduate degree fixated my attention on the architectural aspects of processors. It honed my practical skills through extensive lab work and semester projects necessary to be at the forefront of the subject. My 1.5 years of experience as a teacher assistant for many exciting engineering courses also solidified my concepts. It taught me various flexible yet effective ways to communicate ideas to my students in an impactful manner.

Subsequently, I spent the next two years at graduate school, attaining a Computer Architecture and Embedded Systems degree. It was a rewarding experience that expanded my horizon and reinforced professional bonds with contemporary researchers in the field. For my graduate thesis, I worked on extending the functionality of an educational simulation tool pioneered initially by Dr. X. The tool aims to complement graduate-level theoretical studies of MIPS architecture. The thesis entailed an intensive literature review into floating point instruction latencies and research into the possibility of increasing the throughput by reconfiguring the multicycle execution and memory stage. While programming in Visual Basic, I refined and simplified the user interaction experience by introducing a hierarchy of nested UI screens.

Further development of the MIPS FP simulator, the first of its kind in the reconfigurability of the pipeline it offers, is still underway before its release to the web. Along with working on the pipeline’s development and code optimization, I am also drafting a research paper for submission to the IASTED International Conference on Computers and Advanced Technology in Education. I believe that persistent thinking and hard work associated with extensive literature surveys embellished my research skills and taught me perseverance in facing challenges.

After graduation, I continued my quest to learn and enhance my software development skill set. As a Software Engineer at Apple, I am developing a front-end web portal on Google’s recent media hype structural framework, AngularJS. I have also worked with Dr. A to explore architectural aspects of Graphical Processing Units and GPU correlation with Operating Systems in general. In addition to building upon my problem-solving abilities and time management, my experience so far has required me to collaborate and brainstorm ideas in teams, hence polishing my team communication skills. This constructive training prepares me well for the rigors of practical life as a doctorate candidate at Stanford.

My country suffers critically due to a deficit in employment and research opportunities in the local embedded industry. To add salt to the wound, the societal norms and traditions favoring the male demographics act as a taboo for the current aspiring generation of female individuals, who, despite all odds, relentlessly strive hard and stand their ground to stay above the murky waters. Being a member of society’s under-represented female faction, I possess this will of fire and inherent motivation to prove myself every step of the way.

The prospect of obtaining a terminal degree, from Stanford, under the mentorship of world re-known faculty fuels my energy to dive deeper into the field of architecture and embedded systems, design innovative software/hardware solutions to intricate problems, and conduct meaningful Research. The program is an example of expanding my research horizons, strengthening my concepts, and increasing my experience through quality industrial and academic exposure.

I am much impressed by the current projects undertaken by the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. In particular, the work of principal investigators, namely Professor Clark Barrett, and Professor Gill Bejerano, fascinates me in alignment with my interests. I believe working with them would be an invaluable, enlightening opportunity indeed. I am confident that the strong ideas I can bring to the table, backed by my well-founded academics and valuable experience, would benefit the Stanford research community.

For me, the Stanford research apprenticeship is the fundamental aspect of the doctoral experience. I expect to participate in this program, with the guidance of my academic advisor as well as other Stanford faculty. During the apprenticeship, I can strive to receive a multi-year funding package, which includes chances to work as teaching and research assistants for my professors’ courses and research projects. Through this model, along with their coursework, I can also have the chance to receive preparation over the course of about five years to become exceptional researcher and university teacher.

Upon completion of the degree, I intend to initiate various projects in conjunction with the R&D departments of the embedded industry. I also envision imparting education to young intellectual minds through technology. With it, I hope to develop e-learning web portals dealing specifically with educational simulation tools for the field of computer architecture and embedded systems. But I feel, from where I stand, that there is still a very long way to go, a journey that I am incredibly excited to embark upon.

Sample SOP for PHD in AI (Artificial Intelligence)

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Sample SOP for Business Analytics

The following SOP was written by an applicant who was admitted to top MSBA (Masters of Science in Business Analytics) programs in the US. Variations of this essay got accepted at Duke, UT Austin, and UCLA. This statement of purpose is intended to provide an example...

Sample Harvard MPH Statement of Purpose

The following statement of purpose is written by an applicant who got accepted to Harvard's master’s programs in public health. Harvard's MPH program requires a 600-word statement of purpose that covers the following points: Academic and/or professional preparation...

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The following statement of purpose is written by an applicant who got accepted to several top master's programs in public health. Variations of this SOP got accepted at Rutgers, and Chicago. Read it to understand what a top SOP in MPH should look like. Example...

Sample Statement of Purpose for Nursing

The following statement of purpose was written by an applicant who was admitted to top MSN (Masters of Science in Nursing) programs in the US. The applicant aspires to specilize in the field of nursing informatics. Variations of this SOP got accepted at Johns Hopkins...

Sample Statement of Purpose Cancer Research (Ph.D.)

The following statement of purpose is written by an applicant who got accepted to top Ph.D. programs in cancer research/cancer biology. Variations of this SOP got accepted at JHU. Read this essay to get inspiration and understand what a top Ph.D. SOP should look like....

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With an admissions rate of less than 20%, even applicants with the most outstanding profiles and GRE test scores get rejected from the Fulbright program. What sets successful Fulbright applicants stand out are their unique experiences, achievements and their ability...

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Statement of purpose (SOP) done right! [with Samples]

Statement of Purpose (SOP) or Personal Statement forms a crucial element of the graduate school application process. For the uninitiated, a Statement of Purpose is an essay that introduces YOU to the Admissions Review Committee (AdCom). It contains your accomplishments, career plans, and reasoning of why you think a particular graduate program is the ‘right fit’ for you. 

Nearly every respectable graduate program in the world, be it a Master of Science, Engineering Management, MiM or MBA requires applicants to submit a Statement of Purpose while applying.

The AdComs put a lot of value on a candidate’s SOP, evaluating their ‘intent for applying to that program’ and whether it resonates with the University’s mission and objectives.

Jared Pierce, associate director of enrollment services at Northeastern University, says a strong statement of purpose can be the deciding factor in a graduate student’s admission.

“Your statement of purpose is where you tell your story about who you are and why you deserve to be a part of the [university’s] community. It gives the admissions committee the chance to get to know you and understand how you’ll add value to the classroom,” he says.

Clearly then, you will have to construct your statement of purpose which tells your “story” rather than list out your “achievements”

So, how do the applicants go about writing the SOP? Which experiences are viewed favorably by the AdCom, and what should be avoided. In this blogpost, I touch upon the effective strategies that if adopted, can transform your SOP into your story.

STEP – I: Decoding the types

Let’s start by clearing out a few things about the Statement of Purpose. They go by different names — Personal statement, letter of intent, letter of motivation, mission statement, elevator pitch, video sop…. The list is too long! Each of them serves a different purpose and should be written within the frameworks of the university guidelines.

Perhaps the first step you should do before you start writing your SOP is to prepare an outline and use it as a roadmap.

To be honest, this is not a very popular step with most of the students. They imagine that this “extra” step will add time and complicate their application process when in fact, creating an outline can not only help streamline one’s essay writing but can also go a long way in boosting the resulting essays’ effectiveness.

By organizing your thoughts in the form of short phrases and key terms, you will observe that your story unfolds more easily. Moreover, it also ensures that there are no gaps of information in what you are trying to convey. This translates to a more persuasive final SOP and, in most cases, fewer rounds of editing and revision.

Sample Outline A

• Passion for chess – coaching and playing
• Volunteer activities with Greenpeace 
• Love of Shah Rukh Khan films
• Managing literature conference at IIT, Mumbai
• Love of biking – Sunday bike rides with “team”
• Semester exchange in France 
• Travel to 21 countries – Iceland, Russia and Peru highlights
• Close relationship with grandma
• Budding love of cooking
• Love of Mumbai

Once a sample outline has been prepared, it is now easier to construct a structure for the statement of purpose.  

STEP – II: Break it down

Building upon the outline, each SOP needs to be structured so that it logically fits in the narrative.

Many clients that we have encountered confuse ‘structure’ with ‘chronology’. When asked to write a draft of the essay, they present their achievements in chronological order, thinking that this will give the essay a proper structure.

However, your experiences and how they have translated and shaped you into what you are today, may or may not be chronological. Thus, you have to start your essay with the most significant one and connect the dots from there.

The Admissions Review Committee is looking out for very specific things in your application. Unless you break it down, it will be an arduous task to explain them your story. And no one wants a confused AdCom guy in their life.

