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College admissions
Unit 4: lesson 3.
- Writing a strong college admissions essay
- Avoiding common admissions essay mistakes
- Brainstorming tips for your college essay
- How formal should the tone of your college essay be?
- Taking your college essay to the next level
- Sample essay 1 with admissions feedback
Sample essay 2 with admissions feedback
- Student story: Admissions essay about a formative experience
- Student story: Admissions essay about personal identity
- Student story: Admissions essay about community impact
- Student story: Admissions essay about a past mistake
- Student story: Admissions essay about a meaningful poem
- Writing tips and techniques for your college essay
Introduction
Sample essay 2, feedback from admissions.
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Application Essays
What this handout is about.
This handout will help you write and revise the personal statement required by many graduate programs, internships, and special academic programs.
Before you start writing
Because the application essay can have a critical effect upon your progress toward a career, you should spend significantly more time, thought, and effort on it than its typically brief length would suggest. It should reflect how you arrived at your professional goals, why the program is ideal for you, and what you bring to the program. Don’t make this a deadline task—now’s the time to write, read, rewrite, give to a reader, revise again, and on until the essay is clear, concise, and compelling. At the same time, don’t be afraid. You know most of the things you need to say already.
Read the instructions carefully. One of the basic tasks of the application essay is to follow the directions. If you don’t do what they ask, the reader may wonder if you will be able to follow directions in their program. Make sure you follow page and word limits exactly—err on the side of shortness, not length. The essay may take two forms:
- A one-page essay answering a general question
- Several short answers to more specific questions
Do some research before you start writing. Think about…
- The field. Why do you want to be a _____? No, really. Think about why you and you particularly want to enter that field. What are the benefits and what are the shortcomings? When did you become interested in the field and why? What path in that career interests you right now? Brainstorm and write these ideas out.
- The program. Why is this the program you want to be admitted to? What is special about the faculty, the courses offered, the placement record, the facilities you might be using? If you can’t think of anything particular, read the brochures they offer, go to events, or meet with a faculty member or student in the program. A word about honesty here—you may have a reason for choosing a program that wouldn’t necessarily sway your reader; for example, you want to live near the beach, or the program is the most prestigious and would look better on your resume. You don’t want to be completely straightforward in these cases and appear superficial, but skirting around them or lying can look even worse. Turn these aspects into positives. For example, you may want to go to a program in a particular location because it is a place that you know very well and have ties to, or because there is a need in your field there. Again, doing research on the program may reveal ways to legitimate even your most superficial and selfish reasons for applying.
- Yourself. What details or anecdotes would help your reader understand you? What makes you special? Is there something about your family, your education, your work/life experience, or your values that has shaped you and brought you to this career field? What motivates or interests you? Do you have special skills, like leadership, management, research, or communication? Why would the members of the program want to choose you over other applicants? Be honest with yourself and write down your ideas. If you are having trouble, ask a friend or relative to make a list of your strengths or unique qualities that you plan to read on your own (and not argue about immediately). Ask them to give you examples to back up their impressions (For example, if they say you are “caring,” ask them to describe an incident they remember in which they perceived you as caring).
Now, write a draft
This is a hard essay to write. It’s probably much more personal than any of the papers you have written for class because it’s about you, not World War II or planaria. You may want to start by just getting something—anything—on paper. Try freewriting. Think about the questions we asked above and the prompt for the essay, and then write for 15 or 30 minutes without stopping. What do you want your audience to know after reading your essay? What do you want them to feel? Don’t worry about grammar, punctuation, organization, or anything else. Just get out the ideas you have. For help getting started, see our handout on brainstorming .
Now, look at what you’ve written. Find the most relevant, memorable, concrete statements and focus in on them. Eliminate any generalizations or platitudes (“I’m a people person”, “Doctors save lives”, or “Mr. Calleson’s classes changed my life”), or anything that could be cut and pasted into anyone else’s application. Find what is specific to you about the ideas that generated those platitudes and express them more directly. Eliminate irrelevant issues (“I was a track star in high school, so I think I’ll make a good veterinarian.”) or issues that might be controversial for your reader (“My faith is the one true faith, and only nurses with that faith are worthwhile,” or “Lawyers who only care about money are evil.”).
Often, writers start out with generalizations as a way to get to the really meaningful statements, and that’s OK. Just make sure that you replace the generalizations with examples as you revise. A hint: you may find yourself writing a good, specific sentence right after a general, meaningless one. If you spot that, try to use the second sentence and delete the first.
Applications that have several short-answer essays require even more detail. Get straight to the point in every case, and address what they’ve asked you to address.
Now that you’ve generated some ideas, get a little bit pickier. It’s time to remember one of the most significant aspects of the application essay: your audience. Your readers may have thousands of essays to read, many or most of which will come from qualified applicants. This essay may be your best opportunity to communicate with the decision makers in the application process, and you don’t want to bore them, offend them, or make them feel you are wasting their time.
With this in mind:
- Do assure your audience that you understand and look forward to the challenges of the program and the field, not just the benefits.
- Do assure your audience that you understand exactly the nature of the work in the field and that you are prepared for it, psychologically and morally as well as educationally.
- Do assure your audience that you care about them and their time by writing a clear, organized, and concise essay.
- Do address any information about yourself and your application that needs to be explained (for example, weak grades or unusual coursework for your program). Include that information in your essay, and be straightforward about it. Your audience will be more impressed with your having learned from setbacks or having a unique approach than your failure to address those issues.
- Don’t waste space with information you have provided in the rest of the application. Every sentence should be effective and directly related to the rest of the essay. Don’t ramble or use fifteen words to express something you could say in eight.
- Don’t overstate your case for what you want to do, being so specific about your future goals that you come off as presumptuous or naïve (“I want to become a dentist so that I can train in wisdom tooth extraction, because I intend to focus my life’s work on taking 13 rather than 15 minutes per tooth.”). Your goals may change–show that such a change won’t devastate you.
- And, one more time, don’t write in cliches and platitudes. Every doctor wants to help save lives, every lawyer wants to work for justice—your reader has read these general cliches a million times.
Imagine the worst-case scenario (which may never come true—we’re talking hypothetically): the person who reads your essay has been in the field for decades. She is on the application committee because she has to be, and she’s read 48 essays so far that morning. You are number 49, and your reader is tired, bored, and thinking about lunch. How are you going to catch and keep her attention?
Assure your audience that you are capable academically, willing to stick to the program’s demands, and interesting to have around. For more tips, see our handout on audience .
Voice and style
The voice you use and the style in which you write can intrigue your audience. The voice you use in your essay should be yours. Remember when your high school English teacher said “never say ‘I’”? Here’s your chance to use all those “I”s you’ve been saving up. The narrative should reflect your perspective, experiences, thoughts, and emotions. Focusing on events or ideas may give your audience an indirect idea of how these things became important in forming your outlook, but many others have had equally compelling experiences. By simply talking about those events in your own voice, you put the emphasis on you rather than the event or idea. Look at this anecdote:
During the night shift at Wirth Memorial Hospital, a man walked into the Emergency Room wearing a monkey costume and holding his head. He seemed confused and was moaning in pain. One of the nurses ascertained that he had been swinging from tree branches in a local park and had hit his head when he fell out of a tree. This tragic tale signified the moment at which I realized psychiatry was the only career path I could take.
An interesting tale, yes, but what does it tell you about the narrator? The following example takes the same anecdote and recasts it to make the narrator more of a presence in the story:
I was working in the Emergency Room at Wirth Memorial Hospital one night when a man walked in wearing a monkey costume and holding his head. I could tell he was confused and in pain. After a nurse asked him a few questions, I listened in surprise as he explained that he had been a monkey all of his life and knew that it was time to live with his brothers in the trees. Like many other patients I would see that year, this man suffered from an illness that only a combination of psychological and medical care would effectively treat. I realized then that I wanted to be able to help people by using that particular combination of skills only a psychiatrist develops.
The voice you use should be approachable as well as intelligent. This essay is not the place to stun your reader with ten prepositional phrases (“the goal of my study of the field of law in the winter of my discontent can best be understood by the gathering of more information about my youth”) and thirty nouns (“the research and study of the motivation behind my insights into the field of dentistry contains many pitfalls and disappointments but even more joy and enlightenment”) per sentence. (Note: If you are having trouble forming clear sentences without all the prepositions and nouns, take a look at our handout on style .)
You may want to create an impression of expertise in the field by using specialized or technical language. But beware of this unless you really know what you are doing—a mistake will look twice as ignorant as not knowing the terms in the first place. Your audience may be smart, but you don’t want to make them turn to a dictionary or fall asleep between the first word and the period of your first sentence. Keep in mind that this is a personal statement. Would you think you were learning a lot about a person whose personal statement sounded like a journal article? Would you want to spend hours in a lab or on a committee with someone who shuns plain language?
Of course, you don’t want to be chatty to the point of making them think you only speak slang, either. Your audience may not know what “I kicked that lame-o to the curb for dissing my research project” means. Keep it casual enough to be easy to follow, but formal enough to be respectful of the audience’s intelligence.
Just use an honest voice and represent yourself as naturally as possible. It may help to think of the essay as a sort of face-to-face interview, only the interviewer isn’t actually present.
Too much style
A well-written, dramatic essay is much more memorable than one that fails to make an emotional impact on the reader. Good anecdotes and personal insights can really attract an audience’s attention. BUT be careful not to let your drama turn into melodrama. You want your reader to see your choices motivated by passion and drive, not hyperbole and a lack of reality. Don’t invent drama where there isn’t any, and don’t let the drama take over. Getting someone else to read your drafts can help you figure out when you’ve gone too far.
Taking risks
Many guides to writing application essays encourage you to take a risk, either by saying something off-beat or daring or by using a unique writing style. When done well, this strategy can work—your goal is to stand out from the rest of the applicants and taking a risk with your essay will help you do that. An essay that impresses your reader with your ability to think and express yourself in original ways and shows you really care about what you are saying is better than one that shows hesitancy, lack of imagination, or lack of interest.
But be warned: this strategy is a risk. If you don’t carefully consider what you are saying and how you are saying it, you may offend your readers or leave them with a bad impression of you as flaky, immature, or careless. Do not alienate your readers.
Some writers take risks by using irony (your suffering at the hands of a barbaric dentist led you to want to become a gentle one), beginning with a personal failure (that eventually leads to the writer’s overcoming it), or showing great imagination (one famous successful example involved a student who answered a prompt about past formative experiences by beginning with a basic answer—”I have volunteered at homeless shelters”—that evolved into a ridiculous one—”I have sealed the hole in the ozone layer with plastic wrap”). One student applying to an art program described the person he did not want to be, contrasting it with the person he thought he was and would develop into if accepted. Another person wrote an essay about her grandmother without directly linking her narrative to the fact that she was applying for medical school. Her essay was risky because it called on the reader to infer things about the student’s character and abilities from the story.
Assess your credentials and your likelihood of getting into the program before you choose to take a risk. If you have little chance of getting in, try something daring. If you are almost certainly guaranteed a spot, you have more flexibility. In any case, make sure that you answer the essay question in some identifiable way.
After you’ve written a draft
Get several people to read it and write their comments down. It is worthwhile to seek out someone in the field, perhaps a professor who has read such essays before. Give it to a friend, your mom, or a neighbor. The key is to get more than one point of view, and then compare these with your own. Remember, you are the one best equipped to judge how accurately you are representing yourself. For tips on putting this advice to good use, see our handout on getting feedback .
After you’ve received feedback, revise the essay. Put it away. Get it out and revise it again (you can see why we said to start right away—this process may take time). Get someone to read it again. Revise it again.
When you think it is totally finished, you are ready to proofread and format the essay. Check every sentence and punctuation mark. You cannot afford a careless error in this essay. (If you are not comfortable with your proofreading skills, check out our handout on editing and proofreading ).
If you find that your essay is too long, do not reformat it extensively to make it fit. Making readers deal with a nine-point font and quarter-inch margins will only irritate them. Figure out what material you can cut and cut it. For strategies for meeting word limits, see our handout on writing concisely .
Finally, proofread it again. We’re not kidding.
