SOP for MBA in Canada: Writing Tips & Important Points

Writing an impactful SOP for MBA in Canada can indeed be difficult for first-timers. Each B-school in Canada may have separate guidelines and word limits for writing SOPs each year, which may baffle most applicants. However, rather than pondering about how to write SOP for MBA degree, it is important to understand what they want to know about you through the document.

If you are in the process of writing SOP for MBA in Canada, you must know that creating an impactful SOP can indeed be challenging for first-timers. Each B-school in Canada may have separate guidelines and word limits for writing SOPs each year, which may baffle most applicants.

However, rather than pondering about how to write MBA SOP for Canada, it is important to understand what they want to know about you through the document.

How Important is an SOP for MBA in Canada?

A Statement of Purpose is an essential document for applying to MBA program in Canada. It provides an insight into your motivation for the program, your experiences and qualifications, and your career goals to the admissions committee. However, an MBA SOP for Canada is important for you for the following reasons:

1. An SOP is your chance to impress the admissions committee. Out of various applications received by the admissions committee, a well written SOP can help you gain an edge over other applicants.
2. Through a well drafted SOP, you can explain any inconsistency in your academic or professional profile.
3. This statement of purpose can help you highlight your achievements, which otherwise might get unnoticed in the application.
4. You can even showcase your writing skills by creating a concise and engaging SOP.

Questions to Consider before Writing an SOP for MBA in Canada

As you aim to become a management professional after completing the MBA program, here are a few areas that you should highlight in your MBA SOP for Canada:

1. What relevant educational and professional expertise do you have?
2. What is your purpose or motivation behind pursuing the MBA/MIM program?
3. Do you have any proven track record of management, leadership, mentorship or entrepreneurship?
4. How and where do you wish to utilize the knowledge and skills gained through the program?
5. What makes you a good addition to the program, and how you wish to contribute or add value to the program, if you are selected.

Sample SOP for MBA in Canada

The following SOP helped a student secure an admission into a Canadian university for MBA in 2016. Owing to privacy concerns, the personal details of the applicant, who used this SOP for the application, have been removed. Refer to the sample below to get a fair idea of writing an SOP for MBA in Canada to impress a Canadian or any other university abroad.

Highly intrigued by my elder sister, a science student, who spent most of her time experimenting with concepts, I gradually developed an interest in logic and before I could realize it, I was on my way to a journey filled with explorations, revelations and discoveries. As I reached middle school, the introductory concepts of LOGO programming started making sense to me and soon, I realized that I had found my calling in the subject. Meanwhile, my father bought us a new computer and to strengthen my knowledge of my topic of interest, I brought a book on LOGO programming in the eighth grade. As I practised it as part of my regular routine, my sister who already had an inclination towards computer science helped me wherever I got stuck and instilled in me a desire to learn more. Thereafter, I continued to practice the subject, eventually, choosing science in my secondary school, followed by pursuing an undergraduate degree in Computer Science at (University/College Name).

During this duration, I attended computer science and e-commerce subjects along with management-related courses. During my second year, I studied Database Management Systems and worked on a project aimed at developing a hospital website with a team of three members, led by me. We worked on categorising the diseases and creating login access to the website for the patients to help them get their prescriptions as per the categorised diseases. It also helped them know the doctor’s availability and visiting time and eventually, get the online bill after the treatment.

In the third year, I studied e-commerce, which I found quite interesting when insights into the scope of internet got marketing. Jeff Bezos, whom I draw inspiration from, is the creator of one of the most successful e-commerce websites in the world, i.e. Amazon.com. Moreover, I am highly impressed and motivated by Indian businessmen Binny Bansal and Sachin Bansal, who started their e-commerce company, Flipkart in 2007, which is the biggest Indian online shopping website today. Thus, in order to expand my approach and establish myself as a successful entrepreneur in the area of my interest, I now wish to pursue an MBA and work on my business and management skills.

Now I aspire to study in Canada, a hub of world-class universities, offering an impressive quality of education that is acknowledged and appreciated worldwide. The teaching forces of Canadian institutions are leading authorities in their respective fields. Students, therefore, have first-hand knowledge about cutting-edge technologies coupled with excellent practical opportunities. Canada appears to be an ideal place for pursuing my MBA from here as it is a professionally-oriented terminal degree. Therefore, my Master’s journey here will be sufficient to acquire the information and earn the training necessary to become a successful Business Manager.