What is the Admission Committee looking for?

The simple answer would be – what makes you, YOU.

But if only things were so simple. What they are really looking for is how you fit into the overall scheme of things at the University.

Broadly, there are 5 factors they are trying to evaluate you on:

– Why have you applied for that particular program?

– What kind of skills do you have to succeed in that program?

– How do you want to leverage your university connections to network and contribute to the school community?

– How are your professional goals aligned with the program outcomes?

– Why are you the ‘best fit’ for the university?

Your statement of purpose or letter of motivation should talk in brief about all these points.

Even for the most practiced of writers, crafting a successful application essay can be an uphill task. So, trust us on this – Most of the SOPs that we read make us go….

Ideating and then organizing thoughts into outlines for essays will facilitate this process, as we illustrated in Part 1 of this guide, and now we will offer a few basic steps that will help you create and refine your drafts.

STEP- III: Tell your story

As we discussed it earlier, your statement of purpose is not merely an instrument to present facts from your life to the AdCom. Infact, it’s a platform to tell your story. Of who you are, and how has your experiences shaped you. You should therefore focus on narrative writing (which primarily describes) rather than expository writing (which primarily explains). In a narrative, the central facts about a situation are not just bluntly introduced, but are presented in a way that lets them speak for themselves and paint a rounded picture of an experience.

Consider the following examples:

My upbringing in a family full of entrepreneurs made me acquainted to data analytics early in life. When I supported my father’s organization, where they manually used to analyze data and predict delivery date & raw material ordering, I helped them develop an automated system with the use of pivot tables and slicers, that can be used together to visualize data and create easy to use dashboards.

Coming from a business background and having an undergrad degree in Information Technology, it was only natural for me to have a formidable combination of – entrepreneurial streak and technical expertise. My formative years were spent engaging in insightful dining table discussions with my father, pertaining to our business-related products and services. As a result, I was presented with several opportunities to understand the legal, commercial and technical aspects of our business. However, the opportunities that I loved most were the technically challenging ones that had the potential to impact our business positively. One such opportunity that I got was to review and remodel our existing data management system, which had severe limitations in terms of performance and scalability.

Which one of the above example do you think creates a more compelling image of the person you are reading about?

While example A is vague in terms of details, example B has a lot of specifics. It creates a holistic picture of the candidate and evokes imagery for the reader, which is more compelling. Thus, leaving out important details is detrimental to the health of the essay.

STEP – IV: Connect the dots

A good story is as good as its parts. Details, which are crucial to the development of the story, if left out does not reveal the entire picture and leaves the readers confused.

As you write your essay drafts, check each sentence to make sure that it includes a key part of the story you are telling. If you can remove a sentence and your essay still makes sense, that line is unnecessary and should remain deleted. However, if your narrative suddenly becomes unclear, that is your proof that the sentence in question is not superfluous and that you are on your way to creating a profoundly connected narrative.

Having a keen interest in operations research motivated me to work on my bachelor’s thesis: Efficient utilization of weight and volume capacity of a fleet of goods containers. The objective here is to build an algorithmic model for transportation of goods, cargoes, and shipments by utilizing the maximum load and volume capacity of the containers. The study is being carried out with a view to enabling the freight companies in reducing cost and enhancing operational efficiency. I have identified the constraints posed such as categorization of goods according to their suitability, shortest route according to the consignments, delivery of goods within the prescribed time, maximizing the profit and providing customer satisfaction, and successfully developed a mathematical model for the intercity transport, using shortest route and minimum cost per volume using traveling salesman and transportation concepts. Moreover, I am also trying to implement algorithm theory and computational complexity theory to solve the combinatorial problem considering the constraints faced.

Notice how the dots are getting connected.

1st sentence – Having a keen …. – Provides a justification to work on the bachelor’s thesis in Operations Research based on the interest of the applicant.

2nd sentence – The objective here is to build an algorithmic model…. – Clears the aim of the the project and gives idea to the AdCom about the scope of the project.

3rd sentence – The study is being carried out …. – End goal of the project is described.

4th sentence – I have identified the constraints… – talks about problem/constraint identification that the student is trying to resolve

… and successfully developed a mathematical model… -highlights the solution to the given constraints.

Leaving out any sentence written in this paragraph would be eliminating a key detail, and thus will confuse the reader about the project. In short, the story will be difficult to follow.

STEP – V: Create a ‘hook’ in the Introduction paragraph

Sometimes the most difficult part of writing a strong essay is determining the best way to start it. Even when you have a strong outline in hand, crafting those first few words or phrases can be challenging. To help you over this hurdle, we offer a few strategies for beginning your essays.

Maintaining a mystery

This is one of the best ways to grab the attention of the AdCom.

There are only a few rare moments in life, interspersed within our chaotic daily routines, during which we find our true calling. And those moments generally come like a blitzkrieg, inspiring us to make choices which define who we eventually become. I encountered one such moment, as a part of my internship with Bless Foundation, an NGO which strives to alleviate the sufferings of the underprivileged.

(Selected at University of South California, MS in Computer Science).

Do people shape cities or do cities shape people? Irrespective of the order of transformation, I am of the belief that city landscapes impact our daily lives in a significant way.

(Selected at TU Delft, MS in Architecture)

While watching the digitally remastered and coloured version of 1960 Bollywood classic ‘Mughal-e-Azam’, then shot in monochrome, I realised that I was less concerned about the cinematic brilliance but more about certain stats I read about the movie.

(Selected at Cornell University, MPS program in Applied Statistics)

The main stage was set while I enthusiastically waited in the crowd for Guns N’ Roses to surface from behind the spotlight. It was an absolute dream for me to witness the band live in concert, after having grown up and getting inspired by Slash and his musical eccentricities. As they emerged on stage and plucked the first strings, I was transported in a trance of hedonistic pleasure. Surprisingly, it was not the music that had the greatest influence that night.

(Selected at Stanford, MS in Computer Science)

In all of the above examples, the first few lines draw the reader into the essay and make him ask the question, what happens next? This approach is a sure shot way to indulge the AdCom into reading your application in full.

Strictly avoid: Clichés

Let’s be honest here. The AdCom knows when clichés are coming. And no one likes them. Consider this for example:

Being an ardent fan of the Marvel Universe, I believe that if we have the thirst for knowledge, ability to rectify the errors and better our skillset like Ironman and if we have grit, perseverance and will to do good for the mankind like Captain America, then we can win any battle and achieve something great. I tried to follow these ideologies while working on all my projects and technical papers.

My profound interest in mathematics, computers, and problem-solving became the basis for furthering a career in Computer science. In order to broaden my horizons of technical acumen, I joined Oracle after completing my undergrad. This allowed me to develop a clearer vision about pursuing a career in my field of Software Engineering.

It’s safe to say that introductions like these should be avoided at all costs as they have been read by the AdCom a million times. You don’t want to be the million plus one candidate.

Lead with your best

When you are pitching your application to the AdCom, it is highly recommended that you start your essays with your most compelling experience. Do not follow a template of chronological detailing of your academic records and professional achievements. Show your best foot forward. You do not always have to outline your history to create context for your narrative.

Example A (Student Version of her internship)

Due to these rewarding experiences and key learnings acquired from projects, I secured a position as a Developer at Barclays India, which has been exhilarating from the onset. In a span of four months, I underwent intensive training in several technologies like Java, JavaScript, Embedded JavaScript, Spring Framework, Servlets etc.

Example B (Gradsmiths version)

At Barcalays, internship not only meant exposition to multimillion-dollar client portfolio, but also getting intensive training in tools like Java, JavaScript, Embedded JavaScript, Spring Framework, and Servlets.

Example A exhibits significant backstory, but the most important parts that she learned new technologies was mentioned after the third line. In example B, this happens right in the second line, and is smartly packaged for the reader.

This introduction—just one sentence long, rather than four—introduces the reader to the individual’s high- level position right away and is therefore much more compelling and effective.

Step – VI: Don’t put extra information in your essays

Although it seems to be a no brainer, most students end up doing this. They provide irrelevant information in their essay, which makes it a boring read.

Consider this:

My final year project was ‘Analysis and Design of a high rise building with R.C Shear wall’. This project was done by 4 undergrads. In the initial phase, a 3-storied building is designed in ETABS software using Dead and Live load. In the next phase a 15-storied building with shear walls considering Earthquake and wind load is designed under G. A. Bhilare Consultants Pvt. Ltd., Pune. Seismic design parameters like story drift, lateral displacement was studied and shear forces, axial forces, bending moment were interpreted. This project increased my understanding of ETABS and improved my skills .

