application letter for a students

College Student Cover Letter Example (w/ Tips for 2024)

Navigating college, you've aced your exams, written A++ research papers, and delivered exciting presentations.

Your academic journey has shaped you into a specialist in your domain, and the world is eager to see what you bring...

Yet, the challenge of writing a college student cover letter feels more daunting than that trigonometry class you dreaded in your sophomore year.

Here's the good news: We've got your back!

By the end of this article, you'll know exactly what you have to do to write your student cover letter. Here’s what we’re going to cover:

• A Perfect College Student Cover Letter Example (to Inspire You to Write Yours)
• 5 Steps to Writing an Effective Student Cover Letter
• 3 Tips to Take Your Cover Letter from “Good” to “Great”

Let's dive in!

College Student Cover Letter Example

5 Steps for the Perfect College Student Cover Letter

You've just witnessed what a job-winning cover letter looks like. Now, it's your turn to craft one!

Just follow these 5 steps, and you’ll be as good as gold!

#1. Put Contact Information in the Header

When crafting your college student cover letter, it's essential to kick things off with your contact details . Just like on your resume, these should sit in the header of your cover letter.

Here's a breakdown of what to include:

• Full Name. Your first and last name should proudly sit at the top of the page.
• Intended Job Title. Match the job title on your cover letter to the specific position you're seeking. (E.g.: If you’re applying for the job of “Junior Marketing Manager,” use those exact words and not “Marketing Specialist" or “Advertising Executive.”)
• Email Address. Choose an email address that's professional and straightforward. A combination of your first and last name is a safe bet. (e.g.: [email protected] is good but [email protected] is not.)
• Phone Number. Ensure your provided phone number is accurate so that the hiring manager can reach you. If you're applying for a job in another country, add the international dial code.
• Location. Your city and state will suffice, no need to mention the address. However, if you're seeking a remote position or planning to relocate, be sure to mention it.
• Relevant Links (optional). If you have any relevant websites or social media profiles, such as LinkedIn, feel free to include them.

Once your own contact information is in place, it's time to add the hiring manager's details:

• Company Name. Clearly state the company you're applying to.
• Hiring Manager's Name. If you can find the name of the hiring manager for the specific department you're interested in, include it.
• Location. Specify the city and state or country of the company, especially if it's a global organization.
• Email Address (optional). If you manage to find the hiring manager's email address, it's a nice touch to include it.

#2. Address the Hiring Manager

Once you've got all your college student cover letter's contact info in place, the next step is addressing your letter properly.

You can always go for something generic like "To Whom It May Concern,” but if you want to stand out, you’re better off addressing the hiring manager directly .

Start by doing a bit of research. Take a look at the job listing, the company's website, or even their LinkedIn profiles. This will help you find the name and email address of the person who'll be reading your cover letter.

Next, address them in a formal but friendly way. You can use "Ms." or "Mr." followed by their last name. If you're unsure about their gender or marital status, just use their full name. Here are some examples:

• Dear Ms. Rodriguez
• Dear Alex Rodriguez

If you can't find any specific info about the hiring manager or the department head, it's okay to address your letter to the department or the company in general. Just keep it friendly and professional:

• Dear Marketing Department
• Dear Marketing Team
• Dear Human Resources
• Dear Hiring Team

#3. Write an Eye-Catching Opening Statement

Hiring managers typically spend around seven seconds evaluating a college student's application before deciding whether to read it thoroughly. So, making a strong first impression in your cover letter is vital.

In the opening paragraph, be sure to introduce yourself and explain why you're interested in the position. Expressing your enthusiasm for the industry or the specific job can grab the hiring manager's attention.

Doing a bit of research on the company can be very helpful here. The more you know about the employer, the better you can emphasize how well you'd fit into their work culture. This demonstrates that you're not just applying to random companies but are genuinely interested in this particular role.

You can also kick off your cover letter by mentioning a noteworthy achievement or showcasing the skills that make you an ideal candidate. Keep this paragraph short, though. The goal is to spark the hiring manager's interest and encourage them to read into your cover letter's details.

#4. Use the Cover Letter Body for the Details

The body of your college student cover letter is your chance to provide in-depth details that truly showcase why you're a perfect fit for the job.

Discuss courses, projects, or experiences that have given you skills relevant to the role. Additionally, share any extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or internships that align with the position.

For instance, if you're applying for a marketing role and you managed a social media campaign for a college club, that would be perfect to mention. It's also beneficial to highlight any soft skills, such as communication or teamwork, and give examples of when you've put them to use.

Next, demonstrate that you've done your research by mentioning something specific about the company that resonates with you, whether it's their mission, a product, or a recent accomplishment. 

It's important to show how the company’s values or goals align with your experiences or aspirations. Every cover letter should be tailor-made for the job you're applying for, so make sure to emphasize experiences and skills that match the job description. 

It can also be helpful to incorporate keywords from the job posting, especially if the company uses applicant scanning software for initial screening.That said, avoid the temptation to simply rehash your college resume - your cover letter should be a supplementary document, not a copy-paste.

Want to learn what a great cover letter looks like in different fields? Check out our cover letter examples !

#5. Wrap It Up and Sign It

Wrapping up your college student cover letter is the final touch that can leave a lasting impression.

It's essential to conclude on a strong note, ensuring that your conclusion reinforces why you're an excellent fit for the role.

In your conclusion, confidently recap your qualifications and the skills that set you apart from other candidates in the college student industry. Reiterate how your experiences align perfectly with the job.

Following your conclusion, it's time to include a call to action. Encourage the hiring manager to take the next step, such as initiating a discussion about your application. This proactive approach can significantly increase your chances of securing an interview.

Finally, select an appropriate closing line and follow it with your full name to end your letter like a pro. 

Please feel free to contact me at the provided email or phone number to arrange an interview. I eagerly await the opportunity to discuss my application at your earliest convenience.

Warm regards,

Jodie Sawkins

And finally, if you prefer to explore alternative sign-offs to "Warm regards," here are some options:

• Best regards,
• Respectfully,
• Thank you for your consideration,

3 Essential College Student Cover Letter Tips

You've got the basics of cover letters down, and now it's time to take your college student cover letter to the next level with some essential tips . 

#1. Match Your Resume

When you're a college student applying for a job, it's important to maintain a consistent application style.

Make sure your cover letter's format and layout closely mirror your resume template to create a professional and organized impression. 

Align your text and contact details neatly on the page, keep font styles and sizes uniform, and set appropriate margins and line spacing. 

By doing this, you'll present a polished and cohesive application while ensuring your cover letter stays on a single page.

Or Use A Cover Letter Template Instead

Don't want the hassle of starting from scratch? We've got you covered! Our cover letter templates are designed to save you time and ensure your cover letter pairs perfectly with your resume. 

Crafted with insights from the world’s leading hiring managers, our templates meet industry standards and look fantastic.

#2. Focus on Extracurricular Activities & Internships

Chances are, as a student, you don’t have a lot of hands-on professional work experience.

That doesn’t mean you lack valuable experience that can impress potential employers.

Extracurricular activities and internships can play a pivotal role in showcasing your skills, dedication, leadership, and adaptability.

Participating in clubs, organizations, or sports can demonstrate skills like teamwork, leadership, time management, and problem-solving. For instance, if you were the captain of a sports team, it suggests leadership and dedication. If you were part of a debate club, it shows strong communication and critical thinking skills.

#3. Proofread the Final Draft

Proofreading your final draft is a crucial step when polishing your college student cover letter. Typos and bad grammar can quickly sabotage a great first impression. 

First off, run your cover letter through Grammarly or any other online tool to find any mechanical errors.

Then, re-read it yourself carefully to make sure that the tool didn’t miss something important.

Finally, get a friend to give it a final review to make sure the cover letter is objectively good.

Key Takeaways

Hopefully, by now, you know all you need in order to create an effective college student cover letter.

Before you go and start applying for jobs, here’s a quick recap of everything we’ve covered in this article:

• Your cover letter is often the first introduction to a potential employer. Ensure it's polished, professional, and captures your qualifications effectively.
• Extracurricular activities, internships, and academic achievements can be valuable assets. Don't shy away from showcasing these experiences.
• One size doesn't fit all. Customize your cover letter for each position, emphasizing how your skills align with the job requirements.
• Hiring managers often skim through applications due to volume. Aim for clarity and brevity, getting straight to the point.
• Minor errors can be detrimental. Use online tools, seek feedback, and meticulously review your content before submission.
• Let your passion shine through. Employers value candidates who are not only qualified but also genuinely interested in the role and the company.

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

College Application Letters: Cover Letters & Letters of Continued Interest

College application letters.

College application cover letters support your college applications, college resume, and college application essay prompts. In combination with the other elements of your college applications, particularly your college entrance essay, college application letters help establish your “why.” In short, a college application letter is a cover letter for your college applications that describes your background, skills, and interest in the school. When looking at college application cover letter examples, pay attention to the values that they express. College application letters and college entrance essays are similar in that they are exercises in personal branding. When reading college application cover letter examples, pay attention to the messages they convey. 

If you’re wondering how to write a college application letter, CollegeAdvisor.com has advisors who can walk you through every part of the process. If your goal is to get into top colleges, CollegeAdvisor.com can help. We’ll analyze examples of college application letters and discuss the letter of continued interest to help you craft successful applications. 

In this guide, we’ll break down the different kinds of college application letters you may encounter when completing your college applications. We’ll discuss the college application letter and the letter of continued interest, as well as teacher recommendation letters.

If you want to read college application cover letter samples, you’ve come to the right place!

What is a college application letter?

To learn how to write a college application letter, you must first understand its purpose. Do this by checking out college application cover letter examples. College application letters and college resumes serve as introductions for your college applications. Unlike college application essay prompts, there are no specific questions to answer in your cover letter. Instead, include the essential elements of university application letters: your background, what makes you unique, and your reasons for wanting to attend that particular college. In short, what makes you, you .

As you’ll see when reading example college application letters, college application cover letters are not all that different from what you would write in a cover letter when applying for a job or graduate school. The purpose of college application cover letters, college entrance essays, and college resumes is to persuade colleges that you are the strongest candidate for admissions. 

College application cover letters are not the time to be shy, but they’re not the time to be pretentious either. When reading college application cover letter examples, you’ll see that there’s a fine line. Your tone matters. In your university application letters, show your experiences and accomplishments while portraying character traits that colleges value. To get into top colleges, find a balance between being proud of your accomplishments and being humble.

College application letters – Who requires them?

Unlike college entrance essays, college application letters are required by very few colleges. However, the skills you’ll develop by writing university application letters will serve you well as you approach your college application essay prompts. When researching college application examples, you’ll notice that there are optional materials to submit. If you’re serious about your college applications, submit university application letters to show your interest. 

College application cover letters are particularly effective if the college does not have college application essay prompts that ask you to explain why you want to attend the school and/or why you want to study your major. They are even more strongly recommended when applying to colleges that don’t have any supplemental essays. You’ll see many college application cover letter examples that focus primarily on academics, but you can include so much more.

Though university application letters are rarely required, they provide an ideal way to introduce yourself. After all, you’ll notice when reading college application cover letter samples that the goal is to help the admissions committee get to know you as a person. You are more than just your grades and scores.

If you want to get into top colleges that don’t allow you to submit a college resume or don’t provide interviews, you need to take extra steps to earn acceptance. Often, you can repurpose content from college application essay prompts that ask why you want to study your major! The college application essay format differs from that of a college application letter, but they serve a very similar purpose.

