Cover Letter for Graduate School Sample (For Admission)

Cover Letter for Graduate School Sample (For Admission) Maybe its Africana studies, molecular genetics, or environmental management.Whatever the focus, you need a cover letter great enough to get you a meeting with the grad school admissions committee.No problem.This grad school cover letter guide will show you:A graduate school cover letter sample perfect for grad school applications.Examples of the ideal components on a cover letter for graduate school applications.Tips for using the small space in a grad program cover letter most effectively.How to write a cover letter for grad school sure to appease the admissions committee.Want to write your cover letter fast?Use our cover letter builder. Choose from20+ professional cover letter templatesthat match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.Graduate School Cover Letter for a ResumeSee more cover letter templates and create your cover letter here.One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page lon g, not three. With the same stuff.Create your resume nowDo you always need a cover letter for graduate school?Many schools dont require it, opting for a statement of purpose instead. ButAlways check your prospective schools webpage for the required graduate application materials. Sometimes a grad school cover letter might be compulsory just like a graduate school resume.Writing a different academia-related cover letter? Check out these dedicated guides:Academic Cover Letter SampleAcademic Advisor Cover Letter SampleEducation Advisor Cover Letter SampleResearch Assistant Cover Letter SamplePostdoc Cover LetterTeacher Cover Letter SampleTeaching Assistant Cover Letter SampleWant to explore your options further? See our full selection of cover letter examples for every career:Best Cover Letter Examples.To start things off, heres Zetys example of a grad school cover letter:Graduate School Cover Letter SampleGabrielle Fernandes Costa1505 Southern StreetLong Island City, NY 11101June 30, 2019Dr. Isabelle HolmesDepartment of Physical SciencesThe State University of New York at Stony Brook100 Nicolls Rd.Stony Brook, NY 11794Dear Dr. Holmes,With great pleasure, I would like to submit my application for the Master of Science In Geography program at the Department of Physical Sciences at SUNY Stony Brook. After recently completing my bachelors studies, this graduate program is the perfect path forward for me towards my goal of joining the Arctic Research Institute.As a graduate of Brown Universitys Bachelor of Science in Geological Earth Sciences program, I was fortunate enough to be mentored by some of the greatest minds in these fields. Under their tutelage, Ive honed my observational and analytical skills, as well as my knowledge of report-taking and reading measurements. I also had the life-changing experience of working with the preeminent polar explorer, Dr. Gilford, on her summer quantifying the rapidly receding coastline of the Queen Elizabeth Islands.Below my signature, youll find the application documents requested from me from the university website. If there is anything further from me you need, please give me a call, and Ill get to it right away. Thank you very much for your time and consideration of my graduate school application.Sincerely,Gabrielle Fernandes CostaEnclosed:Graduate Admission ApplicationUndergraduate TranscriptsStatement of PurposeStandardized Test ScoresPersonal Statement / EssayResume2x Reference LettersThat was our sample cover letter for graduate school programs.Heres how to write your cover letter for graduate school:1. Address Your Grad School Cover Letter CorrectlyA cover letter for grad school may not be identical to one for job applications.HoweverThey still follow a similar format, which means you begin at the top with a formal header and address.Heres how to address a cover letter for grad programs the right way:Jason J. Davenport832 Chatham WayWashington, MD 20008June 15, 2019Dr. Margaret J. WallerDepartm ent of PsychologyGolden Gate University536 Mission St.San Francisco, CA 94105Simple, right?You list your name and address first, leave a space, then follow it by the date youre writing or submitting this grad school cover letter.Then, leave a space again before addressing the graduate program director or other person who will decide on your admittance.Use their name and title, then the academic department theyre in, and finally the university name and address.The address on a graduate school program cover letter is probably the easiest portion of the whole writing process.ButIf you dont add it correctly, you might turn the admissions committee member off before they even start reading!Pro Tip: We told you to check your schools specific requirements to see if you need a cover letter at all. However, if you do need one, they could have a particular way to format it or ask you to include a special statement (heres an example from Drexel). Always read carefully!Looking for more strategi es for formatting a cover letter? Read this guide: Cover Letter Format: Templates, Ready-to-Use Layouts, 20+ Samples2. Introduce Yourself First on a Graduate School Cover LetterBefore we get to the good stuff, segue into the cover letter intro with a simple cover letter salutation.Here are two grad school cover letter greeting examples:WrongDear Program Administrator,RIGHTDear Dr. Humphrey,As you can guess, the wrong one is because it doesnt address someone specifically.One look at it, and theyll toss your graduate school application out with window.Always address the person directly!Pro Tip: Scour the universitys website to find the graduate program administrator. Another option is to use LinkedInit doesnt have to be only for job seekers.We continue with your introduction paragraph.On a cover letter for graduate school admission, the first paragraph should:briefly introduce you and state your interest in applying,list the graduate program youre aiming to take part in, andgive a fe w basic details about your academic background thus far.Here are two cover letter examples for graduate school opening statements:WRONGHello, my name is Jasper, and Im excited to apply for