Motivation Letter Writing Guide + Examples for 2023

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Writing a motivational letter can be nerve-wracking.

When presented with the question of “Why would you like to be part of this organization?” you find yourself staring at a blank page, thinking of how to correctly word “ I'm passionate about going to college so I don’t starve to death. ”

Two hours and three coffees in, you’ve scrolled through your Facebook newsfeed (twice), watched one episode of the last season of Game of Thrones, sent angry tweets to its creators, and donated for the knee surgery of two dogs. You go back to your open Word doc and you have only managed to write: “This organization seems like fun” or “I’ll totally be a great fit” . 

You know you are not this generic or basic. You’re a capable guy or gal who has a lot to offer and there are genuine reasons behind your decision to apply.

It’s just hard to put it into words… And we get that!

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of creating a motivation letter that gets you accepted anywhere.

  • What a Motivational Letter Is (And Why It Matters)

How to Structure a Motivational Letter

What is a Motivational Letter and Why it Matters?

A motivational letter is a one-page letter that’s used to describe why you are the perfect candidate for a certain position . It is usually attached to your resume . 

You are required to write a motivational letter in these 4 specific scenarios...

The motivational letter shouldn’t be confused with a cover letter , the purpose of which is to highlight how specific information on your resume matches a job opening. Think of a cover letter as the introduction to your resume for a hiring manager and your motivational letter as the powerful closing sales pitch for a university or non-profit. 

So why exactly does the motivational letter matter? You’re a doer more than a talker: you’ve listed everything there is to know about you on your resume. That should be enough, right? Wrong! 

All organizations are looking for people who genuinely want to be there and are excited about what they do. The intent should be your driving motivation! 

Writing a good motivational letter can be an absolute game-changer. It can provide a boost for your resume , but also make up for lacking required skills.

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A good motivational letter is a one-pager where you introduce yourself, your story, and show your interest in the position or organization you are applying to.

There are two main ways to structure your motivational letter:

Now, which one do YOU go for? The rule of thumb is if you want to be more factual and to the point, go for the 7-paragraph structure. This way, you can use each body paragraph to discuss specific achievements or points.

If, on the other hand, you’re going for a more story-telling approach, you’d go for the 3 paragraph option, so as not to break the flow of the story.

types of motivation letters

The Structure of a Motivational Letter

motivation letter structure

Whichever structure you go for, it should consist of 3 main parts: the introduction, body, and conclusion. Here’s what to include in each one:

Introduction: A short, engaging pitch about yourself and why you are applying. Here, you can include:

And of course, don’t forget to mention contact information on top.

For example:

To: School/Organization Name

First Name Last Name

[email protected]

Phone Number

Relevant Social Media (LinkedIn, Quora, GitHub, etc.)

Dear [Name of The Contact Person] , 

My name is [Your name] and I would like to express my interest in applying for the Doctoral program in political science at [University Name] . I’ve always dreamed of becoming a politician and helping give back to my country, and I believe that a Ph.D. in politics from [University Name] would set me miles ahead to reaching my goal.

Body of the Motivational Letter: this is the main bulk of your motivational letter. This is where you really sell yourself, mentioning stories behind your achievements, skills, and passion for whatever you’re applying for.

Try to be as factual as possible - anyone that frequently reads motivational letters can tell made-up stories from the real ones. When possible, you can also use metrics to back up your qualifications.

Things You Can Mention in Your Motivational Letter: 

I developed my passion for Online Marketing during my internship at [company name] . Working in a small startup allowed me to get surface-level experience in most digital marketing channels. Now, I would like to deep-dive and gain advanced know-how by attending the [university name] program in Digital Marketing.

Conclusion: 

Finally, you can wrap up the motivational letter and send it in. In this section, you can:

Now that you know how to structure a motivational letter, let’s move on to the contents!

motivation letter resume matching

How to Write a Motivational Letter 

So how do you write a motivational letter that stands out from the pool of applicants? The way to avoid generalizations and add depth to your motivational letter is by tailoring it to the specific organization and program/position you are applying to:

Questions to Answer in Your Motivational Letter [+Possible Answers]

I volunteered in Africa for three years. It’s one of my most fulfilling experiences because I am passionate about helping others and came out a better person. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I would pick a sleepless night conducting research instead of a night out anytime. I spend most of my mornings reading the last edition of the Journal of Marketing. I have worked on three separate research studies during my time at Colorado University.

Achieving a Magna Cum Laude required a lot of hard work and dedication, but education has been my biggest passion in life, so there was more joy than pain in the process!

Answer some/all of these questions in a compelling way that’s true to you and your experience, then turn them into a cohesive text. 

An Example of a Great Motivational Letter 

We’ll demonstrate how to write an awesome and inspiring motivational letter through Jane’s letter to the admissions team of Harvard University below. She is applying for a Ph.D. in the department of Political Science. 

The general requirements are : being research inclined, a demonstrated passion for Politics, and an above average performance during undergraduate studies. 

The values of the university are integrity, education, respect, and accountability.

She’s using the three paragraph structuring method.

You can see how Jane highlights through personal stories:

The same rules and spirit apply to non-university related motivational letters as well. 

You can easily notice that Jane has essentially given a personal story of all his qualifications. After reading this letter, the admissions team will feel like they know Jane, and this is what you should also aim to do: communicate who you are through highlighting your story tailored to the institution and program you are applying for.

motivation letter example

How (and why) to Create a Motivational Letter with Novorésumé

Now that you know how to write a motivational letter, you can decide on how it looks.