Test your knowledge about other aspects of the college admissions process in our quiz below!

What is a letter of continued interest?

A letter of continued interest (LOCI) is a letter you send to a college when you are deferred or placed on the waitlist. So, not everyone will need to write a college application letter of continued interest.

Your letter of continued interest has three primary goals: 

• Reaffirm your interest in the school.
• Provide additional context for your application. 
• Discuss accomplishments on your college resume that have occurred since you submitted your application.

In this guide on how to write a college application letter, we discuss all forms of college application letters in detail. We’ll expand on the above goals to explain the strategies for writing effective letters.

Explaining teacher recommendation letters 

In addition to submitting a college application cover letter and, potentially, a letter of continued interest, your application will also include recommendation letters . These letters enhance your college application entrance essay and build on answers to supplemental college application essay prompts. 

Due to the shift away from standardized testing, other parts of your college applications are inevitably getting more attention in the evaluation process. When assessing your college applications, admissions committees will often rely on letters from your teachers and counselor in place of interviews.

When reading sample college application letters of recommendation, you’ll observe that some are better than others. But, it can be a bit harder to find example teacher recommendations than it is to find college application cover letter examples. To ensure high-quality letters, create a plan well in advance of your senior year. You’ll want to ask teachers to write your recommendations who know you best beyond your grades. The strongest sample college application letters of recommendation speak to both your personal and academic strengths. 

College application sample recommendation letters with the biggest impact typically come from teachers from your core junior year courses – math, science, English, and social studies. If there’s a teacher from your junior year who taught you during your sophomore or senior year too, even better! Teachers who know you through multiple environments – clubs, classes, sports, or other areas – can often do the best job speaking to your growth and achievement over time. 

Choose teachers who know you best

Ultimately, the most effective sample college application letters of recommendation are written by the teachers who know you best. Pay attention to the college application requirements for each school on your list. Note when reading example college application letters of recommendation who the intended audience is. Some schools require math or science teachers for STEM and business majors , while others require English or social studies teachers for humanities majors .

For example, when looking at college application sample requirements, MIT writes “One recommendation should be from a math or science teacher, and one should be from a humanities, social science, or language teacher.” Caltech also requires one math or science teacher evaluation and one humanities or social sciences teacher evaluation. 

Some applicants are tempted to send more letters than the college applications require. However, aim for quality over quantity. If you want to ask another teacher to write a recommendation letter for you, ask yourself what perspective they will bring to your college applications that isn’t already covered in your college entrance essay or other recommendation letters. 

Don’t hesitate to provide materials to help your teachers and guidance counselor write their letters of recommendation for you. In fact, you should! When reading college application sample letters of recommendation, you’ll note that they are specific and provide examples where possible. Some teachers will even have you fill out a standard form to gather information from you. So, by having additional information already prepared, you are helping them tremendously. 

Here are some materials you can provide to help your recommendations augment your college applications:

• College entrance essay
• College resume or a list of your extracurricular activities and awards
• Responses to college application essay prompts.
• A sample college application letter that you’re sending to one of your colleges.
• A few paragraphs about why you want to study your major or pursue your intended career. 
• Key elements of the course you took with them, such as a favorite project or unit. 

When preparing materials to give to teachers, read the instructions given to recommenders by MIT. Even if you aren’t applying to MIT, the information can still be helpful to know. By understanding the process of writing recommendation letters on the teacher’s side, you can see what information will help them write a strong letter for you. 

Don’t wait until you’re submitting your college applications to ask your teachers for recommendations. Some teachers limit the number that they will write, and you want them to have plenty of time to write a quality recommendation. To make sure you have the best recommendations , ask teachers late in your junior year or early in your senior year.

The College Application Letter

As we’ve mentioned, a college application letter is a cover letter for your college applications. It describes your background, skills, and interest in the school. It’s different from both the college application essay format and the letter of continued interest. When reviewing college application samples, you’ll see that your cover letter works together with your college resume and college entrance essay to help admissions officers get to know you. 

Below, we’ll discuss how to write a college application letter and walk through a sample college application letter. But remember, you want your letter to be original! Don’t feel limited by what’s in any examples of college application letters.

Do all schools require a college application letter?

No — few schools actually require college application letters. However, learning to write a strong college application letter can help you in other aspects of the college admissions process. Reading college application cover letter examples can also help you learn how to write for the admissions committee audience. 

One of the ways to learn how to write a college application letter is to read sample college application letters. For instance, the same skills that help you write a strong and concise college application letter will help you in the college essay format, too.

The college application letter – What should I include?

So, you know the purpose of college application letters, but what should you include in them? Reading college application cover letter samples can help you determine this. While the college application essay format lends itself to focusing on one topic or story, college application cover letter examples highlight the importance of covering several different topics.

College application letters should contain the following elements: 

1. school name and address.

You college application letter should follow formal letter formatting guidelines, which include writing the full name of the college or university you are applying to in the upper left hand corner of the letter. Try to be as specific as possible with the address you choose to use.

2. Salutation

A standard salutation is suitable for your college application letter. However, it is a great idea to do your research and use the full name of the admissions officer assigned to your region.

3. Introduction

The best examples of college application letters open strong. Thank the admissions committee for reviewing your application, and introduce yourself. Do you have a unique connection to the school? Can you hook the reader in some way to make them want to keep reading?

4. Explanation of academic interests

Your primary purpose in college is to earn a degree, so notice that in example college application letters most of the space is often devoted to discussing academic plans. Include your intended major and career path, as well as interdisciplinary interests.

5. Discussion of extracurricular interests

The college application essay format may be a place for you to discuss extracurricular involvement, so use this space to elaborate or discuss additional interests. These could be connected to your academic plans, but they don’t have to be.

6. Conclusion

Express your interest in the school! Impactful example college application letters have a clear and brief conclusion that reaffirms your desire to attend and enthusiasm for the opportunity to join the next class of undergraduates. Point to specific classes, professors, programs, organizations, and aspects of the college that pique your interest. No one is going to hold you to your plan, but colleges want to see that you have one.

8. Complimentary Close

Lastly, every good college application letter should include an expression of gratitude alongside your close and your signature.

In the example of a college application letter above, there are a few key details to highlight. The letter is essentially a five-paragraph essay, with one paragraph for each of the five elements. This differs significantly from the college application essay format. In this college application example, the college application letter has clear and distinct sections, and this is very common in college application cover letter samples.

Depending on your interests and plans, you could take a more integrated approach. You’ll read some examples of college application letters that center around a theme or broad plan rather than separated into individual paragraphs.

This sample college application letter is a narrative. The applicant’s goal is to tell her story to the admissions committee. The best sample college application letters paint a picture for the reader and draw the reader into the storyline. Though it can feel like being vivid and descriptive is a waste of your space, “showing instead of telling makes for stronger college applications.

How to format your college application letter?

When reading sample college application letters, you’ll observe that they are formatted very similarly to professional cover letters. Your university application letters should be one page single-spaced. The heading should also be consistent across college application letters. 

• Your full address
• The date you will send the letter
• The admission officer’s name
• The college name
• The college address

Then, open your letter with a salutation. Many examples of college application letters open with “Dear” and are addressed to the admission officer. If you cannot find your regional admissions officer, it is fine to address the letter to the admissions office as was done in the sample college application letter above. Once you write the body of your letter, don’t forget your closing salutation – “Sincerely,” and then your name. 

Once you read several sample college application letters, you’ll understand the best practices. After writing a university application letter for one school, you don’t need to start from scratch for additional schools. Adapt what you have to fit the next college’s context and your specific interests on their campus. 

Being concise is key. Your university application letter should not be redundant. If it exceeds one page, see where information you mention is repeated elsewhere in your application. In your cover letter, focus on the content that makes you as original and unique as possible. Most importantly, don’t forget to proofread your university application letters! 

Can a college application letter help me with other parts of my application?

Think of the college application cover letter as the glue that holds your college applications together. When writing it, think about it as your opportunity to show your best self. After brainstorming the content, you’ll be better equipped to craft your candidate profile into a cohesive narrative and articulate why you want to attend the college.

Though many parts of your college applications will be out of your control by the time you reach your senior fall, the college application cover letter is one that you can control. Use it to elevate your college applications, show interest in your top schools , and make yourself stand out among other applicants!

The Letter of Continued Interest

Another form of college application letter is a letter of continued interest . In sample college application letters of continued interest, you’ll see that the primary purpose is to reaffirm your candidacy for a spot in the next incoming class of undergraduates. 

Though it can feel like a waiting game, the waitlist should not be passive. As soon as you are waitlisted or deferred, begin crafting a letter of continued interest. The best college application sample LOCIs are submitted promptly. Put in the effort to show you’re serious about attending. 

College application example LOCIs should focus on recent updates. Likely, a lot has happened since you submitted your application, particularly if you applied by the early deadlines. Strong college application sample LOCIs convey accomplishments and experiences that either add to previously mentioned ones or provide another dimension to your application. 

Letter of continued interest – When and where to submit?

Learn as much as you can by reading college application example LOCIs, but know that each school’s process for when and how to submit them is different. Additionally, the process may vary based on whether you were deferred to the regular decision round of admissions or waitlisted after the regular decision round. It’s important to follow each university’s directions.

Many schools will request that you upload your letter of continued interest to a portal. Some will request that you email it to an address – typically the admissions office. Others won’t allow you to submit any additional materials. If you’re in doubt, call or email the admissions office and ask. 

What to include in your letter of continued interest?

You’ll notice common trends when reading college application sample LOCIs. Effective college application example LOCIs convey a tone of sincerity, gratitude, and enthusiasm for an opportunity to attend. A strong sample college application letter of continued interest includes four elements. 

First, reaffirm your interest in attending the school if offered the chance to matriculate. Then, discuss relevant developments to your application, such as additional extracurricular accolades and continued academic successes. Sometimes, you’ll see a sample college application letter of continued interest that mentions how a student improved a lower mid-year grade or discusses a new leadership role. 

When reading a sample college application letter of continued interest, remember that colleges are looking for reasons to admit you, so don’t be shy! Offer to answer any questions they have and provide additional info in the conclusion of your letter. 

It’s important to back up your claims with supporting evidence. Strong college application sample LOCIs provide examples and specific details, just as you would in a cover letter or essay. Be vivid and descriptive as you share your story!

However, college application example LOCIs that include overly emotional appeals or merely complement the university are unlikely to be effective. Your letter of continued interest should be all about you. Though it can be difficult to realize this when reading college application example LOCIs, recognize that the content of your letter should fit within the context of the rest of your application. 

The many types of college application letters – Final Thoughts

In this guide, we covered several types of letters associated with your college process – college application cover letters, teacher recommendation letters, and letters of continued interest. Reading sample college application letters, whether they are college application cover letter samples or LOCIs, can help you do your best work. But, remember that every applicant’s college application process is unique. 

Our final tips for writing college application letters:

• Proofread. College application letters with typos or grammatical errors reflect poorly on your effort and candidacy. Use a polished and professional tone in everything you write for your college applications.
• Be yourself. Though this goal can get lost in the requirements, scores, and grades, you should focus on helping the colleges on your list get to know who you are . 
• Follow the requirements. Each college has their own requirements for how they want you to submit materials. Pay close attention to the details for each college as you go through the admissions process. 