In the example above, there are too many details like the no. of storey of the building and name of the consultants, which are not required. It adds on to the word count and makes it a slow-developing paragraph.

Revised version

To gain more understanding of structures and the mechanics of forces at play, my final year project focused on the analysis and design of a high rise building with R.C Shear wall. In association with three other undergrads, we worked to design a 3-storied building, followed by its higher version in ETABS software using Dead and Live load. Carefully monitoring the shear walls considering Earthquake and wind load, we studied Seismic design parameters like story drift, lateral displacement. All this culminated under a sponsored industry project in collaboration with top architects of the city. This experience helped me to analyse complex structural models with loads, and design them in the most sustainable way, a skill which I am confident will prove beneficial during my graduate studies.

Step VII: Honour the word limit

Although we can assure you that no one will toss your application in the trash if your essays exceed the school’s stated word limits a little, in general, sticking as closely as possible to these limits is the best plan. Doing so indicates to the admissions committee not only that you pay attention to and can follow directions (which reflects positively on you as a potential student who will be required to follow numerous guidelines throughout the course of the MS program) but also that you are willing to put in the work required to convey your story effectively within the stated parameters. Also, you show respect for the school as well as for the admissions readers, who must sort through thousands of essays each week. A good rule of thumb is to not surpass the school’s requested word count by more than 5%, though of course, the fewer extra words you include, the better—and minimizing any risk of a negative impression resulting from exceeding the set word count is best.

Step VIII: Answer the question

This is our most obvious rule yet, but one that must be stated nonetheless: make sure that you answer the question the school is asking. Sometimes candidates possess a great story and really want to “spin” it for a particular essay prompt. Other times, applicants work and rework an essay so much that when they are done, they do not realize that they have changed their initial story entirely and the resulting essay no longer addresses the school’s question. Not answering the question is one of the admissions committees’ biggest peeves. In addition to indicating an ability to follow directions on your part (if not an outright attempt to withhold information), not answering the question asked means that you have not provided the information the admissions committee is specifically seeking and needs. So, regularly revisit the essay prompts as you revise your essays, ensuring that you are on track and providing a topical response.

Step IX: Customize your responses

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to customize your essays for your choice of University. Many a times, we have seen that one SOP is sent to 5 different universities, with just a few line changes.

To us, this is a very easy and a lazy approach to essay drafting. Moreover, the AdCom through their years of experience of reading SOPs figure out whether you have followed a template or not.

Your short and long term goals should be aligned with the research areas and expertise of the University. AdCom loves to see how the university can help you realize your personal and professional milestones.

A common point of contention among students is whether or not to include the names of professors. In our opinion, you should go beyond name-dropping and identify key research areas where you would like to work. This creates a better representation of your academic interest and underlines your motivation to apply for the program.

It is important to understand that the AdCom is looking for unique and interesting candidates, who contribute to the campus and community. Thus, desire to work in student clubs, campus organizations, or community service is viewed positively. It shows that you have a multi-dimensional personality and go beyond your academic interests. Another quirky thing to add is why the location of the college is important to you and your goals. It can be the vibrant startup culture of the place, proximity to tech centers or Silicon Valley, or even the music vibe of the place.

Step X: Read, Re-read, Proofread. Repeat.

If you have followed all the steps above, and drafted your statement of purpose, great work done! Now will be a good time to send it to your friends, relatives, colleagues, and anywould who would care to read it.

You will amazed at how many grammatical errors get discovered. And we don’t even want to get started on the formatting bits.

Your goal, before sending out your statement of purpose should be to make it as error-proof as possible. This can be achieved by proofreading it multiple times to check for nasty little bits of flaws that hides furtively behind the pompous words and achievements.

The Statement of Purpose is perhaps the hardest thing you will encounter during your application stage.

The good news is that the process does not seem so overwhelming when you break it down into simple, actionable steps as described above.

At Gradsmiths, we have come across more than a thousand essays and SOPs, some brilliant while some total disasters. What really saddened us was that the same mistakes were being repeated in every other document, which motivated us to compile these steps that we follow into this post to draft an awesome statement of purpose.

Statement of Purpose (Samples and formats)

Statement of Purpose that got accepted to UPenn MS in Computer Science

Sample Statement of Purpose that got accepted to MS in Mechanical Engineering, Arizona State University

Statement of Purpose that got accepted to Cornell University’s Engineering Management program

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Graduate School Statement of Purpose

Writing a Statement of Purpose for Grad School should take some time and careful thought.  Don't wait! There are many things to consider when writing this important document. First, it is a reflection of who you are and your ability to communicate.  You will likely submit a resume as part of your grad school applications. Your skills speak for themselves on a resume. You have to prove your communication skills in a statement of purpose. 

Research each program -- What are its mission and values?  How do your interests and successes relate? 

Pay attention to word limits -- Many grad programs will limit the length of your statement of purpose in terms of word count.  If this is not the case, do not exceed two pages, single-spaced, for your statement. It is usually easier to start long and pare down.

Explain what you're looking for -- Introduce yourself by name and education.  Be clear about your career and academic goals.

Briefly introduce your qualifications -- This is not the place for a list.  That comes on your resume. Instead, consider mentioning one or two projects that inspired you to pursue graduate school.  How are they unique? What did you learn? How will they promote your personal success in a graduate program.

Explain Your Intentions for Industry -- Many students pursue a Master's in CS to become more competitive in the hiring process for industry.  How will a Master's in CS help you reach your ultimate goal in industry? Be program specific. Where have alumni gone to work?  What new skills can you learn from this program to help you be a more attractive candidate to employers?

Explain your perspective -- What special experiences have you had that will inform your perspective in a grad classroom?  Research? Clubs & Organizations ? Volunteer work related to CS? Leadership Roles? Events ( HackUMass , Hack(H)er , etc.)?  This important, because it shows what you, as an individual, have to add to the classroom and community.

Connect to faculty -- Do your homework!  What are the faculty members' research interests?  You can and likely should pick a faculty member, mention them by name, and explain how your interests align with their work.  This is a great way to prove that you belong in the community of any given program and it offers another way to discuss your expertise.

Use  transitions -- This way your statement won't read like a list, just as your resume would.

Describe the field or history of computer science -- If you do this, you will quickly lose the reader's interest.  They are either an expert and/or have a high degree of knowledge of the field.  They don't need to be told what they already know.

Tell "over the top" stories -- Your introduction should state your goals.  It is okay to mention a personal experience in the body of your statement, but it should be succinct and clearly related to your goals for the program.  Be direct and professional.

Dwell on the prestige of the program -- It's okay to mention that you were drawn to the program because of its reputation, but go no further.  The reader already knows about the program's rankings and acclaim.

Overuse "big" words -- It's okay to use some mildly complex language to prove your writing skills, but keep your statement easy to read.

Sample Master's Statement of Purpose

Dear Selection Committee:

My name is Jane Snow and I will graduate from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with a BS in Computer Science in May 2020.  I am writing to express my interest in the Master's of Computer Science program at Tech University. I am confident that your program can prepare me for a career as a Software Engineer in cloud computing at a growing and thriving tech company.  I believe I would be a great fit for your program, given my research experiences, technical expertise, and campus leadership.

I have been researching cloud computing, since I was a sophomore at UMass.  From this experience, I learned about broad network access and sharing pools of resources.  In fact, I wrote my senior thesis about this topic. This subject is one of my great passions in the field of computer science and I appreciate the research  that Professor Smith does research around this topic. As you will see, this research and my other experiences at UMass have taught me how to code effectively, using Java, C++, Python, and other languages.  My skills have me adequately prepared to enter the graduate classroom and be successful.

I also honed my skills and increased my passion for cloud computing as an intern at X Company.  This experience was different, because I was able to participate in a rotation of cloud computing in data security, encryption, and mobile applications.  As a result, the perspective I would bring to your program and the classroom would be quite diverse.

As an undergraduate,  I have been involved in a student organization called "Common Good."  In Common Good, my classmates and I have given back to the community, by using our technical expertise to solve common problems, on a pro-bono basis.  One project I am particularly proud of is managing the data and building a website for a local non-profit drug rehabilitation center. They saw participation in their programs increase three times over the previous year, because of the usability of their new web presence.  I believe my commitment to philanthropy makes me stand out as a student-leader and I look forward to continuing a commitment to service, as a member of your community of scholars.