Other resources
Don’t be afraid to talk to professors or professionals in the field. Many of them would be flattered that you asked their advice, and they will have useful suggestions that others might not have. Also keep in mind that many colleges and professional programs offer websites addressing the personal statement. You can find them either through the website of the school to which you are applying or by searching under “personal statement” or “application essays” using a search engine.
If your schedule and ours permit, we invite you to come to the Writing Center. Be aware that during busy times in the semester, we limit students to a total of two visits to discuss application essays and personal statements (two visits per student, not per essay); we do this so that students working on papers for courses will have a better chance of being seen. Make an appointment or submit your essay to our online writing center (note that we cannot guarantee that an online tutor will help you in time).
For information on other aspects of the application process, you can consult the resources at University Career Services .
Works consulted
We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.
Asher, Donald. 2012. Graduate Admissions Essays: Write Your Way Into the Graduate School of Your Choice , 4th ed. Berkeley: Ten Speed Press.
Curry, Boykin, Emily Angel Baer, and Brian Kasbar. 2003. Essays That Worked for College Applications: 50 Essays That Helped Students Get Into the Nation’s Top Colleges . New York: Ballantine Books.
Stelzer, Richard. 2002. How to Write a Winning Personal Statement for Graduate and Professional School , 3rd ed. Lawrenceville, NJ: Thomson Peterson.
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How to Write a Great College Application Essay
By manuela florea
You’ve completed all the application forms, taken all the tests, and now it’s finally time to impress your university’s admission officers with a great college application essay.
A college application essay is usually around 500 words, and those words can mean the difference between acceptance and rejection. You will spend many days researching and crafting your essay, but admissions officers will only have a few minutes to actually read it, so you need to get their attention.
However, if you are the type of person who likes to start with the don’ts, check out our blog post on How Not to Write a University Application Essay .
1. Read the instructions carefully
They say starting the essay is the hardest part. You may think it’s redundant to mention that you need to read the instructions carefully, but with all the excitement and stress that characterizes this period of your life, it needs to be highlighted.
If you don’t follow the application essay guidelines, the admissions officer may assume that you won’t be able to follow the directions of the university’s program. Page and word limits are mentioned for a reason and you must be able to organize your submission by following the rules.
After you’ve read through the instructions a few times and gathered your notes, you can start creating an outline to organize your essay and decide what message you want to send. Now you're ready to write your first draft.
2. Start with a compelling introduction
Great writing is hard to achieve, but it’s possible if you’re smart about it. Anyone who works in journalism will tell you that you can catch any reader’s attention as long as you deliver a great introduction.
The admissions officers will only spend a brief amount of time reviewing your essay, so you need to start with a vivid paragraph that will keep them engaged. The introduction has to reveal to the reader what your essay is about and catch their attention. You could open with an anecdote or an interesting story that will show some of the best parts of your personality and character, offering an insight that will help the admission officers get to know who you are.
3. Use your inner voice
Universities are looking for authenticity and quality of thinking, so don’t try to shape your essay around phrases or ideas that people have used many times before, but base it on your genuine beliefs.
The application essay is your opportunity to impress an admissions officer with your determination and existing knowledge of your chosen subject. Make sure it reflects all of your skills and ambitions, and show how your chosen program will help you achieve future goals.
4. Avoid clichés
While you research your application essay, you will be encouraged to check out some examples of great essays and get inspired. While this is a great exercise, many students allow themselves to be influenced too much by the examples, and use lots of clichés in their desire to impress the admission officers.
Remember that there are thousands of others students applying to your desired university, and you need to distinguish yourself. Re-read your essay, delete all the sentences that sound like a cliché, and try to find a more original angle.
Admissions officers go through thousands of applications a year, so it’s only logical that they will notice those that bring a unique personality to life. Let them discover that!
5. Give good examples to support your ideas
A college application essay is basically a glimpse into how your mind works and how you view the world. If you want your essay to be credible, you need to make sure everything you write supports that viewpoint. Spend some time figuring out how the essay question relates to your personal qualities and then write from a specific angle.
That means that every time you want to express an idea, you don’t simply state a fact, but you also include specific details and examples to develop your ideas. You can do that by offering examples from your personal experiences and writing about what truly motivates you and how you developed a certain belief.
6. Stick to a clear essay plan
Creativity is an aspect very much appreciated in writing, but don’t assume that a creative essay is not also an organized one. Obviously, you don't want to write a bunch of words without meaning, so make sure you write about just one subject at a time.
You will have a maximum number of words, so the secret is not to try to cover everything in your essay. Create a plan before you actually start writing, organize your essay in three parts (introduction, body and conclusion), and decide on the main ideas you want to express.
7. Ask someone to proofread your work
You want to create a great college application, so you will probably read it over and over again in order to make sure there are no typos and spelling and grammar errors. But after a while, you might need a fresh perspective. It's best to ask someone who hasn't seen it yet to take a look, as they're likely to see mistakes you won't catch.
If you ask a teacher or parent to proofread your essay, they will be able not only to catch mistakes, but also to check if the writing sounds like you. After reading so many examples and following all those instructions, it’s hard to tell if what you just wrote is a statement of who you really are or not. Enlist the help of others to make sure that your essay is immaculate.
Now start writing and craft an extraordinary essay!
This article was originally published in January 2016 . It was last updated in September 2022
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Manuela is passionate about education and evolution and wishes to collect enough information in order to help students from all corners of the world take the big step towards their incredible future.
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Paragraph One tells where you found the job opportunity and what the job title is. I am writing in response to your advertisement in the January 16 Philadelphia Inquirer. I believe that my academic training at Drexel University in Electrical Engineering, along with my experience with RCA Advanced Technology Laboratory, would qualify me for the position of programmer. Paragraph Two details your education credentials. Make special note of those skills the employer has mentioned in the job ad. My education at Drexel University has given me a strong background in computer hardware and system design.
I have concentrated on digital and computer applications, developing and designing computer and signal-processing hardware in two graduate-level engineering courses.
For my senior-design project, I am working with four other undergraduates in using OO programming techniques to enhance the path-planning software for an infrared night-vision robotics application. Paragraph Three contains your work experience. Again, note skills the employer wants in an employee. While working at RCA, I applied my computer experience to the field of the VLSI design.
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College Application Letters: Cover Letters & Letters of Continued Interest
College Application Letters
College application cover letters support your college applications, college resume, and college application essay prompts. In combination with the other elements of your college applications, particularly your college entrance essay, college application letters help establish your “why.” In short, a college application letter is a cover letter for your college applications that describes your background, skills, and interest in the school. When looking at college application cover letter examples, pay attention to the values that they express. College application letters and college entrance essays are similar in that they are exercises in personal branding. When reading college application cover letter examples, pay attention to the messages they convey.
If you’re wondering how to write a college application letter, CollegeAdvisor.com has advisors who can walk you through every part of the process. If your goal is to get into top colleges, CollegeAdvisor.com can help. We’ll analyze examples of college application letters and discuss the letter of continued interest to help you craft successful applications.
In this guide, we’ll break down the different kinds of college application letters you may encounter when completing your college applications. We’ll discuss the college application letter and the letter of continued interest, as well as teacher recommendation letters.
If you want to read college application cover letter samples, you’ve come to the right place!
What is a college application letter?
To learn how to write a college application letter, you must first understand its purpose. Do this by checking out college application cover letter examples. College application letters and college resumes serve as introductions for your college applications. Unlike college application essay prompts, there are no specific questions to answer in your cover letter. Instead, include the essential elements of university application letters: your background, what makes you unique, and your reasons for wanting to attend that particular college. In short, what makes you, you .
As you’ll see when reading example college application letters, college application cover letters are not all that different from what you would write in a cover letter when applying for a job or graduate school. The purpose of college application cover letters, college entrance essays, and college resumes is to persuade colleges that you are the strongest candidate for admissions.
College application cover letters are not the time to be shy, but they’re not the time to be pretentious either. When reading college application cover letter examples, you’ll see that there’s a fine line. Your tone matters. In your university application letters, show your experiences and accomplishments while portraying character traits that colleges value. To get into top colleges, find a balance between being proud of your accomplishments and being humble.
College application letters – Who requires them?
Unlike college entrance essays, college application letters are required by very few colleges. However, the skills you’ll develop by writing university application letters will serve you well as you approach your college application essay prompts. When researching college application examples, you’ll notice that there are optional materials to submit. If you’re serious about your college applications, submit university application letters to show your interest.
College application cover letters are particularly effective if the college does not have college application essay prompts that ask you to explain why you want to attend the school and/or why you want to study your major. They are even more strongly recommended when applying to colleges that don’t have any supplemental essays. You’ll see many college application cover letter examples that focus primarily on academics, but you can include so much more.
Though university application letters are rarely required, they provide an ideal way to introduce yourself. After all, you’ll notice when reading college application cover letter samples that the goal is to help the admissions committee get to know you as a person. You are more than just your grades and scores.
If you want to get into top colleges that don’t allow you to submit a college resume or don’t provide interviews, you need to take extra steps to earn acceptance. Often, you can repurpose content from college application essay prompts that ask why you want to study your major! The college application essay format differs from that of a college application letter, but they serve a very similar purpose.
What is a letter of continued interest?
A letter of continued interest (LOCI) is a letter you send to a college when you are deferred or placed on the waitlist. So, not everyone will need to write a college application letter of continued interest.
Your letter of continued interest has three primary goals:
- Reaffirm your interest in the school.
- Provide additional context for your application.
- Discuss accomplishments on your college resume that have occurred since you submitted your application.
In this guide on how to write a college application letter, we discuss all forms of college application letters in detail. We’ll expand on the above goals to explain the strategies for writing effective letters.
Explaining teacher recommendation letters
In addition to submitting a college application cover letter and, potentially, a letter of continued interest, your application will also include recommendation letters . These letters enhance your college application entrance essay and build on answers to supplemental college application essay prompts.
Due to the shift away from standardized testing, other parts of your college applications are inevitably getting more attention in the evaluation process. When assessing your college applications, admissions committees will often rely on letters from your teachers and counselor in place of interviews.
When reading sample college application letters of recommendation, you’ll observe that some are better than others. But, it can be a bit harder to find example teacher recommendations than it is to find college application cover letter examples. To ensure high-quality letters, create a plan well in advance of your senior year. You’ll want to ask teachers to write your recommendations who know you best beyond your grades. The strongest sample college application letters of recommendation speak to both your personal and academic strengths.
College application sample recommendation letters with the biggest impact typically come from teachers from your core junior year courses – math, science, English, and social studies. If there’s a teacher from your junior year who taught you during your sophomore or senior year too, even better! Teachers who know you through multiple environments – clubs, classes, sports, or other areas – can often do the best job speaking to your growth and achievement over time.
Choose teachers who know you best
Ultimately, the most effective sample college application letters of recommendation are written by the teachers who know you best. Pay attention to the college application requirements for each school on your list. Note when reading example college application letters of recommendation who the intended audience is. Some schools require math or science teachers for STEM and business majors , while others require English or social studies teachers for humanities majors .
For example, when looking at college application sample requirements, MIT writes “One recommendation should be from a math or science teacher, and one should be from a humanities, social science, or language teacher.” Caltech also requires one math or science teacher evaluation and one humanities or social sciences teacher evaluation.
Some applicants are tempted to send more letters than the college applications require. However, aim for quality over quantity. If you want to ask another teacher to write a recommendation letter for you, ask yourself what perspective they will bring to your college applications that isn’t already covered in your college entrance essay or other recommendation letters.
Don’t hesitate to provide materials to help your teachers and guidance counselor write their letters of recommendation for you. In fact, you should! When reading college application sample letters of recommendation, you’ll note that they are specific and provide examples where possible. Some teachers will even have you fill out a standard form to gather information from you. So, by having additional information already prepared, you are helping them tremendously.
Here are some materials you can provide to help your recommendations augment your college applications:
- College entrance essay
- College resume or a list of your extracurricular activities and awards
- Responses to college application essay prompts.
- A sample college application letter that you’re sending to one of your colleges.
- A few paragraphs about why you want to study your major or pursue your intended career.
