statement of purpose motivation letter difference

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Dec 13 22 AUTHOR : Ewriting Champs

CATEGORY : SOP Writing Service

Are Statement of Purpose and Letter of Motivation Same?

When filling out your application, you will come across the university's requirements for supporting documents, such as writing a statement of Purpose (SOP), CV, letters of recommendation , and a motivation letter. Generally, the common need is the SOP or motivation letter, which varies for every university's criteria and necessitates less or more information. But where do the differences lie? Let's be clear with both the terms and their format first.

What is a statement of Purpose?

A statement of Purpose (SOP) , also called a personal statement sometimes, is an actual application of 500-1000 words for undergraduate or postgraduate courses that informs the admission committee about who you are, your academic and professional background, and what you will contribute to the course.

Statement of purpose format:

First paragraph:.

• Begin your statement of Purpose with an anecdote or quote that sheds light on the motivation behind choosing that field.
• Keep the intro brief.

  Second paragraph:

• In the second paragraph, the statement of purpose format should include the academic background, accomplishments, and extracurricular activities.
• Divide it into small sections for efficient reading.

Third paragraph:

• The third paragraph revolves around your professional experience and how it inspired you toward the intended course.

Fourth paragraph:

• This paragraph is crucial as it covers your reasons for choosing the course and why you are a proper fit for the course. 
• State the modules from the course that piques your curiosity, course outcomes, and career goals.

Fifth paragraph:

• Now, mention the reasons behind opting for that particular university, like tuition fees, ranking, facilities, and professors.

Sixth paragraph:

• After that, you must include reasons for choosing that specific country. If you are not clear, refer to the statement of purpose sample.

Conclusion:

• The last paragraph must incorporate the gist of the course's importance to you. 

What is a motivational letter?

A motivational letter is a one-page letter consisting of 500-700 words that illustrates why you are the best candidate for the particular course. It is generally appended with your resume .

Drafting a unique motivational letter can give an edge to your resume and crisply showcase your profile.

Motivation letter format:

Making an apt motivation letter demands an accurate plan and structure. Let's go through five simple steps to keep in mind:

1. Pen down an outline

Before heading over to write a motivation letter sample, it is imperative to contemplate your primary reason for applying to a university. Research in-depth about the program and university. 

Then, instigate making a rough outline of the significant points to add to your motivation letter sample.

The outline should comprise the following aspects:

• Why are you willing to study the course?
• From which qualities or skills will the university benefit?
• Why are you choosing this university?

2. Draft an introduction

Write a small intro about yourself. Address your receiver's name for a personal touch to your motivation letter . In case you don't know the name, you can keep it as "Respected Sir/Madam." Your intro should be so intriguing that it hooks the recipient's attention. It must contain details about your accomplishments and why the course interests you.

3. Explain your outline

Elaborate on the points stated in the outline to write the body part of your motivation letter. In this paragraph, you can express how you are an apt candidate by addressing your prior work experience and skills. Make sure to add strong reasons to persuade the recipient.

  4. Write a conclusion

It is crucial to write a conclusion for your motivation letter that sums up your goals and makes a positive impression on the reader. Also, you must be grateful to them for reviewing your application and ask them to reach out to you for any queries.

5. Proofread

Proofread your motivation letter sample to sound more professional and leave no room for mistakes—additionally, correct grammatical and spelling blunders. Remove already stated info listed in your CV(curriculum vitae)  or application form so that your motivation letter has only essential information.

SOP vs Motivation Letter

Many of you might be wondering about the differences between an SOP and a motivation letter. Usually, both documents are drafted to seek admission to any global institute and state your background and reasons for selecting the course. These documents might sound quite similar, but they carry different purposes to address diverse messages.

The motivation letter emphasizes your goals, notably how your presence in the university will boost your skills and professional experience. Mostly, European universities require a motivation letter for graduates and doctorate students.

Nevertheless, a statement of Purpose integrates all the above points but also has your past academics, grades, work experience, internships, and other activities. 

The in-detailed difference between a statement of Purpose and a motivation letter is as follows:

Final takeaway.

A statement of Purpose is a lengthy composition of your profile, whereas a motivation letter is a crisp manner of what you will bring to the university. However, it is obligatory to follow both formats or, as given by the university, to make it impressive and get admission for your opted course.

If you are facing difficulty making an SOP or motivation letter, you must contact E-writing champs . Our writers are pretty experienced in drafting convincing documents, which will certainly confirm your admission to your dream university. You can also refer to our motivation letter example or SOP sample to obtain a clear-cut idea of our work. Contact us today.