CollegeAdvisor.com can help guide you through every step of the college application process. Check out our blog , webinars , or register with CollegeAdvisor.com today. Good luck!

This guide to college application letters and letters of continued interest was written by Caroline Marapese, Notre Dame ‘22. At CollegeAdvisor, we have built our  reputation  by providing comprehensive information that offers real assistance to students. If you want to get help with your college applications from CollegeAdvisor.com  Admissions Experts , click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

Personalized and effective college advising for high school students.

• Advisor Application
• Popular Colleges
• Privacy Policy and Cookie Notice
• Student Login
• California Privacy Notice
• Terms and Conditions
• Your Privacy Choices

By using the College Advisor site and/or working with College Advisor, you agree to our updated Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy , including an arbitration clause that covers any disputes relating to our policies and your use of our products and services.

Student cover letter examples

Getting a job while you’re a student can be a great way to earn extra cash. The trouble is, you often have little experience behind you, which can make your CV look rather sparse.

That’s where your cover letter comes in. This gives you a chance to go into more detail about your interests, studies and what makes you a good fit for the role.

Find out how to write a persuasive and engaging application, no matter how much experience you have, with our step-by-step guide and student cover letter examples below.

CV templates 

Student cover letter example 1

Build your CV now 

Student cover letter example 2

Student cover letter example 3

The example cover letters here should give you a good general idea on how your Student cover letter should be formatted and written.

The rest of this guide gives more specific guidance on how to create your own cover letter in this format, and even includes some templates you can copy and paste.

How to write a Student cover letter

A simple step-by-step guide to writing your very own winning cover letter.

Write your cover letter in the body of an email/message

When you send a cover letter with a job application, you should always write your message into the body of your email – or the body of the messaging system if you are sending via a job website.

Why do this?

Simply because you want to get your message seen as soon as the recruiter opens your application.

If you attach the cover letter as a separate item, this means the recipient will have to open it before they can read it – slowing down the process and potentially causing frustration along the way.

So, write your cover note in the body of your email/message to ensure you make an instant connection with the reader.

Start with a friendly greeting

To kick your cover letter off, start with a friendly greeting to build rapport with the recruiter instantly.

Your greeting should be personable but professional. Not too casual, but not too formal either

Go with something like…

• Hi [insert recruiter name]
• Hi [insert department/team name]

Avoid old-fashioned greetings like “Dear sir/madam ” unless applying to very formal companies.

How to find the contact’s name?

Addressing the recruitment contact by name is an excellent way to start building a strong relationship. If it is not listed in the job advert, try these methods to find it.

• Check out the company website and look at their  About page. If you see a hiring manager, HR person or internal recruiter, use their name. You could also try to figure out who would be your manager in the role and use their name.
• Head to LinkedIn , search for the company and scan through the list of employees. Most professionals are on LinkedIn these days, so this is a good bet.

Identify the role you are applying for

Once you’ve opened up the cover letter with a warm greeting to start building a relationship, it is time to identify which role you want to apply for.

Recruiters are often managing multiple vacancies, so you need to ensure you apply to the correct one.

Be very specific and use a reference number if you can find one.

• I am interested in applying for the position of *Student job* with your company.
• I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 406f57393)
• I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department
• I saw your advert for a junior project manager on Reed and would like to apply for the role.

See also: CV examples – how to write a CV – CV profiles

Highlight your suitability

The sole objective of your cover letter is to motivate recruiters into to opening your CV. And you achieve this by quickly explaining your suitability to the roles you are applying for.

Take a look at the job descriptions you are applying to, and make note of the most important skills and qualifications being asked for.

Then, when crafting your cover letter, make your suitability the central focus.

Explain why you are the best qualified candidate, and why you are so well suited to carry out the job.

This will give recruiters all the encouragement they need to open your CV and consider you for the job.

Keep it short and sharp

It is best to keep your cover letter brief if you want to ensure you hold the attention of busy recruiters and hiring managers. A lengthy cover letter will probably not get read in full, so keep yours to around 3-6 sentences and save the real detail for your CV.

Remember the purpose of your cover letter is to quickly get recruiters to notice you and encourage them to open your CV, so it only needs to include the highlights of your experience.

Sign off professionally

To finish off your cover note, add a professional signature to the bottom, stating your important contact details and information.

This not only provides recruiters with multiple means of contacting you, but it also adds a nice professional appearance to the cover letter, which shows that you know how to conduct yourself in the workplace.

Include the following points;

• A friendly sign off – e.g. “Warm regards”
• Your full name
• Phone number (one you can answer quickly)
• Email address
• Profession title
• Professional social network – e.g. LinkedIn

Here is an example signature;

Warm regards,

Aaron Smith Customer service professional 075557437373 [email protected] LinkedIn

Quick tip : To save yourself from having to write your signature every time you send a job application, you can save it within your email drafts, or on a separate document that you could copy in.

What to include in your Student cover letter

Here’s what kind of content you should include in your Student cover letter…

The exact info will obviously depend on your industry and experience level, but these are the essentials.

• Your relevant experience – Where have you worked and what type of jobs have you held?
• Your qualifications – Let recruiters know about your highest level of qualification to show them you have the credentials for the job.
• The impact you have made – Show how your actions have made a positive impact on previous employers; perhaps you’ve saved them money or helped them to acquire new customers?
• Your reasons for moving – Hiring managers will want to know why you are leaving your current or previous role, so give them a brief explanation.
• Your availability – When can you start a new job ? Recruiters will want to know how soon they can get you on board.

Don’t forget to tailor these points to the requirements of the job advert for best results.

Student cover letter templates

Copy and paste these Student cover letter templates to get a head start on your own.

Good morning, Jon

I would like to submit my application for the Finance internship at CF Finance, where I believe my skills in financial analysis and investment strategies can make a valuable contribution.

As a highly driven Finance undergraduate student at Bristol University, I possess a strong track record of analysing complex financial data and making informed recommendations, evident from my selection for the prestigious JPMorgan 2-week intensive programme. In my current part time job at Lloyds TSB, I have honed my attention to detail, ensuring a 99% accuracy rate in cash balancing and implementing a new cash management system that reduced discrepancies by 30% within the first quarter.

Additionally, my experience working with the team at JPMorgan allowed me to develop financial models and reports, leading to the implementation of an automated financial reporting system that reduced reporting time by 5%.

I am eager to continue learning and to have the opportunity to work alongside the team at CF Finance. I am available for an interview at your convenience to further discuss my qualifications. Thank you for considering my application.

Kind regards,

Shana Johnson

I am an enthusiastic student in my first year of sixth form with excellent time management skills, seeking to apply for the retail assistant job at White Stuff.

In my current role as a Shop Assistant at Clarkson Newsagents, I serve up to 50 customers per shift and my proactive problem-solving approach has garnered 40 named positive feedbacks in the last six months, reflecting my dedication to exceptional customer service. Balancing academic responsibilities with work commitments, I have maintained excellent grades and actively participate in school fundraisers and community service projects. Organising events such as quiz nights and completing a sponsored half marathon showcase my passion for teamwork and strong work ethic.

I am excited to contribute my customer service skills and attention to detail to your retail team. I am available for an interview from 22nd March, and I am eager to discuss how my skills can benefit your shop’s success.

Thank you for considering my application.

Rachel Blake

I hope you are well. I am a highly motivated and detail-oriented Chemistry student at the University of Newcastle, specialising in organic synthesis with technical expertise in using HPLC and GC-MS for quality checking and chemical identification, and I am writing to express my interest in your master’s program.

With a proven track record of streamlining laboratory workflows during group projects, I am passionate about delivering accurate and efficient results in my research. During my time as a Peer Tutor at UNSU, I took on the responsibility of assisting freshman chemistry students, providing one-on-one tutoring and conducting revision workshops. Through these efforts, I successfully elevated the average test scores by an impressive 15% within just two years, showcasing my ability to effectively communicate complex concepts and support students in their academic journey. I am keen to further hone my analytical skills and contribute to cutting-edge research projects, and the research topics and innovative environment of your university laboratory aligns perfectly with my career aspirations.

I sincerely appreciate your consideration of my application and I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience.

All the best,

Fraser Bleaker

Writing a strong attention-grabbing cover letter is a vital step in landing a good Student job.

Use the tips, strategies and examples above to get more responses from you job applications and start lining job interview up.

Good luck with your job search!

• Resume Templates Simple Professional Modern Creative View all
• Resume Examples Nurse Student Internship Teacher Accountant View all
• Resume Builder
• Cover Letter Templates Simple Professional Modern Creative View all
• Cover Letter Examples Nursing Administrative Assistant Internship Graduate Teacher View all
• Cover Letter Builder

Student cover letter example

The purpose of a student cover letter

Making your own opportunity, bringing value, even as a student.

So it’s time to tackle what might just be your very first cover letter, eh? You might have been under the impression that resumes and cover letters were only for getting jobs in the adult world. As it turns out, students need cover letters for a variety of reasons as well. Whether it’s for a program, leadership position, internship, scholarship or your first job, a great cover letter can help you stand out from the competition and tell your story in a passionate and convincing way. In both high school and college, competition among talented students can be fierce. And test scores and report cards can only tell so much. A great cover letter can be your secret weapon to excel past students who have perfect grades but lack the charisma and character that differentiates one candidate from another.

A highly-polished cover letter is usually only one part of a complete application. If you haven’t created an exceptional resume yet, that’s a great place to start. Check out resume.io’s guides specifically for high school and college students. You can also browse our resume examples for hundreds of professions – great for in-depth information when applying to jobs and internships. Our templates and general resume writing guide can help you make sure your formatting and visual presentation is spot-on. Now it’s time to dive into the inner workings of a cover letter that portrays your passion, motivation and eagerness to learn. You may not have a lot of professional experience, but that doesn’t mean your cover letter can’t shine with all the qualities that make you unique. This guide, along with an effective cover-letter example will:

• Review the basics of cover letter writing and why this document is so important
• Break down cover letter writing into easy-to-follow steps
• Explore one of the biggest mistakes made by students on their first cover letters
• Help you stand out from the competition no matter the type of application.

Student cover letter sample and general info

A cover letter can sometimes be called a letter of motivation, application letter or letter of interest. Whatever form it takes, the objective is simple: introduce you, your goals and your experiences to a potential employer, scholarship committee or any other type of decision-maker. Whereas a resume’s potential for creativity is limited to just a few lines of profile summary, a cover letter offers much more room for freedom of expression. A resume’s format is geared towards dates and job titles , which can be daunting for students who are just entering the professional sphere. A cover letter allows you to focus on just one or two positions or even your top personality traits and expand on the skills you already have to convince the reader that you’re worth a shot.

Hard vs. soft skills

A student may have not yet accumulated all the hard skills needed to succeed in his or her industry, but these types of concrete abilities aren’t the only ones that count. A study  of recent business graduates conducted across four European countries found that students need more professional development when it comes to soft skills. Employers were impressed with the business students’ analytical abilities but found them lacking when it came to communication and presentation.

So what does that mean for your cover letter? Even if you haven’t amassed much technical knowledge, showing off your professionalism, drive and ability to make a personal connection can go a long way – no matter which industry you work in.

As a student, you should keep your cover letter between 200-400 words, or the length of one page including your heading and closing items (more on that soon). Students often try to make up for lack of experience by creating long, rambling cover letters that address every topic imaginable. In fact, a concise and pointed letter that focuses on just a handful of great qualities is much more effective. Styling is also an important part of a strong cover letter. In general, it’s best to stick to an 11-point font size in one of the more common sans serif fonts like Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, Calibri or Open Sans. For more information on precise formatting, check out this overall guide on cover letters .

