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WR RI IT TI IN NG G A A S
SU UC CC CE ES SS SF FU UL L S
ST TA AT TE EM ME EN NT T O OF F
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PU UR RP PO OS SE E F FO OR R G
GR RA AD DU UA AT TE E S
SC CH HO OO OL L










The Statement of Purpose will probably be the most difficult part of
the application process for admission to a graduate program in the
United States. The purpose of this text is to highlight the most
important points to take into account when writing a statement.

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Why the Statement of Purpose

Faculty want to know as much as they possibly can about all applicants. This is especially true today
because most graduate programs have only a limited number of admission slots available. Test scores,
grades and degrees, institutions of previous study and personal recommendations are all important
indicators of an applicants future success. However, these data do not reveal much about the individual,
his/her motivation, why the applicant is interested in that particular program, or whether the applicant is
the kind of student the Faculty want around the department. The Statement of Purpose exists to allow
applicants to convey something personal about themselves and to convince the Faculty making the
admissions selection that the applicant is an especially attractive candidate.
The Statement of Purpose provides applicants the opportunity to present information that is not conveyed
through objective data, in a clear, direct, and concise way, to explain their interests, motivations, goals
and special talents. It must be honest.


Writing the Statement of Purpose Answer the Question!

The first thing to remember is that each application process for each university is different. That means
that the questions asked in the application MUST be the questions answered, and answered directly. An
effusive, evasive, or non-responsive answer will inevitably result in rejection. Be absolutely clear what the
application instructions ask of you and tailor your statement accordingly. That may mean that each
application requires that you write a somewhat, if not entirely, different Statement of Purpose, since each
Statement must answer a particular question.
The following are some questions that Faculty ask themselves when they read a Statement of Purpose:
Why are you interested in graduate study?
There is some personal reason that made you decide to continue your education beyond the bachelors
degree. Tell them directly why. This may be something that you have always wanted to do, or for which
your parents or others were role models, or perhaps you have recently been excited by new possibilities
of learning. All the Faculty had their own reasons for going on to get their graduate degrees and they will
want to know that you are truly interested for a legitimate reason. Do not try to write what you think
Faculty want to hear (to advance the field); they have heard it all already.
Why are you applying to this particular graduate program?
Is the program noted for a particular emphasis, specialty, or orientation? Is it in the same city where your
sister lives, and you could get free housing that would allow you to go to graduate school? Are there
particular professors with whom you want to study because of their area of expertise? Whatever the
reason, explain it. This is where the Faculty evaluating your application will be able to tell if you have
thought seriously about their particular program. It will indicate your interest in them and show that you
did your homework, a good early sign of a serious student.
What is it about you that is special?
It is important that you explain your motivations and your goals. This is what will distinguish you from all
other applicants and make you memorable to the Faculty. Also, remember that the grading system in
other countries is not necessarily the same as in the United States, so explain your academic background
and your performance in the bachelors degree program. If you wrote a bachelors thesis, briefly explain
its importance and what you learned from writing it. Be sure to mention any prizes you may have won. If
you worked while in school, tell why, especially if it was for a Faculty member. If you had any special
experiences outside the formal learning environment that directly relate to the field of study you are
interested in pursuing (e.g. travel or study abroad; employment in the field) tell about those. Describe any
experience that demonstrates your creativity, dependability, and independence - these are important
personal characteristics that Faculty desire in their students.


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Are there items that need special explanation?
Faculty will first look at the empirical data in your application: your grades, transcripts, test scores, even
the recommendations, before reading the Statement of Purpose. They will spot peculiarities they want
explained. Is there a gap in your years of study; did it take you more than the traditional time to finish your
degree; did you leave to work to support your family, or to care for an ill family member; did you change
fields; do you have related work experience? All these are questions that need to be answered.
Unexplained voids in your record make you a less attractive candidate. On the other hand, honest
explanations make you human and the kind of person with whom others will want to work.

Writing the Statement of Purpose What to Avoid
While there are some things that a Statement of Purpose must address, there are some matters that
generally also should be avoided.
Do not be overly informal.
The written Statement of Purpose for many applicants is the way they first introduce themselves to their
prospective professors. The Statement should be formal, direct, and appropriately respectful in tone.
Undue informality or attempts at irrelevant humor should be avoided.
Do not include irrelevant information.
Try to keep to the topics that directly relate to your qualifications and desire for admission to the graduate
program. Information about hobbies, outside interests, academic pursuits that do not have any real
connection to your credentials for success in your chosen field only take up valuable space and divert the
Facultys attention from what is really important in your Statement.
Do not write your life story.
If the application instructions give a specific -or maximum - length for the Statement of Purpose, do not
exceed it. If there is no stated length, remember that Faculty on admissions committees may be reading
hundreds of such Statements. Be brief, yet complete. Do not talk about anything in your life before you
began your baccalaureate program, unless its absolutely relevant. A suggested maximum length is four
pages, three is even better.
Style & Presentation
A guide of this kind would be incomplete if it did not mention something about the presentation of the
Statement. We live in an era of word processors and personal computers. Unless the directions
specifically require that the Statement of Purpose be hand-written - and I doubt that any still say that - it
should be typed or printed, double spaced, with absolutely no spelling or grammatical errors. It does not
matter if you are applying for a graduate program in English Literature or Physics, Art or Physical
Education, you are expected to be literate and to be able to communicate well. A spelling error on your
application will make the Faculty evaluating your application view you as careless and not really
interested enough in their program to consider you further. Many will stop reading the Statement at that
point, regardless of how good your other records are. They will react similarly to errors of grammar,
pronoun errors, using plural verbs with singular subjects, and the like. Proof-read your statement many
times. Have someone else read your Statement critically. Run it through spell check and grammar
check on your computer. Do not think that the Faculty will overlook spelling or grammatical mistakes
because you are an international student. You will be held to the same standards as graduates of
American universities.

In sum, the Statement of Purpose is your way to introduce yourself personally to a group of intelligent
people. In this document you are asking strangers to allow you to enter their working homes for an
extended length of time to learn from them. This presents them with a major decision. In this statement
you must present yourself in a favorable light, show who you are, express your interest in them and the
subject they teach and tell them why you are special enough to be admitted. It must be honest in
conception, accurate in detail, and direct in address. And it must look good and be error-free.
If you are satisfied that you have given a fair and accurate picture of yourself, as seen in your best light,
Faculty will be equally pleased.
This text was adapted from the information available at the US-UK Fulbright Commissions web site.