How to write the best sop for MBA [Augmented]
If you have never written a Statement of Purpose yourself, it can seem very intimidating. But it is really not as difficult as it seems. Today, we will discuss how you can write a compelling Statement of Purpose (SoP) for an MBA application. An MBA application is a little different from other applications, so if you are a student aspiring to apply to an MBA institution, here are the things you need to know. Even if you have already written your draft, you can use this article as a checklist, to make sure that you did not miss out on anything. So, let us now talk about how you can write your perfect statement of purpose for an MBA application.
Be precise and clear
When you are writing a statement of purpose, it can be any type of SOP, it is always a good idea to be precise and clear. Do not write more than what is asked of you. A lot of times, there is a word limit on SOPs, even if there is not a word limit, your SOP should not be too lengthy. Do not talk too much about your personal life. Although, if your personality and past experiences are relevant to and complement getting an MBA, it is a good idea to mention them. Your SOP should reflect your personal touch in your essay, about who you are and whom you want to become. An MBA scholar is expected to be very crisp regarding his skills of writing and expression. Therefore, the SOP for and MBA scholar should not face any shortcomings in expression.
Meet all the qualifications and requirements
You should mention how you are qualified to study the program, how you meet all the requirements, and will prove to be a good fit for the program. You can mention where you have studied previously and if you were a good student. If the college knows that you are a good student and will prove to be an asset to the college, it increases the odds of your application getting approved. It is a two-way process, you want a good college, and the college wants good students. The motive is to highlight the qualifications and requirements that are directly linked to the course so that the candidate receives prior preference. Ahead of that, there is also the link with the course and previous educational endeavors, and it becomes necessary to establish a bond between the two. Thus professional help is necessary.
Why that college and program?
Make sure you do your research properly. You need to demonstrate why you chose that particular college and program and what you wish to obtain from it. Talk about how it complements what you wish to do in your life, and how it helps you excel in your career. Make a convincing argument and be realistic and genuine. You do not have to brag at any point in your SOP. Be authentic and genuine and do not pretend to be something or someone that you are not. It is advisable to pick up your favorite modules from the curriculum and explain why it is the most liked. This shows that the candidate is genuinely interested in the course and how he or she can relate to the same through their work.
How well can you write?
Now, this is something that is evaluated everywhere, and that is the case with your statement of purpose as well. When the examiner is analyzing your application, the way your SOP is written and how it is presented makes a huge difference. If you do it right, it makes the examiner feel confident about your personality and it makes a strong first impression.
The little things make the most difference, things like having a good narrative, no typos, grammar mistakes, or capitalization errors can make your draft look professional and appealing. You want to do everything professionally. MBA applicants usually have a few years’ worth of work experience already, so you want to show the college authorities that you can handle responsibilities well and can work professionally if needed. It gives them more confidence in you.
When we talk about your writing capability, we do not mean that you need to be Shakespeare, the point is, that your draft should not have any mistakes, and should be simple and clear. So, it does not confuse the examiners, when they are evaluating it. And the points that they are looking for should be mentioned very clearly, so they do not feel that the information is incomplete.
Your motivation behind it
Everyone wants a driven and passionate person working for or with them. If you can demonstrate how passionate you are about pursuing the program and how you are sure that this is what you truly believe you should be doing, you can make a very good impression on the authorities. These are the things that make you stand out from the rest of the crowd. Ambition, focus, and determination can take you anywhere you want to go.
Be clear about where you want to go and how you plan to achieve your goals and how getting an MBA will help you with it. Talk about your immediate goals, as well as your long term aspirations. And, one very important thing that does not get talked about enough. Every MBA program is different, so even if you are applying to more than one MBA program, make sure you never use the same SOP everywhere. Write an SOP specific to the program you are applying for and do your research before you set out to do it. If you are applying to three different programs, make sure that you write three different SOPs.
Follow rules
I know being unique is important to stand out, but you should never disobey the authorities to do so. Always function within the rules. Bottom line is, never go against the guidelines given by the college.
Explain any backlogs or gaps in your SOP
If there are any backlogs or an unexplained gap in your resume, explain it properly and be honest about it. Everyone has failures and hardships, and you should be upfront about these things. The college is going to notice any unexplained gap, and it can give the impression that you are hiding something or avoiding a topic. So, it is always a good idea to just admit to your failures, and truthfully explain, if there is a gap in your education. Given a proper definition of the same, the assessment will be completed considering your ability to own up to your mistakes and rectify them accordingly. This trait pays very well in character determination of a candidate.
Talk about your specific game plan
Do not just assume that you will decide your exact career path as you go forward. No one is going to hand it down to you. Show the authorities that you have done your research, that you have some dreams or goals, and you have made a step by step career plan, that you are going to follow. If the college understands what your goals are, it can help you achieve them faster. Do not be too vague when it comes to your goals. Be specific, and talk about your immediate goals as well, along with your long term goals.
What if you can not write?
Let us be real, not every one of us is a good writer. And everyone does not feel confident in their writing. Writing is a skill that anyone can develop and refine upon, but sometimes, there is not enough time to do everything on your own. Sometimes, the opportunity is at your door, and you just have to take it. So, in a situation like that, never say no to outside help.
You can use all the help you can get. Be it your parents, spouse, friends, teachers, anyone. If you think someone can help you improve on your draft, go seek help. Most people will be more than willing to help you if you approach them humbly.
And if you want to take a notch higher, you can even get some professional help. There are many content writing services out there, and we live in the age of technology, where everything is accessible from the comfort of our homes. Do your research on the matter, and find a reputed and trusted content writing agency to help you with your writing.
I personally like to work with Write Right. It is a very good content writing service, based in India. You can throw pretty much any kind of work at them. But they specialize in SOPs, for this particular reason, I would like to recommend them if you are seeking some professional help.
Write Right has two subsidiaries which go by the names Estroytellers and Taletel. This content writing service is really premium and affordable at the same time. There are many content writing services out there, but they are not accessible to everyone. Some of them are really good too, but they are often very expensive to afford. Write Right is the perfect combination of the two, where the services are not too expensive and the quality of work is not compromised.
If you can write your SOP yourself, that is the best case scenario. But if you choose to not do it yourself, I think you should give Write Right a chance to serve you. And believe me, you would not be disappointed.
Thank you so much for sitting through it and reading the entire article, if you have any closing remarks, you can mention them in the comment section below. I hope the read was worth your time. If you have any questions, you can state them down below as well. We always look forward to hearing from you, and we hope you get into the colleges of your choice.
Thank you, and have a nice day.