A black and white letter sheet with Times New Roman, 12-pt font size might be great for a formal document, but it does not make you stand out in the pile of grey applications.

How can you appear professional without being boring? Novorésumé's motivational letter templates and intuitive editor add the tinge of personality that you’d need to stand out from the rest. 

motivation letter maker

So, let’s sum up everything we’ve covered in this post:

A motivational letter is always attached to a resume. Want to also make that stand out from the rest? 

Read our guide on how to create an impressive resume and submit it with your awesome motivational letter to get accepted anywhere!

Our motivation letter templates are created to mirror the resume templates and CV templates , which is critical when creating a job application. Choosing the same templates, fonts, colors will improve your personal brand and increase your chances of being called for an interview.

Suggested Reading:

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How to Write a Good Motivation Letter

What is a motivation letter & a personal statement? What’s the difference?

A motivation letter explains why you, as an applicant, would be the perfect candidate for a university’s program/scholarship to which you are applying. It necessitates extensive research on the part of the student into the university’s general academic environment and various programs. In a motivation letter, the applicant would usually talk about his or her skills and accomplishments from the past few years.

In a personal statement, you have to show that you are more than a pile of transcripts and applications. You have to show that you are a real person. Consider yourself a contestant on a reality TV show, with the judges representing the admissions office at your preferred university. Often, the contestants will tell inspirational stories about themselves to impress the judges in order to have a chance to stay until the final round. Likewise, you need to describe to your university what kind of person you are and what happened in your life that led you to apply to this university. It also serves as an informal ’guarantee’ that you will not be a future detriment to your university and that you will fit into university life just fine.

To some extent, a well-written motivation letter and a personal statement are interchangeable since both serve the same purpose of maximizing the student’s chances of being admitted or considered a strong candidate.

However, the main focus of a motivation letter is relatively more “practical,” which requires the student to be more realistic while listing out his/her past achievements, qualifications, and goals. Meanwhile, a personal statement emphasizes more “vague” things such as personality, ambitions, and preferences.

3 REASONS YOU LACK MOTIVATION AT SCHOOL – AND HOW TO FIX IT

Analysis of sample motivation letter

Part 1. opening.

Part 2. Main body ½

The second paragraph of your letter should focus on ‘selling yourself’.

Part 3. Main body 2/2

The third paragraph should emphasize on your understanding of your prospective study environment. The general purpose is to convince the admission office that you know what you’re getting yourself into and that you have your own academic goals to achieve.

Part 4. Final statement

The main purpose of the final paragraph is to “ask” the admissions office to invite you for an interview. Depending on what you are applying to, it may not be a deciding factor in the success of your application.

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Quick tips on writing a motivation letter

Many websites say that you should list all of your academic accomplishments and work experiences to make your application stronger, but it’s not always necessary. During admission season, every university’s admission office would receive hundreds of applications per day. If your letter of motivation is too long and has too much information, the person in charge of admissions will probably just skim it and miss the main points you were trying to make. So, write about your most impressive accomplishments, use abbreviations when you can, and only give the most important information.

As was already said, a motivation letter and a personal statement can sometimes be used in place of each other because their content is so similar. So, when you write, try to think about both practical information and how well the text flows together. It will help prevent your writing from being too tedious or boastful.

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How to write a motivation letter for university admission

Motivation Letter (also called Cover Letter) is an important part of many university admission procedures. It’s meant to show your level of motivation, your writing skills and even your personality a little- all these to help admission officers decide if your motivations are pure and strong and you’d indeed be a good fit for the university. Let’s see the most imporant parts of a Motivation Letter.

This is how you start

Ready-to-use sentences

Don’t make these mistakes!

Let’s see a short example (made by a Microsoft Word Template):

Motivation letter- uni admission

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Motivation Letter Sample: How to Write One for College & Jobs

Aaron Case, CPRW

Read on to view motivation letter samples, learn how a motivational letter is different from a cover letter, and get tips for how to write and format your own letter of motivation.

A motivation letter behind a cartoon image of a person carrying a flag and climbing up platforms

To write the best motivation letter possible, take a look at the sample letter of motivation below, and then keep scrolling to find:

Motivation letter sample

Here’s a sample motivation letter that was written for a volunteer job:

Download Volunteer Motivation Letter Sample

What is a motivation letter?

A motivation letter is a type of cover letter written to explain your reasons for making an application. Motivation letters (also known as letters of motivation, motivational letters, and motivational statements) may be requested when you apply for:

Now that you know what a letter of motivation is, scroll down to view three motivational letter examples for university and career applications. If you don’t see the type of letter you need for your specific application, you can still use them for inspiration (or skip to how to write a motivation letter for tips that apply to any type of motivational letter).

Letter of motivation examples & template

Below is a motivation letter template , and sample motivation letters for three different situations, including a:

Short motivational letter sample

Depending on what you’re applying for, you may be asked to write a brief motivation statement. Here’s an example of how to write a short motivation letter in an online application for a scholarship:

How does your background qualify you for this veterinary studies scholarship, and what do you plan to accomplish if you receive it (150 words or fewer)?

I grew up on a farm as part of a family that was fully dependent on animals for our livelihood. I’ve spent much of my free time playing with and caring for pet dogs, cats, rabbits, and ducks since I was a toddler. So I know from firsthand experience how important animal health is. And I’ve applied that understanding to volunteering at my local vet every weekend since I was in 6th grade.

My goal is to use this scholarship to help fund the undergraduate portion of my pursuit of a PhD in Veterinary Studies. I plan to spend the first part of my professional career building a successful private practice, and ultimately I hope to create a non-profit organization that provides free veterinary telemedicine access to rural communities around the world.

