Sample SOP for Data Science, Switzerland

A recent report by Marketsandmarkets, a revenue and advisory firm said that the market size of the data science field is going to reach USD 322.9 billion with a CAGR of 27.75 by 2026. These statistics prove that the data science sector is about to witness tremendous growth in the near future. Many students are interested in studying Data science because of the enormous potential that lies in this field. The USA, UK, Canada, and Switzerland are some of the top countries with the best universities offering exceptional data science programs. A bachelor’s program in Data Science will teach you how to extract meaningful insights from data, and about designing and analyzing various analytical procedures. Machine learning, cloud computing, data mining, and data visualization, are some of the important concepts you will learn about in this program. While applying for this program at a university, you have to submit a statement of purpose. Sometimes, writing an SOP can be quite confusing especially if you are writing it for the first time, or are having difficulty following the format. In such a situation, reading some of the samples can prove to be beneficial. You can have a look at the Data Science SOP sample in the latter part of this blog. If you need further guidance, you can seek professional help from agencies like Contentholic. In this blog, we will be focusing on how you can compose a stellar statement of purpose for Data Science.

What is an SOP? Why is it Important?

In a Data Science SOP you explain your reasons for pursuing this program, give a brief overview of your academic and professional background, your skills, interests, career aspirations, and how this program will help you achieve your future goals. It is important to write an SOP, as it plays an integral role in determining your chances of getting admission to your dream university. Let us find out why universities require students to submit an SOP. You need to understand that you are not the only one to apply for this program, there are several other students like you with the same level of qualifications. 

A program like Data Science witnesses a lot of applications. In such a situation, you need to put your best foot forward, by presenting yourself in a way that sets you apart from the others. This is why you need to write an SOP, in which you get to describe more things about yourself beyond the academic realm. You have to write about your skills, abilities, and interests. They want to know your thoughts, opinions, and views regarding your decision to pursue Data Science, and how you will add value to their institution. An SOP showcases what motivates you to study this subject, and gives you a chance to tell your unique story- your challenges, insights, and what makes you a deserving candidate.

The Power of a Personal Narrative: Writing an SOP for Data Science

While writing an SOP for Data science, you have to incorporate the following details:

– Introductory Paragraph

Introduce the reader to why you want to study Data Science. Instead of using a generic statement, be creative and include a quote, statistics, or a personal anecdote related to the subject. Give a brief personal introduction and mention the course and university you are applying to. 

– Academic Details

Highlight relevant coursework, academic achievements, or experiences that shaped your initial interest in this subject. Also, talk about your participation in any extracurricular activities or whether you were assigned any leadership roles, to showcase your positive attributes and qualities. In case you have faced any challenges in your academic life, explain how you overcame them. If you have done a course related to Data science earlier, explain how having prior knowledge about this field influenced your decision to pursue higher studies in this domain.

– Professional Background

If you have any prior work experience, especially if it is related to Data Science, focus on talking about how having practical knowledge of this field will help you while pursuing this program. For instance, you can describe any work projects, tasks, internships, etc. Write about specific skills and competencies that you developed as a result of your professional experience. This will demonstrate your caliber and potential for the program. Also, if you faced any setbacks on the work front, explain how you faced this situation, and whether this led you to opt for higher studies. 

– Studying Data Science at a particular university abroad

Write about what fascinates you about this field, because of which you want to pursue higher studies in this domain. If you are inspired by a remarkable personality related to this field, you can write about that as well. Highlight specific curriculum details of the university and how it aligns with your interests. You can write about the relevance and demand of the subject. Focus on the factors that show why the university you have applied to offers the best program for Data science.  

– Reasons to study abroad

Address the reasons why you chose to study Data science in a particular country and not your home country. For instance, you can write about how the country provides the best environment for pursuing higher studies in data science, by highlighting its education system, research and development opportunities, etc. which is why you decided to study here. Apart from that, you can explain how earning a degree from this country will present you as a more deserving candidate in front of prospective employers. 