Whether from parents, peers or teachers, students face a lot of pressure to excel and win opportunities. Sometimes it can feel impossible to compete. The great thing about a cover letter is that it helps to level the playing field. Anyone can learn the secrets to writing an effective letter that gives them a leg up on the competition – yes, even when your opponent is that one kid who hasn’t missed a day of school since the 2nd grade. 

You may face a situation where the position or scholarship you’re applying for doesn’t specify whether or not you need a cover letter. This is your moment to get it right where a lot of other candidates may not. Unless an application specifically asks you NOT to submit a cover letter, you should always write and send one even if it’s not mentioned in the materials list. A cover letter is an opportunity to convince an employer or committee that you’re reliable, hard-working and destined for success. Why would you throw that opportunity away? Each material you prepare increases your odds of getting the thing your after, so make sure to give your cover letter all you’ve got.

The importance of tailoring your cover letter

If you’re writing your first cover letter in advance just to be prepared – way to be proactive! When it comes time to submit it, though, you’ll want to be sure you make a few changes. Each cover letter should serve a unique purpose that aligns with the mission of the company or organization that will be reading it. Hiring managers and scholarship committees can tell if you’ve created a generic letter – or worse, copy and pasted one – and topped it off with their name. This type of letter shows that you didn’t take the time to research the company and didn’t care to put in the effort to meet their needs. 

Luckily, you can easily avoid this mistake with a little planning. Read the job description or call for applicants a few times to pick out the most important attributes the organization is looking for in their candidates. Use your cover letter to highlight your successes in these areas or expand on coursework and relevant experience that match the specific job and type of employee the company is looking for. That’s the best way to maximize your chances.

Best format for a student cover letter

As a student, you’ll probably be using your cover letter for a variety of purposes – after tailoring it to each one, of course! Luckily, a professional cover letter structure is much the same regardless of industry or job position. This framework also works for scholarships, programs and any other type of application you may need to complete.  Here are the key components:

• The cover letter header
• The greeting
• The introduction
• The letter body
• The conclusion
• The signature.

The student cover letter sample below can be used for inspiration or adapted for your own needs.

Dear Ms. Tanako,

I moved to Seattle from Japan at age 13 and have long held a passion for everything related to my homeland. Having recently graduated with a 3.75 GPA in Japanese and Chinese studies, I am seeking to pursue my dual passions: transcreation and gaming.

Legendary Sitendo titles such as Manual Crossing have accompanied me through my teenage years into adulthood, and I have always been fascinated by the way in which the original language and culture is translated from the source. The language that they use should retain its cultural undercurrents and that is why translation of any dialogue plays such a crucial role in its international success.

During my studies, I worked part-time doing Japanese-English localization for various app developers and estimate that 80,000 of my words have found their way onto people’s smartphones. In the richer universe of video games, the potential for making an impact with language is far higher. A year living in Japan again reconnected me with the roots of your gaming community and I now feel ready to take my first professional step in translation.

I have been building towards this opportunity for the past four years of study:

• 18-months (remote) work experience with Japanese app developer Luevho.
• Lived in Guangdong for six months – strong additional Mandarin and Cantonese.
• Translated five 60,000-word fiction books from Japanese into English.
• Localized comics from English to Japanese. I am a student of Tokyo pop culture.

On a technical note, my thesis was written around the future of artificial intelligence in our industry. Finding a balance between art and science has never been more important.

I am a conscientious, energetic and creative member of any team and hope to have the opportunity of understanding how I might find become your newest translation “villager.”

Herman Walton

Cover letter header

Once upon a time, people sent applications (and cover letters) in the mail. Now, the majority of your applications will be online. A cover letter heading once meant formal letter heading, which you should still use on the off chance you have to send something the old-fashioned way. Otherwise, a cover letter heading serves one primary purpose: identify the document as belonging to you. Beyond that, it also keeps your phone number, email, LinkedIn and other contact information at a recruiter’s fingertips in case the letter floats around a large office. It’s a smart idea to keep your header concise to leave you more room for convincing an employer that you’re the one. 

The goal of this section: Make sure everyone who comes in contact with your letter knows who it belongs to and has your information to get in touch.

Your cover letter header also plays a role in the formatting of your letter. Here is the one place where you may be able to add a splash of color or a stronger text element depending on the industry and organization you’re applying to. One thing you can do to appear even more polished is to align your document styles. That means using the same header across your student resume, cover letter and any other application materials. A template can make things much easier by helping you find the right balance of professionalism and creativity. 

Cover letter greeting

Your greeting is one of the shortest sections of your cover letter but it serves a big purpose in making sure you make a great first impression. Your greeting sets the tone for the rest of the letter and should convey respect and professionalism. In most cases, there’s no need to go overboard with the formality, though. “Dear” followed by the proper salutation and a last name can work well in a variety of situations. 

The goal of this section: Create a polite opening that properly and professionally addresses the reader.

It’s been scientifically proven that people love to hear their own names. You can use this golden tidbit to your advantage by making sure to address your cover letter to the person who will be reading it. In many cases, employers and organizations who work with students will leave the contact person’s name on the call for applications. Sometimes, this can also serve as a test to see which students are paying enough attention to incorporate it into their letter.

In the instance where any number of people in a large organization could be reading your letter, there’s no need to go to extreme lengths to find a specific name. In that case, it’s best to avoid the cold and outdated “ To Whom It May Concern .” Instead, try to include the company name in your greeting followed by a collective noun like “Team” or “Committee.”

Cover letter introduction

The introduction is the hook of your letter. The opening paragraph is your chance to grab the reader’s attention with an interesting anecdote, bold statement or energetic opening line. Companies and organizations often enjoy working with students for their creative approaches and fresh ideas. Don’t put your reader to sleep with a halfhearted opening like “I am writing to inquire about your vacancy for…” Instead, encourage them to keep reading into the body of your letter by offering a taste of your best qualities in the introduction. 

The goal of this section: Create a bold and attention-grabbing first paragraph that makes a reader want to continue.

Cover letter middle part (body)

Your body paragraphs make up the bulk of your student cover letter. Here is where you can dive deep into your successes, milestones and perspectives. If the body section feels too free-form, you may opt to divide it into two subsections. In the first, you can use the STAR method to explain a Situation, Task, your Action and the positive Result it had. Remember to limit each anecdote to just a few lines in order to keep your reader’s attention throughout the whole document. In the second section, you can dive into your relevant skills, extracurricular activities and work experience. Make sure to relate each of these things to the position at hand to show why you’d be a great fit within the organization. 

The goal of this section: Offer details on your unique qualities and previous experiences and give specific examples of your problem-solving and collaborative capabilities.

How to close a student cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)

Congratulations on making it to the conclusion of your cover letter! All you’ve got to do now is write a closing paragraph that’s polite and encourages the reader to get in touch to learn more about what a fabulous candidate you are. The best way to do this is via a Call to Action. This line shows that you’re eager to take the conversation further and invites the reader to contact you. You’ll want to sound confident and determined without coming across as cocky or presumptive. Then, sign off your letter with a standard greeting like “Sincerely,” “Best,” or “Best regards.” 

The goal of this section: End the letter on a strong and positive note and create an effective call to action that politely and professionally encourages the reader to get in touch.

Customer service representatives handle client requests, product issues and represent companies at the most basic level. Today’s job market is more technological and competitive than ever. Use our Customer Service resume example & guide to boost your chances of getting a great position!

Writing psychology – cover letter tools and strategies

As a student, there are some general qualities that you can convey in your cover letter regardless of the type of application: Professionalism and maturity: Many students assume that they don’t need to have a *perfect* cover letter given that they are just starting out. While it’s true that your reader may be used to dealing with students, it’s not an excuse to write whatever comes to mind. An HR rep or scholarship committee will be impressed by a student who can show discipline and focus despite their young age.

Motivation: Demonstrating that you have goals and have taken concrete steps to achieve them is one of the best ways to show that you’re a student worth investing in. The STAR method listed in the body section of this guide can help you succinctly explain the ways you take action.

Willingness to learn: No matter how much you think you’ve learned, a student who comes across as arrogant or entitled will be an automatic “no, thank you” in the eyes of many internship coordinators, program leaders and scholarship committees.

Passion: Many of your other positive traits are likely to spring from the passion you have for your subject matter, for school or for the path you are pursuing. Explaining the source of your passion can help you develop a personal connection with your reader.

As a student, your focus is on learning, gaining new skills and growing your understanding of a field or industry. All of these goals will help lead you to a successful future. While these ambitions are a natural and normal part of being a student, they often lead to one common cover letter mistake: talking too much about how an opportunity will benefit you. “Of course I’m applying to this job/scholarship/internship/program because it will benefit me!” you might be saying to yourself. That’s true, but so is every other candidate actively preparing their application at this moment. In the professional world – and it holds true for students – companies want to know what you can offer them. Your employment or selection is generally not an act of goodwill on behalf of the company. You will be performing a job or service for them, even as a student.

It may be hard to think of how you can bring value to a company where dozens of other people have years of career experience. While it’s true that your hard skills may not be as fully formed as professional employees, don’t think that you have nothing to offer. Seasoned workers get tired. They lose the motivation to innovate. They don’t embrace new technologies. They’re so focused on getting home at the end of the day that they don’t bring the passion that drives success. You might not have all of the hard skills needed to do their jobs, but your youth is a huge advantage to a company. Without insulting the company or its employees, focus on the ways that you can bring your motivation and passion to this workplace or program. In a respectful tone, convey that you’re a bright young mind with the soft skills needed for that particular job and industry. Instead of coming across like a desperate student begging for a shot, you’ll appear confident and poised to do great things. You’ll be in demand.

The fact is, there’s going to be a lot of other people with your same resume applying for the exact positions that you want. It’s an unfortunate and inevitable part of being a student. 

Your cover letter is how you stand out.

Unfortunately, many students incorporate this knowledge into their cover letter by taking a presumptive and over confident tone. Finding the balance between asserting your best qualities and appearing humble can be difficult, but it’s essential to not put off your reader. As a student, you will be working in a junior position. You’re still learning, even if you have great traits that can benefit the company. Just remember – nothing is ever guaranteed until you sign the contract.

Student cover letter common mistakes

Here are some cover letter tips to help you avoid common pitfalls:

• Unrelated information: As a student, there are actually times when your hobbies and interests might be useful information in a cover letter (this is particularly true for high school students). However, if the application is of a professional nature, it’s best to leave off family life, clubs and friends and focus on your connection to the role at hand.
• Formatting and visual style: As a general rule, your formatting should be appropriate for the industry and position you’re applying for. Bright colors and heavy fonts don’t work with more formal employers, so make sure to get the tone just right. A professional template can help.
• Typos and grammatical errors: You’ve got one hour before the application is due and you just want to get it over with! Next time, make sure to leave enough time to proofread and spell checking your document. Better yet, have a friend look over it and give you feedback.
• Generic or overly formal wording: Your cover letter should sound professional but still natural, like you’re a real human being. A reader knows when you’ve copy and pasted someone else’s text or when the words are so large and complicated it’s clear you were just trying to show off. Writing in your own tone of voice is always the better choice.