Thank you for taking the time to read my application. I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon!

Sample motivation letter for a university application

When you apply for college — whether you’re applying for undergraduate admissions or a post-graduate program — you maybe be required to submit a letter explaining what motivated you to apply.

Here’s a sample motivation letter for a graduate writing program admissions application:

A sample motivation letter with a light blue header and bold text for the applicant's name

Download University Motivation Letter Sample

Example motivation letter for an internship

Employers seek highly motivated people to fill their internship roles because they hope to develop interns into full-time staff members. Here’s an example of how to show why you’re applying in a motivation letter for an internship:

An internship motivation letter sample with a violet header to make the applicant's name and contact information stand out

Download Internship Motivation Letter Sample

Motivation letter template

Download or copy/paste this motivation letter template into your preferred word processor, and replace the templated information with your own details:

[ Your Name ]

[ Your Street , City , State xxxxx | [email protected] | ( xxx ) xxx – xxxx ]

[ Today’s Date ] [ Contact Person’s Name ] [ Organization/School’s Street Address ] [ Organization/School’s City , State xxxxx ] [( xxx ) xxx – xxxx ] [ [email protected] ]

Dear [ Mr./Mx./Ms. ] [ Contact Person’s Last Name ],

My name is [ Your Name ], and I’m writing to express my interest in your [ opportunity you’re applying for ]. I’m excited to apply because [ main reason you’re applying ].

I believe I’m an ideal candidate due to my [ further explanation of the main reason you’re applying ]. Furthermore, my related areas of [ interest/experience ] include:

I’m truly grateful that you’ve taken the time to review my application. I look forward to [ discussing this position further in an interview/hearing from you regarding your decision ] soon. You can reach me at [ [email protected] ] or [ your phone number ].

How to write a motivation letter

Here’s how to write a motivation letter that gets you accepted or hired:

1. Do your research

To be successful, your motivation letter has to convince the reader that you’re the right type of person for the job or program you’re applying to. The requirements in the position ad or application instructions might give you enough information to go on, but you can set yourself apart from other applicants by doing some extra research.

Here’s how to research your target organization or program:

Then, take the information you find and tailor your letter to show how your motivations match their goals.

2. Write a catchy opening paragraph

Unsure how to start a motivation letter? Open with an attention-grabbing first paragraph that convinces the recruiter or hiring manager to read to the end of your letter. To write a catchy first paragraph try to figure out what about you will stand out most to the reader, based on their application requirements.

For example, let’s say you were responding to an internship ad that reads:

Seeking to fill a Journalist Intern role. Applicants must be undergraduate students who are majoring in broadcast journalism and are passionate about delivering local news in print and on camera.

Based on the above ad, a good opening paragraph for your letter of motivation would be:

I saw on LinkedIn that you’re looking for a journalist Intern, and I’m the undergraduate broadcast journalism major for the job. Since I was a child, I’ve been recording mock news broadcasts on tape and camera, submitting letters to the editor and news tips to my local news stations, and participating in every school news production possible. Now I’m finally studying to be a professional journalist, and I couldn’t be more excited to apply what I’ve learned so far in your open internship.

Whatever you’re applying for, start your motivation letter with your most relevant information . If you bury your top selling point at the end of your letter, the reader may never even see it.

After you write a good opening statement, continue describing your motivations for applying in 2–3 more paragraphs. And consider adding a bulleted list to make your motivation letter easier to read.

3. Close strong

End your letter of motivation with a paragraph that:

Here’s an example of how to end a motivation letter written for a volunteer opportunity at an animal shelter:

Thank you for taking the time to read through my motives for applying for your open Shelter Volunteer role. I relish the chance to discuss with you in person how my unconditional love for animals of all kinds makes me an ideal candidate. You can reach me at (123) 456-7890 or [email protected], and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

How to format a motivation letter

Usually, you should use business letter formatting for your motivation letter, which includes:

However, if you’re writing your motivational letter in a box on an application form, you can just type a few paragraphs. The form you’re filling out will have other areas for your name and contact information.

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Aaron Case, CPRW

Written by Aaron Case, CPRW

Aaron Case is a Content Specialist & Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) at Resume Genius, where he loves writing resume and cover letter tips that give job... more

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Studying in Germany

How to write a motivational letter for university admission in Germany

How to write a motivational letter for university admission in Germany

The motivation letter (also knowne as “statement of purpose”) is a document where you describe your professional competence and personal motivation about choosing to study a particular study field at a particular university.

It’s the most personalized and important document you can create to send to a university during the application process. Very often the motivation letter will make the biggest difference between getting admission and getting rejected at the university you’re applying for.

How To Write Your Motivation Letter

In the letter, you can write relevant and interesting details about yourself which can prove to the admission officers that you are the right candidate to be selected to participate in their programme. That’s why it’s important to first choose a study programme that is a good fit for your academic background.

The motivation letter plays a decisive role in determining whether you will be accepted or not. It can be very challenging to present yourself in a way that would convince the study institution. Even if you are an outstanding student with the highest grades, many accomplishments, and are very motivated you may not secure your admission because of writing your motivational letter in a poor way.

It does not have to be personal in a way that makes you appear non-serious, rather focus on your intellectual personality . Be careful to not indulge a lot in your deficit side; always focus on your strengths and reasons why you are the right person for the university.

college application motivation letter

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*Suggestion: plan ahead before attempting your final draft writings. Firstly, plan the concept, then the layout, the structure and fine-tuning.

