₦airaland Forum

fairheart:
HOW TO WRITE A STRONG SOP.

Use Google to find samples to read, but don't copy another student SOP content. You are to create your own, which is why it is called Personal Statement.

1, The First paragraph should have a powerful opening. As a writer myself, the first impression matters when you're writing. If you open the SOP with shallow words, phrase or idea, you may disinterest the person assessing it from the beginning. Your first paragraph should wield strong words about your view concerning the program you want to study. There are many ways to do this. Some students start with talking about what they think about the field in general, some start with their childhood dreams and link it with why they want this degree. Personally, I recommend starting with a personal philosophy then link it to why an advanced degree is important to the next phase of your career and what you'd like to do with this career. So, make sure your first paragraph is strong, well written and concise.

2. Talk about your current academic and work background and their relationship with what you want to study or why it is essential for progress in the field. I have seen SOPs that even mentioned few courses taken during undergraduate in order to show to the admission committee reviewing the application that they have a foundation for success in the program they want to be admitted for.

3. Is your program a research program? If yes, what do you want to research on and why?

4. Why this school? What do they offer that makes it stand out from more than 3000 other universities offering the same course or even better course, in the US? Really, why this school? If you are one of the people who pick up schools from people's approved visa transcript here, then you must do a proper homework by visiting the school website, the program department website, course structure, option for concentrations, etc. If you do this, you'd certainly find more than 3 reasons you want to study at this school you're writing this SOP for. Make sure you mention the school name in this paragraph. It is always better!

5. You are from a developing country, with diverse and rich cultural background, experiences that are unique to you. What are you bring to the school table? Why should they offer you admission? Why should they offer you assistantship (in case you'd be applying and you want to mention it)? Make strong points on these, then include it.

NOTE: There is no one fits all SOP. There is also no single way to write SOP. We all tell our stories differently! In fact, it must be unique and express your intentions for the next phase of your career, your academic goals, and so on. The word limit would also determine the contents you pour in. If you are applying to Tier 1, 2, 3 schools or Ivy League, make sure you put your best in the SOP. For top schools, your SOP is more important than the GPA benchmark they are using for admission. You will have competitors with the same GPA, but you can have a competitive edge over them and wow with your SOP that you are the real deal (in case you are applying to highly competitive schools).
Use strong vocabulary; show the school you are a unique student with value. If you have not been writing, you will need to take out time to achieve this.

A, create the first draft.
B, let it sit for some hours, then go back to adjust it.
C, remove the cluster and begin to rewrite.
D, let it sit again for a day or so.
E, pick it up and finish what you started for good.
(Share the SOP with knowledgeable friends. If you follow these instructions, you should get in, provided your GPA meets the requirement and you submit your application early).

FYI: this is for all applicants aiming at writing a strong SOP for fall 2021 and beyond. With this, I hope nobody will ask how they can write their SOP. Now you know how to.
All the best.

Chonco:
Go through these, you'll find a solution:

favouredtk:
Visa approved
US Consulate, Lagos
Nov 30 2020
7:00

N:B This is a testimony/ transcript �


Pray, prepare and pray

favouredtk:
Visa approved US Consulate, Lagos Nov 30 2020 7:00

favouredtk:
Visa approved
US Consulate, Lagos
Nov 30 2020
7:00

N:B This is a testimony/ transcript �

favouredtk:
Visa approved
US Consulate, Lagos
Nov 30 2020
7:00

N:B This is a testimony/ transcript �

My mum's call woke me up at 4:59am before my 5:00am alarm. She prayed for me.
Then I started getting ready, prayed and read my devotional and as God would have it, one of the readings was Jn14:26 downwards. I read 26,27 and I was like this is a done deal! I'm going to get my visa.
Got to the Consulate some minutes past 6.
Those guys at the car park were like come and staple your passport, do you have phone, come and keep it here, this is where you will pass .. Bla Bla bla...I just kept going, not minding them... I had already gone to do survey yesterday, I went to figure out the location and all... and kept saying to myself I am leaving here with my visa approval tomorrow.

