A letter of motivation is an essay in which the applicant describes why they want to study at a particular university in a particular field. The goal is to convince the admissions committee to choose you over the other candidates. We asked essayshark.com, an essay writing service, to give us tips on how to write a great college admissions motivation letter that will distinguish you from other applicants. 

How to write a Motivational Letter

Start thinking about your motivational letter in advance

Do not leave writing your motivation letter until the last moment. Take notes, research the universities to which you intend to apply, and think about the best way to say exactly why you are a good fit to study at the place of your choice

Be creative

You don’t have to use clichéd phrases. You can use sample motivation letters, but only in order to understand the logic of the text. A motivation letter to the university should reflect your educational and professional experience, your beliefs, and achievements.

Find out the requirements for a particular University

There is no standardized form for letters of motivation. You can limit the maximum length of your letter to between 500 and 1,000 words. The common structure includes an introduction, main part, conclusion. You have to check all the requirements at the particular university beforehand.

Each motivation letter should be unique

Do not try to compile one motivational essay for various educational institutions. Emphasis varies depending on the university you are applying to and the program you are considering. It’s clear that motivational essays for majors in journalism and computer science will differ.

Be sure to present the information in a logical manner

Even though you need to fit a lot of information into a relatively short text, remember that it should not be a list of facts about you. It should be a coherent narrative with linking words and transitions.

Don’t overstate your accomplishments

It can be quite tempting to exaggerate what you have done in an effort to succeed, but you should not do so. Remember that the people who read motivation essays are professionals. They have read many such essays in their careers and are well aware of the capabilities of an applicant your age.

Talk about your personality

You shouldn’t write a motivational letter according to someone else’s example. You shouldn’t look for examples from the Internet or use your friends’ past motivation letters. Universities use services to scan all essays, and if yours seems too similar to another, it will be flagged. You don’t want to be caught cheating before you start at a particular institution! Nevertheless, it’s good to use a template and fill it in with details from your own life. Some people need extra help when faced with a blank page.

Questions to answer in a motivational essay 

• Why have you chosen this course?
• Why are you interested in this area?
• What influenced your choice?
• Are there specific people who influenced your choice?
• What did you do to learn more about this course?
• How does your education relate to your chosen area?
• Do you have knowledge of the subject matter from the previous studies, research papers, or project preparation?
• What was your academic performance in this area?
• Have you received any scholarships?
• Do you have the skills that will be needed in your chosen program?
• What non-academic experience relevant to your chosen major do you have?
• Have you had any professional or volunteer experience in this field?
• Do you have a personal interest in this subject, and how did it emerge?
• Do you have hobbies, do you attend extracurricular activities that are related to your chosen major?
• Why did you choose this particular college?
• Are there professors you would like to work with?
• Do they specialize in areas that interest you?
• What attracted you to the structure of the course?
• What do you think sets this school apart from others? 
• What are your career goals?
• What personal qualities would you like to highlight?