Steps and Tips for an Impressive Graduate School Cover Letter

The graduate school cover letter is a written introduction of yourself that you submit along with your application and resume. It is your initial introduction to the graduate school personnel and an opportunity to create a good and memorable first impression. Cover letters convey your personality and should be as unique as you. The graduate school cover letter should contain some standard information:

• A strong and distinct introduction.
• Well-organized and relevant character traits.
• A professional closing.

 

Learn more: How to Write a Cover Letter

A well-written and informative cover letter can help to differentiate you from other students and leave a lasting impression on the graduate committee. Your professionalism should convey a continued interest in furthering your education and your dedication to lifelong learning. Consider the following steps when composing your graduate school cover letter.

1. Address the cover letter.

Write your full name and mailing address at the top left of the document. Leave a space, then include the date you will send out the letter and accompanying documents. Leave another space and provide a content block for the recipient’s name and address.

2. Carefully choose an appropriate salutation.

The most used salutation for a graduate school cover letter is “Dear” and the recipient’s name. If you do not know their name and can’t find the information, you can use their professional title. Options are “Graduate School Coordinator,” “Enrollment Counselor,” or “[Subject] Department Head.”

3. Introduce yourself confidently.

State your name and express your interest in the graduate program. Talk about your previous background, educational experiences, and degrees.

Learn more: 5 Perfect Opening Lines for Your Cover Letter

4. State your objective.

Detail what interests you about the particular subject and how a graduate degree can help advance your professional career and meet your educational goals.

5. Detail relevant skills and experience.

Experiential information that reveals your character and relates to the degree program will communicate your dedication and persistent nature.

6. Conclude professionally.

End the letter respectfully and with gratitude. The person or people reviewing your application review hundreds of letters sometimes. Validate their hard work graciously.

Learn more: 15 Words and Phrases to Never Include in a Cover Letter

7. Include a call to action.

Different from a cover letter for a job, you’ll want to make sure your call to action is more of an invitation. Being too aggressive can be off-putting, so indicate your interest and excitement to hear from them and invite further questions.

8. Sign the document.

A professional touch, and a detail some miss in today’s technology-centered world, is including your signature above your typed name. The closing salutation should be warm, respectful, and professional. Some options are “Sincerely,” “Warm regards,” or “With appreciation.” Follow that with your name signed in blue or black ink only. Those colors are professional and easy on the eyes. Your typed name should be under your signature.

9. Remember to note the accompanying documents.

As this is the cover letter to your graduate application packet, you will have additional documents enclosed with it. Skip a space under your typed name and write the word “Enclosed,” followed by a colon. Underneath, list all the documents you have included in the order you placed them. This will help the recipient keep your file organized and see at a glance if your application needs more information.

Learn more: What to Include in Your Cover Letter

 

Tips to remember for writing a graduate school cover letter

Keep these tips in mind when working on your cover letter:

• Print on professional resume paper. You can find resume paper at most office supply stores or places where office supplies are typically sold. Resume paper is typically a heavier stock than printer paper and has a unique texture. It is designed specifically for printing resumes and shows you are detail-oriented.
• Use specific diction and active verbs. Use descriptive word choice and action verbs to detail your skills and qualities related to the graduate program you are applying for.
• Show your problem-solving skills. Prove your critical thinking capabilities by sharing an experience when you had to apply your skills.
• Maintain a professional voice and tone. Use a polite and consistent tone throughout. Use positive words to convey your optimism and excitement for the coming challenges of graduate school.
• Be concise. Write with purpose and include only the important details for the cover letter.
• Allow your personality to shine. Differentiate yourself by revealing your personality through your writing. Use stories, details, and qualities that highlight your traits and reveal your unique strengths and abilities.
• Be genuine. Communicate honestly in your letter to establish your credibility and build trust. The individual or graduate committee reviewing your application will probably be people that help run the program you hope to join. Candid writing will build respect.
• Revise and edit carefully. Review your letter and edit for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and flow. There should be a logical organization to your letter, making your points easy to understand and the information clear.

 

For your cover letter, use block formatting without indenting your paragraphs. Show a change in ideas and show your organization of ideas by starting a new paragraph when you change topics. Your cover letter font and size should be the same as the font and size used on your resume. Typical business professional standards use a size 12 font. Dependable and easy-to-read font choices are Times New Roman, Helvetica, Comic Sans, and Verdana. One-inch margins give your graduate school cover letter a crisp appeal and provide plenty of space for your content. Use the following template to help you compose a clean and professional-looking graduate school cover letter.

 

[Your full legal name]
[Your mailing address]
[Your city name, state, zip code]

 

[Date the letter is mailed out]

 

[Name of recipient]
[Recipient’s professional title]
[Department name]
[School or university name]
[School or university address]
[School or university city, state, and zip code]

 

[Professional and considerate salutation]

Opening paragraph: Introduce yourself and include a memorable greeting. State your interest in the program and provide relevant educational background, professional experience, and accomplishments. 

Body paragraph(s): Have one to two body paragraphs highlighting your attributes and transferable skills that make you a fit applicant for the graduate degree program. 

Closing paragraph: Close the letter by thanking the reader for their time, attention, and consideration. Use an open call to action showing your excitement at future possibilities and your eagerness to provide additional information if needed. 

 

[Complimentary close],

[leave this space blank for your signed name in ink]

[Your typed name]

 

Enclosed:
[Enclosure 1]
[Enclosure 2]
[Enclosure 3]
[Enclosure 4]

 

Learn more: 7 Expert Tips for Writing an A+ Cover Letter

Review this sample graduate school cover letter to help you when creating your own.

Terry Tonche
1234 Berry Lane
Las Cruces, NM 78891

 

October 4, 2021

 

James Burton
Dean of English
British and English Literature
Anywhere University
Little Rock, TX 221134

 

Dear James Burton,

It is with excitement that I submit my application for consideration to the graduate program at Anywhere University. I recently earned my bachelor’s in British literature from the University of Texas and feel eager for this next step in my educational career.

 

My undergraduate studies focused on the works of Shakespeare and Milton. I had the opportunity to study abroad and wrote for numerous academic journals. My published pieces are listed on my resume and include a study on the language used by William Shakespeare in his famous sonnets. I received recognition for my analysis of the Shakespearean sonnet form and participated in an open forum discussing the works of Shakespeare. I feel that the courses offered through this graduate program will inform my future writing and research efforts.

The requested application and accompanying forms included in this package are listed below. Please contact me if you need further information. I will be happy to provide it. I appreciate your time, attention, and consideration.

Sincerely,

 

Terry Tonche

 

Enclosed:
Complete application
Personal Statement
Official undergraduate transcripts
Resume
Letter of personal reference

Learn more: 9 Attention Grabbing Cover Letter Samples

Your well-prepared, unique and professional graduate school cover letter will help leave a lasting impression and help establish your qualifications, proving you are a good candidate for the graduate degree program you desire. Continuing your education can position you for career advancement.

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