BRO/SIS DO YOU EVEN LIFT(RESEARCH)?

Dear Future Global Citizens,

I hope this email meets you in good shape. 

Today, I would like to take this opportunity to applaud you for your unwavering dedication to pursuing your study abroad goals. I know it is not easy. I’ve been there before, I can remember the late nights spent working on my application documents like my CV, SOP, Research Proposal…name it. 

But you know what, this work was well worth it. The scholarship lifestyle is the best. First of all the experience you go through before winning a scholarship transforms you and equips you with a lot of life skills like planning, perseverance, strategizing etc. Secondly, imagine not having to worry about school fees, monthly allowance etc.

Anyways, let's get back to the topic of today. In today’s tutorial, I will be talking about one aspect of your application that you most likely have been overlooking.

It is about doing research and planning for your Statement of Purpose. Here is a question for you:

DO YOU EVEN RESEARCH? 

Do you do any research and planning before you even start writing your SOP? Or do you just grab your pen or keyboard (if you are GenZ) and just start writing what comes into your mind?

I will tell you now that if your answer was the latter, then forget about winning scholarships. Your application will never be competitive that way.

To win scholarships, you need competitive documents including your SOP.

This all starts with your Study Abroad Mission. I have talked about this twice already in this email list. You need to do some research in order to come up with a study abroad mission that is captivating and meets the 5 aspects of the perfect study abroad mission. 

How do you do this? By research.

If you want to study mechanical engineering, You have to do some research to understand the forefront topics in mechanical engineering. Is it memory based materials? Is it 3D printing?

Doing this research is simple too. Google is your friend here.

Simply go to www.google.com and ask these sort of questions:

“What topics are at the forefront of research in mechanical engineering?”

“What are the new and interesting areas of research in renewable energy?”

Armed with questions like these, your study abroad mission statement would stand out from the competition.

Now back to your SOP. What sort of research should you be doing here?

A core part of your SOP is your passion story. Essentially, this is the story behind how you came about with your study abroad mission and how you aim to achieve this mission by way of your postgraduate degree aka the bridge analogy (I’ll go into details on passion stories and bridge analogies in another email so stay tuned). A good passion story is one that is equipped with context and context here means relevant information and numbers. How do you get this information and numbers? It is through research.

Imagine this:

Peter aims to do a masters degree in Cyber Security and his study abroad mission simplified as follows:

“I am dedicated to exploring advanced techniques and systems within the field of cybersecurity engineering, with a specific focus on risk assessment and system design. My mission is to develop innovative solutions aimed at mitigating the pervasive issue of internet fraud in West Africa. By gaining a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced in this region, I seek to contribute to the creation of robust and effective cybersecurity measures that will significantly reduce the incidence of online fraud. Through this study abroad experience, I aim to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to make a meaningful impact in enhancing digital security in West Africa, ultimately fostering a safer online environment for individuals and businesses alike” 

So if Peter goes on to write 2 passion stories, one with researched context and the other without as follows:

Without Research Context: “In the heart of my journey lies an unwavering passion for combating the pervasive threat of internet fraud in West Africa through the realm of cybersecurity engineering. Witnessing the detrimental impact of online fraud on individuals and businesses in the region has ignited a fervent desire within me to delve into the advanced techniques and systems that can serve as the bulwark against such threats. My study abroad mission is not just an academic pursuit; it is a commitment to understanding the intricacies of risk assessment and system design to forge innovative solutions. This passion, born from a deep sense of responsibility to contribute to the digital resilience of West Africa, propels me toward a graduate school education where I aspire to hone my skills and knowledge. It is a call to action, an exploration of the intersection between technology and social impact, and a dedication to crafting novel cybersecurity systems that will safeguard the digital landscape of West Africa and beyond”

With Research Context: “At the epicenter of my journey lies an impassioned commitment to combat the alarming surge of internet fraud wreaking havoc on West Africa's digital landscape. Recent reports, such as the Cybersecurity Trends and Threats Analysis 2023, underscore a staggering 60% increase in online fraud incidents in the region over the past year alone. These incidents not only translate into millions of dollars in financial losses but also reveal a profound impact on countless individuals and businesses, with a 40% rise in compromised personal data. Faced with these alarming statistics, my resolve to embark on my mission rooted in cybersecurity engineering is fortified. Fueled by the urgency reflected in these recent reports, my dedication goes beyond the academic realm; it is a strategic response to the pressing need for advanced techniques in risk assessment and system design. Armed with this current awareness of the profound impact on the socio-economic fabric of West Africa, I am driven to contribute meaningfully to the mitigation of internet fraud. My journey to graduate school is a deliberate step towards acquiring the necessary expertise to develop novel cybersecurity systems, aiming to secure the digital future of West Africa and stem the tide of financial losses and personal data breaches as outlined in the most recent data analysis.”

Which one do you think the admissions committee picks? Let me know your choice.

Perhaps if you are feeling game, you could share with us your mission statement and passion story backed with research context.

As usual, I remain dedicated to helping you achieve your study abroad goals.

Regards,

Zino Ojogbo

Your Study Abroad Guru