Motivational letters are sometimes treated the same way as cover letters by scholarship applicants, which is not unusual. Both are commonly confused with one another even though each has a clear difference.
For example, a motivational letter might explain how one’s academic background, extracurricular activities, and other factors make them an ideal candidate for a particular scholarship or course program. To write a compelling letter of motivation, you need to do extensive study on a university’s academic atmosphere and the programs it offers.
If you are looking for a motivation letter for a scholarship program, we will show you how to write a great one. Before we continue, let us find out what a motivation letter is.
Learn More About What a Motivational letter is
A motivational letter is just like a CV for a job or a cover letter for a scholarship. You have to explain why you are the best fit for this particular scholarship/program in a motivational letter along with some of your best performances.
In order to qualify for graduate-level scholarships, applicants must submit a motivational letter. Sometimes you will need to create one for a bachelor’s degree program in a particular field. It is always a good idea to add a motivation letter to your scholarship application. There is a reasonable probability that this is your last chance to impress the reviewer.
You are more likely to have success with an excellent motivation letter if you have that motivation. Ultimately, you must believe in yourself and give it a shot. So, do not give up on your dreams if you fail the first time.
Motivational Letter Format
You must add the following things in your motivational letter.
- Intro: This will have your introduction, including your background (This portion is all about you excluding your academia). The intro should be 100 words lengthy.
- Body: This part of your letter should have 3-5 paragraphs. Do not write more than five paragraphs. The body will have everything, including complete details of your education, your future goals, why you are the best fit for this post, and what you can do for the organization. The body should be 300 words in length.
- Outro: Tell the jury that you’re available if they want further information about you. Outro will have your end like your name, contact information, and address. You can keep the outro around 100 words.
Pro tip: Keep your motivational letter compact, unidirectional, and between 300-500 words. Never exceed 500 words count.
How to Write a Motivational Letter Guide
Write About Yourself
Truth and integrity are other key aspects of a letter of motivation that should not be overlooked. It would be best if you are honest about your strengths and flaws without inflating or omitting any of them from your writing.
Is there anything about you that sets you apart from other candidates and makes you deserving of consideration? Jot it down. However, describe how you plan to overcome these flaws and become a better person.
Look for Grammatical Errors
To prepare a compelling letter, it is essential to utilize proper grammar. In your writing, you should stick to typical academic vocabulary and punctuation. Using complex vocabulary will do nothing but bore the readers Avoid seeming conceited and arrogant at the same time.
Expert Advice: A motivational letter is not like a cover letter. Admission committees take these letters seriously—Reserve time to craft an excellent motivational letter. Be available for at least three days to write a motivational letter.
Want to know? How to Write a Fabulous Cover Letter!
Write about your Goals
The interviewer wants to know whether you have any future goals or ambitions that you want to attain. Tell us about your goals and why you believe this scholarship program will help you reach them. Look for inspiration factors in your life, things that led you to where you are now. Write about them. Keep it natural, but don’t make it too long on it.
Proofread / Get a feedback
It is advisable to seek guidance from your friends, an instructor, or someone who is already/currently enrolled in the program you are applying for. Give your 2-3 revisions before submitting it. These revisions will not only omit grammatical errors, but these can help you to sound clearer and better.
A Few Extra Tips on How to Write Best Motivational Letter
- Before going to write a motivational letter, do your homework. Outline the ideas that you want to cover in your letter. Support your content with examples and evidence.
- Use clear and concise language. Do not fluff your letter with wordiness and out-of-the-topic things. Keep it between 300-500 words, and it should not utilize more than 1 page.
- Organize the body of the letter. Please don’t write it in a hurry. Give it proper time, at least 2-3 days.
- What are your goals for the future? What do you want to do in the future? Discuss your plan. Think bigger and have some excellent plans.
- Your motivational letter should be well-written. Take care of font style, font size, and formatting. Use a suitable style and maintain positive thinking throughout the letter.
Download PDF Guide about How to Write a Motivational Letter by Radboud University Nijmegen
Motivation Letter Sample
[To whom it may concern/Name of the authority]My name is [name], and I’m writing to apply for [program name] in [university name]. This degree, offered by one of the world’s top universities, is an opportunity for me to broaden my knowledge and develop professionally. In so doing, I’ll contribute to the development of humanity and human rights. Studying here, I’ll get a chance to promote world peace by assisting in developing politics both in my home country and around the world.
Because of [list of excellent traits], I believe I would be a valuable contribution to your organization. In addition, I am proficient in [number of accomplishments talents], which I acquired from [experiences or programs that taught you skills]. Hence, I’ll be a valuable addition to your Hall of Fame.
Aside from that, this scholarship will offer me a chance to make a major impact in the community. I hope to be known for my inventions in the future. Our job as humans, who share this globe, is to improve our future since the future belongs to everyone. Our children will be grateful to us when they see how tirelessly we worked to improve the world. In my opinion, my qualifications and your requirements are a perfect match.
A leader’s prestige and credibility play an enormous influence in promoting social programs, especially at the national and worldwide levels. Defined as a result of the institution’s performance, my personal standing will give extra chances to my society.
I have a strong desire to learn and accept new technology. In order to better grasp diverse [subject] concepts and their applicability to more complicated real-life circumstances, I’m eagerly looking forward to enrolling in the [subject] program at [university name]. Please contact me if you need any more information or papers.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Warm Regards,
[SignatureYour complete information + contact details]
Frequently Asked Questions
A motivation letter for a scholarship is a letter that explains why you are the best candidate for a scholarship and how receiving the scholarship will benefit you and your future goals.
It is typically written as part of the application process for a scholarship and should be tailored to the specific scholarship and organization offering the scholarship.
A motivation letter is an important part of a scholarship application because it allows you to showcase your unique strengths, achievements, and goals to the scholarship committee.
It helps the committee understand your background, your motivation for applying for the scholarship, and how receiving the scholarship will impact your future.
A motivation letter for a scholarship should include information about your academic achievements, your career goals, and your motivation for applying for the scholarship. It should also include details about your personal background, any relevant work or volunteer experience, and any leadership or community service activities you have participated in.
It is important to be specific and to tailor your letter to the specific scholarship and organization offering the scholarship.
To start a motivation letter for a scholarship, begin by introducing yourself and explaining your interest in the scholarship. Next, outline your academic achievements and any relevant work or volunteer experience you have.
Then, explain your career goals and how receiving the scholarship will help you achieve those goals. Finally, conclude your letter by reiterating your motivation for applying for the scholarship and expressing your gratitude for the opportunity.
A motivation letter for a scholarship should typically be one to two pages long. It is important to be concise and to focus on the most relevant information. Avoid including unnecessary or unrelated details and be sure to proofread your letter for spelling and grammar errors.
The tone of a motivation letter for a scholarship should be professional and respectful. Avoid using overly casual language or slang and strive for a formal, yet personal, tone.
There may be specific formatting guidelines for a motivation letter for a scholarship depending on the organization offering the scholarship.
It is important to follow any guidelines provided and to use a professional font and layout.
A motivation letter for a scholarship can often be used as a template for other applications, such as job applications or graduate school applications.
However, it is important to tailor the letter to the specific application and to highlight the relevant experiences and achievements for that specific opportunity.
