Motivation Letter Dos and Don’t
What is motivation letter? A motivation letter is an official letter of intent with your educational objectives for graduation that states why you are making the commitment to attend an educational program. This type of letter is used for students entering college or university as well as anyone who has decided to pursue post-secondary education. This type of letter may be typed or handwritten, but a motivation letter should not be confused with a resume.
A cover letter, accompanying curriculum vitae or an oral motivation letter is an official letter of intent attached to an application for admission or an application for a part time or full time position in an educational program. These documents are typically used as an admission package to college or university applications. Motivation letters should be typed and not handwritten. If the student’s application for admission or position requires an essay, the motivation letter is the essay.
The first portion of the motivation letter should be a summary of qualifications. This is the most important part of the document. In your motivation letter you must briefly highlight your specific strengths and emphasize your plans to use these strengths in order to achieve your educational goals. You can do this in three paragraphs. The first paragraph should include general education information such as the areas studied, your degrees or certifications, specific examples of programs you have attended or worked at, and personal interests and references that support the information provided.
In the second paragraph you should provide a concise overview of your academic preparation. Highlight any special achievements or accomplishments that you have had in recent years. If your motivation letter is to accompany a resume, you should also write a few sentences regarding your professional experience. If applying to a full time or part time position, include your contact information.
In the third paragraph you should provide a professional statement. Just as the title of your document indicates, this is where you will provide professional proofreading and editing. Make sure that you write your personal experiences in chronological order. If you have had an extensive career in public service, use this section to outline what services you have provided. Make sure that you outline all the steps you took to attain these positions, including any degree or certification programs that you may have taken.
The fourth and final paragraph of your motivation letter must focus on your personality. You need to convince the admissions team that you are a great personality. This is your chance to show the admissions team that you will be a good fit for their university. You should write about your interests, your philosophy of life, and your commitment to your education. Make sure that you do not forget to mention the specific courses and/or tests you have taken. When writing a motivation letter for a stand out opportunity, it is often times easier to list your achievements than it is to discuss your personality.
The final paragraph of your motivational letter should not be about yourself. Instead, you should talk about why you are applying to the University of your choice. For example, if you are applying to an educational program that focuses on public service, tell the admission team why you want to be an attorney or another field. Or, if you are applying to law school and you want to work in a conservative environment that is supportive of a conservative agenda, talk about your vision. You need to let the admissions team know who you are, and what you hope to achieve with this university.
In conclusion, writing motivation letters for your applying to college is not all that different from writing a cover letter for your resume. These letters do not have to contain all information that the admissions staff wants to know. Instead, they only need to summarize your key points and use them to entice the hiring manager to read your resume. Remember, these letters are only one page, and they are your only chance to get your foot in the door at this great university!