- Key elements of the course you took with them, such as a favorite project or unit.
When preparing materials to give to teachers, read the instructions given to recommenders by MIT. Even if you aren’t applying to MIT, the information can still be helpful to know. By understanding the process of writing recommendation letters on the teacher’s side, you can see what information will help them write a strong letter for you.
Don’t wait until you’re submitting your college applications to ask your teachers for recommendations. Some teachers limit the number that they will write, and you want them to have plenty of time to write a quality recommendation. To make sure you have the best recommendations , ask teachers late in your junior year or early in your senior year.
The College Application Letter
As we’ve mentioned, a college application letter is a cover letter for your college applications. It describes your background, skills, and interest in the school. It’s different from both the college application essay format and the letter of continued interest. When reviewing college application samples, you’ll see that your cover letter works together with your college resume and college entrance essay to help admissions officers get to know you.
Below, we’ll discuss how to write a college application letter and walk through a sample college application letter. But remember, you want your letter to be original! Don’t feel limited by what’s in any examples of college application letters.
Do all schools require a college application letter?
No — few schools actually require college application letters. However, learning to write a strong college application letter can help you in other aspects of the college admissions process. Reading college application cover letter examples can also help you learn how to write for the admissions committee audience.
One of the ways to learn how to write a college application letter is to read sample college application letters. For instance, the same skills that help you write a strong and concise college application letter will help you in the college essay format, too.
The college application letter – What should I include?
So, you know the purpose of college application letters, but what should you include in them? Reading college application cover letter samples can help you determine this. While the college application essay format lends itself to focusing on one topic or story, college application cover letter examples highlight the importance of covering several different topics.
College application letters should contain the following elements:
1. school name and address.
You college application letter should follow formal letter formatting guidelines, which include writing the full name of the college or university you are applying to in the upper left hand corner of the letter. Try to be as specific as possible with the address you choose to use.
2. Salutation
A standard salutation is suitable for your college application letter. However, it is a great idea to do your research and use the full name of the admissions officer assigned to your region.
3. Introduction
The best examples of college application letters open strong. Thank the admissions committee for reviewing your application, and introduce yourself. Do you have a unique connection to the school? Can you hook the reader in some way to make them want to keep reading?
4. Explanation of academic interests
Your primary purpose in college is to earn a degree, so notice that in example college application letters most of the space is often devoted to discussing academic plans. Include your intended major and career path, as well as interdisciplinary interests.
5. Discussion of extracurricular interests
The college application essay format may be a place for you to discuss extracurricular involvement, so use this space to elaborate or discuss additional interests. These could be connected to your academic plans, but they don’t have to be.
6. Conclusion
Express your interest in the school! Impactful example college application letters have a clear and brief conclusion that reaffirms your desire to attend and enthusiasm for the opportunity to join the next class of undergraduates. Point to specific classes, professors, programs, organizations, and aspects of the college that pique your interest. No one is going to hold you to your plan, but colleges want to see that you have one.
8. Complimentary Close
Lastly, every good college application letter should include an expression of gratitude alongside your close and your signature.
In the example of a college application letter above, there are a few key details to highlight. The letter is essentially a five-paragraph essay, with one paragraph for each of the five elements. This differs significantly from the college application essay format. In this college application example, the college application letter has clear and distinct sections, and this is very common in college application cover letter samples.
Depending on your interests and plans, you could take a more integrated approach. You’ll read some examples of college application letters that center around a theme or broad plan rather than separated into individual paragraphs.
This sample college application letter is a narrative. The applicant’s goal is to tell her story to the admissions committee. The best sample college application letters paint a picture for the reader and draw the reader into the storyline. Though it can feel like being vivid and descriptive is a waste of your space, “showing instead of telling makes for stronger college applications.
How to format your college application letter?
When reading sample college application letters, you’ll observe that they are formatted very similarly to professional cover letters. Your university application letters should be one page single-spaced. The heading should also be consistent across college application letters.
- Your full address
- The date you will send the letter
- The admission officer’s name
- The college name
- The college address
Then, open your letter with a salutation. Many examples of college application letters open with “Dear” and are addressed to the admission officer. If you cannot find your regional admissions officer, it is fine to address the letter to the admissions office as was done in the sample college application letter above. Once you write the body of your letter, don’t forget your closing salutation – “Sincerely,” and then your name.
Once you read several sample college application letters, you’ll understand the best practices. After writing a university application letter for one school, you don’t need to start from scratch for additional schools. Adapt what you have to fit the next college’s context and your specific interests on their campus.
Being concise is key. Your university application letter should not be redundant. If it exceeds one page, see where information you mention is repeated elsewhere in your application. In your cover letter, focus on the content that makes you as original and unique as possible. Most importantly, don’t forget to proofread your university application letters!
Can a college application letter help me with other parts of my application?
Think of the college application cover letter as the glue that holds your college applications together. When writing it, think about it as your opportunity to show your best self. After brainstorming the content, you’ll be better equipped to craft your candidate profile into a cohesive narrative and articulate why you want to attend the college.
Though many parts of your college applications will be out of your control by the time you reach your senior fall, the college application cover letter is one that you can control. Use it to elevate your college applications, show interest in your top schools , and make yourself stand out among other applicants!
The Letter of Continued Interest
Another form of college application letter is a letter of continued interest . In sample college application letters of continued interest, you’ll see that the primary purpose is to reaffirm your candidacy for a spot in the next incoming class of undergraduates.
Though it can feel like a waiting game, the waitlist should not be passive. As soon as you are waitlisted or deferred, begin crafting a letter of continued interest. The best college application sample LOCIs are submitted promptly. Put in the effort to show you’re serious about attending.
College application example LOCIs should focus on recent updates. Likely, a lot has happened since you submitted your application, particularly if you applied by the early deadlines. Strong college application sample LOCIs convey accomplishments and experiences that either add to previously mentioned ones or provide another dimension to your application.
Letter of continued interest – When and where to submit?
Learn as much as you can by reading college application example LOCIs, but know that each school’s process for when and how to submit them is different. Additionally, the process may vary based on whether you were deferred to the regular decision round of admissions or waitlisted after the regular decision round. It’s important to follow each university’s directions.
Many schools will request that you upload your letter of continued interest to a portal. Some will request that you email it to an address – typically the admissions office. Others won’t allow you to submit any additional materials. If you’re in doubt, call or email the admissions office and ask.
What to include in your letter of continued interest?
You’ll notice common trends when reading college application sample LOCIs. Effective college application example LOCIs convey a tone of sincerity, gratitude, and enthusiasm for an opportunity to attend. A strong sample college application letter of continued interest includes four elements.
First, reaffirm your interest in attending the school if offered the chance to matriculate. Then, discuss relevant developments to your application, such as additional extracurricular accolades and continued academic successes. Sometimes, you’ll see a sample college application letter of continued interest that mentions how a student improved a lower mid-year grade or discusses a new leadership role.
When reading a sample college application letter of continued interest, remember that colleges are looking for reasons to admit you, so don’t be shy! Offer to answer any questions they have and provide additional info in the conclusion of your letter.
It’s important to back up your claims with supporting evidence. Strong college application sample LOCIs provide examples and specific details, just as you would in a cover letter or essay. Be vivid and descriptive as you share your story!
However, college application example LOCIs that include overly emotional appeals or merely complement the university are unlikely to be effective. Your letter of continued interest should be all about you. Though it can be difficult to realize this when reading college application example LOCIs, recognize that the content of your letter should fit within the context of the rest of your application.
The many types of college application letters – Final Thoughts
In this guide, we covered several types of letters associated with your college process – college application cover letters, teacher recommendation letters, and letters of continued interest. Reading sample college application letters, whether they are college application cover letter samples or LOCIs, can help you do your best work. But, remember that every applicant’s college application process is unique.
Our final tips for writing college application letters:
- Proofread. College application letters with typos or grammatical errors reflect poorly on your effort and candidacy. Use a polished and professional tone in everything you write for your college applications.
- Be yourself. Though this goal can get lost in the requirements, scores, and grades, you should focus on helping the colleges on your list get to know who you are .
- Follow the requirements. Each college has their own requirements for how they want you to submit materials. Pay close attention to the details for each college as you go through the admissions process.
CollegeAdvisor.com can help guide you through every step of the college application process. Check out our blog , webinars , or register with CollegeAdvisor.com today. Good luck!
This guide to college application letters and letters of continued interest was written by Caroline Marapese, Notre Dame ‘22. At CollegeAdvisor, we have built our reputation by providing comprehensive information that offers real assistance to students. If you want to get help with your college applications from CollegeAdvisor.com Admissions Experts , click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.
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- Job Application Documents
How to Write a Job Application Essay
Last Updated: May 28, 2021 References
This article was co-authored by Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Shannon O'Brien is the Founder and Principal Advisor of Whole U. (a career and life strategy consultancy based in Boston, MA). Through advising, workshops and e-learning Whole U. empowers people to pursue their life's work and live a balanced, purposeful life. Shannon has been ranked as the #1 Career Coach and #1 Life Coach in Boston, MA by Yelp reviewers. She has been featured on Boston.com, Boldfacers, and the UR Business Network. She received a Master's of Technology, Innovation, & Education from Harvard University. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 172,194 times.
Many employers now require a writing sample, or job application essay , to accompany all applications or résumés — even if writing is not a significant part of the position. The goal of the job application essay is to ensure that applicants have the right communication skills for the position offered. Sometimes, potential employers will provide a specific topic or series of questions for your essay to respond to. However, you may also be asked to provide an essay with no guidance whatsoever. Either way, approach the essay seriously so that it highlights the skills and assets you could bring to the company. [1] X Research source
Outlining Your Essay
- If you don't know much about the company, do a little research on it before you start writing. You might look at their website or do a general internet search with the name of the company to see if any news articles or other reports come up. Go beyond the four corners of the job listing so that you understand who will likely be reading your essay.
- If there's anything in the job listing or essay requirements that you don't understand, contact the employer and ask about them. Employers are often impressed by applicants who clarify the employer's intent rather than making assumptions.
- For example, if you're applying for a position in sales, you might want to write an essay about your ability to tailor your pitch to specific clients and close the deal. If you have the ability to be more creative, you might tailor your essay to "sell" yourself directly to the employer.
- For each of your points, think of a specific example you can relate briefly that illustrates the point. For example, if you've described yourself as a "team player," you might include an example of how you came in on your day off to complete some of the more monotonous tasks that no one else wanted to do so a project could be completed ahead of schedule.
- It's a good idea to have more than one example in your outline for each point, even if you only end up using one. That way, if you start writing something and it ends up not working as well as you thought it would, you'll have a back-up handy.
- Brainstorming can be difficult. If you find yourself churning over the same thoughts, stand up and take a break for a few minutes. Step outside or go for a walk to clear your head, then come back to it.
- For example, if you want to describe how you increased sales in a specific quarter, you would want to state specifically how much you increased sales. Your former employer may have sales figures that you could ask them for. You might also have that information in your records.
- Wherever possible, use specific numbers and dates rather than making general statements. It's okay to estimate, but make sure your estimate is conservative. Saying you led your sales team to the highest sales in a quarter is impressive — but only if it's true.
Completing Your Rough Draft
- Think of this paragraph as telling the hiring manager what you're going to tell them in the essay. Outline the points you're going to elaborate on in the essay that back up your theme or thesis statement.
- Sometimes it's best to go back and write your introduction after you've written the body of your essay. That way, you can make sure the introduction provides an outline that matches the body.
- If the employer listed specifically what should be included in your essay, follow their order, since that's what they'll be looking for when they read the essay.
- Write in the first person and make yourself the star of any anecdote you include as an example. Use action verbs to focus on what you did rather than focusing on what happened and how you reacted to it. [9] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source
- For example, if you're writing about your skills as a team player, you might note that you discuss doing routine work that others found monotonous so they had time to work on other parts of a project. You could use that detail to move on to a section describing how you're detail-oriented.
- For example, you might write "My business school education, skills as a team player, and focus on detail make me the best candidate to lead your sales team."
Finalizing Your Essay
- For example, you might start by looking solely at punctuation, then read through again focusing on spelling.