Things to keep in mind when writing your motivation letter

What’s the difference between a cover letter and a motivational letter?

Both are pretty similar in terms of structure but have different purposes. The motivation letter is used mainly in education, therefore there are various motivation letters.

For example, you may need a letter of motivation for a scholarship, a letter of motivation for university admission, and so forth. Whereas, the cover letter is used mainly to apply for jobs.

This letter is supposed to come as a complimentary item to your CV where you only display your qualifications. On a motivation letter, you support the CV by offering additional reasons and experiences that make your qualifications worthy. Therefore, the motivation letter is a little bit more personal communication between you and the other party, at least in the way it is delivered.

To a certain degree, the motivation letter is the third most important document in your application behind your degree and your grades from your previous education. Naturally, when applying to a University there are numerous students with the same qualifications and grades as you and the only point that helps the admission committee filter out the best candidates is by looking at your motivation letter.

Universities are highly interested in selecting candidates who other than having higher qualifications, also have accompanying strengths. Most of the time they look for students who show great competency in leadership and communicative skills and know-how they are planning to use their university degree for the betterment of themselves and the community.

As such, never underestimate the role of the motivation letter in your application. But, while writing a common motivation letter may not be hard, writing an exceptional one (which is surely what you should aim for) is way harder. If you follow the above-mentioned strategies and tips it this won’t be the case for you.

There’s no standard format for letter of motivation

First, don’t expect to find a letter of motivation format where you will only have to type some common information for yourself and you’re good to go. There’s not a universal standard form of the motivation letter.

Otherwise, how you would be able to tell the university admission committee exactly what to hear from you? However, these tips and strategies you read above are some major points that make up the basic framework of every motivation letter.

Before leaving here are two other pieces of advice you should never neglect when writing a motivation letter.

1. Know who you’re writing to

When writing a motivation letter, your starting point is to know to whom you’re writing to. By having in mind this, right at the beginning, you can adjust your writing accordingly and the flow of your writing will be just as required.

Writing a motivation letter for Bachelor’s degree is different from writing a motivation letter for PhD . Writing a motivation letter for a bachelor degree is academically less competent than the motivation letter for a Master’s degree and even less competent compared to motivation letter for a PhD degree.

Let say you’re applying for a Master’s degree program . From the very first sentence of your motivation letter you may have put a larger focus on the experiences that you had, trying to sound much more competent than you’re, you may forget to explain properly how these experiences make you the right candidate for the place you’re applying for.

If you would be writing a motivation letter for PhD , the admission committee would expect you to show more experiences that you had and is much more specific about what are your future plans after taking that degree. In other words, you will fail to adjust your writing to what is required from the admission committee and therefore you won’t take your place at the university.

Writing a motivation letter for study abroad may require you to ask yourself other questions. You must try to convince your university that your degree in your home country (for whom they may not have any idea at all) will add value to their community. Similar to this, if you are writing a motivation letter for exchange programmes they’re usually interested to know what qualities you think you can bring alongside.

If you’re not aware of these at the beginning you may fall off the course and miss the target of your motivation letter. In other words, the quality of your CV is equal to how well you deliver it.

2. Read many motivation letter examples

There is a saying:

“Example is the best definition”.

The final version of your motivation letter for university admission cannot (and should not) be done with your first shot.

You need to practice a lot in order to write a motivation letter that will make an effect on your application. The best strategy for practicing is by looking at different examples of motivational letters that are proven to be successful.

By looking at different examples you will get a general picture upon which major elements your motivation letter should be based on. Also, it will help you envision how you want to write down your motivation level.

Here’s a step-by-step editing guide on this strategy:

Don’t look at too many motivation letter examples because you may end up trying to match every minor element and therefore remove the originality, which is a necessity. And, be patient. Practice as much as you can.

Don’t wait three days or a week before the deadline to write a motivation letter. Start way earlier than a week. A month would be just OK.

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MOTIVATIONAL LETTER TO THE UNIVERSITY

Shokhrukh

Writing a motivational essay for studying abroad at a university often confuses students. What to write in a motivation letter? How to write a motivation letter according to all the rules?

Below we will tell you all about the rules for writing an excellent motivation letter, the contents of which will be to the taste of the admissions committee of any foreign university.

What is a motivation letter?

A motivation letter is an essay 1 page A4 long that a student attaches to other documents when entering a higher education institution. Depending on the university, the presentation of a motivation letter may be needed at the undergraduate, graduate and even doctoral levels. Depending on the institution, the list of entry requirements may also be referred to as “statement of purpose” or “personal statement”.

In the essay, the student should write about himself, talk about his merits, talents and why he should be enrolled in the course. It is on the basis of a motivation letter that the selection committee can judge the identity of the applicant, its goals and its advantages.

When submitting documents to a university for the first time, most students are faced with the need to write an essay about themselves, so they often make mistakes. In this article, we will talk about the basic principles of writing a motivation letter and how to maintain the desired style and semantic balance in our text.

Motivation letter structure

The classic motivation letter is divided into three parts – the introduction, the main part and the conclusion.

Pay special attention to writing the introduction and conclusion, they will remain in the memory of the host committee and help you make the right first impression.

All three parts of a motivational essay should be clearly structured. In order for your letter to be interesting and informative, it may contain answers to the following questions:

Samples of motivation letters to the university

As we have already noted, a good motivational letter for a university must meet several criteria at once, so it is important to pay attention to the competent preparation of this document. On the one hand, the letter should reflect your motivation, and on the other hand, motivate the university to accept you for study.

