Which things should I leave out of my SOP when I apply to universities abroad?
Avoid irrelevant achievements, casual or flowery tone, generic observations, clichés, flattery, vague statements, repeating your CV and any false information. Stay within the university's length limit, and if none is given, try not to exceed two pages. Check each university's guidelines.
Your SOP should be formal, focused and honest. Leaving out the wrong content matters as much as adding the right content, because the admissions committee is made up of experts in your field.
What to Leave Out of Your SOP
| Avoid | Why it hurts |
|---|---|
| Irrelevant information or school-era awards | The SOP is not a brag sheet, so include only relevant achievements from roughly the past five years |
| Casual or flowery tone, clichés and dramatic language | The SOP is a formal document, so convey relevant points properly |
| Generic observations and over-explaining concepts | The admissions committee already knows the field |
| Repeating your CV | Your motivations, goals and reasons for joining the program need detail |
| Flattery and unrealistic dreaming | Universities look for realistic candidates |
| False information | If you cannot justify it, you risk being blacklisted |
What to Use the Space For
Focus on goals, your contribution or role in projects, knowledge gaps, gap years, reasons for a change in stream, previous rejections and your purpose for applying. Check the word limit on the university website and stay within it. If no limit is given, try not to exceed two pages.
My Advice
Write a first draft, then cut every line that does not support your goals. Keep the tone formal, factual and personal, and check each university's own SOP instructions before submitting.
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