If you’re applying for a PhD in the UK, you’ve probably already run into a frustrating problem: Some universities ask for a Statement of Purpose (SOP).Some ask for a Personal Statement.Some ask for both.And almost none of them tell you what the difference actually is. As a…

If you’re searching for “PhD research proposal Canada,” you’re probably trying to answer what sounds like a simple question: Do Canadian PhD programs require a research proposal or not? The honest answer is: sometimes — and in Canada, the wording can be misleading. Many programs don’t use…

Most applicants don’t set out to misunderstand the PhD statement of purpose in Canada — they assume it works the same way it does elsewhere. And that assumption is exactly where things start to go wrong. In Canada, there is no single definition of what a “statement…

Examples, Structure, Supervisor Expectations, and Common Mistakes If you’re applying for a PhD in the UK, you’ve probably noticed something confusing: some programs ask for a research proposal, others request a research statement, and a few want a statement of research interests. Are these the same thing?Do…

Updated October 2025: Verified for the 2025–2026 Columbia SIPA admissions cycle. Essay requirements now include a concise Personal Statement (~400 words), a Second/Topical Essay, and optional Diversity and Additional Information essays. The Video Essay is recorded after you submit your application. Applying to Columbia SIPA this year?…

Every year, Columbia MBA essays catch strong applicants off guard. At first glance, the prompts look “manageable”: two short answers, three essays, one optional. Not as intimidating as Stanford’s soul-searching What matters most, or HBS’s three-part gauntlet. But here’s the trap: Columbia’s questions are deceptively short and…

Why the MIT Sloan Cover Letter Trips Applicants Up For most MBA programs, you expect essays. Stanford’s identity test, HBS’s new three-part essay, Wharton’s career clarity drill. But MIT Sloan? They throw you a curveball: the famous cover letter. At first glance, it looks easy. After all,…

Why Booth MBA Essays Feel So Tricky Every year, Booth MBA essays unsettle even strong applicants. Unlike Wharton with its tight word counts or Stanford with its soul-searching, Booth takes a different approach: two open-ended prompts that test both career clarity and values alignment. The result? Many…

Every year, Kellogg MBA essays trip up otherwise strong candidates. Unlike HBS with its one-big-essay or Wharton with ultra-tight word limits, Kellogg throws you a different curveball: two 450-word written essays plus the infamous video essay. The result? Many applicants feel torn: How do I sound authentic…

Every year, Wharton’s MBA essays cause a particular kind of stress. Unlike Stanford’s soul-searching or HBS’s one big “show us everything” prompt, Wharton’s essays look deceptively manageable. But here’s the danger: short word counts raise the bar. Can you capture career clarity in just 50 words? Can…

The Stanford MBA essays are two required personal statements: “What matters most to you, and why?” and “Why Stanford?” Together, they test authenticity, self-awareness, and clarity of goals. Few MBA essays strike more fear — or fascination — than these. With just two deceptively simple prompts, Stanford…

Harvard just changed the rules. For years, applicants faced one open-ended essay with no word limit. Now, the MBA Class of 2028 must respond to three shorter, highly targeted essays. At first glance, this may feel like a gift — less writing, more structure. But in reality,…

Are you dreaming of a career in policymaking? If so, applying for a master of public policy program may be the next step toward achieving your professional goals. However, you should always keep in mind that the admission process is highly competitive and requires a great deal…

Wondering how to write about your research interests without loosing all your hair from stress in the process? Don’t worry – you have the power to make it an enjoyable – and enlightening – process! If you’re keen to secure admission into your dream graduate program, then…

Are you an aspiring neuroscientist looking to get into a top graduate program? You know your grades and research experience are important — but nothing sets you apart like a compelling, well-written neuroscience statement of purpose. If you want yours to rise above the hundreds of applications…

The daunting process of applying to graduate degree programs can be as complex and stressful as it is exciting. If you’re in the midst of this process, you’ve probably already encountered a few unique pieces that may seem confusing at first – like your personal statement and…

Are you in the process of writing your statement of purpose (SOP) for an MS in Computer Science? You’re probably feeling a lot of pressure to craft something convincing and powerful that will help you stand out from the competition. After all, this could be your ticket…

Whether you’re an undergraduate student just starting to explore speech pathology or a career changer with years of work experience behind you, writing your statement of purpose (SOP) for a speech pathology graduate program can be intimidating. In this post, we’ll demystify the speech pathology SOP by…

It is not easy to write an MS in business analytics statement of purpose. However, while each student’s background and experience is unique, there are some tried and true tips and strategies that can help anyone tell their story and “wow” the admissions committee. In this post,…

Writing a great Statement of Purpose for data science can feel overwhelming — but with the right structure and strategy, you can absolutely stand out. Why Your SOP Matters in Data Science Admission The statement of purpose plays a critical role in determining whether a candidate is…