How To Write A Letter Of Intent For Grad School

Learning how to write a letter of intent for grad school helps the aspiring student to complement his admission package. Known in academia as a "letter of introduction," "personal statement" and also "statement of professional interests," this letter is designed to set apart the average applicant from the future graduate with a higher than average likelihood of success. Since seats at the most coveted institutions of higher learning are scarce, determining--in advance--how to write a letter of intent for grad school helps the student to craft a successful sales pitch--with him being the product.

1. Write for the target audience. A candidate for law school admission writes to a different audience than a medical school applicant. Determine what the most valuable assets of a future lawyer or doctor might be, work backward by incorporating personal traits that embrace them into the letter and then let this strategy also guide the answers to application questions in the graduate school package.
2. Define the sales pitch. Learning how to write a letter of intent for grad school places the applicant--sight unseen--before an admissions committee. What is the general tenor of the sales message? A graduate school applicant might make the point that he is most likely to succeed at this particular school based on his four-year educational successes; he may outline that his community service work is in line with the school’s philanthropic philosophy. Due to length constraints, pick one pitch and stick with it.
3. Discover little known facts about the school and use them when deciding how to write a letter of intent for grad school. For instance, does the school have an overseas exchange program with a sister-school? Outline your ties to the sister-school--if they exist--or describe how admission to this graduate school would permit you to benefit from the relationship.
4. Stay on topic. Graduate schools are seeking highly specific information based on the programs they offer. As the student sits down to brainstorm how to write a letter of intent for grad school that will turn heads, he should ensure that he follows any prompts and suggestions the school offers. Deviating too far from them will land even the most gifted sales pitch in the circular file.

Tip

Remember that the nuts and bolts governing how to write a letter of intent for grad school also include proper spelling, formatting and punctuation. Proofread the letter, fact check any details and ask third parties to read it for flow.

Reference

Letter of Intent PowerPoint Presentation