How to write a good motivation letter for graduate school

Today we will tell you in more detail how to write a motivation letter for graduate school. Most European graduate schools require a sufficiently impressive package of documents (resume, bachelor's degree with supplement, language certificate, etc.), but the letter of motivation is the true calling card that will attract the admissions officers' special attention to your candidacy.

The motivational (or cover) letter allows you to express your personality and make yourself visible by supplementing information from your resume. By requesting a letter of motivation, the admissions committee gives you a chance to express yourself in a short text about yourself and your accomplishments, so it's obvious that you really want to be in the program and are a good fit."

The real dilemma for some candidates can be deciding what information to give in a motivation letter to convince admissions committees of your suitability, and how to present it. Simply type "cover letter" into any search engine, and you will find lots of samples with tips on the structure and content of the letter.

In this article I will share a few of the tricks of writing a good cover letter that helped me personally in my application, and hopefully will help you too.

Make sure to do your homework

We should do as much research as possible before writing your motivation letter, and carefully read the information about the university whose program you are considering and about the program itself. Usually the university website publishes a detailed list of requirements and requirements for the candidate's qualifications and personal qualities. Even a cursory knowledge of the university's requirements, major projects, activities, and vision can help you decide on the best way to write your letter. A connection to the university's activities and areas of interest will certainly be a great basis for collaboration.

The structure and content of a motivation letter

Structure your motivation letter for graduate school. Write a summary of the main points you would like to mention in the letter that you might later develop and add to. For example:

  1. See the main purpose of the motivation, briefly convey its further content;

  2. Explain why you think this university and program are the best fit for you;

  3. Accentuate your strengths and experience (here it will be helpful to mention experience living abroad); Include your skills and expertise in the body of the article in order of relevance to the program, and invite the reader to refer to your resume for more information

  4. Finally, reiterate your interest in the chosen program and thank them for the opportunity to comment (sometimes it makes sense to clarify the interview process).

Motivation letter: personal and unusual

Let the readers of your graduate school motivation letter understand what kind of person you are. Remember that the letter should reflect your personality; it should let the reader know that you are different from other candidates and that your skills, personality, and qualifications meet the requirements of your chosen program. While samples can be helpful at times, don't copy the content; originality is your trump card! Also, try not to praise yourself too much. Don't try to be a superhero, just be objective and realistic.

First Impression

Tiny things like the length of your letter, how it looks, the structure, and even the size of the font can be important in creating a positive first impression.

Professionalism and confidence

Your professionalism should show in your style and format, and in your literacy. Check the spelling and be consistent (use the same font and acronyms throughout the letter).

Get advice

It never hurts to seek advice from friends, teachers, or someone who has written similar letters before. You can also reach out to students in the graduate program you want to apply to, because they can be a veritable treasure trove of helpful advice. Contacting professionals is also a good option: they will tell you what nuances of your background you should pay attention to and how to structure your motivation for the master's program. However, as already mentioned, be original and do not copy anyone else's motivation letters!

All these tips may be useful for you when writing a letter, but the real key to success should be your knowledge and a non-trivial approach. If a candidate is truly interested in applying to a particular master's program, they simply cannot fail to have a good motivation letter. Believe in yourself and fear nothing. If it doesn't work the first time, you can always try again.

Good luck with your application.

2022-01-14 07:13:43
© author lost