Many Canadian universities seek an SOP (Statement of Purpose) from students to see what is beyond the scores and CV. An SOP is a students’ chance to let the admission committee peek into the aspirations and motivations and convince them of their capabilities.
So, your SOP should be precise not verbose, appealing but not pretentious. Put down attributes that define you in the best possible way. The key is to not let the admission committee official just skim over like the thousand other SOP but rather pull him into your document so that he is convinced that you deserve a chance.
There are a whole lot of other aspects that you need to include when writing an SOP for Canada Student Visa, but all that a bit later.
First, let’s first understand what an SOP is? It is only when you understand what it is will you able to understand how to craft it to perfection.
What is a Statement of Purpose?
A Statement of purpose is not just any document, it is a comprehensive document that elaborates on a student’s aims and aspirations and what impels him to study in a particular country — in this case Canada.
The first thing to note here is that an SOP is not a CV. That’s a mistake a lot of students commit and thus get rejected. A statement of purpose should dwell on the candidate’s core interests, achievements and ambitions.
However, unlike SOPs for other countries, an SOP for Canada Student Visa is different in its format and tests a student’s research capabilities and understanding of the subject chosen, the country and most importantly the motivation to return to one’s home country.
The last aspect needs a lot of thought and we shall come to it shortly.
But before that let’s help you get a structure for the SOP so that you don’t miss any significant element integral to composing this statement.
Basic Structure of an SOP
- Introduction
- Academic Background
- Professional Experience (If any)
- Your motivation behind choosing the course
- Your career goals (short-term and long-term)
- Reasons for choosing the particular university
- Extra-curricular activities and any other interests
- Your family ties that show your strong reason to return
- Financial capabilities showing how you intend to fund your course
- Conclusion
Now, let’s dive deeper to give you better clarity on how to go about putting the pieces of the document together so that your appeal gets you through your favorite institution in Canada.
Tips to write a winning Canada Visa SOP
1. You’re the best, list your best attributes: Before you sit down to write an SOP, it is best to reflect and introspect. Ask yourself a couple of questions about yourself. For example: What defines you? What makes you stand out? Answers to these questions will help you create that window through which you can help the admission committee peek into your life and aspirations.
List out your virtues and explain what has brought you to this decision of studying in a foreign varsity. Jargon doesn’t help make it to the point and full of life.
You need to convince not bore. So avoid rambling too much about every project you did. List what you think is your best.
2. Reason for choosing the university:/course This aspect is totally premised on how well you know the university and the course that you are applying to. And that is exactly what the university also wants to know. Whether you are applying just because someone told you or because you really feel that studying in the particular university will change the direction of your life.
Research, research and research! Go deep! Give the officials the impressions that you are a determined individual with a strong understanding of what you want in your life. Your decision is based on concrete reasons.
List the course disciplines that pull you and interest you. Draw parallel with the previous course that you pursued back in your home country and how the new course will be a value-addition to your career.
3. Set a tone to your SOP: Always bear in mind that your SOP has to be unique and that is exactly why it is extremely important to give it a ‘You’ aspect to it.
Universities are looking for more than just students they are looking for individuals with a vision, a purpose that shows their personality. There should be a running theme to the whole SOP that time and again shows your character.
- List out your achievements, extra-curricular activities
- Tell them about any struggle that you may have faced
4. Outline your professional journey: Many people make the mistake of outlining their professional journey by listing their CV. Trace out your journey as a film rolls out. Make it sound like interesting.
Chuck out irrelevant boasting, include your real achievements and how they’ve made you the person that you are today. Try to list out the qualities that you can bring to the table when interacting with other students in the class.
Steer clear of derogatory remarks or double meanings. These could get you in trouble.
5. Family ties: One of the main reasons a Canada Visa SOP fails to make the mark is because students do not give a strong reason to show that they would return to their country after the completion of the program. This is because a student visa is often considered by many as a route to reach Canada.
And so it is very important for you to include this aspect in the SOP. Just mentioning it as a passing reference will not be convincing enough. A string of reasons highlighting your intent to return is what will protect your SOP from getting rejected.
Interweave, reiterate this intention throughout the SOP to convince the visa officer that you are only visiting Canada for an academic endeavor and once the program is completed you will return to pursue your life goals and take up responsibilities that wait for you back at home.
Conclusion
A strong SOP is not difficult to craft if you put your heart and mind to it. So, once you’ve put everything out there, don’t forget to read it and then read it again.
Look for grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors. To rule out any silly mistakes you could take external help so that they can help point out any glaring things.
An error free SOP should be your goal. So, work towards it and you will succeed. Happy writing!
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