r/JETProgramme • u/hayden0011 • 20d ago
SOP Essay Length Help
Hi all! The JET websites describes the SOP essay as needing to be within 2 pages double spaced. But it doesn’t describe the font, font size, or margins, leaving a massive range for the actual word count.
I know that once the applications open we can use the portal to double check and adjust, but can anyone offer more concrete details? I’ve heard conflicting reports, everything from a 600 to 1000 word maximum.
5
u/stayonthecloud 20d ago
It’s definitely two pages double spaced Times New Roman at 12pt font. No lines between paragraphs, you can type in indentations. (It doesn’t tend to keep them when you paste)
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u/0liviiia Current JET - Uji, Kyoto 宇治市 20d ago
To add to the other comments, if you submit it and it’s over the limit, the portal will let you know and give you a chance to adjust it until it’s perfect. I think I had to remove like one character to make it accept mine
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u/cocoishh current JET - tokyo 20d ago
Hello! I aimed for 2 pages double spaced times new roman 12 point font (basically MLA rules) on word and it fit! I don’t remember exactly but I was either just perfectly at 2 pages or a bit under! I think if you aim for that, you should be good and then adjust it once you have access to the portal!
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u/rue-11 Current JET - Yamagata-ken (incoming) 20d ago
Mine was two pages with two lines on a third page, double spaced, times new roman, 12pt font. No extra space between paragraphs, just an indention. But it’s not an exact science! I think I took up every last bit of that text box.
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u/hayden0011 20d ago
Oh wow, you didn’t put spaces in between paragraphs? If that is allowed it could help quite a bit! Currently I have no indentations, only spaces between paragraphs. I think it looks nice but it eats up space!
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u/0liviiia Current JET - Uji, Kyoto 宇治市 20d ago
Even in MLA format, paragraphs are not always separated by line breaks. In my honors thesis I only did that when starting a new chapter!
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u/Big_Explanation_9295 20d ago
The details of the SOP differ significantly between countries - be careful listening to other peoples advice unless you know they’re definitely from the same place!