support@accepted.com
Get Your Free Consultation!

Which program are you applying to?

  • - Select a program -
  • MBA/EMBA
  • Law School
  • Grad School, PhD
  • MD/DO, Residency
  • Other Healthcare Programs
  • College
  • About Accepted
    • About us
      • The Accepted Advantage
      • Clients Accepted At
      • In The News
    • Client Feedback
    • Contact Us
  • Meet the Team
    • MBA Admissions Consultants
    • Med School Admissions Consultants
    • Grad School Admissions Consultants
    • Law School Admissions Consultants
    • College Admissions Consultants
  • Free Resources
    • MBA
      • Free Guides
      • Selectivity Index
      • Sample Essays
      • Essay Tips
      • MBA Podcast Episodes
      • MBA Deadlines
    • Med School
      • Free Guides
      • Selectivity Index
      • Sample Essays
      • Essay Tips
      • Med School Podcast Episodes
    • Healthcare Programs
      • Free Guides
      • Admissions Straight Talk Podcast for Healthcare Applicants
    • Grad School
      • Free Guides
      • Sample Essays
      • Grad School Podcast Episodes
    • Law School
      • Free Guides
      • Selectivity Index
      • Sample Essays
      • Law School Podcast Episodes
    • College
      • Free Guides
      • Sample Essays
      • Admissions Straight Talk Podcast for College Applicants
  • Services
    • MBA
      • Complete Packages
      • Essay Editing
      • Resume Services
      • Interview Prep
      • MORE
    • Med School
      • Premed Packages
      • Primary App Packages
      • Secondary App Packages
      • Essay Editing
      • Interview Prep
      • MORE
    • Healthcare
      • Postbac Packages
      • MPH Packages
      • NursingCAS Packages
      • PharmD Packages
      • Essay Editing
      • MORE
    • Grad School
      • Complete Packages
      • PhD Packages
      • Essay Editing
      • CV/Resume Assistance
      • MORE
    • Law School
      • Complete Packages
      • Essay Editing
      • Interview Prep
      • MORE
    • College
      • Complete Packages
      • Common App Package
      • Essay Editing
      • MORE
  • Blog
    • MBA Blog Posts
    • Medical School Blog Posts
    • Other Healthcare Blog Posts
    • Grad School Blog Posts
    • Law School Blog Posts
    • College Blog Posts
    • Admissions Straight Talk Podcast
Accepted

Accepted Admissions Blog

Everything you need to know to get Accepted

November 14, 2022

Reading Time: 2 minutes

STEM Applicants: Why Your Statement of Purpose is So Important

STEM Applicants: Why Your Statement of Purpose is So Important

“What is the most important part of my application?” ask many of my clients applying to graduate programs in STEM fields. They, like you, want to know where they should exert the most effort.

The Most Important Part of Your Application is…

My response: All parts of the application are of interest to an admissions committee. However, certain factors are facts that you have little control over by the time you are actually applying. Your GPA is a fact—you cannot change it unless you are still a student and working hard to raise your grades. You can only take the GRE or GMAT so many times, and what you submit is a fact you can no longer change. If you have a great GPA and GRE you are competing with other applicants with similar scores. Your resume is a list of facts.

Applying to grad school? Schedule a free discovery call to find out how Accepted can help you!

Another section of the application gives you the opportunity for some control or at least influence: Letters of recommendation. You can provide detailed information to your references to make it easier for them to write an excellent letter. You can give them a list of bullet points highlighting your accomplishments under their guidance—what were your actions and the results? You can also inform them of what the programs are seeking in candidates and remind them of your skills, offering examples of leadership, team collaboration, initiative, creative thinking, and innovation, etc.

The Unique Role of the Essay

However, it is the essay that allows you to present who you really are to the admissions committee. It is where you can write about your motivations—the “whys” supporting your decisions to major in what you did, to focus on the research you conducted, or to explain why you chose the jobs that comprise your work experience. And, the essay is the one element that you now have total control over. 

In the statement of purpose, you can also distinguish yourself through clear, realistic goals and explain why this particular program and school is the best fit for you—how it will help you meet your goals. You can discuss which classes you look forward to and which faculty you would like to learn from or to conduct research with. You can reach out to current students and recent alumni to learn more about the program than you can find on the website. You can include what you learn from them in your essays. In these ways, you can stand out from other applicants who may not offer as thorough or compelling a narrative.

Although I wouldn’t conclude any one application element is always more important, the essay is where you have the most power to persuade and provide a complete picture of who you are beyond your grades and standardized scores. Having sat in on admissions committee meetings for years, I can say that the essays were frequently the most memorable and effective parts of an application. Alternatively, the essay could be the element that earned applicants a rejection. As an experienced Accepted consultant, I can confidently say that strategizing and editing the essays is where my Accepted colleagues and I add the most value.

If you would like the guidance and support of experienced admissions consultants as you work on your statement of purpose or other parts of your grad school application, Accepted is here to help. We offer a range of services that can be tailored exactly to your needs.

From Example to Exemplary - Download your guide today!

Related resources:

  • How to Write a Goal Statement for Graduate School
  • Writing About Overcoming Obstacles in Your Application Essays
  • How to Write a Great Statement of Purpose, a podcast episode

Article by Karin Ash / Grad School Admissions / career goals, grad application essays, personal statement

Get Accepted!

Sign up for a free consultation today!

Which program are you applying to?

Blog Categories

  • Admissions Consulting
  • Admissions Straight Talk Podcast
  • College Admissions
  • Grad School Admissions
  • Law School Admissions
  • MBA Admissions
  • Medical School Admissions
  • Other Healthcare Admissions
  • Uncategorized

Most Popular Blog Posts

1. 7 Simple Steps to Writing an Excellent Diversity Essay

2. 4 Ways to Show How You’ll Contribute in the Future

3. How to Write About Your Research Interests

4. Tips for Answering the Yale University Supplemental Essays and Short Answer Questions [2022-2023]

5. When Will Medical Schools Give You an Answer?

6. Sample Essays from Admitted HBS Students

7. Tips for Answering the University of Pennsylvania Supplemental Essay Prompts [2022-2023]

8. Top STEM MBA Programs: A Comprehensive List and Overview of STEM-OPT Eligible B-Schools

Sample Essays

MBA Personal Statement Examples

Medical School Personal Statement Examples

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

Law School Personal Statement Examples

College Application Essay Examples

 

Home Page Services and Prices MBA Med School Law School Grad School College

About Us Press Room Contact Us Podcast Accepted Blog
Privacy Policy Website Terms of Use Disclaimer Client Terms of Service

Accepted 1171 S. Robertson Blvd. #140 Los Angeles CA 90035 +1 (310) 815-9553
© 2022 Accepted

BBB A+ RatingStamp of AIGAC Excellence

Copyright © 2023 · Education Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in