Nowadays, the process of application for a scholarship at certain relevant Institution assume superior application package with a relevant motivation letter for scholarship. Motivational letter, all together with all the relevant documents, such as Curriculum Vitae, relevant diplomas and transcripts from the University, Recommendations, language certificates etc, is a document that will give a “personal touch” to the application. Its purpose is to present you as the best candidate to a commission that will evaluate your application. That letter should show your knowledge, personal abilities and qualities that will differ you from the other candidates. Its baseline should emphasize you goals and prospects about your future career. It should follow up the CV refers, and in its first part should be focused on presentation of the candidate, with several short important sentences regarding the candidate’s interests and importance of the study programme for his/hers future prospective. Especially is important to include the compatibility of your goals and prospects for the graduates of the study programme included in its Curriculum. Besides academic qualifications required by the University, the letter should express the candidate’s qualification as a person, such as: out-going pesonality, self-confidence, excellent communicator, with strong ability to do several tasks at the same time, which will be very important during the studies. Lists of courses at the relevant University should be also included in the Introduction, especially when the candidate has done something important for the academic community living in.
Your professional goals and interests should be included in the second paragraph of the letter. Long term goals and your future contribution as a member of the society are also included here. This part of the letter is essential as it exposes the student’s plans as future alumni member of the University. Every University has a special interest to attract the best students from all around the world, so it is not bad if you can mention your activities after the graduation.
The structure of the letter is not so complicated and it should not deviate from the usual baseline. So, after introducing yourself and your goals in the next paragraph you should write how ready you are for the study process, and how do you plan to do your activities at the programme you are applying at. If it is applicable find a link between your future career plans with the study programme you are planning to attend. Financial inability to pay the tuition fees should be mentioned, but not to be light motive for the letter.
The letter should be short, but not as short as motivation letter for a job application. It is normal to be up to 1.5 pages, written without any kind of mistakes and using logic and clear language. Usually it is not signed, but looks better if the handwritten signature is included.
The most important is to remember that your motivational letter should mark you as a successful candidate different than the average students. It is extremely important that the letter is written after reading the study programme and subjects covered and University’s specificity, like sport teams or campus facilities. Be free to “land” the semi-final version of the letter to your colleagues, friends and teachers. Their remarks will be very useful. Do not be mad if everyone changes something, with that checking your letter will be better and its mission will be accomplished.
Be confident and original between the lines defined with the letter’s structure. Remember not to lie in general, because that lies will harm you and your ability to participate in the programme you are applying at. Remember to be consistent with your CV, using the same font, style and grammar.
Believe in yourself and you can do it, for good motivational letter you need 3-4 days, do not be nervous, keep calm and be confident. GOOD LUCK