All of your scholastic pursuits have prepared you for this moment: your entrance into college. The hard work you put into getting good grades and preparing for college entrance exams will hopefully pay off when you get into the school of your choice. It would be a shame if all of that were undone through a poorly written application letter. Some people do not put enough emphasis on creating a well-composed letter, thinking they will get by on the other aspects of their applications. Others simply do not know what admissions officers want to see in such a letter.Such pitfalls need not plague you, provided you pay attention to the application letter for college admission templates and accompanying writing tips. These will help eliminate much of the stress inherent with the college application process.
Application Letter for College Admission Template
In the template letter shown below, Brandy clearly states why she has chosen to apply to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and even goes so far as to list her intended course of study. Pointing out her GPA and college entrance exam scores supports her determination and certitude.
Dear Admissions Officer:
I am writing to express my interest in attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as an undergraduate. As a longtime resident of Las Vegas, it has always been my dream to attend UNLV. I am extremely confident my scholastic preparation has endowed me with all of the tools needed to meet the standard of academic excellence demanded by the university.
From the moment I moved to Las Vegas at the age of six until now, I have had two consistent loves: the Rebels and the Strip. My ultimate goal is to work in the hospitality industry, which is why I’m so excited that the school I have grown to love so much features one of the top hospitality management programs in the world.
Having toured the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality and met with department representatives, I know full well its admission and academic standards. This has motivated me to obtain a 3.91 cumulative high school GPA as well as a score of 30 on the ACT.
Thank you, in advance, for the opportunity to further my education at UNLV and join the proud family of Rebel alumni. I look forward to following up with you on April 24, prior to fall term enrollment.
Sincerely,
Brandy Banks
How To Write an Application Letter for College Admission
Despite the ultimate goal being different, all forms of application letters should have virtually the same elements: an expression of interest, a summary of qualifications, and a stated intention to follow up. When applying for college, your interest is clear: you want to further your education. While the quality of education that you receive may be similar at different schools, each university has unique aspects it is proud of, whether those are academic or athletic programs, research notoriety, or distinguished alumni. Thus, you need to look into what makes each of the schools you are applying for unique.
Start your letter off by expressing your interest in attending the school and stating why you feel you are an ideal candidate for admission. Remember that yours is one of countless applications admissions officers will be reviewing, so simply saying that you like a school may not be enough to support your supposed interest. Convey why you think you would excel if you attended it, and demonstrate that you understand the academic rigors awaiting you.
The body of your letter is where you will show what you have learned about that particular school. In the application letter for college admission template, the applicant demonstrates a familiarity with the school by referencing a particular academic program, the specific college that offers it, and even the school mascot. She then shows how her high school studies have helped to qualify her for admission to the university. You can easily discover such information by perusing a school’s website.
End your letter by stating that you intend on following up with the school. While it will be the school that ultimately informs you of your acceptance, reaching out to the admissions office reaffirms your interest in attending there.
What To Avoid in Your Application Letter for College Admission
Many aspiring college students in your position make the mistake of thinking that the longer their application letters are, the better. They likely do not understand the previously mentioned fact that college admissions officers review thousands of applications. While they require students to submit application letters, those reading them will often only peruse them for important details. Lengthy texts make it more difficult to quickly identify that information. Therefore, do not write more than you need to covey your message. Keep the document to one page with just a few paragraphs consisting of three or four sentences each.
You will likely put a great deal of thought into your application letter. If a reader notices spelling errors or typos, however, those errors can undermine the added attention in an instant. When admissions officers find such mistakes, the general assumption will likely be you did not care enough about your letter (and by extension, your application) to reread it carefully. Do not, then, rely solely on spellcheck to edit your document. Check it over several times on your own.
How To Follow Up After Sending Your Application Letter for College Admission
The good news is colleges do not keep students in suspense about their admission. A school representative will inform you whether the program has accepted you. You can, however, do your part to ensure that the admissions officers do not overlook your letter and application. Send an email or give one of the college representatives a call two or three weeks after submitting your documents. Say that you simply want to check on the status and ask whether the office needs any additional information. Check the school’s website to see when enrollment begins for what would be your first term, and make sure that you follow up again at least one week prior to that date.
Top 5 Application Letter for College Admission Writing Takeaways
1. Customize each letter to each application
Admissions officers want to know your interest in attending their school goes beyond the fact that it exists. Sending out a general form letter that limits specific details only to the name and location of the school may give a bad impression.
2. Keep your audience in mind
Your own personal and political views may clash with those of the person reading your application letter. Thus, it is best to avoid including any such information. Only reference religious affiliations when applying to a school sponsored by a religious sect or organization.
3. Address the letter to a specific person or party
If you know the name of the person who will be reading your letter, address it specifically to him or her. Larger schools typically have several admissions officers, thus making it difficult to know exactly who will be reviewing your letter. Still, avoid saying “To Whom It May Concern” and address it to the admissions department specifically.
4. Offer several points of contact
Many schools now inform applicants by email when they make a decision of acceptance. Some, however, still prefer to send notifications through regular mail, so include your home address, email address, and even your phone number, so admissions officers can contact you quickly if they need additional information.
5. Express gratitude
Be sure to conclude your letter by thanking the reader for taking the time to review it. Any additional gratitude can only support your case for admission.
