UG Students at US and Canada Talk About Writing SOP and LOR for University Admissions
Talk to ExpertThis article gives you a first-person account from Indian students, currently studying in the USA and Canada. They talk about how to create a Statement of Purpose (SOP) and a Letter of Recommendation or LOR for university admission in foreign countries.
Here are answers to some most commonly asked questions by prospective students.
Q. Who should a student ask for an LOR for university admission?
Iqra Khan: A letter of recommendation (LOR) is a crucial document for university admission in foreign countries. This letter should be written by a candidate’s acquaintance who can share his/her insight about the applicant’s skills, traits and experiences. This LOR helps the admissions committee (Ad Com) to know about the person from the perspective of someone academically or professionally associated with him. For an LOR for university admission, undergraduate applicants can request their subject teachers, school counselor, principal and/or project guides.
Most of the students have a misconception that the designation of the recommender adds value to your case. However, in reality, the LOR holds significance only if it is written by someone who knows you well and has worked with you on some project or task. Students should ideally pick someone for whom they have worked on a certain project or are closely associated with them for a substantial amount of time. Some universities even specify the recommenders from whom the students are required to get their recommendation letters.
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Q. Which aspects should be highlighted in the statement of purpose?
Iqra Khan: In a statement of purpose or SOP, the students should highlight their purpose behind choosing a particular course. For an undergraduate applicant, an SOP must include an instance which motivated them to choose particular specialization. It should also cover relevant academic experiences such as projects, assignments or even internships to support the interest in that field. A high school pass out may not have a work experience, but he/she must include other extracurricular activities, showcasing the versatility in their profile. An SOP is pointless without career goals as the main aim of pursuing any degree is to achieve some short term and long term goals. It is important to specify them clearly to show your career road map. Another important aspect is the reason for choosing a particular university. You must scroll through the university website to mention specific subjects, research areas, faculty members, clubs and other unique features or opportunities that make you want to apply to that university.
Q. Which documents are required to apply to a foreign university?
Iqra Khan: Every university application should include a filled-in application form (usually online), school transcripts, test scores, an academic CV, a statement of purpose, recommendation letters – one from a subject teacher and another one from a school counsellor, a passport (as ID proof), and a portfolio if you are applying for an art/design course.
Q. What was your approach to the statement of purpose and letters of recommendation during your application stage?
Vaibhav Chitkara: For an undergraduate application, a statement of purpose has comparatively less significance than for a graduate application. You need to talk about your participation and achievements in academics and extracurricular activities. Focus on clubs that you joined and your volunteering experience along with what you achieved in your studies. Talk about your goals and your motivation, and discuss them in relevance to the recent activities that you have done. Essentially, you need to elaborate on what your academic interests are, because, in the end, they are looking to get an idea about why you want to come to their country, and specifically that university.
Regarding LOR for university admission, you do not need to worry about them as in most cases, students are not supposed to write those. You need to get in touch with your teacher who knows what you have done academically and otherwise. He/she should be a good judge of your character and should be willing to highlight your positive attributes in the letter of recommendation. In case your teacher requires you to prepare an LOR for university admission yourself, you must include at least three to four of your important traits, and support them with examples. This will help you to present your profile in a better way.
For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well. Students may read the FAQs section for more information.
SOP and LOR for USA and Canada University Admission FAQs
Q. What documents are required for admissions to foreign universities?
A. Depending on the institution and the programme, different international universities may have different documentation requirements. However, the majority of colleges normally want the following records from overseas applicants: a completed application form, academic transcripts, test scores, an SOP, LORs, financial documents, application fees, and a valid passport. In order to make sure that all required papers are delivered on time and in the appropriate format, it is crucial to review the unique criteria for each university and programme.
Q. What is an SOP?
A. An application for foreign university admission frequently includes a statement of purpose (or SOP), also referred to as a personal statement or a letter of intent. A brief essay known as a statement of purpose is often written by an applicant outlining their educational history, research experience, professional aspirations, and motivations for applying to the programme. The goal of the SOP is to persuade the Ad Com that the candidate will succeed and is a suitable match for the programme. It also assures them that he/she has the necessary training, abilities, and drive. An SOP’s format and content might change based on the programme and the applicant’s particular objectives and background.
Q. What is a Letter of Recommendation?
A. A letter of recommendation (or LOR) is a statement made by a person who can attest for a person’s abilities, credentials and character. The LOR for university admission is often used to bolster your application, while applying for undergraduate and graduate programmes. Someone who is familiar with the applicant well, such as a previous employer, professor, teacher, or mentor, should write the LOR. Letters of recommendation may give important information about a person's character, skills, and likelihood of success. They must give particular examples of the person’s efforts or achievements. Additionally, letters of recommendation could be necessary for programmes or opportunities like fellowships, scholarships, or other sorts of financial aid.
Q. How important are an SOP and LORs for study abroad admissions?
A. For study abroad admissions, the SOP (Statement of Purpose) and LOR (Letter of Recommendation) are both crucial documents. The SOP is a personal statement that describes the applicant's academic and professional objectives, motivations for applying to the course of study or organisation, and pertinent experience. In contrast, an LOR offers insight from a person who is familiar with the applicant’s professional or academic achievements, and who may offer an objective and favourable assessment. A solid SOP and LOR can significantly influence the Ad Com’s decision. The SOP and LOR are both important in presenting the candidate’s complete profile. Thus, it is strongly advised that the candidate devote adequate time and thought to both documents to ensure they are well-written and persuasive.
