Need help drafting my SOP

[saravanan]

I am an undergrad student in the final year of electrical and electronics engineering. I dont have any papers or internships to my name. I am however working on a paper that deals with wireless power transmission (dont know if its feasible unless I run a simulation). My final year project is a comprehensive system that deals with track fault and collision avoidance system in railways with bomb detection in its arsenal (has not been finalized by my college's project review committee).

 

So if I am to write an SOP to make up for all these shortcomings, how to do it?

[danieleWrites]

My SOP didn't make a single mention of my publication record, work record, or presentation record. I focused on why I wanted a PhD (1 to 2 sentences, depending on the maximum length of the SOP; I wrote an SOP for each school, but the first sentence or two was the same for all), what I wanted to research, and what the program could for me, and, in some that required it, why teaching was a requirement along with my teaching philosophy. Don't address your shortcomings in your SOP unless they're major shortcomings that would otherwise make you someone they wouldn't consider, like a person with a BA in a field that isn't closely related, such as biology, or the fact that you've been a barista for the last 5 years you've been out of college. Instead, make sure you pick the best people to write your letters of recommendation. Give them copies of your best work and some of the classes you've taken from them, so they have something to refer to when they write the letter. Most undergrads aren't published and internships aren't as important as your scholarship. Of course, I'm working from a literature framework in the United States. Still, some things are universal, and one of those things is the general lack of publication credentials in the average undergrad. Some get published, some get into colloquia, but mostly, it's GPA, recommendations, and writing sample. Speaking of which, you should check to see what kind of research award opportunities your university has, such as a colloquium, awards, and whatnot.

[saravanan]

My SOP didn't make a single mention of my publication record, work record, or presentation record. I focused on why I wanted a PhD (1 to 2 sentences, depending on the maximum length of the SOP; I wrote an SOP for each school, but the first sentence or two was the same for all), what I wanted to research, and what the program could for me, and, in some that required it, why teaching was a requirement along with my teaching philosophy. Don't address your shortcomings in your SOP unless they're major shortcomings that would otherwise make you someone they wouldn't consider, like a person with a BA in a field that isn't closely related, such as biology, or the fact that you've been a barista for the last 5 years you've been out of college. Instead, make sure you pick the best people to write your letters of recommendation. Give them copies of your best work and some of the classes you've taken from them, so they have something to refer to when they write the letter. Most undergrads aren't published and internships aren't as important as your scholarship. Of course, I'm working from a literature framework in the United States. Still, some things are universal, and one of those things is the general lack of publication credentials in the average undergrad. Some get published, some get into colloquia, but mostly, it's GPA, recommendations, and writing sample. Speaking of which, you should check to see what kind of research award opportunities your university has, such as a colloquium, awards, and whatnot.

So can I make my SOP a goal oriented one [i want to start my own business-really] and state how a master's degree will be a good platform to begin my career. Is this a good idea? I plan on doing a non-thesis master's degree since I am not very much into research.