Workshop on Shortlisting U.S. Universities and Writing Your SOP | A Report

“Workshop on Shortlisting U.S. Universities and Writing Your SOP: Key Strategies and Common Mistakes to Avoid”

Wednesday, 23rd July 2025

Event Report

By Ms. Keerthana

[Intern, Office of International Programmes]

The Office of International Programmes organized a workshop titled “Shortlisting U.S. Universities and Writing Your SOP: Key Strategies and Common Mistakes to Avoid” on 24 July 2025 at the Chemistry Seminar Hall.

The event was conducted in collaboration with EducationUSA, a U.S. Department of State-supported advising network, and the American Center, Chennai.

The programme began with a welcome note and the introduction of the guest speakers by the master of ceremonies, Ms. Shrestha.

The speakers were Mr. Rishi Kumar, Programme Associate at the American Center, and EducationUSA advisers Ms. Elizabeth and Mr. Arvind Sivamani. This was followed by the presentation of mementos and a group photograph session.

The session continued with a college prayer led by Ms. Stephanie, an intern, setting a formal tone for the academic engagement ahead.

Dr. Samuel Rufus, Dean of International Programmes, delivered the inaugural address, emphasizing the value of well-crafted Statements of Purpose and the importance of informed university selection. He also acknowledged the support of the institution’s leadership, the efforts of the student intern team, and the contribution of Ms. Rishitha in initiating the collaboration.

Mr. Rishi Kumar opened the technical session by sharing an overview of the American Center and its educational resources. He introduced the audience to the wide range of academic tools and cultural programmes offered at the center, including eLibraryUSA, which provides access to research databases, online English learning platforms, and global newspapers. 

He encouraged students to make use of these free facilities and explained the process of membership registration. He also touched on various U.S. exchange and fellowship programmes available to Indian students.

Ms. Elizabeth followed with an in-depth session on SOP writing. Drawing from her own experience as a recent U.S. graduate, she provided a clear explanation of what universities look for in an SOP. 

Her talk covered the elements of structure, personalization, tone, and common writing errors. She distributed handouts with guided templates and urged students to begin early, revise multiple drafts, and reflect authentically on their academic and career goals. Her session received active engagement from the participants and was appreciated for its clarity and relevance.

The final speaker, Mr. Arvind Sivamani, presented a detailed framework for shortlisting universities. He advised students to evaluate institutions based on five factors: academic alignment, financial affordability, location suitability, campus culture, and career outcomes. Emphasizing the need for a balanced approach, he recommended creating a shortlist that includes reach, match, and safety options. 

He also cautioned against choosing universities solely based on rankings or peer preferences and encouraged a research-driven strategy grounded in EducationUSA’s "5 Steps to U.S. Study" methodology.

Following his session, a question-and-answer segment was conducted, where he addressed individual queries from students and provided detailed clarifications.

In his concluding remarks, Mr. Arvind Sivamani thanked the audience for their patience and active participation. He also announced the upcoming EducationUSA Fair and encouraged all attendees to make use of the opportunity to meet representatives from U.S. universities.

The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Prof. Arun Kumar Joseph, Associate Dean of International Programmes, who acknowledged the speakers, organizers, and participants.