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Overview
When it comes to writing a statement of purpose for your university application, it is very crucial that you give attention to the details and craft an SOP that works like a charm on the admissions committee. But how do you start? What should you know before writing an SOP? What all should you consider while writing your SOP? Don't worry; here is a step-by-step approach to starting and completing a university SOP for health informatics.
Toolkit for SOP for health informatics
We have compiled a comprehensive toolkit for crafting an SOP for university admissions as a health informatics student. Prior to drafting your own SOP, make sure that you go through the toolkit to understand the four essential elements of crafting a well-written SOP with relevant examples.
| Action Item | Points to be considered | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction (motivation and goals) | What acted as your source of inspiration to pursue health informatics? | Inspired by sister's career in health informatics OR Motivated to work on research in cancer treatment |
| What skill sets have you acquired? | Problem solving and analytical thinking skills OR Background in statistics and foundational computer knowledge | |
| What are you aiming for in a career in health informatics? | To become a health informatics specialist OR To become a cancer researcher | |
| Body paragraph I (learning, execution, and impact) | Relay information about your academic background. | Completed Bachelor of Technology program from the University of Kashmir OR Got a degree in Bachelor of Science in Statistics (Honours) degree from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, completed a Medical Terminology Pre-Lab (MET HE 100) course from Boston University's website. |
| Relay information about your professional background. | Worked as an intern in the colleg's machine learning club OR Worked as a Python developer at AK Technologies for 14 months | |
| Relay information about your academic and professional accomplishments. | Worked with frameworks such as PyTorch and NumPy OR Been an active member of the college's drama club and performed in various period dramas, became skilled in identifying data issues and monitoring existing data metrics while maintaining large databases through work experience, knowledge of basic medical terminology | |
| Body paragraph II (why course, why university) | Relay information about your reason for studying a course in health informatics. | To enhance my expertise and credibility in the field of health informatics OR To build an advanced career in cancer informatics sector |
| Relay information about your reason for choosing this particular course. | Get the opportunity to earn a joint degree which features enhanced courses from the School of Information, School of Public Health and the School of Medicine Department of Learning Health Sciences OR As the course is STEM designated which complement's my mathematical background | |
| Relay information about your reason for choosing this particular university. | Robust curriculum, opportunity to collaborate with students and professors from distinguished backgrounds, impressive laboratories OR To learn and work alongside Neha Bhomia, who is the Adjunct Lecturer in Information in the Health Informatics department and has also done great research work in the same area | |
| Provide information on how you will be a valuable addition to the university. | By contributing to the research group and brainstorming solutions to current problems in health informatics OR By becoming a part of the university's drama club | |
| Conclusion (closing statement) | Relay information about your short-term goals. | To get an entry-level job in health informatics at a reputable firm OR To secure a position in cancer informatics research |
| Relay information about your long-term goals. | TMove to a senior position as a health informatics specialist OR Ascend to the position of a senior researcher in a recognized cancer research institute or center | |
| Relay information about your contribution to society with health informatics. | Contribute to the betterment of society by preventing any misuse of medical data for any patient OR Contribute by by generating new hypotheses for investigating new cures for cancer |
Sample SOP for a student with a background in health informatics
"Health informatics is about bringing data and new technologies to efforts to improve human health." - Kishor Vaidya
As I embark on my journey in health informatics, I am reminded of this quote by Kishor Vaidya. I have always been intrigued by science and technology and their application to almost all sectors. My sister who has been working as an Information Specialist for the past 4 years, has been a driving force in motivating me to build a career in health informatics. Talking to her always fascinated me towards this field, given that it is an intersection of technology and healthcare. As a data science student looking forward to building a rewarding career, earning a postgraduate degree in health informatics would allow me to realize the same.I aspire to be a health informatics specialist, a career that harnesses my long-time fascination with science and commitment to improve the quality of life for those undergoing crucial medical problems.I perceive myself as an ideal candidate for studying health informatics with my industry-hardened skills of programming and database languages, along with analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills to build a career as a health informatics specialist.
