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What font, spacing and margins should I use for my SOP for MS in Electrical Engineering?

06 Oct 2026 · Answered by Tamanna Jaisingh · 1 min read
Quick Answer verified

For an MS in Electrical Engineering SOP, a common format is Times New Roman or Arial at 12 pt with 1.5 line spacing and 1 inch margins. Spacing varies by university (Stanford asks for single spacing), so follow its instructions. Save as a PDF unless the university states otherwise.

Tamanna Jaisingh
Tamanna Jaisingh Verified
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Keep your SOP formatting clean and simple. Use Times New Roman or Arial at 12 pt with 1.5 line spacing as a common choice, though spacing varies by university, unless the university specifies something else.

Recommended Formatting

ElementFormat
FontTimes New Roman or Arial
Font size12 pt
Line spacing1.5 is common; it varies by university (for example, Stanford asks for single spacing)
Margins1 inch on all sides
File formatPDF unless stated otherwise

Types of SOP

  • Prompted SOP: answer each prompt clearly and keep responses separate if required.
  • Optional SOP: use it only to explain gaps, a low GPA or unique experiences.

My Advice

Check the portal instructions before you format anything, because a university's own rule always wins. Save a PDF and open it once to make sure nothing shifted.

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