Below we share with you a good and most effective way of writing SOP.Please go through it.
Guidelines to write SOP
Canadian visa officers do not call every applicant for a visa interview; the majority of applications are accepted or rejected based on their Letter of Explanation or SOP for Canada student visa.
An ideal Statement of Purpose for Canada visa should address all required questions at the same time to reflect your individuality. Remember the introduction matters, you want the visa officer to read beyond the first paragraph. In this blog you will get to know how to write sop for masters in canada,sop format and complete guide to write SOP for Canada, if you are looking to apply for MBA, sop for canada student Visa in detail.
While writing an SOP for Canada student visa, ensure that you cater to five major questions below:
- Why do you want to Study in Canada? Here you don’t just have to address why you want to pursue higher education in Canada, but also why you are choosing Canada over the USA, UK, Australia, etc.
- Why have you applied to this particular university in Canada? Don’t just focus on the university’s rankings and reputation. Talk about how the particular Canadian university is suitable for you in terms of program choice, curriculum, affordability, etc.
- Which program do you want to study and why? Mention your choice of program (complete name not short form), talk about your motivation and genuine interest in the chosen program.
- Do you have a gap year? Remember to address this question carefully and thoroughly as Canada is strict about gap year(s). Explain what you did during your gap year in detail.
- Are you going to return to your home country? Don’t mention anything about staying in Canada. Emphasize strongly on returning to your country and state reasons and long term plans.
In addition to addressing these questions, it is recommended that students provide a response to the following elements as well:
- How are you going to fund your studies in Canada? Whether you have a scholarship/sponsorship or your parents are going to fund your studies, mention that in detail. Attach affidavits, letters, and bank statements referring to financial support.
- Do you understand all your responsibilities as an international student? Students planning to work part-time and off-campus can do so for a maximum of 20 hours/week, during an academic semester.
All applicants are recommended to ensure that their SOP for Canada visa is a strong essay, highlighting your goals, expectations, and financial availability.
A. What is SOP?
SOP is a mirror of your life that you illustrate to the admission department of your university and the high commission visa section where you state purpose for your study visa. This statement should explain your traits that are not included in your academy. In order to write the sop the essay consist of traits of your life, who you are, what you want to become, what is your goal. Moreover, you can include any past experience, influence or nature of your quality in a specific domain wherein you aspire to grow by joining the course.
B. What does the Sop entail?
A good SOP covers four major aspects namely: Who you are, what you have done so far, what you want to do, i.e your academic as well as professional aspirations and how the university can help you. Each of these four aspects must be weaved together cohesively and clearly in order to provide an idea to the admission to the admissions officer of what you are like as a student and a person. This is the reason why the SOP can ether make or break your chances at an acceptance letter.
C. Things to avoid in writing sop:
Weak introduction and conclusion: The first impression makes a lasting impression. Since the introduction is the first thing that anyone ever reads, making it impactful will impress the reader and hold his attention. Similarly, how you end your SOP also matters because that is the very last thing a reader take a reader takes away from your essay. Wrap it up by mentioning what your expectation from the university is, and how you hope to contribute to the university. Your conclusion must show your knowledge of the university and the program you are applying for.
Using informal language and slangs: Use professional language. Ensure that tone is polite, formal and respectful. Avoid using slang, abbreviations, and informal vocabulary. Your sentences should be concise and clear. Additionally, use only words and phrases you are comfortable and familiar with. Do not try to embellish your writing with lofty words.
Dwelling too much on your weak GPA or backlogs: Talking about backlogs is all about circumstances. A general of thumb to follow is that you must maintain positivity and highlight your learning from the experiences. Therefore, mention your backlogs or low GPA only if you had extraordinary circumstances such as ill health. Do not try to justify or make excuse for your poor academic performance; show it instead as the start of something better. Positivity is the most, for it speaks volumes about you. Including irrelevant information: The sole purpose of an SOP is to explain just enough about you and what you have done so that you can secure. Avoid family background and persona anecdotes.
Making the SOP excessively flashy: This covers two important aspect of your SOP: content and front.
Content: While it is important to talk about your achievements, it is even more important not to be boastful. You must present your learning while you state your experience/educational qualification. This will show that you are curious, learning oriented, and humble.