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Personal statement vs motivation letter vs statement of purpose

• January 23, 2023 January 23, 2023
• Explainer and Tips

Are you struggling to make your personal statement, motivation letter, or statement of purpose stand out among the countless other applicants? Or are you confused about the difference between a personal statement, motivation letter, and statement of purpose? In this article, we will clear the confusion and guide you on how to effectively write a personal statement, motivation letter, and statement of purpose that will make you stand out to the selection committee.

Writing a personal statement, motivation letter, and statement of purpose are all important steps in the application process for various opportunities such as college admissions, scholarships, and jobs. These documents serve as an introduction to the selection committee and are often the deciding factor in whether or not you will be offered an opportunity. In this article, we will explore the different types of documents, their purpose, and how to write them effectively.

Personal Statement

A personal statement is a written document that highlights your personal, educational, and professional background and experiences. The main purpose of a personal statement is to provide the reader with a sense of who you are, your background, and why you are a good fit for the opportunity you are applying for. It is important to be honest, concise, and clear when writing a personal statement. It should be tailored to the specific opportunity you are applying for and highlight any relevant experiences, skills, or achievements.

For example, if you are applying to a college program in business, your personal statement should focus on your experiences and achievements related to business. You should highlight any internships, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities that have prepared you for a career in business. Additionally, you should explain why you are interested in the program and why you believe you would be a good fit for the college.

Motivation letter

A motivation letter is a written document that explains your interest in an opportunity, such as a job, scholarship , or college program. The main purpose of a motivation letter is to convince the reader that you are a good fit for the opportunity and that you have the skills, experience, and motivation to succeed. It is important to be enthusiastic, specific, and sincere when writing a motivation letter. It should be tailored to the specific opportunity you are applying for and highlight any relevant experiences, skills, or achievements.

For scholarship applications, your motivation letter should focus on why you are interested in the scholarship and how it will help you reach your goals. You should also provide specific examples of your achievements, such as good grades, or any volunteer work or extracurricular activities. Additionally, it is important to show how your past experiences have prepared you for the opportunity you are applying for and how your future goals align with the scholarship.

Statement of Purpose

A statement of purpose is a written document that explains your goals, experiences, and qualifications in relation to the opportunity you are applying for. The main purpose of a statement of purpose is to provide the reader with a clear understanding of your goals, experiences, and qualifications, and how they align with the opportunity you are applying for. It is important to be clear, concise, and specific when writing a statement of purpose. It should be tailored to the specific opportunity you are applying for and highlight any relevant experiences, skills, or achievements.

For instance, if you are applying for a graduate program in engineering, your statement of purpose should focus on your goals and how the graduate program will help you reach them. You should also provide specific examples of your qualifications, such as your undergraduate degree in engineering, and any relevant experiences, such as internships or research projects. Additionally, it is important to show how your past experiences have prepared you for the opportunity you are applying for and how your future goals align with the graduate program.

When it comes to important documents like personal statements, motivation letters, and statements of purpose, the main distinction lies in the purpose they serve. A personal statement is meant to give the reader an insight into who you are and why you are a suitable candidate for the opportunity. A motivation letter, on the other hand, is intended to persuade the reader that you possess the necessary skills, experience, and drive to be successful in the opportunity. Lastly, a statement of purpose highlights your goals, qualifications and experiences, and how they align with the opportunity being applied for. To ensure that your documents are effective, it is crucial to consider your audience and adjust your language and content accordingly. Use a professional tone and steer clear of colloquial language. Additionally, proofreading for grammar and spelling errors is a must, and it is always advisable to get a second opinion from someone else before submitting the documents. Utilizing tools like Grammarly and Pro Writing Aid can also be beneficial in the editing process .

In composing your personal statement, it is imperative to emphasize your distinct characteristics and experiences that separate you from other applicants. This may include volunteerism, extracurricular activities, or special projects that demonstrate your expertise and passions. Additionally, it is essential to illustrate how your prior experiences have prepared you for the opportunity you are seeking and how your future aspirations align with the program or position. This will demonstrate your dedication and appropriateness for the program or role.

For motivation letters, you can show your enthusiasm and passion. Provide specific examples of how your skills and experiences make you a good fit for the opportunity, and explain how the opportunity will help you reach your goals.

When drafting your statement of purpose, it is important to emphasize how your qualifications, experiences, and goals align with the opportunity you are applying for. Provide specific examples of your qualifications and experiences, and explain how they have prepared you for the opportunity. Additionally, explain how the opportunity aligns with your future goals and how it will help you achieve them.

To sum up, writing a personal statement, a motivation letter, and a statement of purpose are crucial steps in applying for various jobs, school admissions or scholarships. Even though the aim of each document varies, they all share qualities like being truthful, succinct, and clear. Highlight any pertinent experiences, abilities, or accomplishments in these documents and make sure they are customized to the particular opportunity you are looking for. By adhering to these recommendations, you’ll be able to create powerful and persuading documents that will make you stand out from the crowd and improve your chances of being given the opportunity.