We suggest you study a sample of a motivation letter to a foreign university:

Dear Sir or Madam, With this letter, I would like to express my interest in studying a Bachelor’s Degree in Design at ABC University. I am interested in beginning a career in design and I am certain that this degree will help me to fulfil myself in both professional and personal contexts. Currently, I am finishing my last year of high school, where I have spent a lot of time and effort learning arts and drawing, among other subjects.   While studying in high school, I also attended art and design school courses, which clearly reflects my preferences and interests.   In recent years, with the support of my school, I participated in a number of cities and regional design competitions where I often ended up in prize-winning places. Examples of my prize-winning works are presented in my portfolio. My current goal is to start my career in design. After doing some research I realised that a Bachelor’s Degree in Design at ABC University is the best choice for me for a number of reasons. First of all, this program covers a number of topics that interest me the most, such as Interior Design, Art History, Contemporary Design Concepts, Design Software, etc. As a future designer, I must be an expert in these fields. I am certain that the numerous traineeships and workshops I will take part in during my studies will help me to gain the necessary knowledge and skills. Secondly, my attention was attracted by a highly international environment of ABC University. Looking at my future, I understand that I want to become a successful designer working in an international context. At your university, one of the most international universities, I will learn how to communicate with people from different backgrounds to achieve the best results which I believe will be the next big step in my development. Thirdly, studying at ABC University will significantly improve my English skills. As one of the most important languages in the world, English will help me to form new connections and expand my social network to a global level. Finally, a Bachelor’s Degree in Design at ABC University will help me to develop myself as a team player. The program will help me to establish strong international relations and to meet a lot of famous and influential people from the global design industry. Besides, I am attracted by the possibility of doing an internship during my studies. This great opportunity will give me the valuable professional experience necessary to build a successful career in modern competitive conditions. Overall, I believe I will make the most of the knowledge and experience gained through the study program at ABC University. I hope to contribute my talents and efforts to your university and become a worthy member of the team. Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to your positive response. Yours faithfully, Sasha   Petrov

As you can see, a good motivational letter to the university is by no means a short text, which consists of several thematic parts. The above sample contains both the student’s story about himself and his strengths, as well as an explanation of why he chose this particular curriculum and university.

Tips for writing a motivation letter

So, here is a monitor with a clean sheet of Word and the need to write an essay. Follow our tips, and your letter of motivation will certainly be successful and will attract the attention of the university admissions committee!

Make an essay informative

Before writing a motivation letter, collect all the information about yourself that is worth knowing the admissions committee. Remember that your essay should be as informative as possible, otherwise it may seem superficial, and you – a person who is inattentive to details. Do not forget to carefully select the information, because you should cause positive emotions in people who do not know you personally.

Meet the interests of the institution

Some universities publish questions on their websites that students are asked to answer in a motivational essay. Do not ignore them! In your letter of motivation, try to give the admissions committee all the information that it wants to receive.

Take into account the requirements of the university

A number of educational institutions have specific requirements for students’ motivation letters. For example, you may be asked to send a handwritten essay, mentioning even the ink (black or blue) with which it should be written. Follow the recommendations of the university!

Place accents correctly

Correct semantic accents are the key to a successful motivational essay. Regardless of the requirements of the institution, in your text focus on three critical issues:

Do not be afraid to praise yourself

In fact, your main goal when writing an essay is to show your candidacy in a favourable light. Do not hesitate to praise yourself, tell about your merits and talents, but do not be boring and monotonous! Tell us about your advantages, as well as how you would like to improve, and how the chosen course will help you with this.

Write in a beautiful and fairly simple language

Without being a native speaker, writing on it can be quite difficult. A motivational essay should be written in a competent, but relatively simple language. Do not overload him with long sentences and abstruse words, avoid conversational vocabulary and do not try to demonstrate on one sheet your knowledge of all revolutions of a foreign language! Remember that everything written by you should be clear and appropriate in meaning.

Be careful with your personality.

Each student, due to his motivation letter, seeks to stand out from hundreds of other applicants. You can do this by maximally showing your personality. However, do not overdo it – do not add pictures, photos, videos and graphics to the essay if this is not required. Do not try to joke or come up with an original format, all this may be inappropriate. A much better recommendation will be given to you by a structured and competent essay containing important information and written in the correct style.

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Complete Guide To Writing A Perfect Explanation Letter – Sample & Format

How to write a perfect essay for a scholarship and get a big win, best sop sample and writing tips for civil engineering, best motivation letter sample – how to write lom for college and universities.

Motivation-Letter-for-Universities

On average, thousands of talented applicants submit their admission requests daily, following one dream: to study at renowned foreign universities. Obviously, you are also in the same boat!

But have you ever wondered what can make your candidature stand out among them?  

A motivational letter!

This particular piece of document is undeniably considered the most individualized international university prerequisite. It can almost make or break your candidature. 

A well-crafted letter helps applicants voice their motivational factors, and presentation skills, competencies, and interesting details about them – before the admission committee. It shows them that you are more than a pile of transcripts and demonstrates to them the real person that you are !

A Brief Introduction To The Motivation Letter For University

Introduction-to-Motivation-Letter

Just like the college application essay writing service , a letter of motivation is equally competent in the depiction of your skillset. In a straightforward sense, a motivation letter is written to illustrate the reasons that make you the ideal fit for the degree program in the respective university you’re opting for.  Basically, it represents your professional competence and personal motivation to the admission committee. 