Key takeaways

• The cover letter is the final “convincer” that lets you influence hiring decision-makers. It’s vitally important and extremely useful EVEN if the internship doesn’t require one.
• Know the cover letter structure and remember the goals of each section.
• Use emotion and psychology to drive home factual points for your internship.
• Convey the right tone of voice and remember what employers are looking for in an intern.
• Avoid generic text, formatting traps from text editors and use visual style (including design elements) to grab attention.

With resume.io, you can create a perfect cover letter in just a few minutes. No uncertainty, no hassle. Go out there and win!

You may also want to check out our related cover letter examples:

• Graduate cover letter sample
• University cover letter sample
• Scholarship cover letter example
• Internship cover letter example
• College Student cover letter sample

Free professionally designed templates

How to Write a Cover Letter for College Application (Free Template

Crafting a compelling college application cover letter is crucial yet challenging. It’s a single-page document that can set you apart from thousands of applicants. Learn how to highlight your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and community service to make your application stand out.

Written by:

Dr. Moina Rauf

Dr. Moina Rauf, fluent in English and Dutch, is a distinguished writer and editor with a PhD in Economics and a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Economics. With extensive experience in both academia and industry, she excels in elucidating complex concepts about business management, human resources policies, legal documentation, employee leaves, appointments, contracts, and workplace culture. Her proficiency in analyzing and simplifying intricate documents ensures comprehensive understanding for her audience. Published in academic journals, Dr. Rauf’s authority in her field is well-established.

Writing a great college application cover letter can be one of the most challenging prose pages that one has to put together in their high school career. On the one hand, it is just a simple single-page document, but on the other, how do you talk about the things you need to talk about without boring the reader? A well-written cover letter will give you an edge among the thousands of applicants sending in their applications for the same college. The letter should highlight your academic achievements, extracurricular, athletic, and community service achievements that will help you stand out during the highly competitive selection process.

• What is a College Application Cover Letter?

A college application cover letter is a written document submitted during the college admission process. It allows applicants to introduce themselves, share personal experiences, and explain why they are a strong fit for a particular college or university. The letter provides a more qualitative perspective beyond academic achievements and test scores, giving applicants an opportunity to showcase their personality, goals, and unique qualities.

• How to Write a Great Cover Letter for Your College Application

Writing a cover letter, also known as a personal statement or statement of purpose, is a crucial step in the admissions process. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write an effective college application cover letter:

Understand the Requirements

Review the application guidelines provided by the college. Understand the word limit, formatting requirements, and any specific prompts or questions they want you to address.

Start with a Strong Introduction

 Craft an engaging opening that captures the reader’s attention. This could be a personal anecdote, a relevant quote, or a thought-provoking question. Make it clear why you are passionate about your chosen field of study.

Provide Personal Background

Share relevant personal details, such as your name, where you’re from, and any unique aspects of your background that have influenced your academic journey.

Highlight Academic Achievements

Showcase your academic accomplishments, including your GPA, standardized test scores, and any honors or awards you’ve received. Discuss specific courses or projects that have contributed to your academic growth.

Discuss Extracurricular Activities

Detail your involvement in clubs, sports, or organizations. Highlight any leadership roles, responsibilities, or significant contributions you’ve made. Connect these activities to your personal and academic development.

Express Your Passions and Interests

Share your hobbies, interests, and passions outside of academics. Demonstrate how these aspects contribute to your well-rounded nature and connect to your chosen field of study.

Outline Your Career Goals

Clearly articulate your short-term and long-term career goals. Explain how the college’s programs and resources will help you achieve these goals. Show a thoughtful and informed approach to your future plans.

Explain Why You Chose This College

Discuss why you are specifically interested in attending this college. Mention particular programs, professors, or resources that align with your academic and personal objectives.

Address Challenges and Overcoming Adversity

If applicable, briefly discuss any challenges you’ve faced and how you’ve overcome them. Highlight your resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

Summarize in the Conclusion

Summarize key points in the conclusion and restate your enthusiasm for joining the college. End with a strong closing statement that leaves a positive impression.

Proofread and Revise

Carefully proofread your letter for grammatical errors, clarity, and coherence. Consider seeking feedback from teachers, mentors, or peers to gain different perspectives.

• Free Cover Letter Template

[Your Full Name]

[Your Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

[Email Address]

[Phone Number]

[College Admissions Committee]

[College Name]

[College Address]

Dear [Admissions Committee or Specific Individual],

I am writing to express my sincere interest in applying for admission to [College Name] as a prospective student in the [Intended Program/Major]. With a passion for [Your Chosen Field] and a commitment to academic excellence, I am excited about the prospect of contributing to and benefiting from the vibrant community at [College Name].

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is [Your Full Name], and I hail from [Your Hometown]. Currently enrolled at [Your Current Educational Institution], I come from a [Brief Description of Family Background] that has instilled in me the values of [Values]. These values have been instrumental in shaping my academic journey.

Throughout my academic career, I have consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence. My [GPA/Standardized Test Scores] reflect my dedication to achieving academic milestones. I have also engaged in [Relevant Courses/Projects] that have deepened my understanding of [Your Chosen Field].

Beyond the classroom, I have actively participated in [Clubs/Sports] and undertaken leadership roles in [Specific Clubs or Organizations]. These experiences have not only honed my leadership and teamwork skills but have also allowed me to make meaningful contributions to my school community.

In addition to my academic pursuits, I am a dedicated [Hobbies/Interests]. This multifaceted approach to life reflects my belief in the importance of a well-rounded education.

My short-term and long-term goals include [Your Career Aspirations], and I believe that [College Name] is the ideal environment to nurture my ambitions. The [Programs/Resources] offered align perfectly with my aspirations, and I am eager to immerse myself in the rich academic environment at [College Name].

Upon extensive research, it became evident that [College Name] stands out for its [Highlight Specific Programs/Resources]. I am particularly drawn to [Professor’s Name] work in [Specific Area], and I am excited about the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with such esteemed faculty members.

In facing challenges such as [Briefly Mention Challenges], I have cultivated resilience and determination. These experiences have not deterred me but, instead, have strengthened my resolve to succeed in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, I am enthusiastic about the prospect of contributing to the [College Name] community and believe that my unique background and experiences make me a strong candidate for admission. I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss my application in an interview.

Thank you for considering my application. I appreciate your time and attention to my candidacy.

[Your Signature]

Practical Users

The template provided is useful for prospective students applying to undergraduate or graduate programs. Its utility lies in its adaptability, as it can be customized to suit the individual’s unique experiences, educational background, and aspirations. The template provides a structured format, saving time for applicants who may be applying to several institutions. By inserting their personal details and customizing the content, applicants can efficiently create tailored letters for different colleges without starting from scratch each time.

Key Components

• Personalization is crucial in a college application cover letter. By providing placeholders such as “[Your Full Name],” “[Your Address],” “[Your Hometown],” and “[Your Current Educational Institution],” the template ensures that the applicant can easily insert their specific details. This personalization makes the letter feel more genuine and tailored to the individual’s unique background.
• Mentioning specific details about the chosen program and the college demonstrates that the applicant has done thorough research. Placeholders like “[Intended Program/Major]” and “[College Name]” allow the applicant to customize the letter for each application. This adaptability ensures that the letter feels relevant and targeted to the specific institution.
• Academic achievements and career goals are central to the letter. Placeholders like “[GPA/Standardized Test Scores],” “[Relevant Courses/Projects],” and “[Your Career Aspirations]” allow the applicant to showcase their unique academic strengths and aspirations. This flexibility ensures that the letter effectively communicates the applicant’s academic profile and future plans.
• Extracurricular activities provide insights into the applicant’s character. Placeholders like “[Clubs/Sports]” and “[Specific Clubs or Organizations]” allow the applicant to insert details about their involvement and leadership roles. This customization ensures that the letter reflects the breadth of the applicant’s experiences beyond academics.
• Demonstrating a genuine interest in the college is vital. Placeholders like “[Highlight Specific Programs/Resources]” and “[Professor’s Name]” allow the applicant to specify what aspects of the college attracted them. This customization ensures that the letter convincingly communicates the applicant’s alignment with the college’s values and offerings.
• Sharing challenges and how they were overcome adds depth to the application. Placeholders like “[Briefly Mention Challenges]” allow the applicant to insert specific details about their resilience. This adaptability ensures that the letter authentically communicates the applicant’s ability to overcome obstacles.
• Maintaining a formal tone and including proper salutations and closings is essential in professional communication. Placeholders like “[Admissions Committee or Specific Individual]” and “[Your Signature]” ensure that the letter adheres to formal conventions while still allowing for personalization.

Craft an engaging opening statement that reflects your personality. Consider using a relevant anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a personal reflection. Address the admissions committee or specific individuals if their names are known.

• Sample Cover Letter

Dear Admissions Committee,

I am writing to express my enthusiastic interest in applying for admission to Elite University as a prospective student in the Computer Science program. With a fervent passion for technology and a commitment to academic excellence, I am eager to contribute to and benefit from the esteemed community at Elite University.

From the earliest days of my academic journey, the realm of computer science has captivated my imagination. As an aspiring computer scientist, the opportunity to apply for admission to Elite University is a dream come true. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Alexander Greene, and I hail from the vibrant city of Technoville, where innovation and technology intersect.

Coming from a family of engineers, I have been immersed in a culture that values analytical thinking and problem-solving. My parents, both accomplished software engineers, have instilled in me the importance of creativity and perseverance in the face of complex challenges. Their influence has been pivotal in shaping my interest in computer science.

Throughout my high school years at Technoville High, I have consistently demonstrated a dedication to academic excellence. With a current GPA of 4.0 and outstanding scores on standardized tests, I have sought to challenge myself by enrolling in advanced placement courses, particularly those in mathematics and computer science.

My academic journey has been complemented by hands-on experiences, including a notable project where I developed a mobile application to assist local businesses in managing inventory. This project not only honed my coding skills but also instilled in me a deep appreciation for the practical applications of technology.

Beyond the classroom, I have actively participated in various clubs and organizations that have further fueled my passion for computer science. As the president of the Technoville Coding Club, I initiated coding workshops for local high school students, fostering a community of young tech enthusiasts.

Additionally, my role as the captain of the Technoville Robotics Team allowed me to merge theoretical knowledge with practical problem-solving. Leading the team to victory in regional competitions highlighted my leadership abilities and reinforced my commitment to collaborative innovation.

In addition to my academic pursuits, I am an avid participant in hackathons and coding competitions, where I continually seek to expand my knowledge and skills. My interest in ethical hacking has led me to explore the intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, and I am excited about the potential of these fields to shape our technological future.

My short-term goal is to pursue a degree in computer science at Elite University, where I aim to immerse myself in cutting-edge research and collaborative projects. Long-term, I aspire to contribute to the development of innovative technologies that address real-world challenges, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence.

My decision to apply to Elite University is grounded in the institution’s renowned Computer Science program and its commitment to fostering a dynamic learning environment. The opportunity to learn from distinguished professors, such as Dr. Cynthia Innovator, whose work in artificial intelligence aligns with my interests, is particularly enticing.

Furthermore, Elite University’s emphasis on hands-on research, its state-of-the-art facilities, and the vibrant tech community on campus are precisely what I seek to propel my academic and professional journey forward.

In facing challenges such as navigating a demanding academic curriculum while actively contributing to extracurricular activities, I have cultivated resilience and time management skills. These experiences have not deterred me but, instead, have fueled my determination to excel in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, my passion for computer science, combined with my academic achievements and hands-on experiences, makes me a strong candidate for admission to Elite University. I am confident that my contributions to the university community will extend beyond the classroom, enriching the collaborative spirit that defines Elite University.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss how my unique background and aspirations align with the vision of Elite University.

