An SOP is the most important document that a student drafts for his admission in prestigious colleges, and its needless to say that the draft should be as accurate and error-free as it can be. It’s one of the foundations of a fantastic application. It could make the difference between you getting into a top graduate school or compromising for a mediocre one. Even with all of the available help and instructions on the internet, students still commit a few errors. Our Best SOP writers in India have compiled a list of some of the most common mistakes in SOP writing so you don’t make them yourself. Try to avoid such mistakes for a distinguished SOP.
1. Drafting the SOP at the eleventh hour!
The most typical mistake made while writing an SOP is doing it at the last minute or simply copying it from one of the many SOP examples available online. Candidates should avoid these typical blunders since they should engage readers. An applicant must begin drafting his or her SOP at least 30 days before the deadline for submission to the institutions. Of course, you won’t spend all of this time writing; instead, utilise it to develop ideas and review sample SOPs. You don’t want to duplicate them using the exact same words since it would be too visible, but if you read enough samples, you’ll notice content and the structural trends will emerge. You should constantly search for areas where you can improve, and composing it at the last minute will leave you with little time to do so.
2. Unnecessary flattery will get you nowhere!
It doesn’t pay to be extremely nice or even too appreciative of the university. Try not to waste too many words bragging about how great the university and instructors are; they are probably and most definitely already aware of their status! Your purpose in submitting your SOP is to show why you and the institution are a good match, not to brag about how fantastic the university is! The problem with compliments is that they’re simple to spot when they’re not entirely sincere or delivered with selfish motives. Having said that, talking about the university is necessary, but can easily become a common mistake in SOP drafting. Give a quick reference to a particular module or subject you’re interested in, or a particular achievement by the institution that impresses you, but always bring things back to yourself and how you want to relate it.
3. Respect people’s time and they’ll respect yours!
The word limit for preparing a SOP is generally set by the university or institute. However, if the institution has not specified a word constraint, you should always contact the university’s admissions department for information on word limits. If you are unable to gather information on the word limit for whatever reason, don’t make the mistake by writing however lengthy you want, you should attempt to write your draft between 800-1000 words. This is a common mistake in SOP writing students make, please adhere strictly to the word limit.
The candidate should never exceed the word limit because he or she must value the time of the authorities reading their SOPs. There must be a large number of candidates enrolling and registering for the same course and institution, and the officials must read each SOP, so you should always stay within the word limitations.
4. Do not try to stretch or bend the truth!
It’s unacceptable to include incorrect information. Do not exaggerate or lie about your accomplishments since this can get you in major problems. Universities evaluate every argument you make in your application, statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation, thus deleting facts, misrepresenting about your CGPA, or concealing backlogs can result in you being denied admission. The trademarks of a good SOP are honesty and sincerity, and they will always be valued. Make sure you’re not fabricating or exaggerating information. If you have a true anecdote about how a certain area piqued your interest, please share it briefly. However, never make up a tale in order to make your SOP stand out. Making this mistake in your SOP is not only wrong but also unprofessional.
5. Cross the T’s and dot the i’s ALWAYS!
There is only one words that needs to be stressed upon here, and it is proofread, proofread and proofread! When you’re through writing, go over your Statement of Purpose again to make sure you haven’t committed any minor errors. It’s worth going over it a number of times to make sure there aren’t any minor spelling or grammar errors. Sending in a SOP with errors might give the appearance that you’re sloppy, so make sure it’s free of all errors.
Because our eyes may frequently play tricks on us, it’s a good idea to wait a day or two before proofreading your SOP. However, after a few days away, you’ll be able to see most little errors with fresh eyes. Even better, have someone else read it as well, since they may notice something, you missed.
6. Putting Too Much Emphasis on Minor Details!
Every year, universities get thousands of SOPs for each course, and they do not have the time to sort through them all. That is why it is critical to go right to the point. You may simply avoid this issue or mistake in your SOP by creating a good framework and making a list of the things you want to address. Avoid beating around the bush, using fancy language, acronyms, and childish dreams or pointless hobbies in your writing. It’s also vital to avoid using clichés or general statements like “I am an honest, hardworking guy” or “I am a go-getter.” Instead, write about your future objectives, your goals for the semester, and how you expect to contribute to the university.
7. Language matters!
The language you use will also be a defining point in your selection process. The same holds true for the words you choose. Avoid using slang terms and phrases in your statement of purpose, which should be stated in a formal, grammatically correct manner.
It’s also crucial to stay away from being too fancy. The unpleasant thing about, excessive talkativeness is that it is annoying to the person who reads it. Language and words exist to be understood, and using too much of them can often give the wrong impression. As a result, strive to use simple, easy-to-understand language. This is another common mistake in SOP’s which students tend to make, thinking that their SOP will look distinguished, but in reality, it is a put off.
Make use of formal language. Make sure your tone is official, courteous, and respectful. Remember that your grammar and vocabulary are excellent. A panel of scholars and experts will read your submission. Slang, acronyms, and casual terminology should be avoided. Your sentences should be short and to-the-point. Additionally, only use terms and phrases that you are comfortable with. Make no attempt to decorate your writing with high terms.
8. Plagiarism is a serious crime!
Another major blunder that will result in any candidate being denied admission to any university. Plagiarism is a severe offence, and institutions will reject your application if your content is plagiarised. There are several strategies to prevent this mistake in your SOP, the first of which is to compose your own statement and customize it, try to make it your own. Make sure your work is original by using plagiarism detection software accessible on the internet, and give credit where credit is due if you use any quotes.
Well, these were a collection of a few common mistakes in SOPs that nervous candidates make, while drafting the most important essay for an admission. The best thing that one can do is to start off by a cool mind, and let the thoughts express themselves on the aper as seamlessly as possible.
Conclusion
SOP is too important document to submit it with errors and mistakes as your admission in your dream college depends on it. By avoiding the mistakes and using the SOP writing tips, you can create a powerful Statement of Purpose for yourself.
Moreover, if you are aware that you don’t have the knack of writing and you wish someone could write the SOP for you. You can connect with our team and avail our Best SOP writing Services. Therefore, give us a call and get the best SOP for yourself.