If you’re guessing that a motivation letter will comprise reasons backing your motivation to apply for the course, then you’re absolutely correct! Though many confuse it with a Statement of Purposes, once you go through a motivation letter sample , you’ll instantly identify how the layout and tonality are different from that of a cover letter or SOP. 

This piece is specifically written to bring out your personal self in the most explicit way. From your thought process to experiences leading to the enrollment for this course, a motivational letter covers it all. 

If you take your time to examine a motivation letter example, you will notice how beneficial it is for voicing your qualities before the admission committee. So why not make it gripping by putting forward glimpses of your major instances before the committee? 

It can be quite crafty for certain students to pen down the perfect motivation letter because of a lack of knowledge. Students get perplexed by the very thought of writing a motivation letter. The reason is – they mostly find it hard to sort the right information and implement the same in an innovative way. Obviously, it’s easier said than done!

Preparation Tips To Consider Prior to Developing A Letter Of Motivation

Tips-to-write-Motivation-Letter

This section is going to be quite beneficial for novice applicants who have just started their abroad admission preparation, and are concerned about ‘ motivation letter how to writ e’.

Below are some of the popular tips to keep in mind as you prepare the motivation letter. 

Ensure Exhaustive Research, Produce Clear-Cut And Succinct Information

After you’re done going through a motivation letter sample , start by understanding and noting the information that you will require to fill in your motivation letter. Throw light on the prerequisites, prospects, and expectations of your application in the letter and most importantly, the reason that you are writing this letter. 

Put Emphasis On Your Thoughts/Intent By Offering A Slice Of Your Personal Information

This is one of the few academic documents where you can portray yourself informally as well. Start by jotting down all the features that describe your passion and let that echo your personality and style. Use this letter of motivation to connect with the selection committee and get the chance to stand out. But, as you write, focus on prioritizing more on being authentic and not bragging. 

Never write down something out of exasperation. As you go through multiple motivation letter samples , you will never notice applicants portraying themselves as a ‘hero’ in their LOR. Rather they have perfectly maintained an alignment of achievements along with challenges. 

Refrain From Baffling

One thing you need to ensure as you pen down your letter of motivation for university is refraining from beating around the bush. As an applicant, you are required to sort out priorities as you begin writing the letter of motivation. This way your reader will obtain a glimpse of your overall write-up. 

Don’t go circling around unnecessary details that will not fetch your application any significance. So, instead of rambling, just write down all your terrific skill sets and accomplishments. 

Put Forward Your Objective Distinctly

As you proceed in understanding a motivation letter, start jotting down your purposes in a distinct manner. Don’t go overboard with the objectives as the resume/CV is already serving that purpose. Keep it cool with the information and don’t rush into it. 

No Room For Controversial Statements

The best motivation letter for university doesn’t support controversies. Refrain from using political or ideological jargon, instead pen down neutral tones. You never know who would be offended by your political information. (which might be humorous in the true sense though). 

Therefore, it’s best to avoid the sphere of politics completely. 

Learn The Art of Convincing

This is one of the best tips to consider while preparing for motivation letters. Be specific about what goes behind your mind as you prepare the motivation letter. Put down all the points that you consider are the perfect fit. 

Spend time thinking about what will put you ahead of the game and in what ways your motivation letter would add to the advancement of the program. As you write about your accomplishments, don’t sound arrogant or brag, simply state them down. 

Know The Address Basics

As you write a motivation letter, it is important to know to whom you should address the letter. Basics like name, designation, address, contact details, and so on, should be thoroughly checked before sending. 

In What Way Is A Motivation Letter Distinct From A Statement Of Purpose, Cover Letter, And Personal Statement?

Difference-of-Motivation-Letter

As a newbie, you might be confused by all these terms – statement of purpose, cover letter, personal statement, and then the letter of motivation. 

It’s true that the two – motivation letter and cover letter are often used interchangeably. While the latter is generally a letter written to the employer, the former can be defined as an application letter produced before the university. The sole purpose of a cover letter is to feature your skillset. 

The statement of purpose is more or less similar to that of the motivation letter. It is an essay featuring your interests in terms of both academic and professional fields. 

Moving to the personal statement, though it might greatly resemble the motivation letter, there is a basic difference. While the motivation letter focuses on representing your passion for the program you’re yearning to apply to, the personal statement voices your thoughts about why you are the right fit for the position. 

Not everyone understands the intricate differences among these documents, and therefore, most students hire the best content writers in India to get their work done. 

Sample-Motivation -Letter

Sample Motivation Letter:

(Name of applicant,

Contact Details)

Date ______

(Name of Recipient, 

Department/Designation,

Name of Institution/Organization,

Subject – _______

Respected Sir/Madam,

Hope this letter finds you in prosperous health and good spirit. 

I,  (Name of the candidate) would firstly like to acknowledge the opportunity to depict my eagerness to study at your university through this letter. This university is unquestionably renowned, and I hold an immense passion for pursuing my master’s from here. The university’s rich culture and infrastructure always had me fascinated, and securing a chance to build my future here would be an honor. 

I hold a bachelor’s degree in Literature, and throughout those three years, I’ve associated with numerous stalwarts of the literature world and participated in workshops, training, and more. I’ve obtained the first class in my bachelor’s degree and my in-depth knowledge about the subject will be quite worthwhile for your degree program. I’ve always desired to implement impressive advancements in the field of literature, and securing this master’s program would be a great push toward improvement. 