Alexander Greene

[Signature]

The sample letter provided is useful as it effectively integrates key elements, including an engaging introduction, a comprehensive overview of the applicant’s academic and extracurricular achievements, and a clear alignment with the specific college’s offerings. The letter is personalized, demonstrating a genuine interest in the institution, and maintains a formal tone throughout. Furthermore, it showcases the applicant’s unique qualities and ambitions, contributing to a compelling and well-rounded application.

• The letter by Alexander Greene begins with an engaging introduction that immediately captures the reader’s attention. This is important for making a positive first impression and encouraging the admissions committee to continue reading.
• The inclusion of the personal background by the writer provides context to their journey, linking family influences and values to their interest in computer science. This adds depth and helps the admissions committee understand the applicant’s motivations.
• Academic achievements, including GPA and standardized test scores, are highlighted by Alexander Greene, showcasing his commitment to excellence. The mention of advanced placement courses and a hands-on project demonstrates a well-rounded approach to education.
• Alexander’s involvement in coding clubs, robotics, and leadership roles emphasizes not only academic prowess but also teamwork and leadership skills. This section illustrates a holistic engagement with the subject beyond the classroom.
• Detailing participation in hackathons and coding competitions shows a genuine passion for computer science. The exploration of ethical hacking and the intersection of AI and cybersecurity adds specificity and uniqueness to Alexander’s profile.
• The articulation of short-term and long-term career goals is beneficial for demonstrating a clear vision. Linking these goals to the desire for a degree at Elite University helps align Alexander’s aspirations with the institution’s offerings.
• The writer provides specific reasons for choosing Elite University, including renowned professors and a commitment to hands-on research. This demonstrates that he has thoroughly researched the institution and understands how it uniquely fits its academic and professional objectives.
• Mentioning challenges faced and overcome adds a human element to the application. It showcases resilience and the ability to manage demanding situations, contributing to Alexander’s overall character.
• The conclusion effectively summarizes key points and reinforces Alexander Greene’s enthusiasm for joining Elite University. It leaves a positive and lasting impression on the reader.
• Downloadables

• Tips for writing an effective letter

Regardless of the recommended length, your college application cover letter should show evidence that you performed due diligence concerning the selected college. You don’t want to include any irrelevant information that you “think” should be included. Conduct your research and lay down the facts. You can visit the college website and look at local news to find out what is happening on campus.

Sound structure

An application letter should be both formal and professional. Structure your application letter in business letter format and include your contact information, your name, title, date, and address of the recipient. Also, make sure to use a proper salutation, e.g., “Dear Application Committee,” Alternately, if you already have their name and title, you can use “Dear (their last name).”

Even cover letters, although formal, can showcase a person’s personality, passion, and sense of humor. Just as college application essays are meant to add color to the applicant’s back and white representation, so too can the college application cover letter tell a little more about the applicant. Choosing a single area from your application on which to expound tells the recipient what you consider important.

College Connection

When writing your application, you should highlight how you see yourself fitting in on the college campus. Legacy students may speak to their family’s pride in their family’s rich history at the college. Others with political affiliations might refer to their intentions of becoming active student leaders. Athletes might talk about their previous high school success and how they expect to contribute to their college teams.

In the race to get into your dream college, every student wants to be noticed among the flood of application letters. With so many pouring in daily, writing a really good letter is your way to get a competitive advantage. Our collection of college application cover letter templates, some free and some with added features, is simple and special. They make your application look impressive. Pick and get these templates to make your writing better and ensure you stand out in the crowd.

Remember, your cover letter is more than just a summary of your grades or a request for your resume. It’s like a cover letter, introducing you and giving a little peek into how well you fit with the college. Writing with care is super important. Don’t send in a letter that’s not fully developed and still expects to stand out. Take your time to carefully write a letter that shows off your unique qualities. As you step into this journey, we wish you the best of luck with your college application process.

Table of Contents

Related articles.

Family meetings are about strengthening familial bonds, improving communication, and making collective decisions. We encourage having a well-structured agenda for each family meeting to enhance effectiveness. Our family meeting agenda template provides a clear framework and includes sections for meeting goals and topics.

A wedding guest planner is a detailed record of all individuals invited to attend a wedding ceremony and reception. It helps in organizing the number of attendees, ensuring all important guests are included, and managing RSVPs. Using a wedding guest planner template benefits couples by streamlining the organization process, making it easier to track invitations, responses, and seating arrangements efficiently and systematically.

A family tree is a visual diagram that illustrates the relationships and lineage of individuals within a family across generations, showcasing ancestry and familial connections. It serves as a comprehensive record, capturing vital information such as names, birthdates, marriages, and deaths, which helps in preserving and passing down family history. By using family tree templates, individuals can organize this information systematically, ensuring accuracy and clarity in depicting family relationships.

A condolence letter is a heartfelt written message expressing sympathy and support to someone who has experienced a loss, offering comfort during a difficult time.

An Affidavit of Death is a legal document used to declare the death of an individual, often required for settling estates or claiming benefits. Using an Affidavit of Death form template simplifies this process by providing a standardized format for the necessary information.

A small estate affidavit (SEA) is a crucial document for claiming inheritance from a decedent who passed away without a will. It is designed to streamline the process for estates of lesser value, allowing heirs to bypass the lengthy probate procedure. Utilizing a pre-made template ensures the affidavit is correctly formatted and legally enforceable.

License Agreement

© WordLayouts 2024

Connect with us

Empowering individuals and businesses around the world by offering a diverse portfolio of professional document templates. At WordLayouts, we envision a future where high-quality documentation is accessible, adaptable, and absolutely free, breaking barriers and fostering innovation in every endeavor.

Student Cover Letter Examples and Templates for 2024

• Cover Letter Examples
• Cover Letter Text Examples

How To Write a Student Cover Letter

When should you include a student cover letter.

A cover letter is like a formal introduction to your job application. This document goes beyond the confines of a resume to tell your story as a professional and why you’re interested in a job. Cover letters are especially helpful as a student if you have limited experience or simply want to differentiate yourself from other applicants.

It’s always best to include a cover letter with your application, whether or not it is required for the hiring process. In this guide, we’ll share tips and examples of student cover letters to help you write one that shows you’re ready to transition from the classroom to the workforce.

Student Cover Letter Template and Example

Student Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples

City, State Abbreviation | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | LinkedIn URL

Dear Mr./Ms./Mx. Last Name / Hiring Manager / Company Name Hiring Team,

I recently discovered the event planning assistant opportunity on the Enchanting Engagements website and was eager to apply. [Referral Name] praised your team’s talent for making memorable experiences. My event planning skills and creativity would contribute to the successful execution of your fun, fairytale events.

As a fine arts major, I didn’t expect my creative ability to extend into the event planning space. I was voted into a leadership role by my art club peers and discovered I actually enjoy and even excel at event organizing. During my freshman year, I found myself at the helm of planning a charity art show. Each quarter since then, I’ve led our club to put on a variety of events:

• Curated and organized five thematic exhibitions each year, drawing an average attendance of over 300 visitors
• Coordinated at least 10 interactive workshops per semester to engage students in hands-on art techniques and concepts
• Orchestrated annual auctions that each raised more than $5,000 for local art-based community projects

Taking the lead as the event planner in my art club has helped me see the big picture while managing the smallest key details. I use my creativity to find solutions, work collaboratively, and negotiate with vendors while staying within budget. My creative vision and planning experience would fully support your company’s unforgettable enchanted events.

I look forward to the possibility of bringing my background in art and event planning to Enchanting Engagements. I would appreciate sharing more about my abilities in an interview at your convenience. Thank you for considering my application.

Your student cover letter should describe how your past academic, volunteer, or work experiences make you a great fit for the job. Writing a strong cover letter begins with a strategic approach, and the tips below will help get you started:

• Do your homework for the job: Show you’re truly interested in working for the company by making an effort to learn more. Check out its website and social media pages for the latest news and info. Then, use this knowledge to demonstrate how you align with the organization’s mission and values.
• Customize your letter: Hiring managers can easily tell if you send the same generic document to multiple businesses. Instead, adapt your letter for each application using the information gained from your research. Match your skills and qualifications with the job requirements and include those keywords in your letter.
• Highlight extracurriculars: If you have a limited work history, extracurricular activities can be a goldmine of relevant experiences. Team projects, leadership roles, clubs, and volunteer work are all valuable assets to pull from. Discuss the experience and skills you developed in these roles and how they apply to the job you’re applying for.
• Tell a compelling story: Think of this as a narrative story rather than an informative report. Provide employers with all the need-to-know facts, but don’t lose your unique voice in the process. Be authentic and let your personality shine through when describing what you’re passionate about or why you specifically want the job.
• Edit your writing: What better way to show you pay attention to the details than with an error-free cover letter? After your first draft, it can help you step away for a while to have a fresh perspective and clear mind for the final edit. Consider using a writing assistant like Grammarly to ensure proper spelling and grammar for extra support.

What To Include in a Student Cover Letter

Whether you’re in high school, college, or even a recent grad, your student cover letter must contain compelling evidence to suggest that you’re equipped for this new role. To ensure you include all the best aspects of your professional potential, follow the outline below.

1. Contact information and salutation

At the top of your cover letter, list your full name, location, email address, phone number, and a link to your online professional profile or portfolio. For the best impression, ensure your email address has a polished and professional look. A combination of your first and last name is often the best for job applications.

Next comes the opening salutation. If possible, this section should be personalized. Take time to figure out who you should address your cover letter to so you can use their name.

Addressing your cover letter to a specific person shows you made an effort to add a personal touch. If you can’t find a name, a simple general greeting like the one below will work.

YOUR NAME City, State Abbreviation | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | LinkedIn URL

2. Introductory paragraph

The opening paragraph of your cover letter should be engaging and informative, drawing the reader in. Be sure to list the job title you’re applying for and describe why you’re interested in the position. You can also mention your education status or academic background if applicable to the job. If you were referred by a current employee, mention their name here as well.

3. Background paragraph

The background paragraph should provide a brief overview of how your past has prepared you for the role. Even if you don’t have any professional work experience, you can describe time spent on academic projects, internships, side gigs, and extracurricular activities. Then, round off the paragraph with a few key accomplishments, using numbers when you can.

4. Key skills and qualifications paragraph

In this paragraph, prove that you’re ready to take on the demands of the position despite any lack of paid experience. Describe times you’ve excelled in the past when using skills mentioned in the job ad. If you don’t have any technical ability to perform the job, shift your focus to interpersonal abilities like communication, leadership, and teamwork.

5. Conclusion

To conclude your letter, end on a high note by reaffirming your genuine interest in the role. Make another mention of why you think you would be a good fit or why you want the job. Then, encourage the hiring manager to move forward with the hiring process. Tell them you look forward to speaking soon and would appreciate a chance to meet for an interview. Finally, end with a professional farewell such as “sincerely,” “best,” or “kind regards.”

I look forward to the possibility of bringing my background in art and event planning to Enchanting Engagements. I would appreciate the chance to share more about my abilities in an interview at your convenience. Thank you for considering my application.

If a company requires a cover letter for the hiring process, plan on submitting one with your application. Failing to follow this simple instruction will most likely disqualify you from the job. However, even if cover letters are listed as optional, it’s always best to include one regardless.

