How to Write an Application Letter for University (+Sample Included)

You’ve done the soul-searching and have finally figured out what you want to study in university. Great! Now, it’s time to apply. After preparing your transcripts, recommendations, and application form, you sit down for the most challenging part: your university application letter. 

A well-written and attractive university application letter is an integral part of your university application package. Your university application letter is an extension of yourself and should clearly outline your motivation for applying to the university and how your acceptance can propel your future goals. 

Writing the university or college application letter can be a daunting task; after all, it may mean the difference between acceptance and rejection. Universities place great importance on university application letters and an outstanding letter can not only result in your acceptance but also land you a scholarship! However, writing your application letter for university is a good exercise in figuring out how you apply what you want to study to what you want to do in the future!

This article will cover everything you need to know about the university application letters and will give you the tips and tricks you need to take yours to the next level!

A university application cover letter is unique from other application letters such as motivation letters for university, letters of interest for university applications, and recommendation/reference letters for university applications. Here is the difference between the three:

• University application letter: Describes your motivation for studying at a particular university, your academic and future professional goals, and your accomplishments.
• University motivation letter: Speaks about your motivation for studying and focuses more on why you have chosen to study a particular subject at the university. 
• Reference/application letter: A letter that is written for you as an assessment of your accomplishments and character by a past employer, teacher, or other senior individuals. 
  

A university application letter is highly personalizable, yet contains the following base points:

• Motivation for applying to the university
• How will you benefit from and apply what you want to study
• Relevant accomplishments and skills
• Strong closing with a call-to-action statement

When reading your college admissions cover letter, admission officers expect to find all of these points, so they should be specifically tailored to both the university and program you are applying to! 

Now, let’s break down a college application letter into its parts.

Reason for your interest in the school

University seats are always in limited demand and high supply; this makes proving your choice of university all the more important. 

In your college application letter, you can begin by briefly outlining why you chose the university you are applying to and how the program you are enrolling in can help you achieve your academic and professional goals. Your university application letter can also include things that make the university stand out from the competition making it a more appealing choice!

Above all, remember to keep your university application letter honest and genuine. A disingenuous letter can be easily sniffed out by an admissions officer!

Your academic goals and interests

In your college admissions letter, highlight your academic goals and interests. Admissions officers like to see applicants have the potential and drive to not only succeed in the program of their choice but thrive and apply the knowledge they gain in things that they are interested in! 

Your background and future interests

Your university application cover letter should provide a little bit of context as to who you are and what you want to do with your life. Your college admission letter, therefore, should briefly mention your reasoning for applying to the program you have chosen and how it will benefit your future professional endeavors. 

Connections to the school that you may have (if any)

When possible, take advantage of existing connections within the university in your college admission letter. These connections can come from previous or existing graduates or faculty and staff and can help you increase your perspective and knowledge of the university. 

Your application documents

In your university application letter, be sure to mention the documents you have included in your application package. This subtle indication should be included in your concluding remarks and helps to show your proactivity and interest in moving forward in the admissions process. 

A CTA for considering

A strong call to action in your college application letter, or CTA, is a good way to display your genuine interest in moving forward with your university application! A CTA is essentially a statement of intent for how you would like to progress with the application process. 

Your contact details

Your college application cover letter should include your contact information! This information, while included in other parts of the application package, is a good addition to your admissions letter to help university admissions officers organize your information and potentially contact you, should further information be required. 

Now, let’s take a look at how to write an application letter for a university.

Write your contact details.

The contact information that should be included in a university application letter is the same as what you would include in a standard cover letter. This information includes:

• Your full name
• Your position
• Your address
• Your telephone number and email

Write the date.

Your university application cover letterhead should also Include the date you wrote the letter beneath your contact information.

Write the school/admission office’s contact details.

Your college admissions cover letterhead should also include the contact information of the admissions office/university. This is similar to your contact information and should include:

• Admissions officer/university name
• Their position (if writing to the admissions officer)
• University address
  

Use a proper salutation.

Begin your college application letter with a formal salutation. The standard, in this case, is “Dear”. Be sure to avoid informal salutations such as “Hey”, “Hi”, and “Hello”. 

Write the contents of your letter.

This is the meat and bones of your college application letter. The contents of your college application letter should include: 

• Your motivation for applying
• Your personal and academic goals and interests
• Your future plans
• A reference to your connections
• A strong call to action

Include a sign-off.

Close off your college admissions letter with a strong sign-off. Thank the admissions officer for reading your letter, refer to the documents you have attached to your college application package, and end with a strong call to action!

You can increase the impact of your university application letter by restating how your admission into university will help you realize your dreams!

Here are some tips and tricks to spice up your university admissions letter!

💡 Include your research about the institution.

You should avoid applying to universities arbitrarily. Conduct research into any university you are thinking about applying to. That way, you can make the most informed decision for your future and your college application letter will reflect this!

💡 Show traits that make you a competitive candidate.

Distinguish yourself from other applicants in your university admissions cover letter. Highlight your skills and relevant qualifications that make you both an interesting and competitive candidate.  

💡 Be unique and include a personal touch.

Remember, your college application letter is an extension of your personality, skills, and qualifications. Including a short anecdote or personal story in your letter lends a level of personality and gives admission officers a clearer understanding of the person you are outside of academics! 

💡 Ask for others’ opinions and advice.

University is unlike any other educational environment that you have experienced. Consult others who have been through college and learn from their experiences. 

💡 Always proofread and use the correct letter format.

As a rule of thumb, you should avoid submitting anything you have not proofread at least once. Your university application letter is no different. Ensure that your letter format is consistent and correct and that your punctuation and tone are suitable. If you have trouble proofreading your own work, asking a friend or family member for their input is always okay! 

Let’s begin with a sample university application letter to give you a better idea of its layout. 

Here is a complete template of a university admission cover letter.

CakeResume offers a plethora of free resume templates for you to use. Check them out!

When submitting your CV, it is crucial to include an application letter. This letter provides an opportunity to showcase your communication skills, express your interest in the position, and highlight why you are the ideal candidate for the job. By including a well-crafted application letter, you can demonstrate your professionalism and attention to detail, which can ultimately increase your chances of securing a job interview.

And there you have it! At this point, you should be well on your way to crafting the best university application letter. Here’s a quick recap of the most important parts:

• Do your research on the university and the program you are applying to before writing your letter. You must make the most informed decision!
• Include all the necessary college application letter sections to avoid missing out on information that is important for the admissions officer to know.
• Be unique! Find ways to incorporate bits of your personality inside of your college application letter.

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— Originally written by Alexander Coye —