PSL voices | How to write a standout cover letter

Published April 10, 2024

What is a cover letter or motivation letter? How to write it? Sonakshi gives you a few tips from her own experience.

A cover letter is a personal text of around 1 page expressing your motivation. Writing a cover letter is an opportunity to express yourself and talk more in-depth about your academic background, your experiences, your motivation, and your projects and how all these elements are coherent with your desire to join the program. A cover letter is often seen as complementary to your CV and your academic transcripts, giving a more personal twist and a chance to detail the elements of your background. However, even if a cover letter is personal, you should carefully choose the elements you are displaying as only relevant elements are appreciated.

On the top of your page put some personal information and contact details (your name, email, phone number, address, etc.). Give an object to your letter such as “Motivation letter for XX program”. Start your letter by addressing it to the recipient, generally the admission committee, recruitment team or a specific person.

A letter can be roughly split into three parts:

Introduction where you introduce yourself, give brief information about your background, and mention your motivation for the program you’re willing to join.

The second part is the body of the letter. In this part share details about why you are motivated to join the selected program, how your previous experiences are coherent to the program, and how your skills will help you tackle all the upcoming challenges and be successful. Finish this part by mentioning how joining this program would help you achieve your academic and professional goals, and why you feel that this step is essential in your path.

The last part is the conclusion. Summarize your ideas with several sentences. Avoid giving new information here and stick to the text you have written earlier in your letter. Usually, it is nice to end this section by thanking the recipient for reading your letter and reiterating your ambition to join the program.

There are also some technical elements that you should pay attention to. Ideally, the letter should be one page long with a neutral font and simple design. By articulating the different parts of your text coherently you can make reading easier. For this do not write long sentences and use logical connectors. And of course, most importantly proofread your letter.

There are so many cover (motivation) letter templates on the internet. You can get inspired by them; however, it is important to keep in mind that this letter should be honest, and unique to you. It should also be personalized for the program that you’re applying to. Giving some details about the university, teachers, and curriculum in your text will convey the impression of how informed you are, and how well you did your research. Given that the admission committee receives as many letters as yours, your letter can stand out with those minor details and increase your chances of getting admitted.