A letter of intent for graduate school is an essential part of your application package. It’s an opportunity for you to showcase your motivation, academic achievements, and professional goals to the admissions committee. It’s also a chance to demonstrate your writing skills and prove that you’re a strong candidate for the program, so take this opportunity seriously.
Writing a letter of intent for graduate school can be a confusing and possibly daunting task, so we’ll tell you what you need to know to create a compelling letter that sets you apart from other applicants and makes the adcom members go “WOW, we NEED this person in our program”.
Getting accepted into a master’s program takes more than just submitting an application. To stand out, a compelling letter of interest is key. This letter highlights your background passions and goals to show the admissions committee why you’re an ideal candidate.
Crafting an engaging, memorable letter of interest is crucial for admission success. Follow these tips to write a letter that will get you into your dream master’s program.
Conduct Thorough Research
Start by extensively researching the master’s program and university you’re applying to. Understand their focus areas, values course offerings, research projects notable alumni, and other details.
This helps you speak knowledgeably about the program and tailor your letter specifically for that school. Avoid vague statements that could apply to any university. Demonstrate your interest through program-specific details
Create an Outline
Organize your thoughts before writing by creating an outline. Include the key points you want to cover such as:
- Brief background on yourself
- Academic and professional achievements
- Undergraduate studies and activities
- Research, internships, or jobs in the field
- Interest in the program and field
- Plans for using the degree
- Unique experiences and perspectives
The outline provides structure for a focused, logical flow to your letter. You can expand on each point in paragraph form.
Craft an Engaging Opening
Your first paragraph needs to immediately capture the admission committee’s attention. Open with an interesting fact, statistic, or question related to the program. Or highlight a compelling experience that sparked your interest in the field.
Quickly establish your passion so the reader is drawn in to learn more about your background and goals.
Highlight Your Qualifications
Use the next section to highlight your academic and professional qualifications. Mention relevant coursework, certifications, internships, undergraduate research, jobs, volunteer work, leadership roles, publications, and other accomplishments. Focus on those most applicable to the master’s program.
Quantify your achievements when possible with facts like project size, awards won, people managed, statistics improved, etc. Back up claims about your skills and abilities with evidence.
Discuss Your Undergraduate Studies
Elaborate on your undergraduate degree, school activities, and defining experiences. Share academic highlights like senior thesis research, notable papers or projects, and key skills gained through courses.
Describe student organizations, athletics, Greek life, or volunteering that allowed you to develop leadership abilities and pursue passions. Convey your enthusiasm for learning.
Explain Your Interest in the Program
Now dive into what excites you specifically about this master’s program. Is there a specialty track, research focus, renowned faculty member, state-of-the-art facility, travel opportunity, or other unique aspect that appeals to you?
Let your passion and knowledge of the program shine through. Tie your background and qualifications back to the program to show how you’re an ideal fit.
Discuss Your Goals and Plans
Outline your goals for the program and professional plans after graduation. Explain how the degree will build on your existing skills to further your career goals. Share your vision for making a difference in the field.
Programs want students who have clear, aligned objectives. Articulate how this degree is the logical next step for you.
Add Unique Perspectives
If applicable, highlight experiences and perspectives that make you stand out, like being multilingual, overcoming major obstacles, or offering diverse representation.
Programs seek dynamic classes with diverse backgrounds. Share anything interesting that makes you you.
Close With Enthusiasm
Wrap up by restating your passion for the program and interest in contributing as a student. Express excitement about the prospect of attending and gratitude for consideration of your application.
End on an enthusiastic high note that conveys eagerness to learn, grow, and excel in the program if accepted.
Edit and Proofread
Be sure to carefully edit your letter before sending. Check for typos, grammar issues, awkward phrasing, and repetitive points. Read it aloud and ask others to review it.
Polish the language so your letter is clear, concise, grammatically correct, and compelling.
Sample Letter of Interest
Here is an example letter of interest showcasing the above tips:
April 19, 2022
John Smith
123 College Ave
Anytown, CA 12345
Dear University of Chicago Criminology Program,
I was intrigued to learn about your Criminology master’s program while speaking with Dr. Lisa Brody at last month’s social policy conference. The program’s focus on applying criminology theory to shape public policy aligns perfectly with my undergraduate studies and career goals. I would be honored to further develop my passion for criminal justice reform through your master’s program.
As a summa cum laude graduate of State University with a B.A. in Criminal Justice, I gained extensive knowledge of criminology and systems of justice. My undergraduate highlights include conducting senior thesis research on recidivism risk factors, interning with the California Innocence Project, and serving as President of the campus advocacy club. These experiences solidified my interest in evaluating criminal justice policies and procedures to uncover deficiencies.
I am particularly interested in your program’s Corrections Policy track. My goal is to conduct applied research on effective rehabilitation programs to influence smarter sentencing policies and reduce repeat offenses. I look forward to learning from preeminent Faculty like Dr. Reyes studying community-based diversion programs. I also hope to assist with the Justice Reform Research Lab’s exciting work.
This program is the perfect platform to prepare me for a career shaping public policy as a criminology researcher. I ultimately aspire to lead an independent nonpartisan research organization informing policy decisions through evidence-based recommendations. With the analytical skills and deep criminology knowledge I will gain through your master’s program, I will be well equipped to succeed in this career.
I greatly appreciate you considering my application. Please feel free to contact me if you would like any additional information. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
John Smith
Crafting an Effective Letter
Here are some additional tips for writing a compelling letter of interest:
- Keep it concise at 1-2 pages in length.
- Use a formal tone and business letter formatting.
- Avoid repeating information from your resume.
- Focus on your most relevant qualifications and goals.
- Personalize the letter for that specific program and university.
- Express genuine passion and interest in the program.
- Highlight what makes you a unique candidate.
- Carefully edit for spelling, grammar, formatting, and clarity.
- Have mentors or professors review your letter and offer feedback.
- Follow any guidelines provided by the program for your letter.
Putting thought and care into your letter of interest will give your grad school application a big boost.
Standing Out as an Applicant
Beyond your letter, there are other ways to stand out as a promising applicant:
- Submit your application as early as possible to beat the rush.
- Make sure recommendation letters come from professors or mentors who know you well.
- Include an updated professional resume showcasing your achievements.
- Highlight any publications, research, or presentations you have co-authored.
- Include transcripts documenting your academic excellence.
- Provide evidence of language skills, leadership experience, and other abilities.
- Apply for relevant internships or jobs you’re interested in.
- Attend university information sessions and events when possible.
- Follow up with the admissions office if you have any questions.
A complete, polished application paired with a compelling letter of interest will prove you’re a dedicated, qualified applicant destined for success in the program.
Final Tips for Admission Success
As you pursue admission into a master’s program:
- Target programs that are an ideal match for your goals.
- Build relationships with professors and advisors who can mentor you.
- Explore all funding options like scholarships, grants, fellowships, and assistantships.
- Get involved as an undergraduate to boost your experience.
- Maintain a high GPA to showcase your academic abilities.
- Take on research projects and leadership roles that interest you.
- Determine recommendations writers who can speak in-depth about your qualifications.
With focus, hard work, and persistence, you can craft a standout application that gets you admitted into your dream master’s program. The rewarding effort will open up new horizons in your graduate studies and career.
Step 4: Write Your Letter of Intent
Now that you have your outline, it’s time to start writing your letter of intent! Grab some coffee. Turn on some music to inspire you. Do whatever you need to do to motivate yourself to write. Starting is always hard, but once you have a workable draft, it’ll be much easier to go back and edit. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Be concise and clear. This isn’t the time to write a dissertation.
- Be specific and provide examples to support your claims.
- Tailor your letter to the specific program and faculty.
- Avoid clichés and generalizations.
- Use transitional phrases to connect your ideas. Remember, it needs to flow.
- Proofread your letter carefully for spelling and grammar errors.
What is a Letter of Intent for Graduate School?
Before we dive into the writing process, let’s first define what a letter of intent for graduate school is. A letter of intent, also known as a statement of purpose, is a document that outlines your academic and professional background, your reasons for pursuing graduate studies, and your future career aspirations.
When writing a letter of intent, you want it to be concise (no one is going to be impressed with a 10-page document), well-organized, and tailored to the specific program you’re applying to. You can think of this like a cover letter when you’re applying for a job – you don’t want to make it obvious that you wrote one template that can be sent to anyone. The letter should demonstrate your knowledge of the specific program, the faculty, and the research opportunities available.
Statement of interest graduate school: How to write an effective statement of interest?
How do I write a letter of interest for a master’s program?
Here’s a step-by-step guide for writing a letter of interest for a master’s program: 1. Format your letter properly First, make sure to format your letter properly according to the specifications provided to you by the master’s programs to which you’re applying.
How do you write a letter of intent for Graduate School?
Here’s a template of a letter of intent for a graduate school application: [Date] [Greeting to admissions counselor], Introductory sentence: [State your name and your purpose for applying.] Introductory paragraph: [Explain your basic qualifications, your interest in the school and program, and what you plan to cover in the letter.]
What is a letter of intent masters program?
A letter of intent masters program is, in essence, a cover letter for your application. It’s a formal letter that focuses on who you are. It includes why you’re applying to that particular Master’s or Doctoral program. Lastly, why that program should consider your application. However, there might be a few different ways to do this.
Do you have to write a letter of interest?
For instance, candidates have to write letters of interest when applying to master’s programs to outline their experiences, goals and intentions as prospective students. If you’re currently applying to master’s programs, it may be helpful for you to learn more about letters of interest.