Here goes
Me : Good morning
V.O: Good morning, pass your documents. Scrolling through her screen and squeezing face
Me: Passed it and kept my cool
V.O: Can you put your fingers on the scanner
Me: I did
V.O: Put your mask down for a second
Me: I did and smiled at her.
V.O: She smiled back and said , "thank you, put it back"
V.O: Where are you going to?
I am going to University of Delaware for my PhD program in Chemistry and Biochemistry with concentration in Biochemistry
V.O: what is your intent?
Me I got confused but immediately regained my composure)
I will be working with Prof.... on redox biology and antioxidant proteins.. Can't remember all I said..
V.O: which other schools did you apply to?
Me: listed them GMU, CSU, UNM, USC
V.O: How did you choose this school /what did you do to get this school (not sure)
Me: I did an extensive search on the internet, reached out to professors, took the standardized tests and I had a video interview.
V.O: Do you have your academic transcripts here? ( she asked 2 people before me the same thing)
Me in my mind 'Ha, what is this?' )kept calm and said 'no, they are not here but I have my test scores'
V.O: What other documents do you have here then
Me: Gave her my test scores and funding letter.
V.O: Where is your admission letter
(Hmmm, God have mercy o. Will I get funding without admission? ). I calmly told her, "I don't have it here ma, my admission was actually for Fall but I had to defer to Spring due to the closure at that time." I am not sure that is the appropriate response but I sha said what came to my mind.
V.O: Nodded
V.O: What will you do when you return?
Me: I currently work as a research assistant at my Alma mater and I intend returning to take up a lecturing position there.
V.O: How much do you earn at your current position?
Me: ***
V.O: What did you study at Master's level?
Me: Biochemistry
V.O: undergraduate?
Me: Same
V.O: Are you married?
No
V.O: Any kids?
No
V.O: Have you ever traveled outside Nigeria?
I've never had a reason to
Me: (Here comes the verdict, or so I thought but she obviously had other plans)
V.O: What is your masters GPA?
Me: (in my mind, are are still on this matter?) Me: 3.43
V.O: Undergrad?
Me: 3.35
V.O: Nodded again (at this point I was wondering whether she was verifying from somewhere)
V.O: Looked at the screen and scrolled again
You worked as a science teacher, how long was this?
5 months, before I started my Masters program.
V.O: checked her screen and nodded
V.O: How long have you been in your current position
Me: One year
V.O: nodded again while typing. Have you travelled outside Nigeria before
Me: (shebi you have asked before) I was getting tired already but I sha shook my head to say no.
V.O: Typed for what seemed like eternity
V.O: I will be issuing your visa...
Me: Thank you very much, then 'the popular temporary deafness'

Whew! That was intense! To God alone be all the glory! I saw His hand all through the entire process!
Thanks to everyone for the transcripts shared, questions answered, tips given and suggestions made on this platform... God's blessings! Best wishes to all going for their interview soon!

Pls take every document possible o
Prepare for any kind of question but stay calm even if the question seems to throw you off balance.
Pray, prepare and pray

favouredtk:
Visa approved
US Consulate, Lagos
Nov 30 2020
7:00

N:B This is a testimony/ transcript �

My mum's call woke me up at 4:59am before my 5:00am alarm. She prayed for me.
Then I started getting ready, prayed and read my devotional and as God would have it, one of the readings was Jn14:26 downwards. I read 26,27 and I was like this is a done deal! I'm going to get my visa.
Got to the Consulate some minutes past 6.
Those guys at the car park were like come and staple your passport, do you have phone, come and keep it here, this is where you will pass .. Bla Bla bla...I just kept going, not minding them... I had already gone to do survey yesterday, I went to figure out the location and all... and kept saying to myself I am leaving here with my visa approval tomorrow.

Here goes
Me : Good morning
V.O: Good morning, pass your documents. Scrolling through her screen and squeezing face
Me: Passed it and kept my cool
V.O: Can you put your fingers on the scanner
Me: I did
V.O: Put your mask down for a second
Me: I did and smiled at her.
V.O: She smiled back and said , "thank you, put it back"
V.O: Where are you going to?
I am going to University of Delaware for my PhD program in Chemistry and Biochemistry with concentration in Biochemistry
V.O: what is your intent?
Me I got confused but immediately regained my composure)
I will be working with Prof.... on redox biology and antioxidant proteins.. Can't remember all I said..
V.O: which other schools did you apply to?
Me: listed them GMU, CSU, UNM, USC
V.O: How did you choose this school /what did you do to get this school (not sure)
Me: I did an extensive search on the internet, reached out to professors, took the standardized tests and I had a video interview.
V.O: Do you have your academic transcripts here? ( she asked 2 people before me the same thing)
Me in my mind 'Ha, what is this?' )kept calm and said 'no, they are not here but I have my test scores'
V.O: What other documents do you have here then
Me: Gave her my test scores and funding letter.
V.O: Where is your admission letter
(Hmmm, God have mercy o. Will I get funding without admission? ). I calmly told her, "I don't have it here ma, my admission was actually for Fall but I had to defer to Spring due to the closure at that time." I am not sure that is the appropriate response but I sha said what came to my mind.
V.O: Nodded
V.O: What will you do when you return?
Me: I currently work as a research assistant at my Alma mater and I intend returning to take up a lecturing position there.
V.O: How much do you earn at your current position?
Me: ***
V.O: What did you study at Master's level?
Me: Biochemistry
V.O: undergraduate?
Me: Same
V.O: Are you married?
No
V.O: Any kids?
No
V.O: Have you ever traveled outside Nigeria?
I've never had a reason to
Me: (Here comes the verdict, or so I thought but she obviously had other plans)
V.O: What is your masters GPA?
Me: (in my mind, are are still on this matter?) Me: 3.43
V.O: Undergrad?
Me: 3.35
V.O: Nodded again (at this point I was wondering whether she was verifying from somewhere)
V.O: Looked at the screen and scrolled again
You worked as a science teacher, how long was this?
5 months, before I started my Masters program.
V.O: checked her screen and nodded
V.O: How long have you been in your current position
Me: One year
V.O: nodded again while typing. Have you travelled outside Nigeria before
Me: (shebi you have asked before) I was getting tired already but I sha shook my head to say no.
V.O: Typed for what seemed like eternity
V.O: I will be issuing your visa...
Me: Thank you very much, then 'the popular temporary deafness'

Whew! That was intense! To God alone be all the glory! I saw His hand all through the entire process!
Thanks to everyone for the transcripts shared, questions answered, tips given and suggestions made on this platform... God's blessings! Best wishes to all going for their interview soon!