It is with great excitement that I submit my application to the Master's of Computer Science Program at Tech University.  I hope you will find that I have plenty to add to your program. My technical skills, research abilities, and interest in service make me a uniquely qualified candidate for success in your master's community.  I know that your program is a great fit for me and will help me reach my ultimate career and academic goals. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Additional Resources:

https://web.cs.dartmouth.edu/undergraduate/graduate-school-advice#7

https://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/computer-science/graduate/admissions/#tips

https://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/instructable/write-your-personal-statement

https://www.petersons.com/blog/personal-statement-vs-statement-of-purpose-whats-the-difference-is-there-one/

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The 3 Steps of Writing a Statement of Purpose with 5 Samples that Earned Places in Top Universities

• Posted on September 29, 2022

A PhD Statement of Purpose is a piece of admission document typically two or three pages in length that details one’s interest in a doctoral program. It’s regarded as one of the most important admission documents hence the need to make it vivid, individualized, and compelling. In this article, I will borrow from over a decade of editing and reviewing Ph. D Statements of Purpose to explain the step by step process of creating a doctoral SOP that will convince the admission committee that you’re deserving of a slot in the program.

We’re now offering one-on-one expert guidance on how to write a statement of purpose. This is in addition to our reviewing, editing, and standardizing services. Check out our ordering page , fill out the required details and let us help you craft a statement of purpose that will flood your email with admission offers. phdstatementsofpurpose.com

Most read articles:

• Analysis of MIT & Stanford accepted Biomedical Engineering Statement of Purpose
• Analysis of MIT and University of Washington Statement of Purpose for PhD in Computer Science

Step 1: Prepare

Whether you’re writing a SOP, Graduate CV or any other admission document, it’s always important to prepare. With your SOP, start by creating an outline of five parts as will be shown shortly.

(If you’re struggling with how to start your Statement of Purpose, you can get started by answering these 9 questions )

Part 1: Create a “hook” opene r

Admission committees receive thousands of application against limited slots. If your SOP is bland and boring, it won’t catch their attention. Therefore, start with a hook that grabs their attention and use it to explain how your interest in the field emerged and what motivates you to study it. This is not always easy to do but you can follow the following pointers:

Part 2: Note down your experience in this field

Sketch out the experiences that you’ve acquired in the course of your studies and professional practice. Start with the most recent and relevant. If you’re applying for a PhD in nursing, note down your master’s thesis and practicing experience. You don’t have to include high school experience unless you’re writing an undergraduate nursing statement of purpose . Some of the details to sketch out include:

• Master’s and undergraduate thesis
• Any other major research work
• Senior projects
• Publications and presentations
• Volunteer and professional experience

Part 3: Note in details what you want to study

     This is the stage where you discuss what you want to study and why the school you’re applying to is the best fit. The trick here is to be very specific. If you’re applying for a doctoral slot in nursing for instance, you may make it specific by describing how different facets e.g gender, social status etc interact in a complex interplay to influence nurses’ attitudes and patients’ outcome.

Part 4: Think about your dreams and future goals

Daydream about where you want to see yourself after completion of the doctoral program. Think about all the possible positions in research and practice, isolate that/those that align with your interest and discuss it/them succinctly.

Part 5: Don’t ignore specific requirements by the institution/program

Some educational institutions require that your Statement of Purpose responds to particular questions. If that’s the case, pay attention to the questions asked.

Step 2: Drafting your SOP

Having prepared an outline, it’s now time to draft your SOP. This section is divided into six parts illustrating exactly what should go where.

Part 1: Impress the admission committee with your grasp of the field

Dedicate one paragraph to wow the admission committee with your knowledge of the field. You may describe a topic, theory, or author that has triggered your interest in it. If you want to make it even more engaging, formulate a question.

Part 2: Illustrate with specificity

Your SOP should not be generic, vague, or boring . Don’t tell. Instead, show everything with specific details. Examine the following two statements for instance:

What sets apart statement 2 from 1? Obviously, while the first one is general, the second one is specific and thus likelier to “excite” the admission committee.

Part 3: Blow your own trumpet

Remember you’re competing for a few slots against people who could even be in possession of greater accomplishments than you. You don’t win against them by being modest about your own achievements. But here’s the catch-don’t be general when writing about your accolades. Nail them down as shown below.

Write as in Statement 2 not 1

Part 4: Mention who you want to work with

Mentioning the name of the professors you’d like to work with shows that you’ve done your research well and are really interested in the program and educational institution. This means that every doctoral statement of purpose should be customized and individualized as opposed to being generic and general.

When writing about the professor you’d like to work with, mention their name, credentials, and why you’d like to work under them.

If you can’t find a professor who appeals to you, you can instead write about other things that attract you to the school or program. Mention the school/program’s strengths as well as what you bring to them.

Part 5: Explain any academic anomalies, gaps, and issues

If you’ve a failed grade, gaps, or any other pertinent issue you’d like to bring the attention of the admission committee, a SOP is a chance to explain it. A failed grade may for instance be explained as academic setback. Be creative and show how you bounced back.

If you changed career and now want to pursue graduate studies in the new career, your SOP should emphasize that you’ve transferable research and professional experience, and that you’ve the mental acuity to ace the program. We’ve written in details how to write this kind of SOP in this article .

Part 6: Brevity

Be concise and stick within the given word limit, typically 650-1000 words.

Step 3: Review your SOP

• Ensure that it flows well
• Remove typos and grammatical errors
• Ensure you’ve met all the requirements
• Edit and review your SOP by following these steps
• You may consider having a professional editor who is also an expert in your field edit and review your Ph. D statement of purpose by CLICKING HERE

Five Examples of Successful SOPs that Earned Admission to Top School

We’ve drawn from our decade of successful experience in editing and reviewing of admission documents to prepare these successful SOPS. They cover a wide range of subjects and levels. To recap, they have been written using the format and strategies described earlier. The table below recaps the structure of a standard SOP. (A more detailed description can be found in this link )

We reckon that the structure above was employed to great effect in this Biomedical engineering SoP that won acceptance at MIT and Stanford: MIT & Stanford Accepted SoP and the Simple Formula used to Write it

This first sample is a Ph. D statement of purpose for nursing, a course that’s highly regarded. To gain an admission into a top nursing school, one must have good grades and needless to say, the admission documents such as CV , SOP, and recommendation letters must be good enough.

A case in point is the John Hopkins Nursing School . Ranked the third best in the world, its acceptance rate is low. According to Find Nursing Schools, a website that collates data about nursing schools and their programs, John Hopkins is hard to get into with a paltry 11% acceptance rate.

To study at the equally prestigious Yale University Nursing School where the acceptance rate is also very low, you’ll need a well written customized SOP. Look at the screenshot below for instance:

With those requirements in mind, follow the tips provided in depth at Everything about a PhD Statement of Purpose and How to Write it , which can be summarized as follows:

• Explain your interest in the field and how a PhD program at the school will help you
• Explain your past academic, research, and professional experience and link it to your intended area of interest
• Describe your research interest/gap
• Explain how you fit into the university’s mission, vision, and philosophy

PhD STATEMENT OF PURPOSE SAMPLE FOR NURSING (780 words)

“Does the color of the skin of a nurse matter and what influence does it have on health outcomes? Are patients more likely to be receptive of care offered by a nurse with the same skin color as theirs? Are health disparities in diverse societies a consequence of lack of representation in the nursing profession? Those are difficult questions for an adolescent to ponder on but as a result of a nasty collision during a soccer match, I found myself thinking them over when I was admitted in a care ward where a majority of the patients were from minority communities and the nurses and other healthcare professionals mainly white. I recognized a pattern in which patients would open up more to a young, black nurse who was probably interning at the facility. Her shifts were eagerly anticipated and she would warm up the otherwise gloomy surrounding with her sense of care and empathy. I felt great connection with her and when it was finally time to go home, I cried on her shoulders as I said my goodbyes.

Years later when it was time to choose my undergraduate course, I found myself thinking about the lady nurse and what she represented. I wanted to make a real difference by becoming what she was to the family in the care ward. As my studies unfolded, I found myself gravitating to issues of cultural and racial diversity and how they affected health and patients’ outcome. My undergraduate project on the subject was lauded as seminal and I was selected to present on the same in the prestigious Health, Nursing and Diversity Conference held in Japan. While still an undergraduate I published two more articles on inclusion and nursing with a focus on minority health outcomes. I was consequently awarded two full paid scholarships to pursue my master’s in nursing at Scatenberg University where I worked under the inimitable professor of nursing Jalen White. White’s work had a profound influence on my research work and I was particularly privileged to have her write a foreword to my book on Nursing and Minorities. We co-presented at the annual Stanford Health Disparities Seminar and her work and brilliance remain an inspiration. Despite the depth of my scholarly work and the accolades they have attracted, I know I have barely scratched the surface of what is waiting to be discovered in this area.

My research interests and teaching experience are primarily in nursing, inclusion, and health outcomes among the minorities. An article published In the British Nursing and Health Journal laid bare the extent to which the minorities in the UK were inordinately ravaged by Covid-19 with lack of diversity in the nursing and healthcare field found to be a leading determinant of this disparity. It’s an area where I have practical experience having volunteered as a nurse in the Boston Clinic during the peak of the pandemic. I was one of the three nurses from minority community and I saw how the eyes of patients from these communities shone when they saw one of us. I also served as teaching assistant at Boston Clinic Nursing School where I deepened my understanding of inclusivity and nursing. I collected data for my thesis at the facility and ended up with a project that won the master’s thesis of the year. From my research in the area during my undergraduate and master’s studies, I see a rich area for scholarly exploration to understand the link between exclusion and health disparities.

Sommerwalt University represents the golden standards in relation to nursing doctoral programs because they are rich, invigorating and rendered by a world class faculty. I am particularly drawn to the prospect of working with Dr. Ian Rash, whose work in nursing psychiatry has attracted heated scholarly debate, some of which I have commented on in a Scola, a weekly nursing blog by Boston Nursing Association. Besides that, I have championed for nursing diversity, an aspect that aligns with the university’s philosophy and vision, making me a good fit for the program.

My nursing experience as a teenager, combined with my academic and professional experience, make an exceptional combination that will help me thrive under this program and actualize my personal and research goals. This program is not just an end but also a means to lend my contribution to research and scholarship on how to improve the health outcomes of a section of the population who feel left out of the health system. I see myself teaching at a nursing school while also rendering my nursing services to the less privileged, especially racial minorities. An admission in this program will therefore be a win at both personal and community level.”

This second sample is for cognitive science. It is an undergraduate level SOP hence the language and brevity. As you’ll notice, it doesn’t have the research, academic, or professional experience section as the learner is fresh from high school. Instead, much of the focus is on how the interest in the topic emerged, future plans, and suitability for the program and university.

Statement of Purpose Sample for Cognitive Science (658 words)

 “Since I was a child, I have always endeavored to understand why people think and behave the way that they do. This tendency may have emanated from my own struggles with dyslexia. I had difficulty memorizing and spelling words and my speech was delayed. Many would laugh at me whenever I tried to speak, something that hurt my feelings and self-esteem. At this tender age, I was thrust into the deep world of trying to understand human actions and their motivation. With time, I stopped feeling bad about people who mocked me and started pondering about the mental processes that give rise to such behavior. Fortunately, I overcame dyslexia and excelled in my studies but this personal tribulation had a lasting impression on my thinking and character.

 While my interest in the human brain may have thawed with my own personal triumph, it received a timely awakening two years ago when I watched Akeelah and the Bee, a film about a girl who overcame great odds to win the highly coveted National Spelling Bee competition. Like me, Akeelah did not have a photographic memory. She was a “misfit” who was harshly judged for her unconventional interests. Being black and a girl, she was subjected to prejudicial treatment. Eventually, she summoned all her mental strength to win the competition. Her victory opened floodgates of questions that left me thinking deep into many nights. What effect does prejudice and negative labeling have on our sense of self and how does this play into our success? Do we have the capacity to overcome these societal and self-imposed limitations? To paraphrase Nelson Mandela, is it our fear that we are inadequate or that we are powerful beyond measure? These questions would spiral out of the personal domain into international scene and I would ponder the stereotyping of African by the west as being poor and backward. Coming from Africa, I wondered the effect these kinds of labels have on the continental psyche. Immediately, I realized that I wanted to study the science behind the brain and the thinking process.

  A degree in cognitive science represents the most logical choice for university education for various reasons. I am interested in understanding how the brain works and its relationship with mind. I also want to know how we think and whether our perception and knowledge are objective. I am also interested in learning how we use language. Lastly, I am fascinated with artificial intelligence and would love to learn how we can tap it to build intelligent robots.

   Pursing the degree at XXX College is an irresistibly attractive proposition because the program is offered in an interdisciplinary approach that recognizes the brain is complex biological computing machine. Through the program, I will learn about six disciplines namely cognitive psychology, computer science, neuroscience, philosophy, linguistics, and computer science, and the complex intersection between all of them to give rise to a more nuanced understanding of cognitive science. I am also drawn to the college’s world-class faculty, diverse student population, and the location in a hospitable, friendly city. I cannot wait to meet top researchers that are hosted in the school in the annual colloquia and interact with them.

 Without doubt, I have all it takes to excel in the program. I completed my high school studies in 2021 and attained an A in the rigorous and competitive XXX exams. To overcome dyslexia and attain such a creditable score is testament to my resilience and mental acuity, which will be handy in a more demanding program in cognitive science.

                After completion of my studies, I intend to work as a researcher and cognitive scientist. I intend to use the education gained to create computer models that explain human behavior and how the brain can be trained to overcome difficulties. I am also interested in use of computer models and artificial intelligence can be harnessed to modify social behaviors and help confront prejudice and undesirable social behaviors.

                The third sample is an MBA Statement of Purpose. MBA is one of the most sought after course. The top universities such as Harvard Business School , Stanford Business School , MIT business school and Columbia University business school having some of the most highly coveted slots for an MBA program. The acceptance rates in these top universities are very low, underscoring the need to prepare well and have all your admission documents including CV and SOPs written at the highest level. According to Forbes, Stanford Business School is the hardest to gain admission into in the world with only 6% of applicants annually being accepted.

                Therefore, to stand a chance to get a prestigious MBA in any of those top universities, your SOP must stand out.

• Visit the university website to check if they’ve specific requirements

The Columbia Business School for instance has specific requirements

As you’ll notice, what’s required is not a standard SOP but a series of essays. However, you’ll still be required to write about your future goals, reasons the program and university are a good fit for you, and your area of research interest.

• Be specific in your answer. Avoid generalities.
• Illustrate your response.
• Be concise. Follow the allocated word limit.

Generally, an MBA program is for business training hence the need to accentuate your practical experience in business, leadership, innovation, and related areas.

MBA Statement of Purpose Sample (812 words)

                “I inherited a rich business heritage that spanned two generations. Both my maternal and paternal grandparents arrived in the US as immigrants and started off as small business owners in dry cleaning and retail store. My mum and my father were the only children so when their parents died, they inherited and merged the two businesses. For more than two decades, the two businesses were my home, nurturing my sales, negotiation, and stock keeping skills. The desire to perpetuate this rich family legacy was so strong that I could not resist the allure of business school when I finished high school. My plan was simple: go to school and gain the necessary skills to take the family business global. I remember watching with glee innovators and entrepreneurs pitching their businesses at the famous Shark Tank and picturing myself doing the same. For me, it was only a matter of time before I could capture one of the sharks and conquer the world. Not to be though as my dreams and those of my family would soon be devoured to shreds, the premises left standing like a vanquished and deserted town.

                The Covid-19 pandemic broke out and when we were sent home as one of the containment measures, I was not surprised to see the premises that housed our business locked down. As each day passed, we hoped that the lock-down would end and everything would go back to normal. Banks started calling and soon, the house that we had owned for nearly a century was auctioned to recover an accumulated debt. I tried to redeem whatever little remained by setting up an online business to keep the retail business alive. With rent to pay and elderly, now sick parents to look after, the business never took off. My parents paid the ultimate price with their lives as did many of their friends who had spent their lives building businesses and enterprises that could not survive the vagaries of the pandemic. A town hitherto booming with businesses was reduced to putrid smell of death, grief, and devastation. I was overcome with a sickening sense of helplessness at my inability to save my family and business and had made up my mind not to go back to school when they reopened as I could not see the point.

                A year later, schools reopened and after counseling sessions provided by my school, I resumed classes. I studied hard and graduated top of my class with my undergraduate thesis on business resilience, inspired by the family’s own failed venture, winning the research paper of the year. Despite its depth and breadth however, I felt that there was still more that needed to be studied in this area. My parents’ and their friends’ business would have survived if they had the necessary financial and business literacy to navigate through sustained, turbulent times. The lack of training on business sustainability and the attendant lack of literacy on online business anchoring was a costly deficit that was paid with hopes and lives. Looking at the many universities globally, I could not see any that emphasized this aspect of community literacy on small and medium businesses sustainability as you do. I have particularly followed the work of Professor Ian Keith and I am inspired by the work he is doing on helping SMEs rebound from the Covid-pandemic. I look forward to working with him as my research interest is centered on his publications and practical work with SMEs sustainability and management.

                For the last one year, I have worked for a local consultancy helping businesses recover from the pandemic. I advise business owners on how to anchor their businesses on online platforms to take advantage of the opportunities availed by the internet. I also advise them on loans and how to structure and restructure them to minimize and manage risks. While my BBA and practical experience have been helpful in this regard, I am sure that an MBA would elevate me to a more superior position to help more people. The prospect of working with mathematical models to help launch as sustain business is a needful innovation that should be mainstreamed through business education.

                In future, I see myself working as a consultant for SMEs with a focus on sustainability and business literacy. I intend to advise small and medium business owners on how they can prepare for turbulent times. I also want to spread financial and business literacy on holistic approaches to business management and scaling up small businesses. I believe XXX rich curriculum that is community focused with provide me with the skills needed to achieve these dreams. My passion and commitment to working with the community are well aligned with the program and university mission. I find great synergy in what we do and I hope you will give me the opportunity to further this end more.

                The fourth sample is for psychology graduate school. Like with other programs, the starting point is always the university requirements. As seen below, Berkeley University of California for instance has specific requirements for its doctoral SOPs.

The trick here is to be specific in your response and show rather than state your answers. Do not be generic or vague.

Statement of Purpose Sample for Psychology Graduate School (910 words)

                “Growing up in the crime infested, dirty, and poor neighborhoods of India’s biggest slum, I became acutely aware of child crime as a kid. My father, a police officer, would be marked man because of his attempts to fight this vice. My siblings and I would be roped in this vicious cycle of revenge by a ballooning gang of adolescent criminals and more than once our family contemplated moving us to the village where we would live and study without fear of reprisal arising from my dad’s work. As a started becoming conscious of the work my father was doing, I recognized a pattern. Most of the youth criminals were drug addicts who were abandoned as children and grew up in foster cares where they did not receive significant education or provisions. As a 12 year old, I once argued with my father than kids he arrested would receive better help through counseling and therapy than in the criminal justice system. A dyed-in-the-wool police officer who believed in the power of the rod, my father dismissed my idea as childish naivety. However, a seed had landed on the fertile soils of my soul and nothing would stop it from sprouting.

                I would soon join a mixed high school in our neighborhood where I continued to observe the pattern I had established earlier. Most of the bullies in the school were children who had grown in foster homes. They were also more likely to bring to school hard and soft drugs. I keenly observed that their performance was poor and often, they did not complete their studies. When an opportunity arose in the school’s counseling and guidance department for a volunteer, I promptly put my name forward. My curiosity and research led me to discover that most of the children under the school’s counseling had difficult childhood. I discovered early on that childhood experiences were a powerful predictor of one’s behavior way into their adolescent and adulthood. This belief was buttressed by the observation of the after-school rehabilitation program where I again volunteered during the holidays. Childhood trauma, I observed, was linked to higher instances of truancy, anxiety, depression, and risky and suicidal behavior.

                These early experiences with children and young adults who have had traumatic experiences stimulated my interest in studying psychology. In high school, I took up guidance and counseling courses and supplemented them with drug therapy during my stint as a volunteer in the after school care program. In school, I took up psychology lessons and was fascinated by how the discipline helps to describe, understand, and predict not just human behavior but that of other living organisms. My biology lessons also helped to understand how our behavior is shaped via a complex interplay of hormones, brain chemicals, and genetics in ways that we have very little understanding about. I took particular interest in the physiology, neuroscience, and behavioral science and realized just how psychology cuts across many and complex disciplines just to explain and predict how we behave. By now, my path for undergraduate studies had been cast in stone.

                At XXX University where I undertook my undergraduate studies, I fully immersed myself into clinical psychology with the singular objective of understanding the peculiarities that shape the future behavior of children who had been exposed to trauma and other unpleasant early experiences. I was privileged to work with Dr. YYY and Dr. PPP, two of the leading researchers on childhood traumatic experiences and their influence on future behavior. The two noticed my interest and passion in the subject and assigned me to conduct literature review, collect, analyze, and interpret data for the biggest PTSD project in the university. While working on this project, I developed the observational and analytical skills needed to conduct research in clinical psychology. I deployed this experience in my undergraduate thesis which won me a full scholarship for a master’s degree at the same university. However, while appreciative of the opportunity, I realize that the university does not cover the specific area that I am interested in namely the endocrinological and neuro-scientific predictors of latter day behavior in children with traumatic experiences and how to reverse them. My research interest is focused on abnormal psychology and I intend to develop further my understanding of pathological effects of early experiences on future behavior.

                The master’s program in XXX University is particularly appealing to me because it is not just heavy on research but recognizes the influence of other fields on clinical psychology. The focus on clinical science, cognition and neuroscience, social-personality psychology, and behavioral systems is a testament to recognition that we cannot understand or predict human behavior from a single perspective. I am also drawn to the university by the prospect of working with prof. XXX, whose work on simulating behavior using computer models hold great promise in changing the way we approach psychology, crime, and human relations.

                My future plans revolve around going back to the community to make a positive contribution. Every day, I think of my dad and the difficult work he has done all years policing young people all without a deeper understanding of human behavior. I intend to develop my country’s comprehensive childhood trauma response and behavior change program that will target young people in crime. I also intend to continue with my research work in clinical psychology to inform public policy. A master’s program at the XXX University will offer me the opportunity to achieve these goals.”

                The fifth sample is for a statement of purpose for computer science degree. The course is highly coveted and admission to top universities such as MIT and Stanford is highly competitive. Therefore, in addition to good grades, your statement of purpose needs to tell your story in such a unique way that the admission committee will consider you. Below, we present a standard SOP for Computer Science for college/university.

Statement of Purpose Sample for Computer Science

                “I grew up in a part of Africa where most Africans consider remote. Mobile network was hardly steady and we had to walk a long distance to find coverage for a minute or so chat with our relatives in the city. My grandfather’s phone, the only one in the locality was an object of wonder and fascination. When an uncle visited with what I learned to be smartphone, I talked about it over the next few days in school. He would occasionally send money to his father, who would travel 100 miles or so to get an agent to withdraw the money. How could money fly from one phone to another over long distances? Such questions disturbed my young mind a great deal. I started making phone toys from mud and would mimic my grandfather, quite to the amusement of everyone. My ‘wakie Takie’ was displayed in the school’s innovation week and my obsession with communication gadgets was set aflame.

                After completing and excelling in my elementary school, my grandfather got a call that a school in the city had followed my journey and I had been shortlisted for a scholarship interview. The school was a brainchild of the CEO of the top telecom whose gadgets I had created and displayed in my school. They noticed my innovation and when I passed my exams well, they made a move and offered me a place in their prestigious academy. Upon admission, I was given a tablet and a laptop and for the next few weeks, I could not take my eyes or mind off the gadgets. I was perplexed at how they worked and despite seeing them for the first time in the school, I was showing others how to use them having learned so fast because of my interest.

                Naturally, I took up computer and mathematics classes and was amazed how the two subjects applied logic to solve common problems. During my third year in high school, I created a mobile application that connected farmers in my rural area to milk consumers in the city and in the process boasted the income of the local population. For my work, I was awarded a $500 grant to come up with more app-based solutions to local problems that affect my community. I also got to meet the company’s top computer brains and interact with programmers from all over the country. I graduated high school as the top student and was offered a role as a computer laboratory assistant where I mentor high school students on mobile application development.

                While there are many universities in my country offering university courses in Computer Science, XXX University towers above them because of its global reputation and world class faculty that I cannot find in my country. Besides, a perusal of your syllabus reveals that cover the areas that I am most interested in namely mobile and sensor computing and artificial intelligence. The university brings together the best brains from all over the world and I am confident that I can fit there. The university’s mission and philosophy to uplift the community is aligned with my personal ambition and ethos and this makes certain that we will be a good match.

