I am not quite sure about how things wrks for university as I applied for colgs. As far as a i know, SOP makes applicant’s case more strong giving details abt the course, how is it linked to ur previous studies/exp n hw ul benefit frm it in future. My agent was very strict abt the SOP n i paid them for preparing it coz i didn’t wnt to take any risk. It really serves the purpose.
If u’ve applied under SDS, then acc to sDS rules, u have to cover the whole year’s fee before submitting the file for visa else ur documentation is incomplete. But if u applied under SPP, then u can deposit only 1 sem fee n file for the visa. These r things told to me by my agent n i applied under SDS so paid full year fee.
But i still suggest u to ask ur consultant as well n also there’s a thread “prespective 2019 studenrs gather here”, someone much experienced about University cases can guide u bttr. I hope it helps u out