Your Name – MS/PhD Application, Department of A, Univ. of B
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Long story short!: Everyone has a unique profile. When you write a statement of purpose (SoP), you
basically need to TELL A STORY ()! Your story should be a set of nested arcs. An effective SoP should
not be more than two pages (for most of the US universities). This template contains a comprehensive outline
of SoP that tells a story for your OWN higher study.
Efficacious SoP
Paragraphs containing
specific details
Information
Words
Paragraph describing your AIM AND GOAL?: For example, I am highly enthusiastic to pursue
Doctoral research focusing on C, D, and E. I have set my target to perform research in the inter-related areas
such as design, development, and economic appraisal of C; analytic and strategic issues of D; modeling and
control aspects of E. In a decade from now, I envisage myself as professor in a prominent university or as a
research scientist in premier research laboratory or industry and have William Stanley, Jr. as my role model
whose pioneering work on practical transformer and alternating current (AC) distribution has changed the
world most beneficially.
A short description of your academic, professional works, and achievements?: Distinguish and
highlight your KEY ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL STRENGTHS. Suppose that you have an overall
CGPA of 3.10/4.00. However, you scored a CGPA of 3.50/4.00 in your last three/four semesters/60 credits.
Highlight this strength! Use some languages/words that are common in USA education. If you rank among
top 5% of your class, then use something like, “I scored summa-cum-laude CGPA of 3.70/4.00 on the last
60 credit hours and ranked 5th out of 115 students in the class/ I scored magna-cum-laude CGPA of 3.50/4.00
on the last 60 credit hours and ranked 15th out of 115 students in the class/ I scored cum-laude CGPA of
3.30/4.00 on the last 60 credit hours and ranked 25 out of 115 students in the class”. Note that: In USA the
summa-cum-laude is used for top 5% rank, magna-cum-laude is used for top 5%<rank≤15%, cum-laude is
used for top 15%<rank≤30%. Also, “In my senior year (fourth year), I spent most of my time carrying out
research and attending a number of technical seminars and conferences, and completed several key projects
during my junior year (third year)”.
Why you want higher study?: Make a coherent bridge between your desire and related information.
Your preparation for starting higher study and your current research work?: If you do not have
any current research work, then state anything similar to, “I am preparing for my higher study by learning
different engineering softwares like MATLAB, Simulink, etc and hardware like Microcontroller, FPGA,
Page 1 of 2
Prepared By: Md Multan Biswas, PhD Candidate, Dept. of EE, University of South Carolina (UofSC), USA, M.Eng in EE, UofSC, B.Sc in EEE, KUET
Your Name – MS/PhD Application, Department of A, Univ. of B
etc.” [mention this information, even though you made a little effort, but should be true!]. Also, you could
say something like, “I always go through the IEEE PES magazines, IEEE PES eBulletin, and IEEE Smart
Grid Newsletter to learn more about recent research trends on electrical power and energy systems.
A short description of your previous research works?: Tell if you published journal paper(s)
/presented paper(s) in a conference/attended seminar related to your focus areas. Give a brief technical
description of the paper(s). If you don’t have anything significant to share, then merge this paragraph with
the previous one.
Why this university, department, research center/lab, and professor? THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT PARAGRAPHS! Describe why you have selected this university and professor/research
group. Mention something like, “After careful inspection of the research activities in the University of B, the
diverse areas of ongoing research, the carefully designed depth and breadth of courses, I found the curriculum
of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in the Department of A is providing a balanced training across
these areas encompassing an integrated approach to C, D, and E. If you already have the consent form a
professor of the dept., then say something like, “I understand that Dr. F, Assistant Professor, Dept. of A has
done crucial research in the fields of C, D, and E affiliated with the G research center/lab. The recent works
of Dr. F’s research group on C, D, and E, match my research interest excellently. Also the laboratory and
research facilities available for this group could be of imperative importance”. If you don’t have any consent
form a professor of the dept., then tell something like, “The recent works of the professors in the G research
group on C, D, and E match my research interest excellently. Also the Laboratories and research facilities
available for this research group could be of imperative importance. Three major initiatives in this research
group- the H, I, and J, actually have a great influence on my decision to apply in the University of B.”
What you wish to do/research here?: THIS ONE COULD BE CRUCIAL ON YOUR ACCEPTANCE
DECISION! Refer the title of one(two) very recent paper(s) of the professor/research group. Depict what has
been done in one sentence. Propose what you can contribute in future related to this(these) paper(s). Express
something like, “Very recent publication of Dr. F/G research group titled as “Amar Sonar Bangla” in the
IEEE Transactions on K L has proposed/presented M N. I can conduct additional research on O, P, and Q”.
This paragraph demonstrates that you are passionately interested for this professor/group and have done your
home-work!
Why this university should accept you?: You could say, “I strongly believe that the University of B
MS/PhD Program will provide me the best blend of technical knowledge and professional guidance in the
field of C, D, and E. I fully understand the kind of dedication, perseverance, and resolve a graduate program
calls for; I believe that I have the ability and determination to tread on this exciting path. I am eagerly waiting
for an opportunity to make significant contribution in research and development program of the
university. I am confident that in return for this, I can make a perennial contribution to your institution”.
Sincerely yours,
Your Name
Date: Month Date, Year
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Prepared By: Md Multan Biswas, PhD Candidate, Dept. of EE, University of South Carolina (UofSC), USA, M.Eng in EE, UofSC, B.Sc in EEE, KUET