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It helps you articulate your interest in the college and allows you to elaborate further on your qualifications and achievements. In this guide, we will provide you with a comprehensive checklist of what constitutes the main components of your application letter.
What is the Purpose of a College Application Letter?
A college application letter helps an admissions officer determine whether you are a right fit for their institution. A well written letter needs to convey more than your academic background and present a holistic image to an admissions committee.
Universities are on the lookout for candidates who are not just academically motivated but also partake in the extracurricular activities that the campus has to offer. Through your application, you can highlight your unique qualities, prior extracurricular involvement as well as provide context and perspective to your overall application. This letter sets the tone for your entire college application and is helpful in leaving a lasting impression on admissions officers.
Key Components of a College Application Letter
As mentioned above, writing an articulate and authentic application letter is the key to solidifying your chances of admission in the college of your choice. Every college application letter contains the following elements to present a detailed overview of the applicant's background.
Personal and Contact Information
A college application letter follows the same format as a formal letter. Begin your letter by providing important details like your full name, address, email address and your phone number.
Date
Specify the date by mentioning the month and the year.
Address of the University Admissions Office
You are required to mention the mailing address of the admissions office of the college or university you are applying to. Mention the name of the college, city, state and the zipcode in this section.
Salutation
A formal greeting is a must to show the appropriate amount of respect to the admissions officer. If possible, mention the name of the admissions officer. If you do not know the name, then a general salutation like a "Dear Sir, Ma'am" is also acceptable.
Introduction
Your opening statement should clarify your motivation to apply to a specific institution. Clearly state your intent and reason for applying to a particular university program and explain what draws you to pursue your higher education there.
Body of the Letter
Divide this section into 3-4 concise paragraphs. Make sure that each paragraph sticks to a theme that highlights a different aspect of your school background.
In the first paragraph, highlight your academic accomplishments and showcase any awards or honors you received for being an exemplary student. Mention your high school GPA. Discuss the relevant coursework that helped form your interest in the subject you want to pursue in their college.
Dedicate the next paragraph to highlight the extracurricular activities you were involved in. If you were part of any clubs, sports team, debate teams it is advisable to mention the same in your letter. Mention your relevant accomplishments in other areas apart from academics to reflect a well-rounded personality.
In the following paragraph, clearly mention your reasons for wanting to attend a specific college. Do your research and mention the details about the coursework and the faculty members that have captured your interest. If you have taken a campus tour, you can mention specific aspects of the campus life that make you feel you can flourish in that academic environment.
Conclusion
In your conclusion, summarize the key points you would like to reiterate and emphasize your excitement at the prospect of attending college. Express your gratitude for their time and consideration to go through your application.
Sign off
Choose a formal closing like "best regards" or "Sincerely" and add your signature below that. If you are submitting your application online, then make sure to include your electronic signature.
Documentation to Include in Your College Application
College admissions involve a lot of paperwork. Apart from the application letter, the admission process requires the submission of the following documents.
Transcripts
Transcripts are a record of your overall academic performance in your school and include the grades you were awarded in all the subjects.
Test Scores
It is mandatory to undertake standardized tests like SAT to be eligible to apply to colleges. Once you receive your score, it needs to be documented in your application form.
Letter of Recommendation
Request your teachers to write recommendation letters that can attest to your academic performance and exceptional character. This helps build a credible image in the eyes of an admissions officer.
Essay
Most colleges provide a topic for an essay to evaluate your written skills and get insights in your take on a specific topic.
Application Form
Each university will have an application form which details all the information in one place. You will need to mention your personal details and academic background.
Proof of Funds
You are required to provide your financial details so that the institution can confirm that you are equipped to pay the college fee. In cases where students require financial aid and scholarship, a proof of funds is needed here as well to attest the applicant is eligible for it.
Tips to Format and Style Your College Admission Application Letter
A well-formatted and structured college application letter goes a long way in making a strong first impression with an admissions officer. It is important to have a letter that has substance and is visually appealing.
Use a professional font like Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman. Make sure the font size is readable and maintain a consistent style throughout the letter.
Leave a 1-inch margin on all sides of your letter for a uniform look. To avoid a cluttered look, make sure there is ample white space between the paragraphs.
Ensure that your text is aligned. It is important to structure your letter into defined paragraphs that focus on a distinct topic.
