Graduate School Letters of Intent

1. Graduate SchoolLetters of Intent Caitlin Henke, MA Career Development Facilitator Career Services

2. Letters of Intent • Also known as: • Letter of introduction • Personal statement/essay • Statement of professional interests • Statement of career goals

3. Self-Evaluation • What are my motivations for going? • How do I fit with this program/ School • What do I know about this program/faculty/research • Short and long term career goals? • Is an advanced degree a necessary pre-requisite for achieving my goals?

4. The MAPS Tool • MAPS is a tool to help you through the writing process. It is a tool for thinking, planning, writing, evaluating, and reflecting. • Mode • Audience • Purpose • Situation

5. Mode • What are the characteristics of a letter of intent? • Are there conventions or standards for the formal features of a letter of intent? What format would be most effective? • How might you organize/structure your document? • Does it have a title? • What language is most appropriate?

6. Audience • You can write a more effective letter of intent if you have a clear understanding of the audience we are writing for. • Who will read your letter of intent? • In most cases, we're talking about faculty who teach in the program that you're applying to. • How much do you know about the department to which you are applying? Do your research!

7. AUDIENCE, CONT’D • What do we know about their expectations for your letter of intent? • What do they hope to learn from it? • How does it factor into their decision-making process?

8. Purpose • What is the purpose of a letter of intent? • If you're trying to convince someone of something, what is it? • Again, put yourself in your reader’s position—What is the department’s purpose in asking you to submit this document?

9. PURPOSE, CONT’D • What do you expect your letter of intent to accomplish for you? • What impression do you want to leave with your reader(s)? • How does the letter of intent function within the application process? • How does it relate to other materials, like forms, cover letters, references, CV, etc.?

10. Situation • Strategy • What do you know about the particular school and program you're applying to (that maybe other applicants may not know)? • What is it about your skill set, experience, or interests that sets you apart?

11. SITUATION, CONT’D • Planning • What resources are available to you that might help you write your letter of intent? • How can you build in time for feedback and revision? • Logistics • What are the university guidelines? • When is your application due?

12. So what might a letter of intent look like? • Introduction • Catchy example that shows your interest in the field • Mention the program you are applying for • Supporting paragraphs detailing your background and skills that relate to the program • Address questions they asked • Summarize your qualifications and establish fit • Detail your long term goals • Conclusion • Tie together loose ends • Reiterate your interest in the program

13. Challenges • Find a way to make your story unique and interesting. • Be specific. Don’t just say you will make a good speech pathologist—back this up with evidence from previous experience. • Create a first paragraph that will really hook the reader and keep their interest.

14. Things to Avoid • Clichés and anecdotes, too much personal information • “I’ve always wanted to help people” • “I want to make a difference” • Your goal is to convince the admissions committee that you are serious about doing graduate level work. • Careless mistakes in grammar, spelling, typos • Making stuff up! • Including experiences from high school • Controversial subjects • Don't be tempted to use the same letter for all applications—your audience will know if you try this.

15. Strategies for Revision • You are writing to discover, so revision may be critical to weed out things that are less interesting or less relevant • Be sure you answer the question • Be specific • Will the committee know enough about what you're writing about? • Will the committee feel bored or condescended?

16. Strategies for Revision • Managing length • Stay within length requirement • Cutting or expanding • What's most important? What's worth repeating? • Think themes • Think flow • Think evidence

17. Strategies for Revision • Save everything • Read it aloud • Awkward phrases or sentences • Quality of writing reflects on you • Have someone else read it • Writing must stand on its own • Someone with experience in the field • Someone with experience on admissions committees

18. What Are They Looking For? • Academic rigor and knowledge/ability • “Goodness of fit” for program • Writing ability • Goals relating to your career • Focus and maturity • Why this field of study? • Unique characteristics • Areas of interest

19. Last reminders • A story that tells who you are and what you have to offer • Reflection of why you’re a fit and asset to that particular program • Indicator that you’ve done your research • Be aware of what qualities your profession values • Gauge of your writing abilities/organization

20. ResourcesWe Can Help www.career.unm.edu Talk to an advisor at the Career Services Office Make an appointment by calling 277-2531 Or stop in for walk-in hours (posted online)