Tips for Tailoring Your SOP for Academic Programs

Let me show you how a #ChatGPT generated Statement of Purpose (SOP) can hurt your chances of admission to a #PhD or other #graduate program.   I gave ChatGPT4 a very specific prompt to write an SOP that would be relevant to my laboratory at Cornell Engineering.   It came back with a decent statement that would have likely lead to rejection. Why? Here are the top reasons. 🥽 The information was redundant and superficial. It lacked scientific depth and could not demonstrate knowledge of field.   🛑 The summary contained generally correct things (e.g. biofuels include biodiesel and biobutanol) but they did not align with the lab you’re applying to – my group does thermochemical conversion so we do not make these types of fuels. If you are applying to a biological engineering program to engineer microbes for biobutanol production than this would be relevant, but not to the chemical engineering program to do thermochemical fuel conversion. This demonstrates that the candidate would not have taken the time to understand the programs to which they are applying!   🎯 ChatGPT cannot identify a true knowledge gap. It basically summarizes review articles to give an outdated general picture of what research topics are “important” to the field.   🦠  It doesn’t tell me what, exactly, you want to research. You need to identify an area of the field and specific knowledge gaps that you want to tackle, then tell us how you want to tackle them, then how your prior experiences give you the tools you need to learn and grow as a PhD student.   🖍️ It talks generally about being at a prestigious institution – but does not give a real reason as to why this is the right place to do the work. What specific resources – faculty, equipment, courses, setting, contacts, etc – does the school have and how (specifically) will this support your research goals?   🧪  It focuses on you and you alone. The point is to develop a narrative that shows the admissions committee WHY they should take you – what you bring to the program, how you will contribute to the scholarly community. It’s not about what you want, but what you can bring to the table.   🐼 It lacks goals. It says you want a PhD, but it doesn’t tell us what you will contribute to science nor how you will use it to change the world. You can read my entire (line-by-line!) analysis of the ChatGPT-generated text and glean some key insights into writing your own SOP on my website (link in comments below).

Don't Make These Mistakes in Your Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement ( write them down) : Having reviewed over 50 personal statements this admissions cycle, I've identified the most common mistakes that can weaken your application. Avoid these pitfalls to enhance your chances of success. ❌ Lack of Specificity → Many applicants fail to articulate their interest in a specific program or institution. → This results in generic statements that make their applications forgettable. → Tailor your narrative to reflect your interest and suitability for the program. ❌ Overlooking Personal Experiences → Personal statements should reflect your journey and passion for a particular field. → Unfortunately, many applicants undervalue their unique experiences. → Utilize your background, whether it's in health policy, epidemiology, or another field, to tell a compelling story. ❌ Neglecting the ‘Why’ Question → It’s not enough to detail what you have done; it’s crucial to explain why you did it. → What drives your interest in this field? → Many statements lack this introspective angle, crucial for demonstrating your commitment. ❌ Ignoring the Bigger Picture → Relate your goals to broader field challenges and how you aim to contribute solutions. → This shows foresight and a global perspective. ❌ Grammatical Errors and Poor Structure → A well-written statement is essential. → Simple errors or a confusing structure can significantly detract from your message. → Proofread meticulously or seek professional help if necessary. #repost #share #tag all prospective applicants you know. #graduateschool #studyabroad #mentorship

Grad school applicants, this is for you: Pro bono, I have reviewed many SOPs, mostly from students applying to master’s and doctoral programs in U.S. institutions. I see some common mistakes, and will be providing information below on what to do to avoid them: 📌Generic opening statements lose the reader. Start with something that will make the reviewer want to know more. In my case, I took them on a journey. My first paragraph comprised some aspects of my lived experience that genuinely influenced my decision to study public health. 📌 Mind the length of your SOP. Some SOPs have word limits; ensure that you stay within them. Even when there is no word/page limit, keep it concise, and ensure that every sentence earns its place. 📌Avoid vagueness. Do not just say you are “passionate about change.” Describe what kind of change, for whom, and through what specific work. If you mentioned that you have worked on a project, where was it located, what was the scope, what was your role, and what was the impact? 📌Do not over-rely on AI. It is your story, so why not tell it yourself? And, the reviewer can tell when the soul is missing from the writing. What other things must one be mindful of when writing their grad school SOPs? Pix: A friend sent me this throwback pic of me in Abuja, Nigeria(probably early 2021). PS: Unfortunately, I do not have the time capacity for SOP reviews at this time. Whenever I do, I will extend my support. 🙏