Check out Personal Statement Samples HERE

Check out Motivation Letter Samples HERE

Check our Statement of Purpose HERE

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Statement of Purpose (SoP) vs Personal Statement vs Letter of Motivation (LoM)

• December 3, 2020
• Study Abroad

Statement of Purpose (SOP), Personal Statement, and Letter of Motivation (or Letter of Intent) are the three things that people often struggle to differentiate between, or rather they just confuse one with another. No worries. We are here to put each one of them into their respective perspectives so as to give you a clear understanding SOP vs Personal Statement vs Letter of Motivation, and how one of them is different from the other.

SOP vs Personal Statement vs Letter of Motivation

Co-authored by Parinita Gupta

Statement of Purpose (SoP) vs Personal Statement

The majority of US and UK universities ask for a statement of purpose (aka SOP) or a Personal Statement. However, sometimes the US schools ask for both an SOP and a Personal Statement (popular for schools like UC Berkeley, UCLA, University of Michigan, etc.).

In simple words, the Statement of purpose defines what you want to do, in contradiction with the Personal statement which defines you and who you are as a person. Both of them have a unique role to play in the enrollment in the grad college program that you are applying for.

When it comes to a Statement of purpose vs a personal statement for grad/ug school, the two are very different yet very alike. While both of them cater to the same purpose of making the grad admission committee believe in you, each of them contains quite different information.

The statement of purpose lies on a little more of a formal end in contrast to a personal statement. A personal statement is rather less formal and focuses more on who you are as a person and a student.

A statement of purpose showcases your academic background and your skills relevant to the program you are applying for. It specifically lists your career goals and exactly what you are aiming for, maybe a year down the line or five. It lets the college know what your research and extra curriculum interests are and helps it decide whether you are a complete fit for the program that you are enrolling in or not.

A personal statement on the other hand highlights more on what motivates you personally, what truly drives you to pursue a grad/undergrad program, and brags about all the major accomplishments you have or any major challenges that you have faced along the way and have successfully overcome.

Here is an example, where applicants need to submit both SoP and Personal Statement:

Similar Objectives of SOP and Personal Statement

Even though a personal statement and Statement of purpose are completely different from each other, both of them essentially have the same overarching purpose, of making the admission committee believe that you are the best fit for their institution and the selected program and that you’ll be successful in completing the program with flying colors. Assuring them of the things mentioned above is your goal, bear that in mind.

What is the statement of purpose, and what is it used for?

The statement of purpose (SoP) is an integral part of your application for graduate admission and consideration for merit-based financial support.

It is used to understand your academic interests, and to evaluate your aptitude and preparation for graduate work, as well as your fit with the proposed program of study. It is also used to assess your ability to write coherent and convincing prose.

What to Write in a Statement of Purpose (SOP )?

• What is your purpose in applying for graduate study in your specified degree program? Describe your area(s) of interest, including any subfield(s) or interdisciplinary interests.  
• What experiences have prepared you for advanced study or research in this degree program? What relevant skills have you gained from these experiences? Have your experiences led to specific or tangible outcomes that would support your potential to contribute to this field (examples: performances, publications, presentations, awards or recognitions)?  
• What additional information about your past experience may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at the particular university? For example, you may wish to describe research, employment, teaching, service, artistic or international experiences through which you have developed skills in leadership, communication, project management, teamwork, or other areas.  
• Why is this graduate program to which you are applying is the best place for you to pursue your academic goals? If you are applying for a research master’s or doctoral program, we encourage you to indicate specific research interests and potential faculty mentors.  
• What are your plans for your career after earning this degree?

What is a Personal Statement and what is it used for?

The Personal Statement is an opportunity for you to provide additional information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at a particular school. It will also be used to consider candidates for specific scholarship or fellowship schemes.

What to Include in a Personal Statement?

• Are there educational, personal, cultural, economic, or social experiences, not described in your Statement of Purpose, that have shaped your academic journey? If so, how? Have any of these experiences provided a unique perspective(s) that you would contribute to your program, field, or profession?  
• Describe the challenge(s) or barriers that you have faced in your pursuit of higher education. What motivated you to persist, and how did you overcome them? What is the evidence of your persistence, progress, or success?  
• How have your life experiences and educational background informed your understanding of the barriers facing groups that are underrepresented in higher education?  
• How have you been actively engaged (e.g., through participation, employment, service, teaching, or other activities) in programs or activities focused on increasing participation by groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education?  
• How do you intend to engage in scholarly discourse, research, teaching, creative efforts, and/or community engagement during your graduate program that has the potential to advance diversity and equal opportunity in higher education?  
• How do you see yourself contributing to diversity in your profession after you earn your advanced degree at a particular university?

