Thread by @MichAdebayo

So I asked if i should do this and since it came back as positive, I'll run it as a thread below:

HOW TO EDIT YOUR SOP

(A DIY self-guide)

👇

- A THREAD

#BigDaddyTweets #phdchat #SOP

1) If you are reading this and you don't know want a SOP is, then try to use Google to quickly check it up. This is an important component of your application. While there are no fixed rules as to writing them (because requirements differ by institution), some things are VITAL.

2) Aside pre-defined SOP structures (common to those applying to medical schools and some institutions), more broadly, here is a good structure you can adopt:

1) Pre-decision events. (1-2 paragraphs)

2) Current state (1 Paragraph)

3) Skills learned with evidence of application

3) 4) Relevance, fit, and desired academic mentor (if you know any. A research will help you here).

5) Why the choice of institution and if you can weave institution values with extracurricular activities (this is more often than not a proof of leadership and team work),Great!

4) I wouldn't spend time going into detail with each point. Perhaps in a later thread or if there are questions, I could take them under each point.

Back to base.

So those 5 points are a good start for decent SOPs.

5) Meanwhile, it's important to let you know that even within this broad structure, there are different kinds of Sops. By this I mean:

- Academic-based SOPs (works best for STEM)

- Event-based SOPs (works best for non-STEM)

- Research intensive SOPs (Works for both).

6) None is greater than the other but usually, in my experience, a mix is often strong.

So moving on... Let's assume you have put one together to the best of your ability, so how do you go about revising it? Here are quick tips to help you improve it on your own:

7) RULE 1

Don't edit the same day you write:

The mental conditioning required to edit a document is not the same required to create a draft.

RULE 2 - Avoid Plagiarism

Never ever copy and paste another person's information. Don't copy the same narrative. It's not attractive.

8) RULE 3 - Aim for clarity

Ask yourself if what you wrote can be understood by a third party. You can even give someone else to read to ask for feedback on areas they didn't understand. If they didn't, chances are that your evaluators wouldn't too.

9) RULE 4 - Avoid Run-offs

This often happens when you are writing as you would speak. I have read many of these from you. It's pretty difficult to understand. Use punctuations. They were created for a reason. Don't make one sentence run 8 lines or become paragraph.

10) RULE 5 - Focus on flow and connectivity.

Try to make your paragraphs flow into one another as if you were telling a backstory into the future. Let paragraph 1 connect with two and two to three. Don't make them disjointed or stand alone paragraphs. Your SOP is a series.

11) RULE 6 - Don't be too attached to a sentence

Sometimes, you leave irrelevant sentences just because you are emotional about it. Don't be. If a sentence is not adding any value to the overall outlook of your essay, expunge and reduce word count.

RULE 7 - No fluffy words

12) RULE 8 - Stick with word count, don't overdo.

If the requirement says 500 words, don't do below 450. If it says 1000, don't do below 900. It helps a lot to be neither lazy nor non-chalant. No one knows your life story as you do. They access what you present.

13) RULE 9 - Avoid grammatical errors.

This has happened countless times. I've read many. I understand the idea and the message to be passed but the grammatical errors in the essay leaves one very weak and disinterested. You don't want this. Try to correct your grammar.

14) RULE 10 - Edit more than ones or use a professional service.

I am a pro-professional writing service person. However, if you don't have that luxury, make sure to edit your SOP again so that you can catch the little errors that may be related to flow, grammar, and structure.

15) Disclaimer - These tips are communicated to help you improve your SOP quality. They do not guarantee you entry into any program. That being said, at this level, many I've shared this with have applied these tips to achieve their desired results.

16) Pro-tip : The first and last sentence of each paragraph are the most important parts of a paragraph. Even unconscious bias plays on this table. 🤫🤫🤫

He get why!

@AaronAkpuPhilip @olumuyiwaayo @Jamaticulus @AcademicChatter @bryt_alozy @Oludeewon @eniolakiite @arawu_samuel