My internships with (names of the company) have also proved extremely beneficial in my learning curve. I’ve rigorously engaged in numerous projects that have built my knowledge as well as expertise in the working field as well. The hands-on experience in the industry has provided me with extensive outer knowledge as well. Furthermore, I’ve also pursued a 6-month online course on Women’s Literature from (mention the organization name), and that has opened the doors to plentiful resources. 

With this, I’d like to end my Letter of Motivation. I eagerly hope the university authority would grant me my coveted wish to pursue my master’s degree at this eminent institute. My resume and educational qualifications speak of my interest in this subject, and securing a seat in this university will amp up my career in every way possible. 

Warm Regards

It can be a struggle to come across a reliable, expert, adept, and punctual content-writing service provider who is vastly knowledgeable in different domains. But, with Content Euphoria, it is now possible. Team Euphoria takes pride in stating that their writers offer the best letter of motivation you’ve ever encountered. Expert writers at Content Euphoria have a diversified background in dealing with students of top-tier foreign universities and they know exactly what will make your LOM stand out. 

From layout to tone, vocabulary to information, and so on, their LOR services are flawless and will secure your admission to your dream university. All the best!

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How to write a successful motivational letter - Easy to use guide with free templates

How to write a successful motivational letter - Easy to use guide with free templates

Most university courses, from undergraduate degrees onwards, expect a fair bit from applicants. Not only does each course have set academic requirements and forms to fill out; most applicants will also be asked to provide examples of their work, a CV, and even undertake special course-specific preparatory exams. Many masters courses – especially some very competitive ones, like the top MBA s – encourage applicants to obtain letters of recommendation from senior colleagues or academic supervisors. Atop this sheaf of papers sits the most intimidating prospect of all: the motivational letter.

      Free Motivation letter templates for your first job application

      Free Motivation letter templates for an internship application

A motivational letter, also known as a personal statement or a cover letter, is a short piece of writing all about you; your past, your ambitions, your personality, and your interests. While completing CVs and forms can be a little dry and boring, motivational letters can be hard to write . The combination of needing to produce such an intimate piece of writing, worded in such a way that it comes across as both authentic and professional, and then using it to sell yourself to a university, creates the perfect recipe for social awkwardness and writer’s block.

Despite the difficulty of writing a decent motivational letter, it’s a fundamental skill in today’s jobs market – once you leave full-time education, you’ll need to write motivational letters to potential employers . With this in mind, writing a motivational letter for a masters degree is excellent practice. Below, we’ve prepared a couple of fail-safe techniques you can apply to writing a motivational letter so that it won’t either sound sterile or arrogant, and will help you stand out from the crowd.

college application motivation letter

Cover the basics: The central function of a motivational letter is to convince the admissions team at the university of your choice to offer you a place, or invite you to interview. Make sure that the letter is structured in such a way that it serves this purpose – it is usual to conclude a motivational letter by asking directly that you be admitted or invited for interview, depending upon what the next step of the admissions process is. Equally important is the calibre of your written language; if your motivational letter is riddled with grammatical errors or spelling mistakes, or doesn’t make sense, the university will almost certainly refuse to admit you. A great starting point is to look at some templates for motivational letters in your chosen field, to see how they are structured, and what key points you need to cover.

Get personal: A standard for all cover letters – including those for job-seekers – is that you must address your letter to a specific person. For your masters course, it could be the Head of Department, or the academic staff member responsible for your masters study programme . If you will be working closely with an academic supervisor – as with most research degrees – your cover-letter should be addressed to the academic you’d prefer to supervise you. Use the university’s website to figure out who the right person is, and address the letter to them using their name and title.

Show, don’t tell: This is true of CVs, and is true of motivational letters too. “I am a good leader” sounds a lot weaker than “I led a group of my fellow students on a week long climbing expedition, where we successfully…”. Avoid any overly ambiguous statements, as these can diminish the confidence the admissions team may have in your motivations. Also, make sure not to show things twice – if you’ve discussed something extensively in your CV, don’t dwell on it in your motivational letter.

Do your research: Academic institutions often have a lot to say about their values, priorities and vision. What’s your target institution’s motto? Do they prioritise sports , arts , or something else? Do they have a statement of values? How do you reflect these things? The most important question to think about in relation to these things – why is it that you want to go here? Weaving your knowledge of these things into your letter is a great way to assure admissions tutors that your choice to study at their institution is an informed one.

Be specific: One of the biggest problems at application is that candidates don’t adequately explain why it is they want to study what they’ve applied for. Remember, you’ve got to explain your choice of subject, and your choice of institution. Not just “Why Biology ?” but “Why Biology at this university?” If you don’t yet have answers to this question, then it is well worth going through the University’s website again, to work out what inspired you to take the next step, and apply for your chosen course.

Write a story: People love stories. They like to be taken on a journey, and brought to a satisfying conclusion. A list of superlatives or accomplishments is nowhere near as compelling as an epic story that weaves all that you’ve done into a coherent account, that supports the choice you’ve made to apply. Like all stories, make sure your motivational letter has a clear beginning, a middle, and an end . These should all follow logically on from one another, so that the reader is left feeling convinced of the suitability of your chosen course and institution, to your skills, experience, and goals.

Be interesting: This is without doubt the most important feature of a motivational letter – you absolutely must capture the reader’s interest. If you come across as boring (or worse, bored) on paper, it’s much less likely that you’ll get a positive reply. But furthermore, the interest you express has got to be personal, and it must relate directly to your motives . It’s absolutely no use whatever to produce some bland, boring page or two about hard work and how interested you are in your subject. This is exactly what every other candidate will write, and for the most competitive courses, you will want to stand out. But the best way to do this is not to try to be someone else; be yourself. Mention the fact that you like juggling. Talk about how you felt when your father was laid off work. Begin from your earliest memory. So long as what you say relates to what makes you the person you are, and then why that person has chosen to apply for this course, it deserves to be there.

