Mentoring Masters in English

The Statement of Purpose gives personality to your application. There is room within your statement to address such issues as discrepancies on your transcript, but it is also important to remember that you are writing a cohesive narrative, not unlike an autobiography. The admissions committee wants to know who you are. More importantly, they want to know what makes you more qualified than the other applicants (your peers), who have similar academic backgrounds and aspirations. Take a look at our infograph (left), or download a .pdf version from the Undergraduate section of our Resources page.

Complete the statement of purpose like any other academic composition, with an Introduction, Body, a Conclusion, and careful attention to all steps in the writing process (Editing & Revision not least of all!). Do be sure to give plenty of thought to Audience because Style & Tone should complement the intent of your essay, as well as the information you choose to include. In other words, there is no template to follow, but this essay should sound like you, talking about your academic development and success, in a professional setting.

According to the Princeton Review, the statement of purpose is really asking you to tell us:

• What you want to study at graduate school?

• Why you want to study it?

• What experience you have in your field?

• What you plan to do with your degree once you have it?

In effect, everyone answers these questions, so how, in a pool of applicants, can you make your answers to these questions unique? Start by spending time really answering these questions; know what you want to study and why you want to study it. Then, use these answers to develop your unique perspective and goals. You won’t be answering the questions, then. Instead, you are writing a narrative about yourself: how you developed as a scholar; what motivates your academic goals; and why you are applying to this program.

Before you begin the writing process, take a look at our inforgraphic (left), and include the six reccomended elements into your statement.