- If you find that you tend to repeat a particular error, go through your essay looking for that error specifically.
- If your grammar isn't particularly strong or you're writing in a language other than your native language, have someone else read over your essay as well.
- If you find that you stumble over a sentence while reading aloud, that's a sign that your writing could be clearer. Work with your text until you have something that you can read aloud with ease.
- If the prospective employer did not specify a length, try to keep your essay under 2 double-spaced pages. Remember that hiring managers are busy and don't have a lot of time to read a long, rambling essay.
- Eliminate all unnecessary words or sentences that aren't relevant to the subject of your essay. The majority of your sentences should be short, declarative sentences with action verbs.
- Apps such as Hemingway ( http://www.hemingwayapp.com/ ) or Grammarly ( https://app.grammarly.com/ ) can help you identify portions of your essay that are more difficult to read. Both of these apps have a free version that you can use to edit your text.
- Working backward is particularly helpful for noticing spelling mistakes, especially hard-to-catch homophone errors, because you're seeing the word out of context.
- It may also help to print your essay in a different font or font size than what you used to type it. This breaks your brain's familiarity with the text, which can make typos and other errors more noticeable. Just remember to change the font back after you print it.
Job Application Essay
Expert Q&A
- Give yourself plenty of time to work on your essay. Ideally, you should plan to work on it over the course of at least two days, so you have the time to set it aside after writing before you move to the editing and proofreading stage. [17] X Research source ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
- Unless you're applying for a position in a political or religious organization, avoid including anything in your essay that identifies your political or religious preferences or beliefs. [18] X Research source ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
- Avoid using humor, especially sarcasm or ironic humor, as it can be misconstrued in text. Additionally, humor may lead the hiring manager to believe that you aren't serious about the position. [19] X Research source ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
You Might Also Like
- ↑ https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/writing-sample-job-application
- ↑ https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2012/04/30/essay-how-write-good-applications-jobs-or-grants
- ↑ Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM. Life & Career Coach. Expert Interview. 25 May 2021.
- ↑ https://careersblog.warwick.ac.uk/2016/03/14/looking-at-a-person-spec-how-to-make-the-employer-interview-you/
- ↑ https://www.govloop.com/community/blog/government-job-application-essays-made-easy/
- ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/application-essays/
- ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/
- ↑ https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/proofreading-tips
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/career-transitions/200906/the-dreaded-writing-sample
About This Article
Job application essays can seem scary, but they’re really just an opportunity for you to highlight your skills and explain why you’re suitable for the role. Read the job listing to find out what traits and skills the company is looking for, like time management, working under pressure, and leadership. If you don’t know much about the company, read through its website and do an online search to find articles about its work. In your introduction, you’ll want to to describe yourself and introduce the main points you’ll be making. Then, write a paragraph for each trait or skill. Use real life examples from previous jobs, your recent studies, or extracurricular activities to support your points. For example, you could highlight your leadership skills by talking about a time you led a group project that exceeded your targets. For more tips, including how to write a compelling conclusion for your job application essay, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No
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Writing A College Application Essay
College Application Essay Format
College Application Essay Format - A Detailed Guide
12 min read
Published on: Feb 22, 2019
Last updated on: Feb 28, 2023
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Doing college applications can be an incredibly daunting task. With so much riding on the outcome, it’s no surprise that many students feel intimidated by this process.
One of the most essential parts of a successful application is your college essay – but don’t worry!
It doesn’t have to be scary if you understand the basics of essay format.
In this blog, we are going to learn about all things needed to write an amazing college application essay.
So get ready! Let's learn about the proper essay format.
What is a College Application Essay Format?
A college application essay format is a set of guidelines to organize and structure your ideas. It plays an important role in giving a proper and logical direction to your essay.
Similarly, it is usually the first thing that the committee officers will see in your application.
For example, you have been asked to use an MLA or APA format, but you don’t adhere to the guidelines. It leads the examiner to feel that you are not capable enough to follow basic instructions. So there is a possibility that they might not read your personal statement .
On the other hand, if you have written and formatted your essay correctly, it will help you stand out. Moreover, the officers will also know that you have understood and follow the essay’s requirements.
A perfect college essay application format tells a good story of who you are and your career goals. Furthermore, it also clarifies how you can contribute to the college in the future.
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How To Format A College Application Essay?
Formatting is quite stressful for most high school students while writing a college application essay. It is because they are often unfamiliar with the right structure.
So we have put together some crucial elements for you. Follow the guidelines given below to properly format your college application.
1. The Standard Writing Format
A college essay follows a standard format that includes the following three sections.
College Application Essay Introduction
It should introduce the applicant and the college application essay prompt that you are writing about. Similarly, it also mentions a thesis statement that discusses the main idea.
So it is important to select an impressive topic and take time to outline your thoughts. However, don’t forget the admission essay is about you as a person.
College Application Essay Body
It is a detailed part of your college essay that requires a lot of time and effort. In addition, applicants must relate the topic to the essay’s main body paragraphs to make it easy to read.
You can also add relevant facts, evidence, and examples to support your thoughts. It will make your essay sound credible.
College Application Essay Conclusion
The essay conclusion serves as your last chance to prove yourself as the most deserving candidate among others to get admission.
Have a look at the below document to understand the essay writing format properly.
College Admission Essay Format
College Application Essay Paragraph Format
2. Font Size/Style, Margins, and Line Spacing
When writing a college application essay, avoid using fancy fonts. Instead, begin your application by choosing a 12pt font in Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. It is usually the default font size and style for college essays.
Similarly, a margin around the page is another crucial element that you must consider. For this, use a one-inch margin on the four sides of each page.
On the other hand, the paragraphs should be typed in 1.5 or double line spacing. Always intend the first line of each paragraph with a tab. Lastly, use left alignment to justify your college application.
In short, here are the basics of page formatting:
3. Title Page
The title pages of college essays vary according to the writing styles. However, most institutions follow and accept the general guideline in the application process.
Here is the general title format you can follow in your college essays.
- The title of the essay appears in the first line. It is center-aligned.
- After some space, the header’s first line should include your name.
- The next line should contain the name of your course instructor or supervisor.
- The third line should indicate the course.
- Write the submission date in the last line.
Here is an example that shows the essay title page format:
4. College Application Essay Title
The title of your college essay must be engaging and clear. It should give an idea of what your essay is about.
Remember, the college essay would not be complete without a good heading. Refer to the below examples to get a comprehensive idea of the concept.
College Admissions Essay Format Heading Example
5. Citation Style
The citation styles for admission essays are specific. The most commonly used and instructed styles include MLA, APA, Chicago, or Harvard. Make sure that you follow them correctly to present a properly cited paper.
Here, we have mentioned a complete college essay template for you.
College Admission Essay Format Template
Check out this informative video to learn more about perfecting your college essays!
College Application Essay Format Examples
Here are some common app college essay format examples for you to get a better idea.
College Application Essay Format Sample
College Application Essay Format Example
MLA Format For College Application Essay
In case you need some more samples, check out our college application essay examples .
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Expert Tips for Formatting and Writing a College Application Essay
Writing a compelling college application essay requires careful planning and attention to detail. Here are some expert tips to help you get started:
- Keep it Simple
Use short and simple sentences to convey your ideas effectively. This will help to make your essay easy to read and understand.
- Use Active Voice
Write your essay in an active voice.It will make your writing more engaging and effective in conveying your thoughts and ideas.
- Understand the Prompt
Before you start writing, make sure you understand the assigned essay prompt. This will help you stay focused and on topic.
- Create a Relevant Title
Choose a great and interesting essay title that captures the main idea of your work in a few well-chosen words. This will help to keep your essay focused and on topic.
- Develop a Clear Structure
Create an outline before you start writing to help you organize your thoughts and ideas. This will help you to develop a clear and concise structure for your essay.
- Pay Attention to the Conclusion
The conclusion is an important part of your essay. Make sure to summarize the main points and ideas you have covered in your essay.
- Check Word Count
Double-check the word count specified by the admission committee before submitting your essay. The standard length varies from 250 to 650 words.
Following these tips will help you write a well-organized and effective college application essay that highlights your strengths and qualifications.
There is no doubt that the content of your essay is of high importance. However, the format is also something you should address carefully.
So make sure to do your best to get the right your college essay format right. It is because the admission officers will not even read your essay if it has an incorrect format.
Still, sometimes students don’t have enough time to format their essay properly. If you are one of them, don’t worry. You can hire essay experts at MyPerfectWords.com to complete the task for you.
It is the best college admission essay writing service that guarantees to provide essay help at affordable rates. Similarly, our college admission essay writer have the right education, knowledge, and experience to craft and format application essays.
To get essay writing help, all you have to do is to contact us and specify your requirements. Then, our essay writer will make sure to deliver your college essays according to the specified format.
Place your order now to get a convincing college application within the given deadline from the top essay writing service .
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should my college application essay be.
Most essays should be between 400 and 650 words. However, the actual length depends on the instructions and requirements of the college.
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Cathy has been been working as an author on our platform for over five years now. She has a Masters degree in mass communication and is well-versed in the art of writing. Cathy is a professional who takes her work seriously and is widely appreciated by clients for her excellent writing skills.
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How to write your best college application essay
University of Rochester dean of undergraduate admissions offers college applicants some dos and don’ts in writing the personal statement.
By robert alexander, the dean of undergraduate admissions, financial aid, and enrollment management for arts, sciences & engineering, university of rochester..
Many universities ask applicants to include a college application essay—usually a personal statement or similar essay—along with their application materials. With more students applying to selective colleges than ever, and with many of those colleges placing less emphasis on standardized test scores, the admissions essay can be a crucial component of the applicant’s file.
We’ve made that shift in emphasis away from testing at the University of Rochester . As a selective private research university with programs in the liberal arts, sciences, and engineering, the undergraduate college draws from a global pool of high-achieving students. Since nearly all of those candidates are at or near the top of their class, we use a holistic approach to select those with strong ethical character who align with our institutional values. So, as an applicant, how can you distinguish yourself?
One of the most important ways is through your college application essay.
Many students may dread this part of the process. Yet with the right attitude and strategy, you can write an essay that will improve your candidacy for admission. A good college application essay will not overcome poor grades for a student at the lowest end of a school’s applicant pool, but it can help a qualified candidate stand out from the crowd.
Tackle the college essay topic
The traditional college application essay usually requires an open-ended personal statement in response to broad or general prompts that might have you share a story, reflect on an event, or discuss a topic. The Common Application, Coalition for College Application, and other online college application forms typically provide a set of options from which you can choose.
Of course, some college and universities require you to respond to a specific prompt or question. In that case, you want to make sure to answer that prompt or question clearly and directly.
Whether the guidelines are open-ended or specific, the topic itself is less important than how you express yourself.
And above all: Don’t write an admissions essay about something you think sounds impressive or that you think the admissions officer wants to read. While it’s fine to look at college application essay examples, don’t simply mimic one. Write about something truly important to you.
Breadth versus depth?
- Dig deep into one aspect of your topic instead of trying to cover many aspects superficially in your college essay. Be brief in explaining who, what, and where; leave plenty of room for why and how .
→ For example : If you’re writing about a life-changing trip, don’t spend six paragraphs on where you traveled, how long it took to get there, and the weather. We want to know why you went and why the experience was meaningful. How are you different now because of it?
Details bring your application essay to life
- Be specific. It’s the details, rather than any general statements, that bring your essay—and hence, you—to life for an admissions officer who is reading hundreds of personal statements.
→ For example : If you’re writing about how much you loved playing your high school sport, tell a story about a specific game-winning play (or a devastating loss), how you felt, and what you learned.
Writing a college application essay: dos and don’ts
Here are a few guidelines for crafting a college application essay that effectively conveys who you are while also helping you stand out from the thousands of other applicants.
- Present yourself in a dimension that reaches beyond grades, recommendations, and test scores. Think of the things that built your character—maybe a special relationship in your life, your most meaningful extracurricular activity, or a class or idea that changed the way you think. We want to know what makes you tick, how you might fit into our community, and how your distinctive qualities and experiences would contribute to our interesting and dynamic campus.
