Suffice to say, writing a strong statement of academic purpose is a pivotal part of your application because it serves as your personal narrative, allowing you to present yourself as a suitable candidate for the programme of your choice. It is important to spend quite some time on this part of the application so that you can showcase your unique qualifications in a compelling way, thus distinguishing yourself from other applicants and leaving a lasting impression on the selectors for the programme.

A few general guidelines provided for writing a good statement include:

• Expressing your academic motivations for applying to the specific programme
• Mentioning your suitability and background
• Answering specifically: why LSE?

It is also important to note that some programmes have specific requirements which can differ from the above, so researching about your particular programme is beneficial. 

I will now explain in greater detail how you can write a compelling statement that stands out by providing some specific advice for each of these aforementioned guidelines.

Academic motivations

When stating your academic motivations for applying for the programme, specifically express why you are interested in studying beyond your past experiences. Perhaps during your undergraduate degree or professional experience you came up with some ideas or unanswered questions which you would like to pursue further studies in? 

Research about who’s part of the teaching staff in the department. If you are interested in working under a specific professor of your programme or find the particular approaches listed in the programme modules inspiring, mention your genuine interest in the same. 

It is also important to think about your future after the completion of the programme. Will the knowledge and skills gained from your studies help you in your career goals? How? Be real in your application, and mention how the programme aligns with your aspirations.

Background

It is important to write in detail about your academic, voluntary and professional achievements relevant to the programme. This helps you showcase that you meet the prerequisites of the programme, if any, and that you will excel as a student of the department. 

Highlight any research experiences or projects you’ve undertaken, emphasising the methodologies employed and your findings. Don’t write too many general details about where you studied/worked; rather, mention the impacts of your work and how you are ready to take on the challenges that come with pursuing a competitive and rigorous degree.

Why LSE?

I would recommend you to think about this question in detail. What about LSE stood out and inspired you to want to apply? How is the programme at LSE going to help you meet your goals? What about the specific programme and faculty draws you in?

Note that mentioning general statements about wanting to study in a global city like London or about LSE’s global ranking will not help. Don’t mention any other universities, either. It is important here to be specific about the programme of your choice, and why it stands out at LSE as a degree you are motivated to pursue. Align your personal values with those of LSE’s and demonstrate how your growth mindset will allow you to flourish in a school with people from all backgrounds.

Last, but not least, proofread your statement numerous times. Ask your family and friends to go through it, too – an outside perspective will allow you to understand how your statement is being perceived.

Good luck! 

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