Pls take every document possible o
Prepare for any kind of question but stay calm even if the question seems to throw you off balance.
Pray, prepare and pray

Happy December and a new month to you all.
May the Blessings of this month locate us in Jesus Name.
I pray that the previous months will not be better than this new month of December. And may this last month in 2020 never be our last month. We'll continue to Break Limits for a total Turn around encounter.


More Grace

bayocanny:
kindly drop your email address, I have couples of SOP from various disciplines I can share with you.

Kingbeeeee101:
Good morning guys. Pls my school (graduate school) is resuming for spring by January 9 and my visa interview is dec 28th. Will I have an issue with how close the interview date is to resumption? Should I be worried?

Kingbeeeee101:
Good morning guys. Pls my school (graduate school) is resuming for spring by January 9 and my visa interview is dec 28th. Will I have an issue with how close the interview date is to resumption? Should I be worried?

bayocanny:
kindly drop your email address, I have couples of SOP from various disciplines I can share with you.

Chonco:
I don't know if anyone would be needing this.
Just got it somewhere - maybe interested ones can try.

This is for Undergraduate program.

Kindly go through their site and check the criteria.

American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarships in the United States of America.
The Scholarship is Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarship for international students who are pursuing Higher Secondary education/ College education in their home country.

https://www.american.edu/admissions/international/au-egl-scholarship.cfm

tizah2020:
Hi Gurus in the house,

Please i need your guidance on schools that can give me full funding for fall 2021. Here is my profile below.

Undergraduate:2.6/5.0 cgpa
Course: Estate Management
GRE: 331
Work Experience: 3 Years post Nysc
Age: 27
Current job: Property Administrator in a real estate firm

Please what are my chances considering my low cgpa?

PremiumTrends:
Kindly send to travisonhisownz@gmail.com too. Thank you

Cocao:
Maybe you should post your profile and your transcripts so you can get appropraite guidance on what to do

Emeritusseun:
I need available dates for Lagos ooo. �‍♀️�‍♀️. The waiting is so exhausting.

Emergency appointment approved, yet the dashboard keeps saying *your group size is larger than your current allocation*.

lawali:
Hi Emeritusseun,

Have you been able to resolve this error message?

It seems to be a common issue for all those seeking expedited appointment.

Kindly share update so that those of us behind can prepare ahead. Thanks

unrulyme:
Transcript (Most recent)
*we did the necessary greetings and finger prints*
vo: i see you’ve been refused visa before, why is that?
Me: I believe the visa consular officer wasn’t convinced
Vo: why wasnt he/she convinced
Me; i think because of what happened in 2018
Vo; yea, what did happen in 2018
Me: after completing my undergraduate program, I returned to the states in 2018 and did not enroll in classes because -
Vo: *cuts me off* were you not informed by the school that not enrolling would lead to your I-20 being terminated?
Me: I was, but only when it was about to be terminated
VO: *types for a bit*... so why didnt you go back? Why didnt you continue
(My nervous dumbass thought he meant this year)
Me: I came back for Christmas to visit my family and renew my visa and it got denied.
Vo: I’m sorry I cant issue your visa. Good luck

My nerves always get to me and it really messes me up.

So the story is basically this; I’m a Pharmacy student. Second year into pharmacy school. On finishing my undergrad in 2017 December, I came home, renewed my visa and went back in January. I majored in pre-pharmacy which is basically just the pre-requisites to get into pharmacy school. When I returned to the states Jan 2018, I didnt enroll in classes because I thought my i-20 would cover me since my Pharmacy school -even if I have gotten admission - starts mandatorily in the fall (august). I had returned to America for prospective interviews which is part of the interview process. I had applied to 3 pharmacy programs. I got an interview for my current school sometime in April and got admitted in May.
Regarding my I-20 termination, I was not informed when I hadn’t registered in classes. Only time the Intl. Student Office reached out was to inform me on a Friday that my I-20 would be terminated the following Monday. I went straight to her office said Monday and she said there was nothing she could do about it. I’d have to wait for my admission into Pharmacy school to file for reinstatement with USCIS... which i did.
I was also instructed to still follow F1 visa rules which meant enrolling in my pharmacy classes by fall as I waited to hear back on my reinstatement... which I did.
My reinstatement got approved and I got a new i-20.
Pls help

bayocanny:
kindly drop your email address, I have couples of SOP from various disciplines I can share with you.