Creating a unique line between an SOP and a LOI

A general thing to note is that a letter of intent (LOI) is more of an outline, while a statement of purpose (SOP) is far more complex and involves extensive research.

A Statement of Purpose (SOP)

A Statement of Purpose (SOP) is an essay required when applying to a college that details how the applicant will use their past experiences to inform their goals for the future. Writing the SOP needs extensive study of the curriculum of the degree program and the academic reputation of the institution you plan to attend. Connecting the past with the present necessitates that you:

• Consider your present and former experiences.
  Provide examples that correspond to the course of study.
• Demonstrate how you will benefit from these experiences while you continue your degree.
  It is not always required to conduct so extensive research when pursuing an advanced degree, such as an MBA or Master’s, because the focus of study in that discipline may already be well established.
• The statement of purpose (SOP) can be revised to include a realistic detail of interest if one is already known.

Use these guidelines as you draft your statement:

• Finish all of your homework.
• Rather than just listing your goals in the SOP, tell a story.
• Explain why you want to get a college degree.
• Be sure to include all relevant information in your SOP without embellishment.
• If you have been assigned a word count, stick to it; if not, stop writing after 1,000.
• Don’t make your sentence sound like a thesaurus by employing too many words at once.
• Don’t steal the work of others.
• The statement in your SOP needs to flow well, be easy to understand and offer evidence for any claims made.
• If you want to be taken seriously as a candidate, you need to demonstrate your dedication.
• In a Statement of Purpose (SOP) for a job application, you should concentrate on what you hope to accomplish in your professional career.

Letter of Intent
An LOI, or Letter of Intent, is a formal document used to communicate the broad outlines of a deal or plan. A letter of intent is a form of informal, nonbinding proposition. The following should be included in the letter when applying to a college or program:

• Planned course of study
• Timeline before the program is considered complete.

The following should also be included in the LOI:

• A summary of the applicant’s background.
• The applicant must plan to tell the organization why he wants to join it.
• A detailed account of all applicable experience and certificates.

Consider the letter of intent as an opportunity to sell the applicant’s talents and experience to the hiring manager. When a potential employer expresses interest in a candidate, that’s when they’ll get a letter like this. A potential employer can use the letter as further evidence in deciding whether or not to schedule an interview with the applicant. The LOI must make the individual stand out among the other applicants.

Here are some guidelines to keep in mind while you write the LOI:

• Write to someone specific in the letter’s intended audience to help establish rapport.
• Avoid using “To Whom It May Concern” or other generic salutations.
• In the first paragraph, introduce yourself and state your motivations for applying.
• Explain in a line or two why you are the ideal candidate by listing your relevant experience and skills.
• A request for a reply should be included in the final paragraph.

In terms of format, the letter needs to cover the following points:

• Use the correct format for a business letter.
• Type in plain fonts like Arial or Courier New.
• Make your font size 12 points. Don’t try this with a bigger hammer!
• You should write in black ink. They will not tolerate any other hue.
• Use white paper.
• To prevent ink from smearing, a laser printer
• should be used wherever possible.
• Formal letter-writing skill is required.
• No one should use slang, insults, or tired old platitudes.
• Specifically, avoid mentioning any of the following pieces of personally identifiable information: Age, Condition of being married, Hobbies etc.
• Never embellish your resume by making up courses you took or jobs you held.
• The letter of intent should never be longer than one page.

After the LOI has been written, it should be proofread by someone else to check for typos and grammatical errors. A neutral party should verify that the letter makes sense and has a focused intent.

You can ask for help in determining the distinction between a letter of intent and a statement of purpose by posting your question to Bamwrite Solutions. Use the “message us on WhatsApp” button for quick professional help.