The brilliantly designed course curriculum offered perfectly suits my academic needs. During my time here, I will actively be a part of rigorous graduate projects and research opportunities. Working on multiple projects as a team or individually under the expert guidance of professors will help me gain in-depth knowledge of the concepts. The amount of knowledge and the level of hands-on experience gained from such projects will be truly astounding. Furthermore, the university allows students to gain industrial knowledge with real-time experiences. The chosen graduate program offers an integrated, collaborative, and proven curriculum that would allow me to experiment with my creativity as well as emerging trends.

Upon the completion of my MBA, I have plans to join an MNC with a managerial profile and learn how a company runs at the national and international levels. After gaining expert knowledge, I will contribute towards the growth of the organisation, and will gradually add to my managerial skills. Ten years down the line, I see myself as a successful businessman, utilising the knowledge and experience gained through engineering, MBA and professional experience working in MNCs. When it comes to contributing to the world at large, I plan to open small offices in the underprivileged areas of India where there is a scarcity of education and jobs to educate and employ the people who deserve these facilities.

An MBA at an international level with exposure to running an MNC would equip me with the knowledge and skills desired to thrive in the industry, with an aim of making the world a better place to live in. This course would also help me tap the areas that no others Master’s or management program would provide the opportunity to work on.

After pursuing my MBA from Canada, I am convinced that my academic career will receive much-needed exposure and enhancement. Not only do the university’s distinguished faculty, excellent facilities, and high reputation attract me but also the ongoing global programs by eminent communities are of my interest. My choice of this specialization is motivated by its multidisciplinary nature, which will broaden my horizons and give me flexibility in professional practice.

Pursuing an MBA at your prestigious university will allow me to receive high-level education under the guidance of prominent professors and industry practitioners. Your university will provide me with a dynamic atmosphere, which will shape me to be a thinker and a learner. The flexibility of the curriculum will give me a broad-based education which will widen the scope of my knowledge and skills. The diversity of the student body will open my mind to new influences, new ideas and new ways of perceiving things and acting upon them. I am confident that my academic record and practical knowledge combined with my eagerness to do research exhibit the perseverance and zeal required to pursue a management degree at your reputed university.

Summarising here, I would like to state that pursuing MBA at your prestigious university will give me an opportunity to receive high-level education under the guidance of prominent professors. Also, studying at your university will act as a stepping-stone for my career. I would regard my admission to your university not only as a great honour but also as a great responsibility and challenge to prove myself.

Important Tips for SOP for MBA in Canada

• Please note that Admission Committees are strongly against plagiarism which is considered a serious offence in universities abroad. Do not copy this or any other MBA SOP sample provided on the internet
• Always write a unique SOP in your own words based on your personal experiences.
• Mention specific career goals, showcasing your planned career path based on the MBA program.
• It is important to create a catchy introduction to capture the attention of the admissions committee.
• Please include only relevant experiences to show how are they aligned with the MBA program.
• Do not forget to proofread the MBA SOP for Canada to ensure a grammatically correct statement.

SOP for MBA in Canada Format

As plagiarism is not allowed, students are expected to write an original SOP. Students may follow the following format for writing an SOP for MBA:

• Introduction: The introduction is an opportunity to grab the attention of the admissions committee. You can mention the reasons that compelled you to pursue an MBA. Make sure that these reasons are logical and can be backed up.
• Body Paragraphs: You can include 4-5 paragraphs that mention the following:
  • Academic and professional background, achievements, challenges, and how you overcame those challenges.
  • You can elaborate on why you decided to pursue an MBA. You may also talk about any specific MBA specialisation that you want to pursue.
  • Mention the reasons that compelled you to apply to a particular university. Make sure that you research the university, its vision and mission statement, its faculties, ongoing research projects, etc.
  • You can mention why you wish to study in Canada.
  • You need to mention your short-term and long-term career goals. They must be related to your background and reasons to pursue an MBA.
• Conclusion: Your conclusion must tie everything together neatly and be able to convince the admissions committee that you are an ideal candidate for the programme and the university you have applied for.

Note: Though this SOP of an MBA student has been written for a Canadian university, the writing style of SOPs for universities in other countries, such as the USA, Australia, Singapore, and all European countries, is the same. It is just the word limit that varies.

As stated above, you must not copy any international MBA SOP sample to create your own. If you must seek help, it is advisable to take help only from trusted agents.