How to Write SOP (Statement of Purpose) for MBA Admission?

Generally, MBA admissions across universities located abroad require a range of short to long admission essays that may be more than two in number, but, some universities in Europe do away with them and request a Statement of Purpose instead. Also, while straight-off MBA courses may have different question-answer-based essays, courses like MSc in Management, Master’s in Marketing, Master’s in Management and others require a Statement of Purpose. As such, it becomes important to know that writing an SOP for MBA is essentially different and varies a lot in terms of its characteristics. The biggest one is – what to include in your MBA SOP.

SOP for MBA : Important Points

Here are a few things that you can and some ‘must’ include in your MBA SOP.

1. Clearly defined short and long-term goals

When applying for a management program at a university abroad, you will have to clearly specify your short-term and long-term goals. Unlike an SOP for an MS program, the SOP for an MBA application must have clearly defined goals, replete with the position you wish to work in future and the nature of work that you wish to do. If there is a company or a list of companies that you aspire to, mention them as well. The clearer your mind is about what you need to do and how you wish to achieve it, the better will be your SOP.

2. Incidents that define your achievements at work

While a statement of purpose ought to be able to suggest what you wish to do in your life, it must also shed light on what all you have done in your life. In this regard, work experience is a major contributor. We suggest that do not simply mention what you have achieved, rather, explain that achievement, the incidents and how it was a big event in your life. This is important to lay out your personality in front of the admission committee. Also, narrated incidents will help the committee to judge your decision-making abilities.

3. Incidents relating to teamwork

Apart from elucidating your abilities and academic understanding, it is also important to showcase important aspects of your personality pertaining to teamwork. Your ability to work in a team or just the specific example of actually working in a team is an important element that reflects in your personality. If you are running out of word limit, we suggest that you try to mention this as part of the incident you chose to highlight in your SOP.

4. Contributions to Society

Universities abroad are not merely looking at good managers, but also socially responsible managers. The better the university, the more important to include this in a brighter light.

Remember, social responsibility need not be as extravagant as working in an NGO for 5 to 10 years!

It could be as small as volunteering after your office/college hours, reaching out to the underprivileged or participating in a cause. Whether small or large, the bottom line is that the purpose of your life should not be simply the advancement of your career but also your own advancement, as a person.

5. Your co-curricular activities

Most people believe that writing about your extracurriculars in an MBA SOP is a strict no. Contrary to normal belief, it is important to mention your forays into everything non-academic. It could be your passion for adventure sports or your run-in with a drama club or even your inherent abilities as a debater or an orator. Whatever it might be, it is important to include more ‘personal’ aspects of your personality. Work-life balance is a must across various universities abroad. Hence, it is important to let your SOP illustrate the same.

6. How the University would help in your goals

Simply suggesting what you wish to do is not enough. What you also need to suggest is why you have picked the particular university for your MBA. Your SOP must also include university-specific characteristics that will enable you in materializing your purpose. It could be any of the student clubs, or something as important as your dream company hiring from that university or even a certain alumnus who influenced you. However, you might want to put it, your SOP should be ‘university-specific’.

Apart from the things mentioned above, there are many other little things that you can include in your MBA SOP. Some of them are your international experience (if applicable) and your year gaps. These are good things to explain. And while you are picking them up, there is also a strict list of things that you should not include in an MBA SOP. Further, it is important to remember that desirable components within an MS SOP will be different in character and structure from an MBA SOP.

SOP for MBA Tips

Here are some extra tips for writing a successful SOP for MBA:

• Be specific: Indicate your objectives clearly and how obtaining an MBA can help you accomplish them.
• Mention your strengths: Describe your educational and professional experience, notable accomplishments, and talents, highlighting how they demonstrate your potential as an MBA candidate.
• Keep it structured: Your SOP for MBA should have a proper structure and every event should be connected with the help of logic.
• Provide only authentic information: Avoid making false statements or exaggerations. Keep your SOP sincere and real.
• Use relevant examples: Show how your accomplishments, abilities, and aspirations connect to your desire to earn an MBA by using specific examples.

Now that you have a sufficient idea of writing an SOP for MBA, it is imperative that you take your application process very seriously and complete it in a timely manner. Make sure that you are aware of study abroad intakes and all the deadlines.

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.

Related Links:

Statement of Purpose - What is it?	How to Write a Winning SOP
SOP Guidelines	What not to include in your SOP