8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
1/49
Writing your way to
success: how to write astatement of purpose
and study objective
Alissa Harvey
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
2/49
Workshop Plan:
Statement of Purpose
Study Objective
Question & Answer time
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
3/49
Meet Julia
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
4/49
Meet JuliaShe is 18 years old
and lives in Sidoarjo.
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
5/49
Meet JuliaShe is 18 years old
and lives in Surabaya.
Her hobbies are
surfing the internet
and fixing peoplescomputers.
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
6/49
Meet JuliaShe is 18 years old
and lives in Sidoarjo.
Her hobbies are
surfing the internet
and fixing peoplescomputers.
She would like to
attend college to
study computer
science.
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
7/49
Meet JuliaShe is 18 years old and
lives in Sidoarjo.
Her hobbies are surfing
the internet and fixing
peoples computers.
She would like to
attend college to study
computer science.
She will apply to
colleges in the United
States because she
wants to work for
Google.
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
8/49
Meet JuliaShe is 18 years old and lives
in Sidoarjo.
Her hobbies are surfing the
internet and fixing peoples
computers.
She would like to attendcollege to study computer
science.
She will apply to colleges in
the United States because
she wants to work forGoogle.
What must she do?
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
9/49
The Plan
Desire
College andscholarship
applications
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
10/49
The Plan: Part 1
Desire
College andscholarship
applications
Essays
a.Personal Statement
b.Statement of Purpose
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
11/49
What do you see?
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
12/49
What do you see?
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
13/49
What is a SoP?
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
14/49
Brainstorming
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
15/49
Think big!
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
16/49
A SoP is NOT
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
17/49
An SoP shows What you did not say on
your resume
How your lifeexperiences led you to
this field of study
That you know about the
university you areapplying to
That you took the time to
write a careful essay
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
18/49
Example PromptWrite a candiddescription of yourself, stressing those personal qualities andassets, that you feel will influenceyour (undergraduate / graduate) work.
Describe what you consider to be your most importantprofessional and / or academic achievementto date.
HonestStrengthsChallenges
Experience
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
19/49
Start: Catchy Introduction Paint a picture
Tell a story
Describe your hero
Quote
Short, but powerfulstatement
Focus on the field ofstudy
End with your goalstatement!!!
Paint a PictureI think one of my most distinguishing
characteristics is the diversity of experiences
I possess. I am a science student with a flairfor the arts. I also have a passion fortraveling and understanding differentcultures of the world. All these elements havegiven me a very broad outlook, with varyingdegrees of knowledge in a range of topics. Istrongly believe that although some are not
related directly, all these qualities willinfluence my undergraduate work.
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
20/49
Start: Catchy IntroductionTell a storyI remember the day as if it were yesterday. During my second year in
college, I was attempting to transmit a group of characterscomprising my name from one computer to another. I connectedthe computers using RS-232 cable, wrote the necessary programsand executed them. I typed my name on one terminal and rushed tothe other to see the results. "Wow, this is magic!" I exclaimed as Iread 'Tom' on the screen. Now, four years later, I know that
Networking makes possible a plethora of applications, from video-conferencing over the Internet to linking banks through privatenetworks. It still seems like magic. Or rather, a grand adventure -one that I most certainly want to be part of.
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
21/49
Whats next: Share your
experience What experiences have
you had that form your
Personality?
Goals?
Dont just tell the story;
discuss howthe
experience shaped you
Demonstrate that you
already know something
about the field of study
through your
experiences
What experiences can you include?
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
22/49
Whats next: Share your
experience_________ Experience:
During high school, I was fascinated
with electronic gadgets. Soonthereafter, designing and building
basic circuits started as a hobby.
Along the way, however, I realized
that the problem-solving aspect of
making electronic gadgets waswhat I enjoyed the most.
Engineering was a natural career
choice after this.
_________ Experience:During my undergraduate studies at the
Electronics & Communication departmentof M.K. College of Engineering, subjectslike Microprocessors, C-Programming,Computer Networks interested me themost. I was awestruck by the potential ofIntel 8086 microprocessor, more so by themanner in which its faster and more
powerful cousins revolutionized theworking of computers in a decade. I wasnow determined to focus onmicroprocessors during my Final Yearproject.
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
23/49
Whats next: State your
goals Why do you want to
continue your studies?
What challenges
(liabilities) do you still
have?
Why will this program helpyou?
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
24/49
Whats next: State your
goals_______________________:
While my present job has helped medevelop a thorough insight into
project handling, the industryenvironment that I am currently incannot support my desire forresearch. I possess industry-hardened skills in Computers, but Imust build on these to achieve mygoal of undertaking cutting-edgeresearch in advanced computing,with specific reference to ComputerNetworks. I therefore believe that Imust return to the academic worldfor further growth.
______________________:
I am applying to Washington
University because it is reputablefor its research facilities andcomputing resources. Thedepartment web site revealed avery strong faculty involved inextensive research in the area of
Computer Networks. This hasstrengthened my resolve to studyat Princeton University.
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
25/49
Whats next: Conclusion Remind the committee of
what you bring to the
table Remind the committee of
what program you want toenter
Convince the committeethat you will be a positiveaddition to the program!
