TIPS FOR WRITING AN EXCEPTIONAL ACADEMIC DOCUMENTS.

 

Every academic year, the admission panel read hundreds, even thousands of application from numerous applicants. After reading a plethora of essays about dreams, visions, academics records, career prospects, performances etc, the content inevitably begins to sound redundant and somewhat ordinary.

In order to stand out against thousands of applicants with similar GPAs, test scores or even amazing academic records; presenting outstanding application documents becomes paramount.

Here are a few tips on how to present your unique self to the admission panel.

 

1. Don’t be repetitive.

If you have already included information in another area of the application, you do not need to relay this information again in your SOP or PS. The panel already knew you were president of your department, met with the VC in a volunteer retreat and graduated as the best fifth in your department. Your SOP should not reiterate these accomplishments, but the outcome, the lessons, the skills and how you've used them to make a meaningful impact in the society. Just mentioning them over again without emphasizing on the impacts will make your SOP sound redundant, uninteresting and leave little room for new information. 

This does not in any way mean you should not blow your trumpet. Please do, its very necessary, but make it creative. Remember, your academic qualifications are good but your skills and who you are as a personal are more important. Showcase them. 

 

Don’t be negative.

Your SOP is not the best place to reveal your life’s roadblocks. Even if you have overcome some problems in your life such as drugs, alcohol, crime, abuse, depression, it's totally unnecessary revealing them in your SOP. Reason is because, these incidents if not presented well can result in an uncomfortable, emotional or sentimental essay that may leave the admission officer questioning whether or not you are a good fit. Always bring your best foot forward. That's the key.

 

2. Be diverse enough.

Crafting your story around topics like politics and religion, most times brew misconception. Though you can write a great SOP on events revolving around these subjects, many times they can come off as closed-minded and offensive to anyone who may hold a different belief, and you risk being perceived as arrogant. So if you choose to cite examples with or write on any of these, make sure your points are valid, up-to-date and correct.

If you choose to write about a touchy or very personal issues, be mindful about the impression you're giving to the admission officers. Your story should reflect on you and your activities in your environment. So, do not make it too sentimental. 

 

Research your school.

You will most likely be applying to more than one school, and you are going to be writing separate SOPs for these schools, so do not forget to do some research on each of the school.

This way, you can ensure that each SOP is unique, and ties in the strengths of that particular university or the program of study. Remember to proof-read; you do not want to make the mistake of writing a university’s name and then forgetting to change the name when applying for a different school, or interchanging research interests or supervisor's name. 

The school will know whether or not you took the time to understand the program and faculty at the school before applying, and universities love to see that students have a specific interest in their school.

If you research the school first and include your research in a personal way, you will have a better knowledge on how to construct an exceptional SOP and of course increase your chances of being accepted.

So before you send those academic documents, remember to get rid of possible errors. Have it in mind that you're an expatriate. Package your documents as one. 

At Vantage Migration, we help graduate students to secure admissions and scholarships abroad. Remember, preparing an outstanding application package is one of the most crucial success strategies.

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