- Be sure your essay reflects you. Ask yourself: Am I the only person who could have written this essay? Or could everyone else in my senior class have written it?
- Tell a story about yourself with a beginning, middle, and end. Hook the reader with a compelling opening paragraph—surprise us, teach us something we didn’t know, or share something vulnerable and make us curious to read more. Close with a clear ending that ties back to your opening or provides a captivating conclusion to your story.
- Ask someone to proofread your essay or to offer feedback—but be sure your essay is written in your own voice and style. It won’t serve you well for someone else to write your essay for you!
- Stay within the required—or suggested—length. Usually it is about 650 words. This shows that you can follow directions. Plus, good writers can adhere to a word limit and still get their point across.
- Pay attention to formatting. If you compose your essay in a word processing software program (like Microsoft Word or Google Docs) in order to use spellcheck or other features, be sure to review it again after copy-and-pasting into the application itself. Some of the original formatting might be lost because different combinations of word processing and web browsers can cause errors. Double-check before clicking “submit”!
And a few don’ts:
- Humor and creativity can work, provided they are not taken to an extreme. Remember: You don’t know your reader’s sense of humor—and it might not be the same as yours.
- Don’t be controversial or sensational for its own sake; but it’s OK to take a risk if you’re sharing a unique viewpoint or a particularly strong conviction that you hold dear.
- You’re not writing a legal brief for the Supreme Court or trying to sway the audience to your side of an argument. Instead, you’re attempting to share something of yourself with the admissions committee.
- Avoid using words that are not in your regular vocabulary. Again, be yourself.
- Don’t repeat information available in other parts of your application, unless you’re using your college admissions essay to expand upon an activity or academic opportunity that was particularly meaningful to you.
- Avoid regurgitating your resume or writing about your entire life’s history. Listing every award and semester you made honor roll is unnecessary, but sharing how you felt when a beloved yet demanding English teacher said you were his best student has more potential.
Ultimately, your college application essay is a chance to tell the admissions committee who you are and what is important to you. We want to know: What are your values?
At the University of Rochester, for example, we have a motto: Meliora, meaning “ever better.” So, it stands to reason that when we read an application essay, we want to know: How will you make yourself, your community, or the world better?
Tell us your story. This may be your best chance to come through as an individual, so make the most of this opportunity!
About Robert Alexander
Robert Alexander, the dean of undergraduate admissions, financial aid, and enrollment management for Arts, Sciences & Engineering at the University of Rochester, has more than 22 years of enrollment management experience in higher education. He joined Rochester in June 2020 and previously served in senior admissions, enrollment, and communications roles at Millsaps College, University of the Pacific, and Tulane University.
Rochester’s dean of undergraduate admissions offers advice on which courses to take, and why.
Grades. Clubs. Scores. Essays. Interviews. We’ve culled the advice of seasoned admissions professionals from the University of Rochester for a roadmap of what to do—and what to avoid.
Equitable access to internships helps University of Rochester students preview their futures.
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Articles & Advice > College Admission > Articles
How to Write a Great Admission Essay, Step-by-Step
You already know how to write an academic essay. Now forget all that, because learning how to write the college application essay is totally different.
by Lori Greene Vice President of Enrollment Management, Butler University
Last Updated: Nov 11, 2021
Originally Posted: Sep 1, 2016
You already know how to write an academic essay: you start with an introduction, throw in a thesis statement, find about three paragraphs’ worth of evidence, and wrap it all up with a tidy conclusion…Now forget all that, because a successful college application essay is totally different.
The purpose of the admission essay
Your college application essay needs to breathe life into your application. It should capture your genuine personality, explaining who you are beyond a series of grades, test scores, and after-school activities. But that’s not nearly as scary as it seems, because you get to choose what to share and how to share it. Take a minute and think about the college or university admission officers who will be reading your essay. How will your essay convey your background and what makes you unique? If you had the opportunity to stand in front of an admission committee to share a significant story or important information about yourself, what would you say? The college application essay is your chance to share your personality, goals, influences, challenges, triumphs, life experiences, or lessons learned. Not to mention why you're a good fit for the college or university—and why it's a good fit for you. These are the stories behind the list of activities and leadership roles on your application.
One of the most common struggles students encounter is resisting the urge to squeeze everything they’ve seen, done, and heard into their essay. But your application essay isn’t your life story in 650 words. Instead, pick one moment in time and focus on telling the story behind it . Admission officers realize that writing doesn’t come easily to everyone, but with some time and planning, anyone can write a college application essay that stands out. One way to do that is to work step-by-step, piece-by-piece. The end result should be a carefully designed, insightful essay that makes you proud. Take advantage of being able to share something with an audience who knows nothing about you and is excited to learn what you have to offer. Brag ( without being overly boastful ). Write the story no one else can tell.
Get to know your prompt
Ease yourself into the essay-writing process. Take time to understand the question or prompt being asked. The single most important part of your essay preparation may be simply making sure you truly understand the essay prompt . When you're finished writing, you need to make sure that your essay still adheres to the prompt. College essay questions often suggest one or two main ideas or topics of focus. These can vary from personal to trivial, but all seek to challenge you and spark your creativity and insight.
- Read the essay questions and/or prompts. Read them again. Then read them one more time.
- Take some time to think about what is being asked. Let it really sink in before you let the ideas flow.
- Define what it is you’re trying to accomplish. Before you even start brainstorming, ask yourself: Is this essay prompt asking you to inform? Defend? Support? Expand upon?
- Relate the question back yourself . Ask, “How does this—or how could this—apply to me?”
- Avoid sorting through your existing English class essays. Topics you wrote about in classes are unlikely to fit the bill as these pieces rarely showcase who you are as an applicant.
Brainstorm topic ideas
Get your creative juices flowing by brainstorming all the possible ideas you can think of to address your college essay question. Believe it or not, the brainstorming stage may be more tedious than writing the actual application essay. The purpose is to flesh out all of your possible ideas so when you begin writing, you know and understand where you're going with the topic.
- Reflect. You have years to draw from, so set aside time to mentally collect relevant experiences or events that serve as strong, specific examples. This is also time for self-reflection. “What are my strengths?” “How would my friends describe me?” “What sets me apart from other applicants?”
- Write any and all ideas down . There’s no technique that works best, but you’ll be thankful when you're able to come back to ideas you otherwise may have forgotten.
- Narrow down the options. Choose three concepts you think fit the college application essay prompt best and weigh the potential of each. Which idea can you develop further and not lose the reader? Which captures more of who you really are?
- Choose your story to tell. From the thoughts you’ve narrowed down, pick one. You should have enough supporting details to rely on this as an excellent demonstration of your abilities, characteristics, perseverance, or beliefs.
Related: 5 Ways to Brainstorm Your College Essays
Create an outline
Map out what you’re going to write by making an outline. Architects use a blue print. A web page is comprised of code. Cooks rely on recipes. What do they all have in common? They have a plan. The rules for writing a good essay are no different. After you brainstorm, you’ll know what you want to say, but you must decide how you’re going to say it. Create an outline that breaks down the essay into sections.
- Shape your story so that it has an introduction, body, and conclusion. All good stories have a beginning, a middle, and an end, so following this natural progression will make your essay coherent and easy to read.
- Strategize. How are you going to open your essay ? With an anecdote? A question? Dialogue? Use of humor? Try to identify what the tone of your essay is going to be based on your ideas.
- Stick to your writing style and voice. It’s particularly important when writing a piece about yourself that you write naturally. Put the words in your own voice. By planning the layout of your essay ahead of time, you’ll avoid changing your writing style mid-story.
Write the essay
Once you're satisfied with your essay in outline format, start writing! By now you know exactly what you'll write about and how you want to tell the story. So hop on a computer and get to it. Try to just let yourself bang out a rough draft without going back to change anything. Then go back and revise, revise, revise. Before you know it, you'll have told the story you outlined—and will have reached the necessary word count—and you'll be happy you spent all that time preparing! Here are some points to focus on as you write for better work .
- Keep your essay’s focus narrow and personal. Don’t lose your reader. Start with your main idea and follow it from beginning to end.
- Be specific. Avoid using clichéd, predictable, or generic phrases by developing your main idea with vivid and detailed facts, events, quotations, examples, and reasons.
- Be yourself. Admission officers read plenty of application essays and know the difference between a student’s original story and a recycled academic essay, or—worse—a piece written by your mom or dad or even plagiarized. Bring something new to the table, not just what you think they want to hear. Use humor if appropriate.
- Be concise. Don’t use 50 words if five will do. Try to only include the information that is absolutely necessary.
Related: How to "Show, Don't Tell" to Boost Your Writing
Proofread and edit
The last step is editing and proofreading your finished essay. You've worked so hard up until this point, and while you might be relieved, remember: your essay is only as good as your editing. Grammatical errors or typos could indicate carelessness—not a trait you want to convey to a college admission officer.
- Give yourself some time. Let your essay sit for a while (at least an hour or two) before you proofread it. Approaching the essay with a fresh perspective gives your mind a chance to focus on the actual words rather than seeing what you think you wrote.
- Don’t rely solely on the computer spelling and grammar check . Computers can't detect the context in which you're using words, so be sure to review carefully. Don’t abbreviate or use acronyms or slang. They might be fine in a text message, but not in your college essay.
- Have another person (or several!) read your essay, whether it’s a teacher, guidance counselor, parent, or trusted friend. You know what you meant to say, but is it clear to someone else reading your work? Have these people review your application essay to make sure your message is on target and clear to any audience.
- Read your essay backwards. This may sound a bit silly, but when reading in sequential order, your brain has a tendency to piece together missing information, or fill in the blanks, for you. Reading each sentence on its own and backwards can help you realize not only typos and mistakes in grammar but also any forgotten articles such as “a” or “the.”
- Read your essay out loud. This forces you to read each word individually and increases your chances of finding a typo. Reading aloud will also help you ensure your punctuation is correct, and it’s often easier to hear awkward sentences than see them.
- Check for consistency. Avoid switching back and forth from different tenses. Also, if you refer to a particular college in the essay, make sure it is the correct name and is consistent throughout the piece. You don’t want to reference two different schools in the same paper!
Related: College App Proofreading Tips From an Editor-in-Chief
Celebrate finishing what you started
Writing the college essay takes time and effort, and you should feel accomplished. When you submit your essay, remember to include your name, contact information, and ID number if your college provided one, especially if you send it to a general admission email account. Nothing is worse than trying to match an application essay with no name (or, worse, an email address such as [email protected]) to a file. Make sure to keep copies of what you sent to which schools and when—and follow up on them! Be certain the college or university you're applying to received your essay. You don’t want all that hard work to go to waste.
Looking for more college application essay help? You can check out Our Best Advice for College Application Essays all in one convenient place!
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Job Application Letter | Format, Samples, How To Write A Job Application Letter?
February 15, 2023 by Prasanna
Job Application Letter: It is a document that should be submitted along with the resume to an employer to express the candidate’s interest in the position while applying for jobs. It is also known as a Cover Letter. It explains why the candidate qualified for the position and should be shortlisted for an interview. Whereas the resume explains the candidate’s history of work experience, skills, and accomplishments. The letter should emphasize the candidate’s skills and key qualifications which is fit for the role.
Get Other Types of Letter Writing like Formal, Informal and Different Types of Letter Writing Samples.
How To Write a Job Application Letter?
A well-written job application helps to get the attention of an employer while reviewing an application. However, the job application can be written to express the aspects of the candidate’s personality. The job application letter should be well presented by keeping in mind the following information:
- It should be written on a single page.
- It should be single-spaced with a space between every paragraph and a 1-inch margin with the text aligned to the left.
- Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri font should be used with a font size between 10 to 12 points.
Read the complete article to know more about the Simple Job Application Letter for fresher.
Job Application Letter Writing Tips
Refer to the following writing tips before writing a Job application Letter With Resume.
- It should be written like a formal business letter. It must include the candidate’s contact numbers at the top, date, and contact information of an employer.
- Make sure to add a salutation at the start and your signature at the ending of the application.
- Emphasize your skills and abilities to express yourself as a suitable candidate for the available position.
