Write a strong opening. An applicant should research and thoroughly understand the graduate program's mission and academic coursework. Give a brief explanation on how your career and personal goals match the graduate program. Be knowledgeable and up-to-date about the trends in your industry. Clearly show this in the opening. Strike a balance between confidence and humility and make the opening no more than one to two paragraphs in length.
Present a compelling story about your personal and professional growth. Complete an assessment of work history, career highlights, awards and previous personal challenges. The goal is to present a complete picture of who you are to the admissions committee. Discuss your career path and goals, and what led to an interest in the graduate program. Personalize the statement in a way that intrigues the committee and leaves them wanting to learn more about you as an applicant. If previous academic records stand out as unremarkable or poor, explain why. Discuss previous challenges with honesty, but to do not make excuses for past mishaps. Show how you conquered the situation and moved on. Write your statement chronologically and keep it concise.
Answer specific questions posed by the admissions committee. Usually, the committee will give a series of questions to an applicant to address in a statement of intent. For example, the admissions committee may ask an applicant to describe how the school's program, relevant staff and facilities help improve your skill and knowledge base as a professional. Some programs may give you a specific theme or topic to address. Make sure to answer all questions thoroughly. Write your statement well in advance of the graduate application deadline. A good statement of intent should take several months of preparation, proofreading and editing.