What underscores all these points is a simple, and very ancient, piece of advice; know thyself . Nobody expects you to have everything figured out when you apply for a masters, but they will at least expect you to have a firm grasp of what you want out of the degree you’ve chosen to apply for. It’s in nobody’s interests for students to undertake courses for which they are ill-prepared, or that they haven’t really thought through – all you need to do is show your chosen university that this doesn’t apply to you.

And let’s face it; a masters degree is a fantastic opportunity, that will allow you to gain an expert understanding of a field about which you are passionate, and will build a bridge to a career that excites you – what could be easier to write about than that? But if you prefer to get some guidance, have a look at our motivational letter templates below.

Example 1: Motivation Letter for a Masters of Science Degree (MSc)

Dear sir /Madam,

My name is [name] and most recently I have been working as a [job title] at [company name]. I hold a B.Sc degree in [subject] from [university name].

The undergraduate curriculum in [subject], [university name], introduced me to a wide variety of subjects in the field of [subject]. Various courses like [course 1], [course 2], [course 3] (name all relevant courses) provided me with a strong footing in [subject of the masters degree].

While offering both depth and breadth across this field, these courses put into perspective the importance and relevance of [subject] and the application of its fundamentals to the problems faced by the real world.

I am much eager to adopt and know new technologies. I am really enthusiastic to attend a Master of [subject] at [university name] in order to understand different [subject] concepts and its applications to more complex real life situations. The good reputation of high-quality education standards, an extremely distinguished faculty members, and research facilities are the factors which have motivated me to apply for my masters studies at [university name].

Moreover, I feel I am responsible for making a big move in this field and this scholarship will give me a big chance to be one day someone who is remembered for his innovations. I think it is our duty as people sharing life in this world to make our future better because the future is not only ours. The next generation should be proud of us one day when they look back and find how hard we worked to make the world a better place. I believe my qualification and your needs would be an excellent fit. I will be happy to provide any further information or documents if required. I look forward to your positive response. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Kind regards,

college application motivation letter

Example 2: Motivation Letter for a Masters of Art Degree (M.A.)

Dear Prof. [name],

I am writing to inform you of my interest in the Masters of Arts [name] program at [university name].

I currently hold my Bachelor’s of Arts in Art History [subject] from the University of [name], having graduated with cum laude with a GPA of 3.82 [grade]. After attending the University of [name], I completed a 3 month internship at the National Gallery in London (GB) followed by a 6 months internship at the Museum of Modern Art in New York (USA).

During my studies and internships I developed a deep interest in Italian Art, with a particular focus on artists form the 17th century. Having worked under the supervision of Prof. [name] at the National Gallery enabled me to get a very deep understanding of [specific subject] and I see the Masters of Arts [name] program at [university name] as a unique opportunity to intensify my knowledge and continue my studies.

Given my education and experience from [university name], National Gallery and Museum of Modern Art, I am confident that I am an excellent fit for the Masters of Arts [name] program at [university name]. I have researched the program and determined that the coursework and research profile of the college are a strong match. I’m particularly impressed by the volumes of [name] books in the university’s library, which are of particular interest for me and which I would love to study in great detail.

If you have any further questions, please contact me using the information at the top of this letter.

Did you know that most students apply to 5-7 different masters programs? The reasons for that are very simple: the more programs you apply to, the more options will you have to choose from in the end. You should therefore always apply to multiple programs. The best way to find alternative programs is to just search for them here on mastersavenue . It's free and super fast. Why don't you give it a go?

Are you looking for more free tempaltes? 

- > Motivation letter templates for your first job application

-> Motivation letter templates for an internship application

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COMMENTS

  1. Motivation Letter Writing Guide + Examples for 2023

    My name is [Your name] and I would like to express my interest in applying for the Doctoral program in political science at [University Name]. I

  2. How to Write a Good Motivation Letter

    A motivation letter explains why you, as an applicant, would be the perfect candidate for a university's program/scholarship to which you are applying.

  3. How to write a motivation letter for university admission

    Ready-to-use sentences · My passion for ______ started when ______. · I want to ______ because ______. · I have been part of ______ for ___ months/

  4. Write a Successful Motivation Letter for Your Master's

    The motivation letter is a way for you to explain why you would be a good fit for the Master's degree and the university you are applying for.

  5. Motivation Letter Sample: How to Write One for College & Jobs

    I'm truly grateful that you've taken the time to review my application. I look forward to [discussing this position further in an interview/

  6. How to write a motivational letter for university admission in Germany

    The motivation letter (also knowne as “statement of purpose”) is a document where you describe your professional competence and personal motivation about

  7. MOTIVATIONAL LETTER TO THE UNIVERSITY

    Motivation letter structure · How and why did you become interested in the selected subject or course? · How can you demonstrate this interest? · Why did you

  8. How to Write a Motivation Letter (With Tips and Examples)

    Motivation letters can be used when applying for admission to a college or university, scholarships or volunteer opportunities.

  9. Best Motivation Letter Sample

    In a straightforward sense, a motivation letter is written to illustrate the reasons that make you the ideal fit for the degree program in the

  10. How to write a successful motivational letter

    Dear sir /Madam,. My name is [name] and most recently I have been working as a [job title] at [company name]. I hold a B.Sc degree in [subject] from [university