- It should be written grammatically correct to get a good impression of an employer.
- It should be concise as a hiring manager may not read a lengthy and multiple pages letter.
- It should include the job listing keywords posted by an employer to express yourself as a good fit for that role.
- You should send the letter for every position you apply for. Unless the job posting mentions sending only your resume, it is good to send one for every job you apply for.
Job Application Letter Format
Job Application Letter Sample
Refer to the following Job Application Letter Samples before writing a job application letter to an employer.
Job Application Letter for Sales Manager Position
Sample Job Application Letter for Software Developer Position
Sample Job Application Letter for English Teacher Position
FAQ’s on Job Application Letter
Question 1. What is a Job Application Letter?
Answer: It is a document that should be submitted along with the resume to an employer to express the candidate’s interest in the position while applying for jobs.
Question 2. Is a Job Application Letter similar to a Cover Letter?
Answer: Yes, a Job Application Letter is also known as a Cover Letter. It explains why the candidate qualified for the position and should be shortlisted for an interview.
Question 3. Why should I write a Job Application Letter?
Answer: A well-written job application letter helps to get the attention of an employer while reviewing an application. However, the job application letter can be written to express the aspects of the candidate’s personality. You should send the letter for every position you apply. Unless the job posting mentions sending only your resume, it is good to send one for every job you apply.
Question 4. Which should be emphasized on a Job Application Letter?
Answer: The letter should emphasize the candidate’s skills and key qualifications which is fit for the role.
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Tips for Writing an Effective Application Essay
How to Write an Effective Essay
Writing an essay for college admission gives you a chance to use your authentic voice and show your personality. It's an excellent opportunity to personalize your application beyond your academic credentials, and a well-written essay can have a positive influence come decision time.
Want to know how to draft an essay for your college application ? Here are some tips to keep in mind when writing.
Tips for Essay Writing
A typical college application essay, also known as a personal statement, is 400-600 words. Although that may seem short, writing about yourself can be challenging. It's not something you want to rush or put off at the last moment. Think of it as a critical piece of the application process. Follow these tips to write an impactful essay that can work in your favor.
1. Start Early.
Few people write well under pressure. Try to complete your first draft a few weeks before you have to turn it in. Many advisers recommend starting as early as the summer before your senior year in high school. That way, you have ample time to think about the prompt and craft the best personal statement possible.
You don't have to work on your essay every day, but you'll want to give yourself time to revise and edit. You may discover that you want to change your topic or think of a better way to frame it. Either way, the sooner you start, the better.
2. Understand the Prompt and Instructions.
Before you begin the writing process, take time to understand what the college wants from you. The worst thing you can do is skim through the instructions and submit a piece that doesn't even fit the bare minimum requirements or address the essay topic. Look at the prompt, consider the required word count, and note any unique details each school wants.
3. Create a Strong Opener.
Students seeking help for their application essays often have trouble getting things started. It's a challenging writing process. Finding the right words to start can be the hardest part.
Spending more time working on your opener is always a good idea. The opening sentence sets the stage for the rest of your piece. The introductory paragraph is what piques the interest of the reader, and it can immediately set your essay apart from the others.
4. Stay on Topic.
One of the most important things to remember is to keep to the essay topic. If you're applying to 10 or more colleges, it's easy to veer off course with so many application essays.
A common mistake many students make is trying to fit previously written essays into the mold of another college's requirements. This seems like a time-saving way to avoid writing new pieces entirely, but it often backfires. The result is usually a final piece that's generic, unfocused, or confusing. Always write a new essay for every application, no matter how long it takes.
5. Think About Your Response.
Don't try to guess what the admissions officials want to read. Your essay will be easier to write─and more exciting to read─if you’re genuinely enthusiastic about your subject. Here’s an example: If all your friends are writing application essays about covid-19, it may be a good idea to avoid that topic, unless during the pandemic you had a vivid, life-changing experience you're burning to share. Whatever topic you choose, avoid canned responses. Be creative.
6. Focus on You.
Essay prompts typically give you plenty of latitude, but panel members expect you to focus on a subject that is personal (although not overly intimate) and particular to you. Admissions counselors say the best essays help them learn something about the candidate that they would never know from reading the rest of the application.
7. Stay True to Your Voice.
Use your usual vocabulary. Avoid fancy language you wouldn't use in real life. Imagine yourself reading this essay aloud to a classroom full of people who have never met you. Keep a confident tone. Be wary of words and phrases that undercut that tone.
8. Be Specific and Factual.
Capitalize on real-life experiences. Your essay may give you the time and space to explain why a particular achievement meant so much to you. But resist the urge to exaggerate and embellish. Admissions counselors read thousands of essays each year. They can easily spot a fake.
9. Edit and Proofread.
When you finish the final draft, run it through the spell checker on your computer. Then don’t read your essay for a few days. You'll be more apt to spot typos and awkward grammar when you reread it. After that, ask a teacher, parent, or college student (preferably an English or communications major) to give it a quick read. While you're at it, double-check your word count.
Writing essays for college admission can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. A well-crafted essay could be the deciding factor─in your favor. Keep these tips in mind, and you'll have no problem creating memorable pieces for every application.
What is the format of a college application essay?
Generally, essays for college admission follow a simple format that includes an opening paragraph, a lengthier body section, and a closing paragraph. You don't need to include a title, which will only take up extra space. Keep in mind that the exact format can vary from one college application to the next. Read the instructions and prompt for more guidance.
Most online applications will include a text box for your essay. If you're attaching it as a document, however, be sure to use a standard, 12-point font and use 1.5-spaced or double-spaced lines, unless the application specifies different font and spacing.
How do you start an essay?
The goal here is to use an attention grabber. Think of it as a way to reel the reader in and interest an admissions officer in what you have to say. There's no trick on how to start a college application essay. The best way you can approach this task is to flex your creative muscles and think outside the box.
You can start with openers such as relevant quotes, exciting anecdotes, or questions. Either way, the first sentence should be unique and intrigue the reader.
What should an essay include?
Every application essay you write should include details about yourself and past experiences. It's another opportunity to make yourself look like a fantastic applicant. Leverage your experiences. Tell a riveting story that fulfills the prompt.
What shouldn’t be included in an essay?
When writing a college application essay, it's usually best to avoid overly personal details and controversial topics. Although these topics might make for an intriguing essay, they can be tricky to express well. If you’re unsure if a topic is appropriate for your essay, check with your school counselor. An essay for college admission shouldn't include a list of achievements or academic accolades either. Your essay isn’t meant to be a rehashing of information the admissions panel can find elsewhere in your application.
How can you make your essay personal and interesting?
The best way to make your essay interesting is to write about something genuinely important to you. That could be an experience that changed your life or a valuable lesson that had an enormous impact on you. Whatever the case, speak from the heart, and be honest.
Is it OK to discuss mental health in an essay?
Mental health struggles can create challenges you must overcome during your education and could be an opportunity for you to show how you’ve handled challenges and overcome obstacles. If you’re considering writing your essay for college admission on this topic, consider talking to your school counselor or with an English teacher on how to frame the essay.
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5+ Middle School Application Essay Examples [ Choice, Charter, Student Council ]
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- Read everything: Read the directions before answering anything. This is often taken for granted and often times, applicants who do not follow the directions get their applications denied. So as to not let that happen, read everything before answering the following questions needed in the form.
- Write in block letters: Avoid writing in cursive. Block letters are not only formal to look at, they are also easy to read and understand.
- Avoid erasures: As much as possible avoid erasures. Not only will it be difficult to read, some people in different organizations would often tell you to avoid making erasures. To avoid this, make a draft on a different paper or ask questions if you do not understand.
- Review: Review everything. Check if you have answered everything on the form and have not left a single one unanswered.
- Think: What are you planning on writing about. If you are given a topic, what do you want to expound about it? Brainstorm some ideas before you write it out. Your application essay is your ticket to showing how good you are, so it’s best to think.
- Draft it: Once you are done with brainstorming ideas , make a draft essay using an extra paper. Write down your ideas. It doesn’t matter if they are simply phrases or a word. This helps with constructing your sentences easier and for you to formulate a better essay.
- Tone: When writing, your tone for your essay has to be professional. Also, this essay is to persuade the right people to accept your application. Do avoid arguing in your essay. Give out some right information and persuade them but do not make your essay into an argument . That destroys the whole point of writing your essay.
- Word Count: Do not make your essay too wordy or too short. Follow the directions as to how many words they are asking you to write for your essay. It will not disqualify you but it may deduct your points.
- Revise: If you have time or if you can make time, revise your essay. Check for some misspelled words, check the punctuations and your grammar.
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Job Application Letter Template and Writing Tips
Alison Doyle is one of the nation’s foremost career experts.
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- What to Include in an Application Letter
Application Letter Template
Application letter example.
- How to Email an Application Letter
Are you ready to apply for a job? Not sure what to write in your letter of application ? It can be much easier to start your letter with a template than to start a letter from scratch.
A template will show you all the information you need to include, and will provide the appropriate format for a job application letter . You can add your information and personalize the letter prior to applying for a job.
Do keep in mind that the job posting may list required information as part of the application process. If it does, be sure to follow the employer's guidelines for what to send or upload when you apply.
What to Include in a Job Application Letter
The following application letter template lists the information you need to include in the letter you submit with your resume when applying for a job. Use this application template as a guideline to create customized letters to send to employers with your resume.
Contact Information The first section of your letter should include information on how the employer can contact you. If you have contact information for the employer, include that. Otherwise, just list your information.
Your Personal Information FirstName LastName Street Address City, State Zip Code Phone Number Email Address
Employer Contact Information Name Title Company Address City, State Zip Code
Salutation Here is information on appropriate salutations for in a cover letter . It is the most common salutation:
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name or Dear Hiring Manager:
Application Letter Content Your application letter will let the employer know what position you are applying for, why the employer should select you for an interview, and how you will follow-up.
First Paragraph: The first paragraph of your job application letter should include information on why you are writing. Mention the job you are applying for and where you found the position. If you have a contact at the company, mention the person's name and your connection here.
Middle Paragraphs: The next section of your cover letter should describe what you have to offer the company:
- Make strong connections between your abilities and the requirements listed in the job posting. Mention specifically how your skills and experience match the job.
- Expand on the information in your resume, don't just repeat it.
- Try to support each statement you make with a piece of evidence.
- Use several shorter paragraphs or bullets rather than one large block of text, which can be difficult to read and absorb quickly.
Final Paragraph: Conclude your application letter by thanking the employer for considering you for the position. Include information on how you will follow up. State that you will do so and indicate when (one week's time is typical). You may want to reduce the time between sending out your resume and following up if you upload or email it.
Complimentary Close:
Your Signature (hard copy letter)
Your full name typed out
This is an example of a job application letter. Download the job application letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.
Application Letter Sample (Text Version)
Christina Black 987 Maple Avenue City, State 12345 555-555-5555 christina.black@email.com
August 11, 2020
Mary Cody Hiring Manager ASDF Company 777 Broadway City, State 55555
Dear Ms. Cody:
I am writing in reference to the position of Front Office Assistant posted on Monster. With my skills and experience, I believe I can offer exactly the kind of support necessary in your fast-paced corporate culture.
In addition to my customer relations, communications, and technical skills, I bring the following experience:
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
- Proficient in Quickbooks and Quicken
- Able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment, handle multiple phone lines while maintaining customer flow
- Team player, providing superior customer service and administrative support
- Maximize office efficiency through maintaining and implementing best practices in invoicing, vendor relations, and workflow management
Thank you for your consideration as a valuable addition to your team. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss how I can bring my positive energy to your administrative staff and help your company continue to grow and succeed. I’ll follow up with you next week to check on the status of my application.
Christina Black (signature hard copy letter)
Christina Black
How to Email an Application Letter
If you are emailing an application letter, instead of sending a hard copy, you will need to make a few minor tweaks to the template above. First, make sure to include an email subject line that is direct and informative.
Typically, the subject includes your name and the job title you are applying for. For example:
Subject: Sherry Chao — Marketing Associate Position
Skip including your personal information (address, contact information), the date, and the employer's contact information. Begin your email with the salutation. The body of the email—why you're writing, what you have to offer the company, and how you will follow up—will be precisely the same as in the template above.