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Tips for Writing SoP and Personal Statement for a Single Application

Since a statement of purpose (SOP) is different from a personal statement , your approach toward each statement in these essays also has to be different.

To quickly summarize, here are a few things to keep in mind while writing a statement of purpose (SOP):

• Take your future goals into consideration
• Research well about the program and the faculties
• Explain how both of these two points mentioned above are a good match
• Emphasize your accomplishments and all the challenges which you’ve overcome

And, here are a few things to keep in mind before writing a Personal statement:

• Make it sound like you’re telling a story
• Emphasize more what your personal motivations are
• Explain in detail your weaknesses and the challenges that you’ve overcome.

Finally, keep these things in mind for either of these essays:

• Use specific details
• Edit and proofread
• Be authentic

Statement of Purpose (SoP) vs Letter of Motivation

On the other hand, one might get confused between a Statement of purpose and a Letter of Motivation. Generally, European universities (Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, etc.) ask for a letter of motivation.

So, there’s a fine line between both of them. Letter of motivation vitally focuses on the future aspects, and your career goals, specifically how your presence in the college/ grad program is going to affect you, your skills, or any professional work or internship experience that you have.

However, a statement of purpose, apart from focusing on all of these things mentioned above, in a LOM, also allows you to focus on, or rather brag about your past qualifications, grades, internships, work experience, volunteering experience, and other activities. A statement of purpose must explain how you are in your academic field of study, how your choice of subject affects you, and how your previous experiences have influenced your career choices, etc.

Even though a statement of purpose (SOP) and a Letter of motivation are used interchangeably, an SOP is more of something to write to an employer while applying for a job whereas a letter of motivation is something more of an application letter to write to a university or a college when applying. It’s pretty common to find universities, colleges, and employers to use these 3 terms interchangeably, you may also find them referring to LOM (letter of motivation) as a personal statement, but a letter of motivation is not alike a personal statement or statement of purpose (SOP).

How is a Letter of Motivation Different from SoP or Personal Statement?

The difference lies in the fact that how long each of these letters is supposed to be and what intention it serves. Generally, personal statements tend to get more personal, and in-depth with the candidate’s personal life, enigmas, strengths, weaknesses, etc., and even past achievements and failures, whereas letters of motivation have personal elements to it.

However, LOMs are much more focused on the applicant’s future plans and aspirations. A letter of motivation, allows the candidates to refer to their past achievements only as proof of their commitment to their future aspirations.

Before you start writing your letter of motivation, make sure that you have enough time to complete it. Important and crucial letters such as this one cannot be written in a hurry.

Therefore, make sure that you reserve some time beforehand. Also, make sure that you research well your university and its program in-depth and what their requirements and expectations are from their future pupils.

Knowing a little more about their main activities, projects, personal philosophy, and interests will help you figure out what the letter should contain and how you can frame your letter in a way that can make you look like a perfect fit for their institution.

Related Articles:

How to Write a Statement of Purpose (SOP) for Graduate School (MS/MBA)?

How to Write an MS SOP for Ivy League Schools?

What do Admission Officers and Universities Look for in SOP and Personal Statements?

About Parinita Gupta:

Parinita is a full-time banking professional. Additionally, she is also a passionate blogger and digital marketer.

She mostly writes about the Banking & Finance, Technology, and FinTech sector. But, she also enjoys writing on other topics as well.  You can follow her on  Twitter .

References: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 .

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Looking to Apply For Scholarships? Know The Difference Between Motivation Letter and Personal Statement.

Motivation Letter and personal statement are different types of documents but often considered as the same. In fact, some opinions state that both are similar documents, it’s just the different names between two of them. 

Personal Statement is an essay that contains a resume about the writer, including their achievements and strengths. So, in a sense, an essay which was written for the purpose of self-promotion. 

You can explain your origin, family background, educational history, and what achievements or memorable experiences you have made. It can be made relevant to the purpose of university and the chosen study program.

Also, you can tell about your skills, strengths and weaknesses, and most importantly is your plan for the future. 

All of that aims to convince the reviewer that you are the right candidate and deserves a position. Aside from that, you can give your biggest goals and desires that you will achieve if you can continue your education in that major. 

The language style and delivery of personal statements are known to be more relaxed and expressive.

Meanwhile, motivation letters focus more on personal experiences and stories that detail your interests, personality, and hopes for applying to a program. Fully information, you can read the article about motivation letters to better understand the structure. 

For more information about studying overseas or others, you can contact us by visiting our instagram . You can get a free consultation through +62 812-1268-6969 or come directly to EduPlan Indonesia office.

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