                Upon graduating, I intend to come back to my country and contribute to the mobile and digital revolution that is currently unfolding. I plan to employ the high quality education that I will receive to uplift my community through providing easy to use mobile and technological solutions to ease the challenges of water shortage, insecurity, and poverty.

                Everything that I have done in my whole life has prepared me for this opportunity. Coming from a poor, rural community to attend a top academy and graduate top of my class was testament to my mental acuity and resilience. I intend to bring the same dedication and commitment that has brought me this far and with the support of the wonderful faculty and community at XXX, I am sure that I will excel.”

It’s always recommendable to have someone go through your SoP before you submit it.

A friend or a family member can help to tell whether you’ve represented yourself credibly and compellingly enough.

A professor or a faculty member may also help to tell whether you’ve captured your academic and research background well enough and connected them to your research interests and suitability for the program.

At phdstatementsofpurpose.com , we are that friend and faculty member.

After reviewing thousands of SoPs and personal statements, we can tell a good from a not so good SoP, and a good one from a great one.

We’ve internalized the structure and language of writing SoPs and with our team of experts; we’ll sit down and dissect your draft.

We’ll point out areas of strengths and weaknesses and propose how to structure and express your SoP better.

We’ll give intense and detailed feedback so that you express your thoughts with clarity and bring out your uniqueness.

We’ll ensure that the final product is delivered in time, is logical and coherent, intellectual, and polished.

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Sample Statement of Purpose (SOP): Computer Science

This sample SOP is for applying to a master’s program in Computer Science in the USA.

If you need help writing your SOP, check out our  SOP Writing Service

Statement of Purpose – Computer Science

     We are currently in the midst of a technological and computing revolution that will drastically change our lives and potentially redefine what it means to be human. I am very excited at the prospect of devoting my long-term career to such a dynamic, fast advancing field. Ever since I was young, I have enjoyed dabbling with computers and experimenting with different applications. Because my own lifetime has essentially coincided with the rise of the modern computing industry, I can sense that there are still tremendous developments to come in this field. It was natural for me to choose Computer Science as my university major, and now, as I near the end of my undergraduate studies, it is my central goal to continue my education in a more competitive, elite, and international environment.

There is only one logical destination for my postgraduate studies: the USA, a country which stands at the center of the computing universe. The US has been the chief driver of innovation in computing, and the most innovative and successful companies in this field are based there. Studying overseas in the US will thus give me not only a greater range of professional skills but also a much broader, more international perspective. Therefore, I am applying to join your MSc in Computer Science program, commencing in the fall of 2013. I am convinced that I am well prepared for the challenges of studying in your master’s program because of my extensive academic and practical background, which I will describe in detail below.

My academic experience thus far has provided me with a wide range of practical knowledge and skills that will be immensely useful when studying overseas at the graduate level. As a high school student, I excelled in courses related to physics, mathematics, and chemistry. I was fortunate during this time to have teachers who saw my interest in these subjects and encouraged me to continue broadening my scientific understanding and developing my analytical skills. It was due in large part to their guidance and advice that I chose to major in Computer Science in the university. As an undergraduate, I found that I deeply enjoyed learning about programming and systems analysis, and with my strong mathematics background I performed very well in courses concerning calculus, statistics, and differential equations. Now, in addition to my specialized knowledge of computer science, I have an appreciation for the breadth of this field and the nearly endless possibilities for further study.

In addition to the courses that I have taken, I have been very active outside of the classroom, participating in extracurricular activities and pursuing new experiences so as to push myself and broaden my horizons. For example, I took some time to travel across Europe by myself, an experience which, although at times difficult, ultimately made me a much more independent and confident person. I am now comfortable adapting to new situations and interacting with people who are different from me, qualities which will be tremendously useful when studying in the USA. Furthermore, when my hometown was devastated by a natural disaster, I volunteered to help the victims as an organizer, which involved raising money and providing food, blankets, and other supplies as needed. Aside from the enhanced communication and leadership skills this experience offered me, what I most value is my newfound understanding of the importance of service and helping those in need. Finally, in the university, I was the publisher of the monthly newsletter of my department, a role I took on in order to meet new people and learn a new range of skills. As these experiences show, I am highly motivated and proactive at learning new skills and experiencing new things. This is precisely why I have decided to continue challenging myself by studying for a master’s degree in the USA.

Regarding my goals for the future, I plan to take what I learn in the USA and apply it to the computing industry in my native country. This industry is rapidly growing and shows great potential, yet compared to other, more advanced countries it is still in its relative infancy. By studying in your master’s program and possibly working for a short period in the USA, I expect to have the expertise, the perspective, and the experience necessary to lead our industry to a new era. I also have many friends with similar goals, and I hope that we can one day collaborate to put our country on the map as an innovative force in the computing world.

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Sample SOP for MS in CS

• Updated on  
• Jul 27, 2023

How to write SOP for MS in Computer Science? There are certain rules, formatting as well as writing tone and style you should follow while writing your SOP for Computer Science. As it is one of the sought-after courses around the world, universities get an array of applications for MS in CS and it is essential that you write an impressive and well-structured SOP for successful selection. For a Statement of Purpose for MS in Computer Science, you must include your interests, achievements, previous internships or any projects along with your future aspirations, short-term and long-term goals and any research projects that you worked on. Read this blog to find the best sample SOP for MS in CS (Computer Science), important rules, format, PDFs, what to include and more!

Sample SOP for MS in Computer Science

Looking for SOP samples for MS in CS? To help you find the best SOP sample for MS, here are some SOP examples for MS in CS you can use for your MS application:

Sample 2 SOP for MS in CS

Sample SOP for MS in CS without Work Experience

To write an impressive SOP for MS in CS without work experience, you must emphasis on your passion to explore the world of Computer Science as well as your academic credentials and achievements that set you apart from the crowd.

Here is a sample SOP for MS in CS without work experience:

The ever-evolving field of Computer Science has always intrigued me and I learned coding first during seventh grade and leapt into the world of computer programming when I was just 13 years old. There has been no looking back since then as I decided to pursue BTech in Computer Science Engineering (CSE) after graduating from high school. I took part in many data science competitions at the university as well as online and pursued a wide range of online certifications in Machine Learning, Python and Artificial Intelligence to satiate my growing knowledge to learn about the world of computer science.

I was extensively involved in data science seminars and events at the university and decided to apply for a masters in Computer Science directly after graduating. Though I don’t have any professional work experience in this field, I have been in the top 5% of my class during my undergraduate degree and also served as the president of my university’s Robotics society, RoboGyaan and further pursued various internships during the final two years of my bachelor’s degree.

I have always envisioned the world of computer science as a powerful blend of well-known subsets as well as untapped areas filled with humongous potential to change the world. I also assisted one of my seniors during her project focused on how Artificial Intelligence is changing the world which gave me many valuable insights into this domain. My passion to explore the field of computer science can be seen from my academic achievements, online certifications as well as internships that pursued.

Studying an MS in Computer Science, I would like to further delve deeper into this specialisation and gather advanced-level knowledge as well as incremental research skills that can help me thrive in my career. My core aim is to become a Data Scientist and this master’s degree at your university can equip me with the knowledge and skills I need to fulfil my career aspirations .

Sample SOP for MS in CS For ECE Background

Here is a sample you can use for SOP for MS in CS with work experience for ECE graduates:

In the present world that focuses on innovation and computing applications, there is hardly any field that has been untouched by the all-encompassing facets of technology. As a kid, I was always mesmerized by how simple hi-tech appliances made our daily activities smoother and efficient to carry on. As an ardent gaming fan and tech geek, I was always curious in exploring the inner-workings of the daily appliances we use and I would always have a screwdriver box ready to get to the bottom of everything. While I was passionate about the hardware aspects, I got inclined towards programming and coding when I studied computer science as an elective in 12th grade.

Python was the first programming language I learned while I was in school and then went on work on coding and building new data networks from scratch. I decided to pursue BTech in Electronics and Communications Engineering because my passion for electronics was abundant and I couldn’t resist pursuing this specialisation for my bachelor’s degree. I worked on different projects during my internships while I pursued undergraduate studies and these helped me figure out my inclination towards computing technologies.

Before opting for a master’s degree, I wanted to gain prior work experience in this field so I worked as a Junior Data Scientist at FinCorp, which aimed to build a hi-tech AI-blended Finance technology that can automate financial services. After working at FinCorp for over two years, I realised that Computer Science is the core specialisation I want to pursue for MS. That’s when I came across the meticulously structured MS in CS program at your university and decided that it is the right one for an experienced data science professional like me.