At the end of the letter, include a complimentary close , and then type out your full name on the line below. As well, you can include an email signature with your contact information and a link to your LinkedIn or Twitter account. Here is information on how to set up your email signature.
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Sample Job Application
------------------------------------------------- Sample Job Application Letter of a Fresh Graduate (Insert Date Here) (Insert Name here) (Insert Position here) (Insert Address here) (Insert 2nd line of address here) Dear Ms. (insert last name): Thank you for posting your need for Human Resource staff on (put where you found the vacancy here). I am available to fill this opening and can begin work immediately after hiring. I recently obtained my Degree from (Insert School here)
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Sample Application Letter
Sample application letter YZ Company 87 Delaware Road Hatfield‚ CA 08065 (909) 555-5555 [email protected] Date Dear Mr. Gilhooley‚ I am writing to apply for the programmer position advertised in the Times Union. As requested‚ I am enclosing a completed job application ‚ my certification‚ my resume and three references. The opportunity presented in this listing is very interesting‚ and I believe that my strong technical experience and education will make me a very competitive
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Application Letter Sample
Union. As requested‚ I am enclosing a completed job application ‚ my certification‚ my resume and three references. The opportunity presented in this listing is very interesting‚ and I believe that my strong technical experience and education will make me a very competitive candidate for this position. The key strengths that I possess for success in this position include: * I have successfully designed‚ developed‚ and supported live use applications * I strive for continued excellence *
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Sample of an Application Letter
Job Application Letter Format Contact Information Name Address City‚ State‚ Zip Code Phone Number Email Address Date Employer Contact Information (if you have it) Name Title Company Address City‚ State‚ Zip Code Salutation Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name‚ (leave out if you don’t have a contact) Body of Application Letter The body of your application letter lets the employer know what position you are applying for‚ why the employer should select you for an interview‚ and how you will follow-up
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Application Letter • Solicited letter • Unsolicited • Blind Advertisement Attention (Opening Paragraph) Points to consider in writing application letter • Open the letter by capturing the reader’s attention in a businesslike way. • State that you are applying for a job and identify the position of the type of work you seek. Letter opening Summary opening • I understand that a continuing writer in your station must be interested in and knowledgeable
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I Advertised on July 3‚ 2017 Accountant Follows-up payments from delinquent cardholders through telephone calls and letters ; Coordinates with the branches regarding: • Assistance in collecting to cardholders; • Instruction to debit from accounts of cardholders with sufficient balances; • Request for application of holdout deposits for credit card payments • Verification on undebited accounts under the Automatic Debit Arrangement; Reconciles and analyzes balances of accounts
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Job Application Letter
able to perform this job well because I graduated at Asia Pacific College under Bachelor of Arts of Multimedia Arts where I improved my computer skills such as photoshops‚ corel‚ and illustrator which I believed that it would be suitable for the graphic artist you are looking for‚ and I also experienced photography and short film making. I am an approachable person‚ when I was a student‚ I never absent and very responsible for any tasks given. I am enclosing a job application with my resume and
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International Ambassador House Marcham Way LONDON WC2 9TP Dear Ms Roberts Vacancy for Business Analyst I am writing in reply to your advert for the above post‚ which was advertised in The Guardian on Tuesday 30 April 2007‚ and I enclose my CV in application . I am currently in the final year of a BA (Hons) course in Business Economics at City University‚ Bristol‚ and expect to graduate in June 2007. I have always wanted to pursue a career as an economist within an international environment and have
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am Main Germany Mr. XY Page Personnel Ltd. 28 Castellaine Road Peterborough‚ Cambridgeshire United Kingdom Dear Mr. XY‚ I will be graduating in June 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and want to apply for the job of the personnel manager’s assistant at Page Personnel Ltd. I took notice of your vacancy through an advertisement in the current edition of the London Times‚ and I would now like to introduce myself to you. During my concentrated study at the European
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Sample of Application Letter
closed. Also in RCBC Savings Bank I’ve been a Student-Trainee for 300 hours in one of their branches in San Juan City‚ Manila. I am responsible for checking the cheques‚ withdrawal and deposit slips of the branch. When I was in college I do part time jobs during my free time and I was hired in one of the Travel Agency in Manila. I do online booking in airlines‚ calling in and out of clients‚ documenting‚ filling and photocopying important documents for fax. I am willing to serve and work in your good
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I-2-10 Blok 1 Lorong Sierra Apartment PH I/3A Jalan Tuaran Menggatal 88450 Kota Kinabalu‚ Sabah October 4‚ 2012 Ms Alicesia Yong IEC Group 987 Lorong Jering 2 Sunny Garden Mile 1.5 Tuaran Road 88300 Kota Kinabalu‚ Sabah Dear Ms Alicesia I am writing in response to your advertisement in the JobStreet.com dated 2 October 2012. I am interested for applying the position of Administration Officer in your company. I am a fresh graduate from University Malaysia Sarawak with Human Resource
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Sample Formal Letter Of Application
Sample Formal Letter of Application Title Company Name Address City‚ State‚ Zip Code Dear Contact Person: I’m writing to express my interest in the Web Content Specialist position listed on Monster.com. I have experience building large‚ consumer-focused health-based content sites. While much of my experience has been in the business world‚ I understand the social value of the non-profit sector and my business experience will be an asset to your organization. My responsibilities included the development
Cover Letter For Job Application
Dear Sir/Madam‚ After reading about the Job positing for a Help Desk (ITS2) on governmentjobs.com‚ I have become very interested in this position and I strongly feel my qualification and experience will make me a perfect candidate for this position. I have over nine years of Experience in the information technology industry and I have worked in several capacities ranging from help desk analyst‚ deskside support analyst‚ system admin and field operations analyst. I have
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Job Application
When applying for employment by mail a job application letter must accompany your resume. Often times an employer may be flooded by perhaps a stack of a hundred or more resumes on any given day. In such situations‚ getting an interview can represent a major break-through for the job applicant. The job application letter you write can and should be used to substitute for that all-important interview that you may not otherwise get‚ regardless of your qualifications. So‚ construct it wisely. Resumes
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Coast Guard Application Letter Sample
Hello LT Talbert! I am emailing you to update you on the status of my Coast Guard Academy application after being notified that I was placed on the waitlist. Although I was disappointed at first that I was not awarded an appointment right away‚ I see this as a great opportunity to show how much an appointment to the Coast Guard Academy means to me. I immediately accepted my place on the waitlist and my interest in the Coast Guard Academy has not wavered. Instead‚ my interest has only increased as
Job application letter Hunan university tianma apartment 2-3-228 post number:430082 May 2‚2013 To：shezhen technology company Ms.Helen white Dear Ms.white: Mr. Bill King‚professor of intelligent science and technology at hunan university told me that you are seeking a programmer who is going to graduate.I am very interested in your company‚and would like to be comsidered for the position.Enclosed is my resume. According to Mr.King‚you are searching for a assistant to help to do the
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Job Interviews‚ Follow-Up Letters and Calls‚ and Job Offers • Develop an overall strategy based on your answers to these three questions: 1. What two to five facts about yourself do you want the interviewer to know? 2. What disadvantages or weaknesses do you need to overcome or minimize? 3. What do you need to know about the job and the organization to decide whether or not you want to accept this job if it is offered to you? • Wear a conservative business suit to the interview. • Bring
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Mock Job Application Formal Letter
Haughton Road Darlington DL1 1DR 5th November 2012 Mr L Fordham Tewit Park Harrogate HG1 1JD Dear Mr. Fordham I am writing to you with regards to the open job position Business Support Assistant. I discovered this position in a recent internet search and was immediately interested. I am currently searching for a job in which I can broaden my knowledge and progress myself further whilst also gaining experience. I believe I am the best candidate for this particular position as I have
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Job Application Sample - Web Designer
Massie Block Florence 78 no.88 Lotte street‚ Jakarta 14470 021-5688888 [email protected] July 23 2013 Pete Juratovic Clikzy Creative 108 North Payne Street Alexandria‚ VA 22314 Dear Mr.Pete‚ I will be graduating from Raffles College Singapore with a bachelor degree in web design and am interested in opportunities at Clikzy Creative. I have worked as an intern with Web D-sign company for the past two summers as one of their web designers. While there I developed my skills
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Motivation Letter Sample for Admission Application
Motivation letter Dear Sir/Madam‚ I ITIOLA IDOWU OLUWABUNMI‚ Research assistant at Politecnico di Torino‚ in the department of lands‚ environment and infrastructure‚ Torino‚ Italy and also at University of Ilorin‚ Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering till date. I graduated as a Civil Engineer in University of Ilorin‚ faculty of Engineering and Technology in Ilorin‚ Kwara State‚ Nigeria and have received a 5years Bachelor in Engineering degree and now a second level specialized master’s
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Job Application Letter Sample
MERCY JOHNSONS 31 JUNE, 2021 8521 UPPER HILL STREET LAVINGTON RACECOURSE, TV 72109
MR. PETER STOCKMANN 2314 WEST LANDS STREET EAST LEIGH, FI 87319
Dear Mr. Peter Stockmann, RE: APPLICATION FOR A JOB
I am writing to apply for the job of Shop Assistant in your store. I am a third year student at the University of Lavington, currently pursuing a BS in Business Management. A friend of mine who is an employee at your store suggested the vacant post for me. I believe that with my experience and studies, I am fit to take on the job. Having reached my third year in my university studies, I feel I am ready to take upon greater challenges and responsibilities in my life and I believe working in your store will give me that opportunity.
My decision to take up a summer vacation job in your store is greatly influenced by the post I am currently hold at my university. I hold the position of the Executive in the University Managerial Society. Working in your store is appealing to me as it has a good reputation and offers solid training. It will also provide with me with an opportunity to better my services by understanding and gaining knowledge on how to run the Managerial Society.
While leading the University Managerial Society, I have improved my communication skills and my ability to lead and supervise subordinate staff effectively. I have also learned to work under pressure and to work in a team.
I have worked as a junior staff in various stores here in Pennsylvania that offer similar services. Working in those stores gave me an experience and an in-depth knowledge in how to handle services. I have learned to relate to customers well and to cater to their orders effectively as well as offering recommendable aftersale services. I am a hardworking, conscientious and effective communicator. I am interested in enhancing my skills as a business manager in a store that encourages high standards in personal development. I would gladly appreciate the opportunity to be involved in the management and development of your store.
I will be available to work from the start of the next month. I will be happy to attend an interview at your convenience and send any additional information needed. With my letter, I have attached my resume. I can be contacted anytime on my mobile phone, 955-764-2341 or via my email address, [email protected]
Yours Sincerely, Signature Mercy Johnsons
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Applying to Graduate Programs
- Writing Statements of Purpose and Other Application Essays
As noted in the application qualifications and admissions criteria section of this website, the statement of purpose (in other words, the primary application essay; sometimes also called personal statement , background statement , and other names) can play a major role in determining whether an applicant is invited to interview and in final selection decisions. Specifically, the statement can be used to assess the applicant’s fit with the program, match with faculty members, writing ability, and more. Thus, spending the time to craft a well-written statement of purpose or other types of application essays is necessary in order for your application to have a chance of succeeding. To help with this process, here we provide an overview of the process of writing such statements and other application essays.
Types of Statements of Purpose and Other Application Essays
Depending on the program, you may be required to provide a statement of purpose , application essay , autobiographical essay , personal statement , career goal statement, background statement , or other similarly named piece of writing. Each of these commonly is your opportunity to provide information about yourself beyond that communicated in the rest of your application materials. You may also be asked to provide supplementary essays such as a diversity statement.
Typically, graduate applications provide an essay prompt which includes specific questions or themes that you should address in the essay. Common themes include: 1,2
- Your long-term career plans
- Your research interests or areas of interest in psychology
- Your reasons for choosing the program that you are applying to
- Your prior research experiences
- Your academic background or objectives
- Your motivation for pursuing your field of study
It is common for programs to specify how the essay should be formatted, or at a minimum, its maximum length. For instance, an application essay may be stated to be “no longer than 2 double-spaced pages” or no more than 500 words. It is important to follow all directions and not exceed that limit.