Q. Can I copy someone else’s application documents such as an SOP?
A. Copying an SOP, or any other application document, for admission to a foreign institution may not be ethical. Depending on the seriousness of the incident, it could result in negative consequences such as having the application rejected, having the enrolment cancelled, or having the admission offer withdrawn. It is usually advisable to write original papers and present oneself in a sincere and honest way in your applications. It could be considered unethical to use another person’s SOP or other application materials. Any kind of plagiarism is viewed strictly and not tolerated.
Q. Is resume required for study abroad admissions?
A. A resume is also a crucial document, especially for graduate-level applications. It helps the Ad Com to get the summarized view of your work experience, academic background, project work, technical skills, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities. For undergraduate applications, some universities may ask for a resume as an admission requirement. However, in such case, the focus must be on academic background, project experiences, other activities and in some cases internships. It should not go beyond two pages in case of MS and undergraduate application, while for MBA programmes, a one-page resume is required.
Q. How long should the LOR for university admission be?
A. Although most universities do not specify word limit for an LOR, you must keep it around 300-400 words, and within one A4 sized page. Some universities, mainly for MBA programmes, follow the questionnaire format and provide questions for their recommendation letters. Each question normally comes with a word limit; thus, it is important to go through university guidelines in terms of the length of the LOR.
Q: Â How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?
The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses:
The Undergraduate Application Process:
Step 1: You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.
Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.
Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
Step 5: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.
Q: Â Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?
The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.
Q: Â What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?
The University of Wolverhampton is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities nationally and globally. For nearly 200 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been consistently providing a quality of education to students and producing highly skilled graduates. The national rankings of the University of Wolverhampton are given below:
| Ranking Body | Ranking |
|---|---|
| The Guardian University Guide 2024 | #101 |
| The Complete University Guide 2024 | #117 |
Q: Â How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?
Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.
- Know the exam pattern
- Make a proper time table as per the syllabus
- Solve previous year question papers
- Make short notes of important formulas and theorems
- Revise regularly
- Figure out weaker areas and learn them well
With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.
Q: Â How to download UK Board 12th date sheet 2024?
Following are the steps to download the UK 12th date sheet 2024.
- Open the Uttarakhand Board's official website at ubse.uk.gov.in
- Click on 'Examination Scheme' available on the homepage
- A new window will appear on the screen containing a link of the UK Board 12th date sheet 2024
- Click the link and download the Uttarakhand 12th date sheet 2024
Q: Â How good is the University of Chester (UK)?
University of Chester is surely a good option for international students mainly beacuse of a diverse range of excellent academic programs.Below are some reasons why University of Chester is good:
Academics: The University of Chester offers over 200 undergraduate, postgraduate, and research degree programs to international students. The University of Chester University offers undergraduate major and minor courses. Students can also pursue master’s or doctoral programs at the University of Chester University.
Location of the university - The University of is in a location where arts & culture, technology industry and entertainment industry providing endless internship. International Students have access to beaches, outdoor activities, live music/performances and attractions which makes their make campus life more enjoyable. The location gives University of Chester students an additional mark to study at University of Chester.
Ranking: Many global ranking sources like THE (Times Higher Education), etc., have ranked University of Chester among the top universities in the world since 2021. These bodies consistently rank it among the top universities in UK.
Fees: : The cost of attending University of Chester for Indian students can vary depending on several factors. Tuition fees for international students at University of Chester are typically higher than for Uk citizens. However, it is important that the tuition fee can change over time, and it is recommended to visit the official website to recheck the fees and accommodation. Indian students should also consider other costs such as housing, health insurance, meals and transportation attending University of Chester.
Q: Â What is University of Wales, Trinity Saint famous for?
University of Wales, Trinity Saint (UWTSD) was founded in 2010, is a public institution for higher education and research at multiple locations. It was set up under the 1828 royal charter of Lampeter, the institution was the result of the merger between Trinity University College and the University of Wales. The institution merged with the Swansea Metropolitan University in 2013.
- Top Ranked University: The UWTSD is not ranked by any major ranking body, however as per the university ranking given on the official website of the university, it is ranked among:
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Film Production and Photography
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Fashion and Textiles
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Graphic Design
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Education
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Sports Science
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Mechanical Engineering
- #1st in Wales for Fine Arts
- Variety of Courses: UWTSD offers more than 300 programs at various levels including undergraduate, postgraduate degrees as well as multiple online courses.
- Highly distinguished and learned faculties: the faculty at UWTSD is highly learned and distinguished which enables students to be the best in their field of study.
- High Placements: According to Graduate Outcome data 2019-2020 quoted by the UWTSD, more than 95% of its graduates were found to be employed within 15 Months of graduation. The average salary of a graduate is not explicitly released by UWTSD, however, as per some unofficial sources the average salary of the graduates of UWTSD is approximately INR 30-35L. with the highest salary being reported as high as INR 66.5L for jobs in Financial Services.
Q: Â Does the University of Essex require IELTS?
International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test | Score |
|---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section |
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test | Score |
TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 72 to 114 |
PTE | Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section |
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities
- Universities in UK175 Universities
- Universities in USA1036 Universities
- Universities in Canada174 Universities
- Universities in Australia122 Universities
- Universities in Ireland32 Universities
- Universities in New Zealand70 Universities
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae