A Graduate Program Cover Letter, also known as a graduate school cover letter or an application letter for graduate school, is a formal document that accompanies a student's application for admission to a graduate program or a postgraduate degree program. This letter is typically submitted along with other application materials, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose, as part of the application process.
The primary purpose of a Graduate Program Cover Letter is to introduce yourself to the admissions committee, explain your motivations for pursuing graduate studies, and provide additional context and information that supports your application. It serves as an opportunity to:
- Express Your Intentions: Clearly state your intention to apply for admission to the specific graduate program, including the degree you are seeking (e.g., Master's or Ph.D.).
- Highlight Your Qualifications: Showcase your academic achievements, relevant coursework, research experience, and any other qualifications that make you a strong candidate for the program.
- Explain Your Motivation: Describe why you are interested in the program, what academic or research interests align with the program's offerings, and how the program fits into your long-term career goals.
- Address Special Circumstances: If you have any unique circumstances, such as a gap in your academic history or a change in career direction, the cover letter is a place to briefly address these issues in a positive manner.
- Demonstrate Your Fit: Explain how your background and goals align with the program's mission, values, and faculty research areas, emphasizing why you are a good fit.
- Convey Enthusiasm: Express your genuine enthusiasm for the program and your eagerness to contribute to the academic community.
- Personalize Your Application: Provide a personal touch to your application by addressing specific aspects of the program that attract you, such as renowned faculty members or unique research opportunities.
- Request Consideration: Politely request that the admissions committee review your application and consider you for admission to the program.
Graduate Program Cover Letters should be well-written, concise, and tailored to the specific program to which you are applying. Admissions committees use them to assess your qualifications, motivation, and fit with the program, so it's essential to make a compelling case for your candidacy. Be sure to follow any guidelines or requirements provided by the institution or program regarding the format and content of your cover letter.
When writing a motivation letter to a new university, make sure to explain the reason(s) why you are the perfect candidate for a university's program/scholarship for which you are applying. In order to get noticed for a degree at a popular university, it's important to emphasize knowledge, expertise, and vision, and discuss important academic skills, such as research ability, critical thinking, problem-solving ability, leadership skills, ability to communicate, hard work ethic, and creativity.
There are a few basic requirements for a strong cover letter, such as the following:
- Structured and written to highlight your strengths;
- Brief, preferably one page in length;
- Clean, error-free, and easy to read;
- Immediately clear about your name and the position you are seeking;
- Expands upon your resume; do not repeat it verbatim;
- Includes the person’s full name if you do not know the gender;
- Limited to 3-4 paragraphs and 1 page;
- Using common business letter format;
- No copying of exact words/phrases from sample letters without checking the context;
- Uses the correct name of the organization;
- Be enthusiastic and authentic! Show off your character and personality.
Graduate Program Cover Letter sample:
University of Education Graduate Program Director,
Attn: Graduate Selection Committee I am applying to your master s program in elementary education for the fall of 2024.
My name is {{Name Sender}}, and I am a high school student at {{Name Highschool}} High School with a keen interest in computer studies and visual art. I am writing to apply for the {{Study}} degree at {{Name University}} University.
I hope to become a {{title}}, so I would like to learn more about {{topic}}. I feel your course would help me understand the {{topic}} and the {{business}} can help businesses present an image to consumers.
I love the way different colors and images can evoke emotions in viewers. I enjoy experimenting with the power of color and imagery and think I have a natural creative flair. I am confident that I will be able to apply this flair to new projects at your school and increase my design abilities with you.
I respect {{Name University}} University's reputation for academic and sporting excellence. I appreciate that yours is a school that encourages students to achieve their potential in the classroom and outside it. As a social person who has participated in several extracurricular activities, including the school band and {{sports}} team, I feel my diverse interests would make me a great fit for your school.
Studying at your school would help me develop my aptitude for design while having fun, whether it is on the sporting field or in another arena. I am open to whatever experiences life at {{Name University}} University would bring me and hope I could achieve them through your multimedia design and communication degree. Thank you very much for considering my request. Please email me at {{email}} if you have any questions about my application.
Yours faithfully,
{{Name Sender}}
{{Signature}}
It requires detailed research into the university's general academic standards, environment, famous alumni, and different study programs for the student's part. After downloading, you can customize every detail, typography, font size, and appearance of your letter and finish quickly.
Make sure to download this sample Motivation Letter University application cover letter when you are applying for a Bachelor's or Master's degree at a new university. Don't forget to optimize and add your Resume to this motivation letter as well.