SOP QUESTIONNAIRE TO SAT STUDENTS

Dear Student,

Please fill in the following questionnaire. All questions are mandatory. The amount of effort
you put into answering the following questions will determine the quality of your SOP. Please
do not copy from examples or from the internet.

1. Where did you do your schooling? Try to recollect any special moments of your
school life which is related to your interest in this specific course. Which are (or
were) your favorite subjects in school? (give dates)

Example: I remember watching Bhool Bhulaiya, which is a Bollywood movie, in which a

Psychologist helps people overcome social issues stigmatized within society. This was a great
motivation for me. I have done my entire schooling at the International School of Chouiefat,
Dubai. My favorite subjects were Math and Physics.

Do not repeat the instance/qualities in each question. Please do not copy from examples
or from the internet.

Your answer:

2. What projects or special assignments (related to academics – for example you made
some model during science exhibition etc.) did you undertake in your school? (give
dates)

Example: I have been part of a Business Project, as part of our Business Studies class in grade
11 (2010-2011), wherein we created a business model for a hotel, with proposals for its
location, expenses, and so forth.

Do not repeat the instance/qualities in each question. Please do not copy from examples
or from the internet.

Your answer:

3. Please mention significant extracurricular activities, including hobbies, during

school and how they affected your development? (give dates)

Example: My significant extracurricular activity has been participating as in the Model United
Nations (MUN). In March 2010, I attended a MUN conference in Athens, Greece, representing
Egypt in the Special Political Decolonization Committee. In October 2010, a second
conference was held in Chennai, India, where I represented Vietnam in the Disarmament and
International Security Committee. At MUN, I was researched and investigated issues on an
international platform, debated with participants in a public international forum, and gained
insight into local, contemporary, and global concerns. My involvement thus emerges from a
genuine interest in both regional and international affairs.
Do not repeat the instance/qualities in each questionquestion. Please do not copy from
examples or from the internet.

Your answer:

4. What is the course you want to apply for?

Example: I aim to apply for a major in Mechanical Engineering, with a minor in Finance.

Do not repeat the instance/qualities in each question. Please do not copy from examples
or from the internet.

Your answer:

5. Please mention why this particular course interests you?

Example: Ever since I was a kid, I have always been interested in things that move and how
they move. When I was in the 7th grade, I made a solar powered car and represented my school
in a solar powered car racing competition. This event introduced me to the world of mechanics
and now, 5 years later, I would like to do a course on mechanical engineering. Today, since the
world is becoming a smarter planet, electronics has a lot of applicability. Inducing intelligence
in an ordinary device like a refrigerator or a car, with the help electronics is an idea that
fascinates me and hence I would like to do a course in electronics and electrical engineering.

Do not repeat the instance/qualities in each question. Please do not copy from examples
or from the internet.

Your answer:

6. What do you want to do after your graduation – short-term career goal?

Example: The fact that my parents are both doctors instilled in me the longing to become one
myself. It is an ambition I have nursed all through childhood. Believing in the wisdom of
advanced or prior preparation I have always excelled in my studies and after passing my 10th
grade Board examinations with a high distinction I took up the Science stream with Biology.
While I still have to appear for my grade 12th Board examinations, in class I have consistently
performed well to rank amongst the top 1%. Watching my parents at work, studying the
Sciences, and constantly challenging myself to give of my best, is all preparatory to a future in
medicine. Immediately after Bachelor’s, I see myself working as a Pharmacist with a leading
Pharmaceutical company in Malaysia.

Do not repeat the instance/qualities in each question. Please do not copy from examples
or from the internet.

Your answer:
7. What are your reasons for applying to this particular University? (If unable to
answer, please discuss with your admissions counselor and essay writer.)

Example:
I am applying to 6 universities and following are the reasons for each:
1. ABC University:
a. It has X, Y and Z courses
b. I want work with professors W and X.
2. OVW University:
a. It has X, Y and Z courses
b. I want work with professors W and X
c. I want to take up the multi-disciplinary program 1234.
Do not repeat the instance/qualities in each question. Please do not copy from examples
or from the internet.

Your answer:

9. Has any book/person or event inspired your personality/perspective? Please share

details explaining why and how.

Example: My life changed forever when my grandfather, who spent his life searching for a
cure for cancer, succumbed to the disease after exposure to carelessly stored radioactive
material in his colleague’s cabinet. At the tender age of three, although I could barely
understand his last words work for a better society, help the poor, work for your nation, and
love your mother, his feeble yet assertive voice became engraved in my heart and soul forever.
As I grew up, I watched my family members become the embodiment of his last wishes; my
uncle, a cancer specialist, worked for charitable hospitals, my grandmother fed and educated
underprivileged children, and my parents volunteered at orphanages and old age homes. Not
to forget my pet who, in his own way, gave me lessons of selfless love. Henceforth, I spent my
childhood organizing fund raisers, collecting food and clothes for orphanages, visiting cancer
patients, teaching origami to differently abled children, spending time with the elderly, and
contributing to my alma mater through leadership roles such as High School Vice President,
Class President, NHS, and Honor Council. Understanding that I was destined to serve society,
I found my path when in Nigeria. Witnessing hot sultry nights without a fan and children
struggling to study in candlelight fuelled my tenacity to find solutions to society’s energy needs

Do not repeat the instance/qualities in each question. Please do not copy from examples
or from the internet.

Your answer:

11. Tell us something surprising (about you) that is relevant to your reason for pursuing
studies abroad.

Example: My life has been a saga of challenges. Having been raised in a country that values
education more than anything else, I have constantly fought battles with my own conscience
in choosing academics or sports. Very recently, i.e. in the XII grade, I had to compete for the
National Team trials just prior to my board exams. With my parents’ support, I went for the
trials and beat the National Champion to earn a place in the National Team of Pistol Shooting.
Post which, I went on to participate in world cups in Tucson and London pre-Olympics during
the Board examinations.

Do not repeat the instance/qualities in each question. Please do not copy from examples
or from the internet.

Your answer:

12. Why would your future classmates want to have you in their class?

Example: My consistent excellent academic performance, early leadership roles, interests in a

variety of activities ranging from sports, acting, dancing, debating and athletics lead me to
believe that I can spearhead activities, be passionate involved in community initiatives and
work as a productive member in a project team. Given the scope of my contribution, I believe
I have a lot to offer my future classmates.

Do not repeat the instance/qualities in each question. Please do not copy from examples
or from the internet.

Your answer:

Please remember:
1. The amount of effort you put into answering the following
questions will determine the quality of your Statement of
Purpose.
2. We will use only relevant information from your questionnaire to
write your SOP. So, we may not use some of the information or
alter some as per need.