Font: Using bold (you can bold for the title), italics, underlines, highlights, bright ncy fonts is a strict no-no. Use a simple font and basic formatting, and do not use any color other than black. Your SOP should look clean, minimalistic, and clutter-free.
Note:To ensure absolute readability, use fonts like Arial, Verdana, or Times New Roman in a standard size like 12. You can be creative and quirky without being immature
Excessive flattery
The university and the professors reviewing your applications are aware that the quality of education and infrastructure they provide; so, do not waste your words on flattering them. Your SOP is all about you and your achievements and aspirations, and is not a mouthpiece for advertising the university.
However, be sure to include your expectations from the university by stating specifics such as current areas of research or distinguished professors under whom you would like to work. This shows that you are logical, practical, and have conducted thorough research before making an informed decision.
How to Write:
Introduction
The first paragraph could consist of your name, a personal philosophy/motto if you like, a little about your personality, your area of strength and finally your personal interests.
- Discuss your long-term goal and connect it with your idea of pursuing the course you are applying to
- Present your understanding of the chosen field and write how you want to contribute to that field
- Explain your background in 2-3 lines and connect it with your future goals
- Write about an anecdote that helped you realise your professional interest in the choosen field
- Simply, summarise your entire SOP and discuss each point in the upcoming paragraphs
Education Background
In chronological order, mention all of your academic achievements with the respective dates. Mention the medium of instruction in school and in college. Include those projects like research, internships and training undertaken during your period of study connected to your proposed area of study. Mention your academic strengths, highlighting achievements and respect of any awards, rank and scholarships in the relevant field if applicable.
Employment History/ Volunteer/ Internship
In case of relevant work experience, a connection must be established with the proposed course of study. In the event of break/s in employment, mention and provide an explanation for the same. If you are working with the family business, highlight the scope and application of the purpose course of study in relation to the family's business interests.
Highlight Purpose for Proposed Course of Study
Mention the actual reasons for taking the proposed course, properly indicating your wish to specialize in the particular field as applicable. Highlight the reasons for choosing proposed country as well as the particular institution of study.
Financial Strength:
Mention who sponsor during your study. Explain source of income, Family property or other source of income that convince the visa officer that you are financially good.
Career Goal :
You will have to explain explicitly why you want to pursue your chosen course of study (do include an outline of your course) in the institution in abroad and how on its completion, it will help you in your career pathways. This point is absolutely essential and it must be explained very clearly. Mention your career aspirations, both short-term and long-term and how overseas qualification will help you achieve them. Also mention your plans upon your return to Nepal, whether you have a family business to return to or if you wish to join a firm or set up a business concern of your own. Please remember that your goals should be concrete and realistic and based on sound inferences.
Why University and Country:
This is a specific paragraph wherein you can convince a university as in how they are suitable for your profile and you are an ideal candidate for their university. You should discuss the course curriculum, research work, faculty names, as well as the university-specific activities that would help you in enhancing your profile. Also, Explain why particular that country. Highlight the reasons for choosing proposed country as well as the particular institution of study.
Conclusion:
In this paragraph should conclude your desire and readiness towards joining the chosen course. Since this is the closing paragraph, you should sound focused and prepared for all the challenges that came your way. It should also show that you have the zest in you to succeed and with the help of the chosen course and university you will definitely make a difference in the industry on a global perspective.
It would be a good practise to include the following points while writing a SOP:
- Why do you wish to study in Canada in the program for which you have been accepted?
- What is your overall educational goal?
- Why are you not pursuing a similar program in your country of residence?
- What research have you done into studies in your country of residence or of citizenship?
- How will this program enhance your employment opportunities in your country of residence or of citizenship? What are the job outlooks for the program?
- What ties do you have to your country of residence or of citizenship?
- What is your parents’ or guardians’ immigration status in their current country of residence?
- What are the financial assets owned by your parents?
- Do you have a travel history? Please mention about your previous travels. In case you do not have the same, please confirm if your parents or sibling have a travel history.
- Is your SOP 1500 to 2000 words? Try to make your SOP more informative and attractive avoiding plagiarism.