-Future Aspirations

Write about your immediate plans upon completion of this program. What are your short-term and long-term goals and how will this program help you achieve them? Focus on how earning a Master’s degree in Data Science will enhance your career prospects, and will equip you with the necessary skills and competencies required for a professional to excel in this field. 

– Concluding Statement

Toward the end of your SOP, reiterate your interest in studying Data Science, and how you look forward to studying at a particular university. Express your enthusiasm for being a part of a new cultural environment overseas, and show your gratitude to the admissions committee for their valuable time in viewing your application.

You can have a look at the data science statement of purpose sample given below. It has been written based on the assigned format and guidelines.

Data Science is certainly scripting a transformation in the computing world and as a researcher in the TCS research lab, I find myself inextricably attracted towards this exciting domain. Striving for excellence has been a central motif in my life and my academic orientation is testimony to the fact. From winning several state level Mathematics and Science competitions, to receiving the highly prestigious Indira Award for excellent academic achievement in high school, constant learning and growth are a source of motivation for me. 

The seeds of my interest in data science were laid during my internship in Nucleus Software Ltd. during my B.Tech program at IIIT, Delhi.  My project saw me test and hone my programming skills by developing models of several standard algorithms like KNN, Decision trees, Bayesian Classifier, ada boosting ensembler and SVN. The B.Tech program has laid a sound foundation of Machine Learning, Image Analysis, Linear Algebra, Cryptography, Logics for Computer Science, Probability and Statistics apart from practical skills in  Machine Learning, Deep RL Robotics, Probabilistic models, Image Processing, Python, C++ and  OOP. During my under graduation, I immersed myself in various projects and research work, interning with Adobe Systems and The Indian Statistical Institute to work at the intersection of cryptography and machine learning by applying Machine Learning operations on encrypted data. My greatest learning was perhaps my internship at Adobe, where I used machine-learning skills in real world industry applications. The unparalleled sense of achievement on developing a smart feature called Video to Collage that could extract beautiful candid frames from an iPhone shot video to enable share, edit or collages from those extracted frames ignited the desire to develop something of value.  As a Researcher in the Research & Innovation Labs, TATA Consultancy Services, I got the opportunity to implement Visual Servoing on UR5 Robot in simulation as well as real world in eye-in-hand configuration with six degrees of freedom. The proudest moment of my career was when the project using Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient Algorithm and gazebo simulator was submitted for publication in IEEE Winter Conference on Applications of Computer Vision, 2019.

At this juncture in my professional and academic journey, my keen interest in data science and the desire to enhance my professional skills and knowledge prompted me to pursue a Masters in Analytics from ETH. I am confident that this innovative program will empower me with the requisite skill set to fuel my metamorphosis into a Data science professional. I look forward to exploring Data mining, Data Visualization, Cloud Computing and Stochastic processes under the impeccable guidance of experts like Prof Andreas Krause. I am confident that the state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge curriculum and opportunities for experiential learning at the University will equip me to delve deeper into the vast spectrum of data science. Given my engineering background, academic orientation and scientific temper, coupled with hands-on experience in research and development, I believe I am more than ready to meet the requirements of this challenging and avant-garde program.  It will indeed be an honor and the fulfillment of a long cherished dream to be a part of your prestigious university, giving flight to my lofty ambitions of a fulfilling career in Data Science and research. 

Final Thoughts

So, you see how a statement of purpose is an essential part of your application process. It holds the key to your future success. Writing an SOP should be a representation of your reasons for pursuing this program, and how it will help you achieve your career goals. Write it in a manner that properly displays your skills, interests, and enthusiasm for being a part of the program. The sample statement of purpose for Data Science included in this blog has been written according to the basic format. If you require additional help regarding SOP writing, it is best to seek professional help. We, at Contentholic, have some of the best SOP writers in India who are quite experienced and familiar with the application requirements of several universities. Our writers emphasize producing high-quality content that is free of errors and plagiarism. Feel free to contact us if you have any issues when it comes to writing an SOP. 

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