As a student, you may not have much work experience yet, and a cover letter can help persuade hiring managers to see beyond this. It gives you the chance to mention a referral, tell a compelling story, or explain how your transferable skills and volunteer time make up for any lack of paid work.

Craft a new cover letter in minutes

Get the attention of hiring managers with a cover letter tailored to every job application.

Jacob Meade

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, ACRW)

Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

Check Out Related Examples

College Cover Letter Examples and Templates

Internship Cover Letter Examples and Templates

Student Resume Examples and Templates

Build a resume to enhance your career.

• Should Your Cover Letter and Resume Templates Match? Learn More
• What’s the Difference Between a Cover Letter and a Letter of Intent? Learn More
• Why Do You Want To Work Here: Interview Questions and Answers Learn More

Essential Guides for Your Job Search

• How to Write a Resume Learn More
• How to Write a Cover Letter Learn More
• Thank You Note Examples Learn More
• Resignation Letter Examples Learn More

1 Student Cover Letter Example

Students are experts at absorbing new information, adapting to various subjects, and showcasing their understanding through tests and assignments. Similarly, your cover letter is a testament to your adaptability, demonstrating your ability to learn and excel in different roles. In this guide, we'll delve into the best cover letter examples for students, helping you to translate your academic achievements into a compelling professional narrative.

Cover Letter Examples

Cover letter guidelines, student cover letter example, how to format a student cover letter, cover letter header, what to focus on with your cover letter header:, cover letter header examples for student, cover letter greeting, get your cover letter greeting right:, cover letter greeting examples for student, cover letter introduction, what to focus on with your cover letter intro:, cover letter intro examples for student, cover letter body, what to focus on with your cover letter body:, cover letter body examples for student, cover letter closing, what to focus on with your cover letter closing:, cover letter closing paragraph examples for student, pair your cover letter with a foundational resume, cover letter writing tips for students, highlight relevant coursework and projects, emphasize transferable skills, express enthusiasm for the role, proofread thoroughly, customize each cover letter, cover letter mistakes to avoid as a student, generic cover letters, lengthy cover letters, repeating your resume, not proofreading, not addressing the hiring manager, cover letter faqs for students.

The best way to start a student cover letter is by addressing the hiring manager directly, if their name is known. If not, use a professional greeting like "Dear Hiring Manager". Then, introduce yourself and state the position you're applying for. Make sure to express your enthusiasm for the role and briefly mention how your skills or experiences align with the job requirements. Remember, the opening paragraph should grab the reader's attention and make them want to read more. It's also a good idea to mention any connections you have with the company or any research you've done about them.

Students should end a cover letter by expressing gratitude to the reader for considering their application. This can be followed by a confident closing statement that reiterates their interest in the role and their eagerness to contribute to the organization. For example, "Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the possibility of contributing to your team and look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experiences align with your needs." Finally, they should sign off professionally using phrases like "Sincerely" or "Best regards," followed by their full name. It's also important to include their contact information below their name so that it's easy for the employer to reach out. Remember, the ending of the cover letter should leave a positive and lasting impression.

A student's cover letter should ideally be one page long. This is because hiring managers often have many applications to go through and a concise, well-written cover letter can effectively communicate your skills and qualifications without taking up too much of their time. It's important to keep your cover letter focused and to the point, highlighting your most relevant experiences and skills that make you a strong candidate for the position. Remember, the purpose of the cover letter is to intrigue the employer enough to read your resume and consider you for an interview, not to tell your entire life story.

Writing a cover letter with no experience can seem challenging, but there are ways to highlight your skills and abilities that can make you stand out to potential employers. Here's how you can do it: 1. Start with a strong introduction: Begin with a brief introduction about who you are and why you're interested in the role. Mention the job you're applying for and where you found the job listing. 2. Highlight your academic achievements: Even if you don't have work experience, you can still highlight your academic achievements. Mention any relevant coursework, projects, or research you've done that relates to the job you're applying for. 3. Showcase your skills: Identify the skills required for the job and demonstrate how you've used these skills in your academic or personal life. For example, if the job requires strong organizational skills, you could mention how you've managed multiple assignments and deadlines. 4. Use examples: Provide examples of when you've demonstrated these skills. This could be through group projects, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities. 5. Show enthusiasm: Employers want to hire people who are enthusiastic about the job and the company. Do some research about the company and mention why you're excited about the opportunity to work there. 6. End with a strong conclusion: In your closing paragraph, reiterate your interest in the role and your eagerness to contribute to the company. Thank the employer for considering your application and express your hope for an opportunity to further discuss your qualifications. 7. Proofread: Make sure to proofread your cover letter for any spelling or grammar errors. A well-written, error-free cover letter shows that you pay attention to details and take your job application seriously. Remember, everyone starts somewhere, and employers understand that students may not have a lot of work experience. What's important is showing that you're eager to learn and that you have the skills and qualities they're looking for.

Related Cover Letters for Students

Entry level cover letter.

Tutor Cover Letter

Substitute Teacher Cover Letter

Teacher Assistant Cover Letter

Student Cover Letter

Related Resumes for Students

Student resume example.

Try our AI-Powered Resume Builder

Privacy preference center

We care about your privacy

When you visit our website, we will use cookies to make sure you enjoy your stay. We respect your privacy and we’ll never share your resumes and cover letters with recruiters or job sites. On the other hand, we’re using several third party tools to help us run our website with all its functionality.

But what exactly are cookies? Cookies are small bits of information which get stored on your computer. This information usually isn’t enough to directly identify you, but it allows us to deliver a page tailored to your particular needs and preferences.

Because we really care about your right to privacy, we give you a lot of control over which cookies we use in your sessions. Click on the different category headings on the left to find out more, and change our default settings.

However, remember that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of our website. Finally, note that we’ll need to use a cookie to remember your cookie preferences.

Without these cookies our website wouldn’t function and they cannot be switched off. We need them to provide services that you’ve asked for.

Want an example? We use these cookies when you sign in to Kickresume. We also use them to remember things you’ve already done, like text you’ve entered into a registration form so it’ll be there when you go back to the page in the same session.

Thanks to these cookies, we can count visits and traffic sources to our pages. This allows us to measure and improve the performance of our website and provide you with content you’ll find interesting.

Performance cookies let us see which pages are the most and least popular, and how you and other visitors move around the site.

All information these cookies collect is aggregated (it’s a statistic) and therefore completely anonymous. If you don’t let us use these cookies, you’ll leave us in the dark a bit, as we won’t be able to give you the content you may like.

We use these cookies to uniquely identify your browser and internet device. Thanks to them, we and our partners can build a profile of your interests, and target you with discounts to our service and specialized content.

On the other hand, these cookies allow some companies target you with advertising on other sites. This is to provide you with advertising that you might find interesting, rather than with a series of irrelevant ads you don’t care about.

High School Student Cover Letter Samples & Examples That Worked in 2024

For high school students who are striving to earn a part-time position, an internship, or any other type of extracurricular work, writing a great cover letter is the first key step to take.

Since many high school students do not have a long work history yet, this can require some extra time and cleverness to frame high-school-level experiences compellingly.

But fret not, in this guide, we teach you exactly how to write an effective cover letter as a high school student. Continue reading to learn all about:

• Crafting a memorable cover letter header as a high school student
• Tailoring your high school student cover letter to be specific to the reader
• Writing an eye-catching introduction for your high school cover letter
• Highlighting your skills and academic experiences as a high school student
• Persuasively concluding your high school student cover letter
• Finding useful resources for job-seeking high school students

Let’s jump into the first step and begin crafting the ideal high school student cover letter!

1. How to craft a memorable cover letter header as a high school student

As a high school student, your top priority when writing a cover letter is to make it look professional.

High school students can often overlook the importance of visual design when writing cover letters, as they are more focused on making the letter’s content sound good.

Yet, a great-looking and professional cover letter format can go a long way in impressing employers.

In your cover letter header, you should include:

• Your name and academic position
• Your contact information
• The name of the company you are applying to
• The address of the company you are applying to

Here is an example of a well-formatted high school student cover letter header

Molly Madison , High School Class President (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/molly-madison

To: Jackson’s Downtown Boutique & Shoppe Gallery 1234 Street Address Phoenix, AZ

Use artificial intelligence to create your resume — FAST!

2. how to properly tailor your high school student cover letter.

After giving your cover letter an excellent visual structure and flow, your next step is to tailor the greeting and content of your high school student cover letter .

Tailoring a cover letter means making the information as relevant to the reader as possible. For instance, if you are applying to work in an ice cream shop, describing how your skills can be applied to customer service and food safety are good ways to make your letter relevant to the job.

Additionally, you should address your cover letter to the person who is most likely to read and review it, such as a company’s owner or a head manager.

Here are 3 examples of personalized cover letter greetings

Dear Mr. John Doe,

• Dear Hiring Manager John Doe,
• Dear Mr. John Doe & the Hiring Department,

3. How to write an eye-catching introduction for your high school student cover letter

When applying for jobs as a high school student, you are likely not going to have an extensive work history to showcase in your cover letter.

To make up for this, you need to ensure each detail you write is as eye-catching and compelling as possible. It is especially important to pay extra attention to your introduction , as an introductory paragraph can often be the thing that either impresses employers or makes them lose interest.

The best high school cover letter introductions should include:

• A brief overview of your academic history (academic performance, extracurriculars, etc.)
• Any key roles you have held in your academic history (leadership roles, athletics, etc.)
• A brief statement on what you are passionate about (this should be relevant to the role, position, or opportunity you are applying for)

Here is an example of a great introduction from a high school student cover letter

I am a junior at Rowe County High School seeking my first job in the outdoor recreation industry. As a student, I helped to start an Outdoor Program club that now has 30+ members and takes students on chaperoned adventures, such as hiking and camping. Your company is a staple in the local outdoor community and gaining this job would provide me with the opportunity to both practice my passion and learn more about the industry. 

Find out your resume score!

4. How to highlight your skills and academic experiences as a high school student

With your introduction out of the way, you can now begin writing your cover letter’s body paragraphs.

Many people choose to break up their body paragraphs into smaller, simple sentences. Additionally, bullet points can be used to keep your body paragraphs more organized and easy to skim over.

When writing these body paragraphs, your main goal is to describe your best skills and accomplishments as a high school student. You should select skills and accomplishments that are highly relevant to the position you are applying for.

Here are 6 examples of skills to include in a high school student cover letter

• Communication skills (describe your exact style of communication)
• Leadership and teamwork
• Time management
• Conflict resolution
• Problem-solving
• Critical thinking

Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a high school student cover letter

As a student at Monroe High School, I won the election for Class President two years in a row during my sophomore and junior years. This year, I am serving as the Senior Class President, which comes with greater responsibilities, including management of the school spirit budget.

5. How to persuasively conclude your high school student cover letter

To conclude your high school student cover letter, you must write a persuasive closing statement that encourages the reader to get in touch with you promptly.

Remember to maintain your professionalism in your conclusion as well by including a formal sign-off.

Here is an example of a persuasive closing statement from a high school student's cover letter

I greatly appreciate you taking the time to read my letter and look forward to hearing from you in the near future. As I am still in school, the best hours to reach me are in the early morning between 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. or in the late afternoon from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. It would be my honor to work at your company and I hope to hear from you within the next week about my application.

