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Day Date University

F O R T H C O M I N G U N I V E R S I T Y V I S I T S

OCT ‘08

F R E E C O U N S E L L I N G

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE - Guidelines

Many Universities and Colleges will have a section in their application form for you to write “additional

information” in support of your application. This section is very important and must be written with care because

you have to convince the University or College that you are suitable for entry, and if given entry will successfully

complete the course. This section is often referred to as your “Personal Statement” or Statement of PurposePersonal Statements should be relevant to the programme that you are applying for and should be compatible

with your course modules as well. Students who do not have the required academic qualifications can sometimes

be admitted if they submit an excellent statement of purpose.

Please note that if an application requires you to answer specific questions then you should address these questions

directly and not present a general statement.

THE UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE WILL WANT TO KNOW:

DO NOT….

1. Why you want to study the subject you have applied for.

2. Why you feel that you are suitable for entry - you can mention past qualifications, relevant work

experience, positions of responsibility held at school, college etc.

3. Explain any additional qualifications you have giving details of the numbers of hours of classes and how the

course was examined. eg: CCNA, CA, ICWA.

4. Highlight any merit awards or rank you have achieved in your education so far.

5. If you are looking for exemption from part of the course or from an English or GMAT exam explain why you

feel that this is justified.

6. What professional or personal challenges you have faced in your past and how you have dealt with them

successfully.

7. Why you have chosen their institution to study this subject.

8. Why you have decided to continue your education abroad and not your own country.

9. What you plan to do after you have completed this course.

If there is insufficient space in the application for you to provide this information in detail then write “please see

attached Statement of Purpose” in the application form and then attach on a separate piece of paper your

“Statement of Purpose”.

• …copy your statement from another person's statement or from a book giving example copies of

statements of purpose.

• …use words in your statement of purpose that you do not fully understand as you may be asked about

them in an interview.

• …quote from famous people unless it is essential to a point you wish to make in your statement - the

statement is about you and your application to the academic course.

• …try and flatter the university or college by saying it is the best in the world - as it may not be - be realistic

and be honest about yourself and your reasons for applying. The main purpose of a Personal Statement is

to learn more about you.

Study Overseas is happy to read your Statement of Purpose and give advice.

P.T.O.w w w . S t u d y O v e r s e a s G l o b a l . c o m

Copyright – Study Overseas India Pvt. Ltd. / Study Overseas Global Pvt. Ltd.

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Day Date University


OCT ‘08


HOW TO PRESENT YOUR STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

RECOMMENDATIONS

STRUCTURE OF PERSONAL STATEMENT: EXAMPLE

ADDITIONAL NOTES FOR STUDENTS APPLYING TO STUDY FOR AN MBA

Information on Work Experience

CV/Resume/Bio-Data

• Make sure that your Statement of Purpose is typed. Use standard fonts and align paragraph.

• Make sure that it reads well – try reading out loud what you have written – if it does not sound correct then

make some corrections so that it reads better.

• The most important paragraphs are the first and last paragraphs so give these paragraphs some extra

thought.

• Your statement should be about 500 words or 2 sides of an A4 sheet.

• Print out your statement on good quality paper.

• Remember to sign and date it.

1st Paragraph Introduction & Background. eg Please find attached a completed application for ……..

2nd Paragraph Highlight any academic achievements, relevant qualifications and skills gained from work

experience etc.

3rd Paragraph Why you would like to study at this institution and this particular Course.

4th Paragraph What you hope to do once you’ve completed the course – your ambitions and career plans.

5th Paragraph Conclusion. eg you would be happy to supply any additional information not found in the

application and that you hope that the University will look favourably on your application.

The most important criteria for entry into an course is relevant work experience. It is therefore most important that

you include as much information as possible about your work experience after your first degree. Work experience

gained during your undergraduate degree should also be included.

To do this it is advisable to prepare a typed sheet entitled “Work Experience”. This should give full information on

each position of employment and would include for example:

• Date of Employment

• Job Title

• Background information on the Company

If you have one of the above it should be included with your application form for ease of reference. If your CV

includes all of the above information on your work experience then it may not be necessary to prepare an extra

sheet.

P.T.O.w w w . S t u d y O v e r s e a s G l o b a l . c o m


STATEMENT OF PURPOSE - Guidelines continued.. .

• Duties & Responsibilities (financial,

managerial, marketing, planning etc)

• Skills gained from position

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Day Date University


OCT ‘08


EXAMPLES FOR STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Opening paragraph

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

John Smith

OR

Concluding paragraph

OR

GUIDELINES FOR REFERENCE LETTERS –

Having completed a Mechanical Engineering degree 5 years ago I now find myself in a managerial position with a

large manufacturing company. This position, although very rewarding, has highlighted to me my lack of formal

management training. I recognize that without a solid understanding of the basic principles of management I am

not going to be able to achieve my potential or indeed achieve the career development I desire. It is for this reason

that I have decided to seek admission to your MBA programme.

It has been my ambition since graduating in 2008 to study for a postgraduate business qualification that wouldhelp develop my academic skills as well as give me an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of business and

management topics. I have decided to apply to study for an MBA as opposed to a specialist MSc programme as I feel

at this stage that I need a generic training in the basic principles of management but at the same time have the

opportunity to specialize in particular areas through electives and an individual project. I have detailed below my

academic and employment background as well as my career aspirations and hope that you will find me suitable for

entry.

I hope that the above will have demonstrated not only my commitment to studying your MBA programme but has

convinced you that should I be given a seat that I would be able to complete the programme successfully. Should

you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you in duecourse.

To conclude I feel that I am now at a stage in my personal development where an MBA is going to give me the

training I require in order to progress my career to the next level. I hope I have demonstrated above why I feel I am

suitable for entry to your MBA programme but should you have any further questions or require any further

information about my candidacy for a seat please do contact me.

It is advisable for referees to include the following:

1. The duration for which the Referee has known you and in what capacity.

2. Assessment of academic performance relating to the intellectual capabilities and potential including

predicted results or performances.

3. Other interests and extra curricular activities of the candidate.

4. How suitable is the candidate for courses or subjects applied for.

5. Candidate’s personal qualities, such as innovation, motivation, power of analysis, communication skills and

independent thought.

6. Ability to work as an independent individual as well as team work capabilities.

7. Any special attributes in the applicants personality or performance indicating the suitability to the course.

8. Any health or personal circumstances that might affect the application.

9. Candidate’s career plans.

w w w . S t u d y O v e r s e a s G l o b a l . c o m


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STATEMENT OF PURPOSE - Guidelines continued.. .

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