How to Write a Great Statement of Purpose¹

Here's an organization I would recommend:
(1) passionate hook;
(2) segué to your background in the field;
(3) specific classes by title and professors you have had (especially if well-known in the field);
(4) related extracurricular activities (especially if they hint at some personal quality you want to convey);
(5) any publications or other professional accomplishments in the field (perhaps conference presentations or public readings);
(6) explanations about problems in your background (if needed);
and (7) why you have chosen this grad school (name one or two professors and what you know of their specific areas or some feature of the program which specifically attracts you).

I should probably expand on item 7. This is a practical issue as well. If you are applying to ten grad schools, it's a mismanagement of time to write ten separate, tailored statements of purpose. Items 1 through 6 above can be exactly the same for all the statements. Then when you get to item 7, put in a different paragraph for each school.

Organization

Tips: Use 'tab' to navigate.

1. A "hook" that demonstrates your passion for the field
2. Segué to your background in the field.
3. Description of your academic background in the field
   • Specific classes you have taken, given by name
   • Specific professors you have had, especially if well-known in that field
4. Extracurricular activities in the field
5. Publications or other professional accomplishments in the field (perhaps conference presentations or public readings)
6. Explanations about problems in background (if needed)
7. Explanation of why you have chosen the specific grad school
   • Mention one or two professors in that school and what you know of and appreciate about their work...more

     - About mentioning professors at each grad school: doing this will portray you as someone "who has done her homework," as someone who is genuinely interested in the field, enough to have done some prefatory work in that area.

     - Don't just mention their names (anyone who can browse a web site can do that). Say something of substance about each professor by name, something that reveals you know and appreciate that person's work.

     - Don't necessarily pick the most famous professor at the grad school; chances are many other applicants will do the same, and the admissions committee members will soon be unconsciously filtering those mentions out. (Besides, the most famous professor doesn't always work with all graduate students or may be out of town half the year, and you may come off as naive if you say you're looking forward to working with her.) Find a lesser-known professor whose work truly intrigues you (and truly is the operational word here). Then say something about what you know of that professor's work — remember that person may be on the admissions committee.

     - Don't suck up — don't be a sycophant. Be fair and honest.

   • Specific features of the grad program which attract you
   • 目标项目的课程设置很适合我。
   • 目标项目的就业服务很好。
   • 目标院系的地理位置很好（结合职业发展或科研机会）。
   • 目标院系的科研氛围很吸引我。
   • 目标大学的图书馆、超算...等设施很吸引我。

Your work so far (piece all sections together so you can copy and paste to local file or save it using the `save` button)

Follow up

1. Get advice from several of your professors — philosophical advice as well as specific writing advice
2. Proofread and copyedit; ask friends to proofread and copyedit as well
3. Keep working on the statement of purpose, even after you have already sent it to school(s) with earlier deadline(s)

How to Write a Great Motivation Letter²

陈贤杰³：此次申请研究生全程DIY，在动机信的写作上LAVAL大学有个模板，个人觉得非常不错。我也看过网上很多的动机信，绝大部分都是换汤不换药，一看就是抄来的。推荐大家自己好好写，这个是你表述自己特别之处的很好的途径。

由于LAVAL的模板是法语的，我翻译一下，由于水平有限如有不妥之处，请包涵。

Organization

Tips: Use 'tab' to navigate.

1. 先前学习的相关性。阐述一下为什么你选择申请这个专业是符合逻辑的。
2. 你申请的项目是什么，以及你选择的研究课题具体是什么。你需要知道你要去做什么，越具体越好。
3. 你先前经验的重要性。突出你先前与此项目相关的经验，包括学习、工作、参与的研究。
4. 你对你选择的项目的动机。如果你希望被一个教授带领以便被录取，那就应该向他阐述一下。
5. 阐述一下你成功的可能。这是你阐述你有些学术文件的机会。
6. 阐述一下先前学习和工作中培养的能力和技能。为了在高等学习中获得成功，你应该把一下技能排在前面：科学性和方法论的严谨性，沟通交流的便捷性，归纳和分析的精神，自律性，主动性，决策精神。
7. 继续归于职业规划一部分的学习。这是你阐述你职业目标的机会。
8. 你选择的现实性。如果你已经和你的教授谈过，并且被告知他们对于未来学生的期望的话，你就会很容易阐述。

Your work so far (piece all sections together so you can copy and paste to local file or save it using the `save` button)