What Is A Letter Of Intent?

• An intellectual autobiography that conveys the continuum of experiences and events in your academic life which have led you to desire an academic graduate education
  • What you did academically, why and with whom
  • What you want to do academically, where, why, and with whom

Before You Write, Do Your Homework!

• Obtain the school’s catalogue
• Confirm that the degree program offered matches your career goals
• Review the courses offered by the school that pertain to your goals
• Get the names of specific faculty members with whom you want to study
• Ask your current teachers if they know any of the faculty members in the proposed graduate program

Style of Letter

• Direct and straightforward manner
• No contrivances or gimmicks
• Place central points early
• Use active, not passive voice
• Do not use words such as “rather,” “quite,” “somewhat,” “fairly,” “pretty much”
• Be accurate and precise
• Be positive
• Emphasize strengths
• Explain anomalies
• Edit ruthlessly
• Cut out redundancy
• Be organized, orderly, specific and concise
• Use examples where needed
• Keep the statement to one or two typed pages
• Use transitions that tie each paragraph to the next
• Do not assume that the committee will understand everything. Explain course titles and research projects where necessary

Opening Paragraph

• Begin in a direct manner
• State the program to which you are making application
• Whether you are seeking a master's or doctorate
• In a general sense, why you are applying to the program

Subsequent Paragraphs

• Your qualifications and background
  • Describe
    • Experiences that have served as a foundation for your future graduate work
    • How your interest in the field developed
    • How you planned academically for your goal
  • Discuss
    • Undergraduate studies in general
    • Your major, and any specialization within the major, in specific terms
• Weave into the letter
  • Any academic achievements or accomplishments
  • Specific learning experiences that demonstrate your motivation and inspiration for continued study and/or research, such as:
    • Independent study courses or research with professors
    • Teaching assistantships
    • Undergraduate research conference presentations
    • Published work
    • Laboratory experiences
    • Research internships
    • Seminar courses
    • Honors thesis
    • Relevant education abroad
    • Independent writing
    • Academic honors and/or very closely related work experience

Closing Paragraph: Planned Academic Future

• Explain specifically why you wish to attend their particular program
• Explain specifically how the department's graduate curriculum matches your short and long term academic and career goals
• Show evidence of your investigation of their program, its faculty and their research, and their departmental resources and facilities
• Indicate how your academic and intellectual interests form a match with the research interests of one or more faculty in the program or department

Concluding Statement

• Summarize briefly why you believe you possess the experience and skills to be admitted to their program
• Tell the graduate committee that you are qualified and motivated and that you will be successful in graduate study and research