Hello everyone,
Got to know that your exams are over. All of you have done well I hope. It's time to take a little break.
However, it's also time to fill up the online applications for various foreign universities. The application processes are generally similar everywhere. Well, a major part for each application is that, you have to write your statement of purpose & several relevant essays. Here I'm telling you a few things about my own way of writing SOP.
The most important point is: never ever reproduce textbook materials; write down your own thoughts. Use your writing skill more than your scientific knowledge and write like a practical thinker of science. (To elaborate, write it like a novel but not like a textbook.)
Be very strong with your arguments. If you have multiple key points, list them out in separate paragraphs. The elaboration of every single key point should be convincing the fact that you are absolutely interested in that specific research area. Include your own thoughts about that research area more than, but based on, the textbook information.
One more thing is, first write a draft without thinking about the word limit. Then keep on modifying it in multiple iterations. Be very selective about each word you use; each word should come with a very specific & direct meaning.
Well, if you want some example, you can probably go through the posts I wrote in the quantum group in eduposse. If you have further question, get back to me.
By the way, there are many exams in India within this December-June period. I hope all of you are writing most of them; but let me list some of them out (NOT in order of dates):
CSIR-UGC NET
TIFR Entrance
IUCAA Entrance
IIA Entrance
JEST
GATE
IISc Entrance
BARC Entrance
HCU Entrance
ACRHEM Entrance
This list is obviously incomplete, since I don't know that many of them. Keep your eyes open.
All the best.