Assigned in many advanced writing classes offered by the UC Davis University Writing Program, and required in one form or another by most graduate schools and credential programs, the Statement of Purpose may be the most important document written during an undergraduate student's academic career. Below you'll find a few UC Davis sites and documents offering advice and approaches to this writing task, as well as links to resource found at other universities. If you encounter additional relevant Statement of Purpose Resources, please e-mail their location and a brief description to the author of this page, Andy Jones, and they will be soon be added to this collection.
UC Davis students are also strongly encouraged to discuss their statements of purpose with writing experts at the Learning Skills Center and their post-graduate plans with counselors in Advising Services in South Hall.
UC Davis ResourcesAndy Jones's Statement of Purpose Assignment
Expert Advice on Writing the Statement of Purpose
Questions to ask of the First Draft of a Statement of Purpose
"Writing a Statement of Purpose for Graduate School" (PDF)
Graduate School Preparation (Advising Services)
Outside Resources
"Writing a Winning Statement of Purpose" (San Jose State University)
"Preparing your Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement" (UC Santa Barbara)
Last Updated February 2005