Using the same exact essay for each application is not advised . 1,3 Each program typically has specific information that they are seeking, and if you do not directly address those details in your essay, your application will suffer. You may be able to reuse different parts of your application essays, but you should expect to have to write new material for each application.
Are there example statements of purpose that I should examine? A variety of online sources do contain example statements, and you can find links to example statements at the bottom of this page. However, application essays in general are unique to each individual – each person has a different set of experiences and different aspects that they may wish to emphasize. Moreover, writing an application essay that resembles someone else’s can result in that essay appearing derivative – and given the highly competitive application process, that is something you should avoid. Thus, examples are for reference only.
How to Write a Statement of Purpose and Other Application Essays
When writing an application essay, it can be helpful to rely on the following steps. Please note that these procedures represent a common approach for writing application essays; you may wish to adapt some of the steps, or use/add others, for best results. 1,3
1. Brainstorming/clustering
At this first stage, jot down your thoughts as you think of answers to the essay prompt. Try to think of themes that you wish to emphasize, as well as concrete examples that you may wish to describe in the essay. You can organize them into clusters (for example, write ideas in circles and draw connecting lines). Remember that the overall goal of the essay is to convince the admissions committee that you are an attractive candidate and a good fit for their program.
2. Outlining
This is an optional step. Take your brainstorming/clustering notes and organize them into an outline of how the essay will be structured. You might have a chronological structure that begins with your earlier experiences and advances towards your more recent activities. Alternatively, you may organize your essay around themes (for example, research topics). A common outline involves an opening paragraph, then discussion of academic accomplishments, research experience, other experiences, future plans and suitability for the program of interest, and a concluding paragraph. 4
3. Freewriting/initial draft
Often one of the biggest hurdles is just getting words on the page. The key here is to not worry about having your words sound perfectly the first time around. Try drafting several sentences, a paragraph or two, and see whether your thoughts translate well into prose. It is common at this stage to discard whole sections of text in favor of new material. At this conclusion of this process, you should aim to have a completed first draft.
4. Revising
It is easy to get burned out on writing, so after you have completed that first draft, set it aside for a while. Then, return with fresh eyes and read through it carefully. You are likely to find areas that need improvement – be sure to take notes or highlight them. It can help to read the essay out loud; a general rule is that if it sounds unusual when spoken aloud, it should be rewritten. Then, revise the essay.
5. Solicit feedback
Have another individual or individuals read your essays critically and provide feedback. Your mentor can be an ideal person to provide that feedback; alternatively, you might try a university writing center or your peers.
6. Revise and finalize your essay
Using the feedback and your own thoughts while reading the essay, edit it further until it is a polished product. Be sure to proofread, check formatting, and make sure that all aspects of the essay prompt are clearly and thoroughly addressed.
Statement of Purpose Do’s and Don’ts
Here are some recommended elements to include, strategies to try, and recommended elements or strategies to avoid. 1,3
- Do emphasize your individual strengths
- Do customize each statement to the program that you are submitting it to
- Do provide specific examples of relevant experiences (such as research, coursework, etc.)
- Do thoroughly address all aspects of the essay prompt
- Do use clear topic sentences, connective words or phrases, and paragraph transitions (for more information, please see the improving scientific writing section of this website)
- Do consider emphasizing your fit to the program that you are applying to
- Do consider discussing faculty mentors of interest
Dont’s
- Don’t use jokes, humor, or try to be funny
- Don’t excessively self-disclose personal problems
- Don’t be very general or vague in your research interests
- Don’t include complaints and criticisms
- Don’t use clichés such as “since my childhood I have always been interested in” or “I just want to help everyone”, unless you can genuinely and convincingly use them
Financial Aid, Fellowships, and Scholarship Application Essays
As you complete your graduate applications, you might also consider applying for financial aid or some sort of graduate research fellowship such as the Ford Foundation Fellowship or the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship . Such fellowships typically require a background statement that is similar in some aspects to the statement of purpose.
Workshops and Downloadable Resources
- For in-person discussion of the process of applying to graduate programs in psychology, neuroscience, and related fields, please consider attending this department’s “Paths to PhDs” workshop and other related events (for dates and times, please check the undergraduate workshops calendar).
- Tips for Applying to Graduate Programs in Psychology (a brief summary) [ PDF ]
Further Resources
How-To Videos
- Applying to Grad School Videos
Recommended Reading
- American Psychological Association (2007). Getting in: a step-by-step plan for gaining admission to graduate school in psychology . Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
- Keith-Spiegel, P., & Wiederman, M. W. (2000). The complete guide to graduate school admission: psychology, counseling, and related professions . Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
- Slideshow guide to writing winning statements of purpose from UCLA
- Guide to writing statements of purpose from Purdue Online Writing Lab
- Tips for writing the statement of purpose from UC Berkeley
- 10 tips for writing statements of purpose from USC
- 11 tips for writing powerful statements of purpose from CrunchPrep.com
- Choosing a graduate program from the Association for Psychological Science
- Smart shopping for psychology doctoral programs [PDF]
APA Videos on Graduate Applications
- Preparing and applying for graduate school in psychology [12-part video series]
- Preparing and applying for graduate school in psychology [video slides in PDF format]
- UCSD Graduate Division Statement of Purpose Prompt
- UCSD Career Center Graduate Application Process
- UCSD OASIS Language and Writing Program
- UCSD Writing Programs and Resources
- UCSD Muir College Writing Hub
- UCSD Writing Hub
1 American Psychological Association (2007). Getting in: a step-by-step plan for gaining admission to graduate school in psychology .
2 norcross, j. c., & hogan, t. p. (2016). preparing and applying for graduate school in psychology: 12 modules. american psychological association [video workshop]., 3 keith-spiegel, p., & wiederman, m. w. (2000). the complete guide to graduate school admission: psychology, counseling, and related professions . psychology press., 4 rutgers university camden college of arts and sciences. writing a personal statement ., prepared by s. c. pan for ucsd psychology, graphic adapted with permission from leoncastro under creative commons attribution-share alike 4.0 international license..
- Finding and Choosing Graduate Programs of Interest
- Timelines for the Graduate Application Process
- Applicant Qualifications, Admissions Criteria, and Acceptance Rates
- Requesting Letters of Recommendation
- Preparing for the Graduate Record Examination
- Graduate Admissions Interviews
- Applying to Clinical Psychology Programs
- Applying to Medical School and Professional Health Programs
- Accepting Graduate Admissions Offers
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Follow these steps to compose a compelling application letter: 1. Research the company and job opening Thoroughly research the company you're applying to and the specifications of the open position. The more you know about the job, the better you can customize your application letter. Look for details like: Recent awards the company has received
In the admissions essays, you are using an essay to convey something about yourself. You will probably be asked to write about the reasons you want to enter a specific field or college, an event in your life that helped shape you, or other personal subjects. If it helps, rewrite these prompts into questions: Why do you want to go to Harvard?
This essay may be your best opportunity to communicate with the decision makers in the application process, and you don't want to bore them, offend them, or make them feel you are wasting their time. With this in mind: Do assure your audience that you understand and look forward to the challenges of the program and the field, not just the benefits.
The application essay is your opportunity to impress an admissions officer with your determination and existing knowledge of your chosen subject. Make sure it reflects all of your skills and ambitions, and show how your chosen program will help you achieve future goals. 4. Avoid clichés
Graduate school application essays, personal statements, and letters of intent can be a major hurdle to overcome in the application process. Getting just the right words on paper to convey why you want to go to grad school and the impact you intend have using your degree is a lot to ask.
College Application Essay Examples About Yourself Some colleges require students to write an essay with a "tell us your story" prompt. Here, you have to tell the admission officers about you and your life. Below is an example for you to get an idea of writing a college essay about yourself. College Application Essay Examples About Yourself
A cover letter for an essay is supplementary application material. Colleges and universities may require students to submit a cover letter that explains their intentions for their admissions essay. Your essay cover letter gives you the opportunity to briefly summarize your essay and then include a few key details about it.
A college application essay is an essay written by applicants seeking enrollment into an academic institution such as a college, university, or graduate school. The application essay is meant to assist the admitting committee in learning more about the applicant besides academic performances.
A Job Application Letter Free Essay Example A Job Application Letter Categories: Education Job Job Application Software Technology Download Essay, Pages 2 (276 words) Views 8971 Paragraph One tells where you found the job opportunity and what the job title is. I am writing in response to your advertisement in the January 16 Philadelphia Inquirer.
Social Issues Application Letter. Name: Course: Professor: Institution: Experience While carrying out my internship in ASA college in New York, I helped the students to write better essays. The students there displayed various difficulties in writing in prose. The problems included the observance of grammar and the construction of sentences and ...
A letter of application, also known as a cover letter, is a document sent with your resume to provide additional information about your skills and experience to an employer. Your letter of application is intended to provide detailed information on why you are an ideal candidate for the job. 1
These letters enhance your college application entrance essay and build on answers to supplemental college application essay prompts. Due to the shift away from standardized testing, other parts of your college applications are inevitably getting more attention in the evaluation process.
Begin your essay by introducing yourself and the name of the position you're applying for. Then go into the thesis or theme of your essay. [7] Think of this paragraph as telling the hiring manager what you're going to tell them in the essay. Outline the points you're going to elaborate on in the essay that back up your theme or thesis statement.
A college application essay format is a set of guidelines to organize and structure your ideas. It plays an important role in giving a proper and logical direction to your essay. Similarly, it is usually the first thing that the committee officers will see in your application.
Writing a college application essay: dos and don'ts. Here are a few guidelines for crafting a college application essay that effectively conveys who you are while also helping you stand out from the thousands of other applicants. Dos: Present yourself in a dimension that reaches beyond grades, recommendations, and test scores.
Give yourself some time. Let your essay sit for a while (at least an hour or two) before you proofread it. Approaching the essay with a fresh perspective gives your mind a chance to focus on the actual words rather than seeing what you think you wrote. Don't rely solely on the computer spelling and grammar check.
Application Essay. An application letter, also known as a cover letter, is a crucial component of a job application. It serves as an introduction to an applicant and provides a detailed explanation of their qualifications and experiences, as well as why they are interested in the position.
The job application letter should be well presented by keeping in mind the following information: It should be written on a single page. It should be single-spaced with a space between every paragraph and a 1-inch margin with the text aligned to the left. Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri font should be used with a font size between 10 to 12 ...
Follow these tips to write an impactful essay that can work in your favor. 1. Start Early. Few people write well under pressure. Try to complete your first draft a few weeks before you have to turn it in. Many advisers recommend starting as early as the summer before your senior year in high school.
Definition of Application. An application is a legal and official request done through word of mouth or through writing. Definition of Application Essay. An application essay is a type of essay often called a personal essay or personal statement. This is written by the applicant whether for scholarship or for an organization they wish to join in.
Your application letter will let the employer know what position you are applying for, why the employer should select you for an interview, and how you will follow-up. First Paragraph: The first paragraph of your job application letter should include information on why you are writing.
Sample Application Letter. Sample application letter YZ Company 87 Delaware Road Hatfield‚ CA 08065 (909) 555-5555 [email protected] Date Dear Mr. Gilhooley‚ I am writing to apply for the programmer position advertised in the Times Union. As requested‚ I am enclosing a completed job application ‚ my certification‚ my resume ...
Job Application Letter Sample. MR. PETER STOCKMANN. I am writing to apply for the job of Shop Assistant in your store. I am a third year student at the University of Lavington, currently pursuing a BS in Business Management. A friend of mine who is an employee at your store suggested the vacant post for me. I believe that with my experience and ...
How to Write a Statement of Purpose and Other Application Essays. When writing an application essay, it can be helpful to rely on the following steps. Please note that these procedures represent a common approach for writing application essays; you may wish to adapt some of the steps, or use/add others, for best results. 1,3
Is it wise to submit a Why X essay/letter as I did not submit one with my original application? Related Topics Law school University Education Learning and Education comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment More posts you may like. r ...