this grad program. I have recently finished my bachelors degree, and I want to keep on learning.RIGHTWith great pleasure, I would like to submit my application for the Master of Science In Geography program at the Department of Physical Sciences at SUNY Stony Brook. After recently completing my bachelors studies, this graduate program is the perfect path forward for me towards my goal of joining the Arctic Research Institute.The first example does seem captivating, at first, but a graduate school application is not a place to be informal. On top of that, it doesnt specify the program youre applying to.In the second example, all that changes.Its short, tailored, direct, and it is academically professionalJust the kind of intro they want.Pro Tip: Another option, if youre stuck on content for your in tro, is to explain how you found out about this graduate certificate or masters program. Did a professor recommend you? Perhaps it was promoted at a conference? Theyd be interested to find out!Want more examples of cover letter openings? See this guide: How to Start a Cover Letter: 20+ Great Opening Lines Paragraphs3. Explain Your Purpose for Applying to This Particular Graduate ProgramYouve explained your interest in a particular program, and they see that you can see yourself there.NowMake it clear to the supervisor or admissions board member that you belong there.The body of a cover letter for graduate program applications should include:More information on your undergraduate academic studies.A few examples of skills youve acquired relevant to this grad program.Any experience gained which is applicable to your graduate program.Here are two sample cover letters for graduate schools (body section):WRONGIve learned many skills in my undergraduate studies, including creative writing , statistics, and European history. On top of that, I wrote for the university paper as the local events journalist.RIGHTAs a graduate of Brown Universitys Bachelor of Science in Geological Earth Sciences program, I was fortunate enough to be mentored by some of the greatest minds in these fields. Under their tutelage, Ive honed my observational and analytical skills, as well as my knowledge of report-taking and reading measurements. I also had the life-changing experience of working with the preeminent polar explorer, Dr. Gilford, on her summer quantifying the rapidly receding coastline of the Queen Elizabeth Islands.How about that?The first one:is way too shortlists irrelevant skills (were applying for a geography program here), anddoesnt give appropriate experience.The second example is a winner, and it shows you are, as well.Pro Tip: Name-dropping on a grad school cover letter can be risky business. While its more than appropriate to name one or two professors or other academic s, dont exceed that. Too many names dropped drops your chances. Also, only mention people relevant to your program.Need more tips for cover letter greatness? Check this post out: 35+ Successful Cover Letter Tips, Advice Guidelines (With Examples)4. Close the Cover Letter for Graduate School SuccinctlyYoure just about there.Youve explained to them what makes you a great candidate for this particular grad program, and youve given skills and experience to support it.Now, lets wrap it up.Here are two grad school cover letter examples of closing statements:WRONGI really appreciate your time, and I look forward to a call back!RIGHTBelow my signature, youll find the application documents requested from me from the university website. If there is anything further from me you need, please give me a call, and Ill get to it right away. Thank you very much for your time and consideration of my graduate school application.Here, though youre excited for the opportunity, remain professional. Its a graduate school, so lose the exclamation marks and ditch the informalty.Pro Tip: Dont use the last paragraph to include any more points which support your application. If theyre crucial, add them in the previous paragraph. Save this one for a simple thank you and conclusion.Want to see more great examples of cover letter endings? Check out this article: How to End a Cover Letter [20+ Examples of Great Closing Paragraphs]5. Sign Off With a List of Enclosed Grad Program Application DocumentsTo close it off, simply add a valediction (or complimentary close) and your name:RIGHTSincerely,Gabrielle Fernandes CostaIf you will hand-sign this document, add additional spacing to allow for your signature.And, finallyThe list of enclosed documents:RIGHTEnclosed:Graduate Admission ApplicationUndergraduate TranscriptsStatement of PurposeStandardized Test ScoresResumePersonal Statement / Essay2x Reference LettersThats it!Some grad school applicants choose to add a sentence detailing their enclos ed documents in the closing paragraph. Thats fine, as well, as long as you include it.Pro Tip: List your enclosed materials in descending order of importance, usually the way they list it on the university or graduate schools website.Looking for a perfect template for your reference pages? Have a look at this article: How to List References on a ResumeBut rememberA cover letter without a strong graduate school resume (or CV) wont mean a thing.When making a resume in our builder, drag drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building your resume here.Create my resume nowWhen youre done, Zetys resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.Key TakeawaySo, there you have itHeres what you need to include on a cover letter for graduate school:Your name and full mailing address.The date of the cover letters writing.The name of the professor youre writing to.The department, school, and schools address.A brief i ntroduction paragraph proclaiming your interest.A quick background of your education and experience.Skills and other factors which support your application.A thank you and a short ending paragraph.A list of all your enclosed documents for their convenience.Do you have a specific grad school cover letter scenario not mentioned here? Need help on your cover letter for graduate school applications? Raise your hand by shooting us over a comment in the space below. Thanks for reading!