How to Write a Motivation Letter

An motivation letter to a foreign university is a personal letter explaining why a student wants to be accepted to the foreign university he/she has applied to, his/her educational purpose, career goals and interests. This letter plays an important role in the college application process and allows students to share their academic and professional experiences, motivations, and goals.

A motivation letter, also known as a letter of intent, provides an opportunity for students to introduce themselves to the university they are applying to and explain why they chose that university, their interests and why they want to study in a particular program. This letter highlights the student's personality, passions, and goals, allowing him to show aspects of himself that he cannot express through grades and test scores alone.

The following topics are usually addressed in the acceptance letter:

• Self-Introduction: Name, surname, program applied for and other personal information.
• Academic Background: Previous educational experiences, grade point averages, and academic achievements.
• Career Goals: Student's interests and long-term career goals.
• Reasons For Choosing That University and Program: Explanations about why the university and program applied to were chosen, their features and opportunities.
• Motivation: Motivating factors about why the student wants to study this program and what contributions it will make.
• Academic and Professional Experiences: Relevant internships, research, projects, or other academic and professional experiences.
• Interests and Research Topics: Topics that the student is interested in and potential research areas.
• Conclusion and Acknowledgments: Ending the letter and thanking the reader.

The acceptance letter offers students a chance to make a positive impression on the admissions committee by explaining how they fit into the university they are applying to personally and academically and why they are applying. Therefore, writing a carefully thought-out, original and coherent letter of intent can help strengthen the application.

What Should the Structure of the Acceptance Letter Be?

The structure of an acceptance letter to a university should generally include the following sections:

1. Start With An Introductory Paragraph:

Begin your letter with a short and compelling introduction. Introduce yourself and explain the purpose of your letter of intent. Briefly talk about the university and program and explain why you chose this university and program.

2. Academic Background and Experiences:

In this section, share your previous educational experiences, academic achievements, grade point averages, and if you have received any awards or honours. Also, highlight your previous educational experiences that play an important role in your college application.

3. Career Goals and Motivation:

Explain how the university education and the program you are applying for will benefit you and support your career goals. State what you want to do after training and why you want to advance in this field.

6. Conclusion and Acknowledgments:

End your letter on a positive note and thank the reader. If given the opportunity, express that you look forward to your application being evaluated.

Remember, the acceptance letter is an important opportunity for you to offer perspective about your academic and professional experiences, passions, and goals. Be careful to write your letter carefully and thoroughly, and make sure that it complies with the format and length required by the university you are applying to.

Example of A Motivation Letter

When writing a letter of m otivation to universities abroad, it should be written in English. You can check out the example below.

University of Southern California

Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism

Letter of Motivation: [First, Last Name]

Applicant for September 20XX admission to the Master's in Communication program

Dear ___________,

I am currently completing my bachelor's degree in North American Studies with a minor in Media Communications at the Bilkent University, Turkey. Since my focus has increasingly centered on communications, I would like to continue my studies in a graduate communications program in the United States.

After considerable research, I am sure that the Annenberg School with its international reputation for excellence, and worldwide network of alumni is the best fit for my interests and future career. Your faculty expertise in new and social media is especially important to me. A great deal of the literature I have read on the subject has been written by professors of the Annenberg School. Hope to work in corporate communications for an international company. Although organizations are beginning to understand the increasing impact of new and social media, real expertise in the area is just developing.

What I can contribute to the program, in addition to my great enthusiasm for the field, is an international perspective from my studies in Turkey as well as varied communication internships in London, Montreal and Munich. I worked as an intern for three months in the London offices of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide as an assistant to the social media team designing and implementing social media programs for international clients. Two months at Weber –Shandwick Communications in Montreal, working in their corporate communications group, gave me hands-on experience and an increased understanding of the complexities of corporate communications in a digital world. In my internship in the communications department of HypoVereinsbank in Munich, I was able to help create internal communications for employees during a transition period when the bank changed from a locally owned enterprise to a subsidiary of an international company.

I am an outgoing person and an enthusiastic participant in sports such as soccer, tennis and mountain biking. I have coached a youth soccer team in my hometown near Munich for the past five years. After my graduation in June, I plan to take a 'gap year' that will include a solo backpacking trip through Southeast Asia and nine months as a volunteer English teacher at a refugee center in Thailand. I appreciate you considering my application and I would be honored to be part of your Master's in Communication program in September 20XX. I understand that you will attract the best candidates in the field and I am confident that I would flourish in that environment. Working and sharing with other highly motivated students would be a joy. The recommendation letters you requested have been sent directly to you. Please let me know if you would like any additional information.

Sincerely,