My interest in information technology dates back to my schooling years, where I first started studying information technology as part of my school curriculum. This interest led me to pursue a Bachelor of Technology program from the University of Kashmir.The spring break following my second year's exams, I got the opportunity to intern at my college's machine learning club. During the two-month internship, I worked with frameworks such as PyTorch and NumPy. In the time period, I found that I excelled, in particular, at database programming because of my interest in integrating data. All of my experiences at the internship helped me to understand the world of data science and machine learning and inspired me to follow the same career path. Motivated by my sister's career as an information specialist, I marveled at the prospect of building a career in health informatics.
In light of this, I decided to take up the masters program in health informatics because I am interested in the role it will play in the advancement of my career, helping me transition into the healthcare segment. After extensive research on colleges and universities, I was impelled to apply to The Master of Health Informatics program at the University of Michigan to enhance my expertise and credibility in this field.Getting the chance to study The Master of Health Informatics program will help me earn a joint degree that features enhanced courses from the School of Information, the School of Public Health, and the School of Medicine Department of Learning Health Sciences. Moreover, it would be a privilege for me to learn and work alongside Neha Bhomia, who is the adjunct lecturer in Information in the health informatics department and has also done great research work in the same area.With the number of opportunities at the University of Michigan, I wish to contribute to the research group and brainstorm solutions to current problems in health informatics.
I am confident that my step towards acquiring a masters degree will provide me with various job opportunities in the field of health informatics. After earning my degree, I aim to get an entry-level job in health informatics at a reputable firm as my short-term goal. Nonetheless, in the long term, I aspire to climb the corporate ladder and move to a senior position as a health informatics specialist.On a bigger note, I feel that working within this profession will help me contribute to the betterment of society by preventing any misuse of medical data for any patient. I believe that The Master of Health Informatics program at the University of Michigan will prepare me for the role of health informatics specialist, helping me realize my dream of becoming one.
Sample SOP for a student with a different background
"Information is the lifeblood of medicine and health information technology is destined to be the circulatory system for that information." - David Blumenthal
Since my early years, I have been captivated by mathematics and statistics, as it has helped me better understand the complexities of the world. Exploring numbers and patterns soon translated into solving complicated algebraic expressions and calculus problems. This led me to pursue an undergraduate degree in statistics. Nonetheless, there was a turning point in my life when I got introduced to cancer informatics, a branch of health informatics. Cancer has touched countless lives, be it through a close family member or a relative. And as someone who lost her grandmother and aunt because of cancer, the opportunity to contribute to the research field in cancer seemed to be a rewarding career path. This revelation prompted me to shift my academic focus from statistics to health informatics. I believe that studying health informatics will allow me to work in the healthcare industry despite my non-medical background. I am confident that my background in statistics and foundational computer knowledge will help me to realize my dream of becoming a cancer researcher.
During my Bachelor of Science in Statistics (Honours) degree from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi, I studied statistics and programming languages side by side. This helped to broaden my understanding of the logic behind it all, strengthening my analytical and problem-solving skills. In addition to my academic breadth, I have been an active participant in a variety of extracurricular activities, especially theater. As a member of my college's drama club, I have honed my creativity and communication skills by performing in various period dramas. Following my degree, I was well into the pursuit of getting a masters degree in applied statistics to work as a researcher until I learned about health informatics.To build a career in statistics, I took a career-enhancing course in data science to develop my programming and database skills, which opened up job opportunities as a Python developer for me. Building upon the same, I worked as a Python developer at AK Technologies for 14 months, where I became skilled in identifying data issues and monitoring existing data metrics while maintaining large databases.Moreover, as per the university's requirements, I have completed the Medical Terminology Pre-Lab (MET HE 100) course from Boston University's website which has equipped me with an understanding of the basic medical terminology.
Motivated by this realization, I decided to pursue a MS in Health Informatics program from Boston University to build an advanced career in the cancer informatics sector. What sets the university apart is not only its robust curriculum but also the opportunity to collaborate with a number of students and professors from distinguished backgrounds. I believe the program to be a perfect fit for a student like me as it is STEM designated, given the fact that I am transitioning from a mathematics dominated field.In return, I hope to become a part of the university's drama club, aside from my academic contribution. I am confident that the university's environment coupled with my ambition would promise me an immersive learning experience.
