If you have ever applied to a foreign university for admission you would have encountered the toughest hurdle in the application process - writing essays to support your application. Increasingly post graduate institutes of education in India too are using essays or statements of purpose as part of the selection procedure.
Some companies also ask entry level applicants to write a an essay.
Essays are used to learn more about your reasons for applying to the course, university or company and your ability to benefit from and contribute to it. Your answers will let you state your case more fully than other sections of the application, and provide the evaluator with better insight about you and how you differ from the other applicants. In marginal cases, the essays are used to decide whether an applicant will be selected. The purpose of the admissions essay is to convey a sense of your unique character to the admissions committee. The essay also demonstrates your writing skills as well as your ability to organize your thoughts coherently.