SOP, CV, LORs & Proposal

Statement of Purpose

The SOP is an argument, not an autobiography. It answers three questions: what do you want to study, why are you prepared for it, and why this program. Write one master draft, then rewrite the final third for every university.

1. 1

   Opening (1 paragraph)

   The specific problem or question that drives you. Start with a concrete moment or observation, never with a quotation or “Since my childhood…”.

2. 2

   Academic background (1–2 paragraphs)

   Courses, thesis and projects that prepared you. Be specific: methods, tools, results.

3. 3

   Experience (1–2 paragraphs)

   Research, work or internships, with outcomes and what you learned from them.

4. 4

   Why this program (1 paragraph)

   Name 2–3 faculty and specific courses, labs or facilities, and say why they match your goal. This paragraph must change per university.

5. 5

   Goals (1 paragraph)

   What you will do immediately after graduating, and the longer plan — including how it connects back to Bangladesh.

Academic CV

• 1–2 pages for a Masters; longer is acceptable for a PhD with publications.
• Order: education, research experience, publications, work experience, technical skills, awards, teaching, references.
• Put your CGPA, thesis title and supervisor under education.
• List publications in a proper citation format; mark papers as “under review” or “in preparation” honestly.
• No photo, no age, no marital status, no religion — the norms differ from a Bangladeshi job CV.
• Use Chakrie's CV builder for a clean first draft, then adapt it to an academic format.

Recommendation letters

1. 1

   Choose the right referees

   Two academic (thesis supervisor, a course teacher who knows your work) and, if relevant, one professional. Seniority matters less than specific knowledge of you.

2. 2

   Ask early and in person

   Give at least four weeks. Ask whether they can write a strong letter — the wording matters; a lukewarm letter hurts.

3. 3

   Give them a pack

   Your CV, SOP draft, transcript, the course/program details, deadlines, and a list of things you did in their class or lab with specifics they can cite.

4. 4

   Make submission easy

   Most systems email the referee a link. Warn them it may land in spam, and remind them politely a week before the deadline.

5. 5

   Waive your right to view

   Where asked (US applications), waive it — confidential letters carry more weight.

Research proposal (PhD and research Masters)

1. Title and abstract — one paragraph a non-specialist can follow.
2. Background and literature — what is known, with recent citations, including work from the group you are applying to.
3. The gap — one clear sentence on what is missing. This is the heart of the proposal.
4. Research questions or objectives — two to four, specific and answerable.
5. Methodology — data, methods, equipment and analysis. Show you know how the work would actually be done.
6. Timeline — a realistic plan by year for a 3–4 year project.
7. Expected contribution — what changes if this works.
8. References — properly formatted, recent, and actually read.

Transcripts, certificates and attestation

• Official transcripts and certificates from every institution since HSC, in sealed envelopes where required.
• English translations by an authorised translator for any document not in English.
• Grading scale letter from your university, explaining the CGPA system and conversion.
• Medium of Instruction certificate, if you plan to request an English test waiver.
• Credential evaluation (WES/ECE) if a US or Canadian university asks for it — start this early, it takes weeks.
• Passport with at least 18 months of validity; the name spelling must match all academic documents.