Choosing this program is not merely a strategic decision but also a conscious step towards building a career in the field of healthcare and technology. My short-term goal after the completion of my degree is to secure a position in cancer informatics research. In the long-term, I aim to ascend to the position of a senior researcher in a recognized cancer research institute or center. I believe that my career aspirations will not only help me sustain my lifestyle but also contribute to the betterment of society by generating new hypotheses for investigating new cures for cancer. I am looking forward to the opportunity to pursue a degree that reflects my future ambitions and to becoming a successful cancer researcher.
How to write an SOP for health informatics
Here, we have provided you with an in-depth explanation of how to write an SOP for health informatics.
Introduction (motivation and goal)
First, decide on writing a hook line that appeals to the SOP reader. Make sure to use the statement of purpose hooks in the reader by throwing in a twist or in a compelling way. It is advisable to add a quote that inspired you to enter the field of health informatics or any change that you wish to bring to society by pursuing a degree in health informatics for writing a perfect statement of purpose.
Checklist for writing introduction:
- Hook (quote related to health informatics)
- Source of motivation
- Long-term goal
- Reason to pursue the course
- Unique aspects about your personality
- Future goals
Body paragraph I (learning, execution, and impact)
After the introduction, start off your first body paragraph by mentioning your academic and professional background and highlight your accomplishments during the same. When you talk about your professional background and work experience, you will have to nitpick particular skills that you learned that are relevant to your health informatics. The point here is to show the SOP reader how all your cumulative experiences over the years impacted you and made you choose the path of health informatics.
Checklist for writing body paragraph I:
- Academic accomplishments
- Professional accomplishments
- Strengths and weaknesses
- Impact of all the cumulative experiences
- In case of a fresher, talk about internships and volunteerships
Body paragraph II (why course, why university)
Be straightforward and upfront about your achievements and goals that relate you to the university's course. Also, make sure to give them a reason on how you will be a valuable asset to the university other than your academics. Then, mention how you will be of value to the society which will allow you to share in the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that you will feel beyond your career aspirations.
Checklist for writing body paragraph II:
- The skills and knowledge you know related to health informatics
- Why this particular college/university?
- What do you like about the university?
- How can you be a valuable addition to the college/university?
Conclusion (closing statement)
At the end of your statement of purpose, give the SOP reader an insight into your career goals upon completion of your health informatics program. To explain your career trajectory, talk about your short and long-term goals that you wish to achieve with passage of time.
Checklist for writing conclusion:
- Path to achieve your career goals (short-term and long-term goals)
- What after the course (long-term goals)
- Contribution towards the society
Conclusion
Overall, writing an SOP for university as a health informatics student can be quite a daunting task. Nevertheless, by reading our toolkit on writing an SOP, you can gain insight on how you can elevate your SOP and show your desired university that you're the perfect fit for them. Our guide provides you with two sample SOPs if you're a student with a similar or different background.
FAQs
Why should you study health informatics?
The best part about getting a degree in health informatics is that it is a broad career path that promises a wide range of job opportunities in numerous fields related to healthcare. Beyond its wide scope, healthcare informatics is a growing career option with lucrative salaries on an average of $104,830 per year. The dynamic nature of health informatics promises a secure career option for students looking to work with healthcare and technology. By getting a masters degree in health informatics, you can become qualified for the roles of clinical analyst, health information analyst, data analyst, and data manager.
Why is SOP important?
An SOP provides you with the opportunity to give an extended explanation of your academic and professional background in relation to your future goals that cannot be mentioned in your resume or application form for the university. As admissions officers have too many applications to check in one single day, an SOP helps to provide them an essence of your life with respect to your course, university, past experiences and future goals.
How long should an SOP be?
An ideal SOP for a university should be for 600-1000 words in case it is not already stated by your chosen university's SOP guidelines.
What should be the tone of an SOP?
Make sure that you use a formal yet conversational tone while writing a statement of purpose for university admission. Refrain from using any informal or colloquial language as your SOP directly appeals to the university;s admissions; committee. Another thing to keep in mind is that you should not use flattery or flowery language that only targets praising the university; instead, state concrete facts that represent why you actually wish to be a part of the university.
Recommended Readings:
How to Write SOP for Healthcare Management with Sample SOP
SOP for Australia - How to Write an Effective SOP for Australia