An MS in CS will help me get valuable insights into the world of Computer Science, Data Analytics, Network Programming, Algorithms and Operating Systems and much more. I aim to establish a career in research after completing this degree and studying under the guidance of a highly-qualified faculty at your university can equip me with the mentorship as well as knowledge I need to become a successful research scientist.

Sample SOP for MS in Data Science

Sample SOP for MS in Artificial Intelligence

As a kid, I was mesmerized by robots and how they actualised the simulation of the human mind. I opted for Computer Science as an elective subject in my higher secondary which increased my interest in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence and its massive potential in every sector and area of study. Artificial Intelligence can transform everything from medical science and healthcare to mobile technology and education. This is what sparked my interest in AI and its universal applications.

I pursued my undergraduate program in Computer Science to know more about data science and technology and afterwards, when I was wondering about the best specialisation for masters, I picked Artificial Intelligence.

During my bachelor’s studies, I was the head of my college’s Data Science and AI Society where we represented our institution at several intra-college and inter-college competitions. I also build various AI devices from scratch for various college projects as well as won several prizes during data science competitions online and at the university level.

Studying MS in Artificial Intelligence, I want to further gain specialized knowledge of this area of study along with contributing to research at your renowned university. My long-term goal is to establish a successful career in research in AI and utilise its key potential across various areas. This program in Artificial Intelligence will also help me gain useful knowledge and skills to steer towards a successful career and fulfil my research aspirations.

To know more, check out our blog on SOP for MS in Data Science !

Want to find the best SOP for Computer Science or MS in CS? Here is the SOP format you can follow to draft a winning SOP:

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How to Write an SOP for MS in CS? 

There are a few things that need to be kept in mind when writing an SOP for MS in CS. First of all, organize your thoughts and make pointers before sitting down to write the same. A disorganized mind does not yield a good Statement of Purpose. Always remember, the institutes are looking out for candidates who are passionate about the course they are pursuing. Ensure that you refer to sample SOP for MS in CS before writing your own. A perfect SOP should have 4 key sections which we have elaborated below:

How to Start SOP for MS in CS?

The first paragraph should be smart and creative. Here are the major elements you should definitely consider while writing your SOP for MS in CS:

• Start with an opening line that catches the eye of the admissions committee.
• Add any thoughtful quotation that you have always found inspiring.
• If you have noticed the sample SOP for MS in CS, we have begun with an interesting introductory line and then connected it to the aspirations of the candidate.
• Highlight the most prominent reason why you have chosen to pursue MS in CS in particular.
• Mention what you aspire or aim to achieve through the program.

Second Paragraph for SOP for MS in CS

For the second part of the SOP for MS in CS should talk about your academic milestones and achievements. It’s just a matter of finding the right to glorify the details without sounding arrogant. However, scoring fewer marks and just making the cut is also something you can write about. Take a look at the following things you must add to this section:

• A brief and concise representation of your academic quest.
• Ensure that you are elucidating awareness about your weakness and the lessons you learnt to move towards making better choices.
• Mention that through your previous academic degree you have learnt how to apply knowledge to practical situations that aren’t restricted to written examinations and the marks that go with them.
• Talk about their projects and work experience to highlight what they have learned during the four years in their respective colleges.

Third Paragraph of SOP for MS in CS

If you see our sample SOP for MS in CS, the third paragraph talks about the extracurricular activities of the student. The elements of this section are as follows:

• Understand that institutes prefer students who are all-rounders or have some interests other than their immediate academic work.
• Any kind of volunteer work, internship, research activities or training programs the student was involved in should be mentioned.
• Even with students who have tons of extracurricular activities to write about, they need to be precise about all their achievements, so that they can give a summary of their work without missing any of it.

Fourth Paragraph of SOP for MS in CS

For the fourth paragraph of your SOP for MS in CS, you must start focusing on what you are aiming to fulfil in your career journey.

• It must mention the goals and aspirations of the student.
• Making an effort to understand the university or college and mentioning the core subjects is a good way to show the institute how interested you are in attending their course.
• Research about the professors of CS in the university and their projects for additional references as adding your knowledge about the institution is another good idea since the admissions committee will appreciate your enthusiasm and see how their teachers and the overall program inspire you.
• Be careful not to overstep the line between inspired and desperate creates the wrong impression.

The last and concluding paragraph of an SOP for MS in CS should be just as impressive as the first one. In this paragraph of the SOP for MS in CS, you can talk about how the institute will gain a capable and outstanding student, who will give their all to maintain the stature of the university and succeed.

Quotes for SOP for MS in Computer Science

Here are the best inspiring quotes you can add to your SOP for MS in Compute Science:

• “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” –Lao Tzu
• “Do or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda
• “Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.” — Les Brown
• “The whole secret of a successful life is to find out what is one’s destiny to do, and then do it.” -Henry Ford
• “Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.” —Dalai Lama
• “Knowledge is being aware of what you can do. Wisdom is knowing when not to do it.”
• “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

See more at Motivational Science Quotes !

What to Include in an SOP for MS in CS?

With the above-given sample SOP for MS in CS, you might be well aware of the tone and style of how an SOP for MS in CS can be written. Now, take a look at the integral elements that you must add to your SOP for MS in CS.

• Elaborate briefly upon academic achievements and milestones .
• Mention why you pursued your undergraduate degree in a certain field and the knowledge and skills you earned from it.
• Talk about extracurricular activities and any leadership experiences .
• Reasons why you chose MS in CS (put the essential focus on Computer Science as the specialisation) and what you aim to gain from it.
• Why you selected the particular university (talk about their faculty as well as any unique feature of the program)
• Write about your career aspirations that you want to fulfil through an MS in CS.
• Previous work experience (if any) or internship or training experience .
• Reflect upon where you see yourself after finishing this course .

Things to Keep in Mind for SOP for Computer Science

Before you set out to draft your SOP for MS in CS or SOP for Computer Science, there are certain elements that you should definitely consider to ensure that it is well-written and detailed enough to inform the admission committee about your interests and objectives behind choosing a masters in Computer Science. Let’s take a look at the essentials you must add in your statement of purpose:

• The SOP for Computer Science should be somewhere around one to one and half a page long . Use a simpler font style such as Times New Roman with no more than 12-point size and 1.5 line spacing . The font size should not be too big or too small because that can make your SOP difficult to read. Remember that the admission committee has to read many SOPs and making sure that your SOP is a simpler read can create a great impression.
• Make sure that the career goals you are describing in your SOP for MS in CS align with the degree program as well as the university’s expertise areas which you can find from their online website.
• Maintain a formal tone throughout the statement of purpose. Avoid using any slangs or humour in your SOP for Computer Science.
• While drafting your SOP for MS in CS, if you are mentioning your prior work experience , you also need to elaborate upon how it will help in the degree you are opting for . Strongly highlight the reasons to explain why your professional experience makes you unique . For this, use storytelling to describe your interests and exposure you got and how it will help you further through your chosen course.
• If you are someone who took some time away in your career for some reasons, the reasons why you took that gap needs a crucial mention in the SOP for Computer Science. Connect it with how an MS in Computer Science will assist you in kickstarting your career after the break.
• While writing about your skills and expertise in your SOP for Computer Science, elucidate them by using examples from your everyday life . Add interesting anecdotes to gather the reader’s and keep it hooked till the end.

The first thing to do before writing the SOP is the collection of points that are to be mentioned. Here are some steps that can help you with the same: Step 1: List all your accomplishments Step 2: Write down your goals Step 3: Make a comparison, classify the data and make changes Step 4: Know all about the university that you plan to join. Step 5: You are now ready to write the SOP for MS in CS.

1. State the reason why you want to pursue this course 2. Make sure you know all about the university and the course you want to join. 3. List your academic performance 4. Write about your previous experiences

Always start your SOP by introducing yourself. Give your academic background and mention how you decided to pursue a particular course.

SOP or Statement of Purpose is an admission essay that is to be submitted while applying for an undergraduate or postgraduate degree programme in universities abroad. Therefore, candidates aiming to study Computer Science also need to write an SOP.

These are a few tricks that can help you write a sample SOP for MS in CS or an SOP for Computer Science. To get more details and assistance in writing the sample as well as the final draft of your statement of purpose, get in touch with Leverage Edu today. After all, the best students deserve help from the best of experts!

Team Leverage Edu

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