I bring along a strong grasp offundamentals in Electronics andComputers, an aptitude for
teaching and team work, a zest forchallenges and an enthusiasticdesire to learn all I can. I wouldlike to take with me, in addition toknowledge of ComputerNetworks, a network of strong andlasting relationships with my
teachers and fellow-students. Ihope that my background andqualifications are found suitablefor an MS in Computer Science atPrinceton University.
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
26/49
Take a deep breath.
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
27/49
The Plan: Part 1
DesireCollege and
scholarship
applications
Essays
a.Personal Statement
b.Statement of Purpose
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
28/49
The Plan: Part 2DesireBachelors Degree
More specific study purposeGraduate school
and scholarship
applications
Essays
a.Statement of Purpose
b.Study Objective
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
29/49
Study Objective
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
30/49
Purpose of a Study
Objective EssayTo communicate:
what you plan to study
what skills you wish to learn
what you plan to do with theknowledge and skills you acquire
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
31/49
Where you are
Where you
want to go
Where your
destination will
take you
In other words
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
32/49
Basic Structure
1. Introduction
2. Clearly explain what you want to study.
Give examples
Explain the major field of study and the areas of specialization in
detail.
3. Give three key reasonswhy you want to study the areas that you
mention in the paragraph before.
4. Explain your future objectives and how your study plan will helpyou achieve them.
5. Conclusion: state your primary study objectives and
summarize what you hope to accomplish as a result of your
gaining the degree.
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
33/49
Basic Structure
1. Introduction
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
34/49
Basic Structure
1. Introduction
2. Clearly explain what you
want to study.
Give examples
Explain the major field ofstudy and the areas of
specialization in detail.
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
35/49
Basic Structure
1. Introduction
2. Clearly explain what you want to study.
Give examples Explain the major field of study and the
areas of specialization in detail.
3. Give three key reasonswhy you
want to study the areas thatyou mention in the paragraph
before.
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
36/49
Basic Structure
1. Introduction
2. Clearly explain what you want to study.
Give examples
Explain the major field of study and the areas of
specialization in detail.
3. Give three key reasonswhy you want to study the areas
that you mention in the paragraph before.
4. Explain your future
objectives and howyour study plan will
help you achieve them.
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
37/49
Basic Structure
1. Introduction
2. Clearly explain what you want to study.
Give examples
Explain the major field of study and the areas of specialization in detail.
3. Give three key reasonswhy you want to study the areas that you mention in the paragraph
before.
4. Explain your future objectives and how your study plan will help you achieve them.
5. Conclusion: state your primary
study objectives and summarize what
you hope to accomplish as a result of
your gaining the degree.
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
38/49
Back to Julia
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
39/49
Back to Julia1. Introduction
2. Clearly explain what you
want to study.
3. Give three key reasonswhy youwant to study the areas.
4. Explain your future objectives
and how your study plan will
help you achieve them.
5. Conclusion: state yourprimary study objectives and
summarize what you hope to
accomplish as a result of
your gaining the degree.
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
40/49
Back to JuliaEXAMPLE:
1. IntroductionStory: Proposing new
grading software for the school;installation and training.
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
41/49
Back to JuliaEXAMPLE:
2. Proposed field of study: computer
science with a focus in social media.
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
42/49
Back to JuliaEXAMPLE:
3. Three reasons:
(a) she wants to work at Google,(b) she she wants to design a new
social media application
(c) she wants to share the knowledgeshe gains with students back in her
country
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
43/49
Back to JuliaEXAMPLE:
4. Future: Julia will return to Indonesia
and teach computer programming tostudents
Social Purpose= How will the peopleof Indonesia benefit from your study
abroad?
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
44/49
Back to JuliaEXAMPLE:
5. Conclusion: connect it all together
and complete the introduction story.
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
45/49
Do:
Have a social purpose.
Read the question carefully.
Have an organized essay format.
Write the length of essay they ask for.
Check your grammar, spelling, punctuation, and
capitalization carefully. Ask people to proofread it.
Do multiple drafts and edits
Give yourself plenty of time to write and edit.
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
46/49
Do:
Read the question carefully.
Have an organized essay format.
Write the length of essay they ask for.
Check your grammar, spelling, punctuation, and
capitalization carefully. Ask as many others as possible to
proofread your work for writing stylegrammar, spelling,
etc.
Do multiple drafts and edits
Give yourself plenty of time to write and edit.
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
47/49
Do not:
Try to be funny.
Flatter the university.
Be too arrogant or apologize for who you are.
Use slang, technical jargon, or long quotations.
Use overly common phrases (i.e. Ive always wanted to be a . .
.) or use too many common words (i.e. meaningful, beautiful,
challenging, rewarding, etc. ).
Wait till the last minute before the deadline for writing the
study objective.
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
48/49
Do not:
Try to be funny.
Be too arrogant.
Flatter the university.
Apologize for who you are.
Be dishonest about yourself.
Use slang, technical jargon, or long quotations.
Use overly common phrases (i.e. Ive always wanted to be a . . .) or words (i.e. meaningful, beautiful,challenging, rewarding, etc. ).
Wait till the last minute before the
deadline for writing the study objective.
8/23/2019 Writing a Statement of Objective Alissa
49/49
Take-away Questions1. Reflect on your schooling.
What is your favorite school subject? Why?
What or who influenced your interest (i.e. academicrole models)?
2. Why do you want to do research in your topic (s) or field
of study?
3. What are your career goals?
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
What do you hope to accomplish?
What motivates you?
Top Related