Many Thanks,

[Applicant Name]

6. Key resources for job-seeking high school students

Before we wrap things up, let's not forget one last crucial element — resources for your job hunt. As a high school student, there's a wealth of tools out there to assist you in navigating this exciting path. Here are some you should definitely bookmark:

• Career counseling: Many high schools provide career counseling services to students. They offer guidance in identifying potential career paths, preparing for interviews, and even finding job opportunities.
• Online job boards:  Websites like Indeed , Monster , or LinkedIn offer a range of part-time, intern, and entry-level positions perfect for high school students. You can filter by your area of interest, location, and other parameters.
• Local resources:  Don't overlook local resources like community job boards, local newspapers, and libraries. They often list part-time jobs in your immediate area, ideal for high school students.
• Networking:  This can be beneficial, even for high school students. Connect with teachers, family friends, and alumni in your desired field for potential job leads and advice.
• Job readiness workshops:  Some communities offer workshops to help high school students prepare for the job market, providing tips on resume writing, interviewing, and soft skills development.
• Volunteer work:  Volunteering can provide valuable experience and skills that employers look for. Websites like VolunteerMatch  or local community centers can point you towards opportunities.

Kickstart your job search by leveraging these resources and step into the professional world with confidence. Good luck!

High School Student Cover Letter FAQ

How long should my high school student cover letter be.

Your cover letter should not exceed one page — it should be concise and to the point. Around 3-4 short paragraphs are generally sufficient. 

Should I follow up after sending my cover letter and resume?

Yes, it's a good idea to follow up if you haven’t heard back after a week or two. You can send a polite email asking about the status of your application. This shows you're genuinely interested in the role. 

What if I don’t have any work experience?

That's okay! You can highlight your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or any skills that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Remember, everyone has to start somewhere! 

Do I need a tailored cover letter for each application?

Yes, you should tailor your cover letter for each job application. It demonstrates that you've done your research on the company and the specific role, which will impress employers. 

How should I address my cover letter if I don't know who the hiring manager is?

If the job posting doesn't provide a name and your research doesn't reveal who the hiring manager is, it's acceptable to use a general salutation like, "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear [Company Name] Team."

Julia Belak

Julia is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW™) and an active member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Career Coaches (PARWCC™). She is also a passionate translator and graphic designer. Julia holds degrees in translation and interpretation and has international work experience in various countries across Europe, as well as in China and Panama. Julia formerly taught academic writing and contributed as a graphic designer to outlets such as The Business of Business. You'll often find her with a book in one hand and a specialty coffee in the other, always on the lookout for new insights.

All student cover letter examples

• Formal Sciences Student
• Humanities Student
• Student Internship
• Natural Sciences Student
• Professions And Applied Sciences Student
• Social Sciences Student
• University Student

All high school student cover letter examples

Related high school student resume examples

Let your resume do the work.

Join 5,000,000 job seekers worldwide and get hired faster with your best resume yet.

Exclusive University Application Letter Template

When I began writing university application letters, I quickly realized the importance of making each one unique. These letters are not just about presenting your achievements; they’re about standing out in a sea of applicants. 

Through my experience, I’ve learned that a compelling application letter is a blend of personal narrative, academic excellence, and genuine interest in the institution. Let me share with you how to craft an effective university application letter that will capture the attention of admissions officers.

Key Takeaways

Introduction: The Importance of a Unique University Application Letter

Writing a university application letter is a critical step in your academic journey. It’s your opportunity to showcase who you are beyond your grades and test scores. In my experience, the most successful letters are those that tell a story—your story. Admissions committees read thousands of letters, and what sets yours apart is the personal touch you bring to it.

I’ve written numerous application letters for various universities, and I’ve seen firsthand the difference a well-crafted letter can make. Let me guide you through the process of creating a letter that not only highlights your achievements but also reflects your personality and passion for learning.

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a University Application Letter

1. research the university and program.

Before you start writing, it’s essential to research the university and the specific program you’re applying to. Understand the university’s values, its culture, and what it looks for in students. I’ve found that referencing specific courses, professors, or facilities within the university can demonstrate your genuine interest and fit for the program.

Trending Now: Find Out Why!

Example: When I applied to XYZ University, I mentioned their renowned ABC program and how it aligned with my career goals. This not only showed my interest but also my knowledge about the program.

2. Start with a Strong Introduction

The introduction is your first impression. Make it count. Begin by stating who you are, the program you’re applying to, and why you’re interested in that university. A brief anecdote or personal experience related to your field of interest can also be a compelling start.

Tip: Personal experiences resonate more with admissions officers. In one of my letters, I shared a story about how a high school project sparked my interest in environmental science, leading me to apply for an environmental studies program.

3. Highlight Your Academic Achievements

In the body of the letter, emphasize your academic qualifications. Discuss your grades, relevant coursework, and any awards or recognitions you’ve received. However, don’t just list them—connect them to your passion for the subject.

Real-Life Example: In a letter I wrote for a business program, I didn’t just mention my top grades in economics and math. I explained how my high school’s economics club, which I founded, fueled my interest in business studies.

4. Express Your Goals and Aspirations

Universities want to know what you plan to do with your education. Discuss your long-term goals and how the university’s program will help you achieve them. Be specific—mention how particular courses, professors, or research opportunities at the university align with your goals.

Opinion: From my perspective, this is where many applicants fall short. They talk about their goals but fail to connect them to the specific resources the university offers. Make sure you draw a clear line between your aspirations and what the university provides.

5. Conclude with a Call to Action

End your letter by reiterating your enthusiasm for the program and expressing your eagerness for an interview or further discussion. Thank the admissions committee for their time and consideration.

Example: In my conclusion, I often write something along the lines of, “I am eager to contribute to and grow within the university’s dynamic academic environment. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my application in further detail.”

Template 1: Standard University Application Letter

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, Zip Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date]

[Admissions Committee Name] [University Name] [University Address] [City, State, Zip Code]

Dear [Admissions Committee Name],

I am writing to express my interest in applying for the [Program Name] at [University Name]. With a strong background in [Relevant Field], I am eager to contribute to and grow within your esteemed program.

Throughout my academic career, I have consistently excelled in [Relevant Subjects], earning top grades and gaining recognition for my work. My passion for [Field] was sparked by [Personal Anecdote], and I have since pursued this interest through [Related Activities or Courses].

I am particularly drawn to [University Name] because of its [Specific Program or Course], which aligns perfectly with my career goals of [Career Goals]. I am confident that the resources and opportunities available at [University Name] will enable me to achieve my aspirations.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to the [Program Name] at [University Name].

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Template 2: University Application Letter with a Personal Touch

Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated by [Relevant Field or Subject]. This passion led me to excel in [Relevant Courses], and it is why I am applying to the [Program Name] at [University Name].

My journey towards [Field] began when [Personal Story or Experience]. This experience not only solidified my interest in [Field] but also motivated me to seek out opportunities to learn and grow. At [University Name], I am excited to further explore [Specific Aspect of the Program] and work with [Professor’s Name] on [Research or Project].

I am confident that the rigorous academic environment at [University Name] will provide the perfect foundation for my future career in [Career Field]. I am eager to bring my unique perspective and experiences to your program.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to the [University Name] community.

Template 3: University Application Letter Focused on Future Goals

I am writing to apply for the [Program Name] at [University Name] because I believe it is the ideal place to develop my skills and knowledge in [Field]. My long-term goal is to [Career Goals], and I am confident that your program will provide the perfect stepping stone to achieve this.

During my high school years, I have demonstrated my commitment to [Field] through [Relevant Activities or Coursework]. I am particularly interested in [Specific Course or Research Opportunity at University Name] and how it aligns with my aspirations to [Specific Career Goals].

The opportunity to study at [University Name] excites me because of [Unique Aspect of University]. I am eager to contribute to and benefit from the diverse academic environment at your institution.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss how I can contribute to the [Program Name] at [University Name].

Final Thoughts

Writing a university application letter is both an art and a science. It requires a balance between showcasing your academic achievements and sharing your personal story.

In my experience, the key to a successful application letter lies in personalization—making sure that each letter reflects not only who you are but also how you fit into the university’s community.

Related Posts

• 3 Proven University Application Letter Templates
• Sample Letter Of Interest For University Admission: Free & Effective
• Email To University Asking For Admission Status: The Easy Way!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Q: what should i include in my university application letter to stand out.

Answer : In my experience, including a personal anecdote that highlights your unique qualities and aligns with the university’s values can really make your application letter stand out. It’s not just about listing achievements; it’s about telling your story in a way that resonates with the admissions committee.

Q: How can I make my university application letter more personal?

Answer : I’ve found that researching the specific program and faculty at the university and mentioning how they align with my academic interests and career goals adds a personal touch to the application letter. It shows the admissions committee that you’re genuinely interested in what they offer and not just sending a generic letter.

Q: Is it necessary to mention my academic achievements in my university application letter?

Answer : Absolutely, mentioning your academic achievements is crucial, but it’s equally important to contextualize them. In my letters, I always connect my achievements to broader personal goals or experiences, giving the admissions committee a sense of who I am beyond the numbers.

Q: How long should my university application letter be?

Answer : From my experience, keeping the application letter to about one page is ideal. It’s long enough to cover essential aspects of your profile and motivation, yet concise enough to maintain the reader’s interest and respect their time.

Q: Can I use the same application letter for multiple universities?

Answer : While it’s tempting to use the same letter for efficiency, I always tailor my letters to each university. Personalizing the letter to reflect how I resonate with each specific institution’s ethos and offerings significantly increases the impact of my application.

Q: How do I address a gap in my academic or professional journey in my application letter?

Answer : I’ve addressed gaps in my journey by framing them as periods of learning and growth, highlighting how the experiences gained during the gap contribute to my academic and professional aspirations. This shows resilience and a proactive attitude to the admissions committee.

Related Articles

Sample letter of withdrawal of enrollment: free & effective, unbelievable school transfer letter template that gets results, college admission letter example: free & effective, letter of withdrawal from college due to personal problems: free & effective, appeal letter for university rejection sample: free & effective, best assignment extension request letter (template included), 2 thoughts on “exclusive university application letter template”.

I am no longer sure where you’re getting your information, however good topic.

I needs to spend a while studying much more or understanding more. Thank you for magnificent info I used to be searching for this information for my mission.

Thanks for the awesome blog post! Where can I find more info like this? I’m working on a project right now and have been searching for this kind of stuff.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Cover letter examples

Penelope has opted for a clean and simple Otago cover letter template, showcasing her talent and transferrable skills in HR. The cover letter follows a modern style, keeping it concise and tailored to the specific job.

"I am writing to express my keen interest in the Human Resources Internship position at HSBC UK, where I can leverage my strong academic background, practical experience, and passion for HR to contribute to the company's success"

Table of contents

How to Write a Student Cover Letter: Guide with Examples and Tips

As a student navigating the UK job market, a well-crafted cover letter can make all the difference in your job search. Unlike seasoned professionals with years of experience to showcase, students often struggle to translate their academic knowledge and extracurricular activities into professional career documents that resonate with potential employers.

Whether applying for internships , work placements , or entry-level jobs, this guide aims to alleviate your worries and equip you with the essential steps of creating an effective student cover letter, with practical examples to help you on your way.

Explore our collection of cover letter templates to complement your CV. 

Customise this student cover letter example

Student cover letter example.

Download this student cover letter in PDF

This cover letter sample features Penelope, a diligent Business Psychology student, showcasing her academic achievements and extracurricular involvement, aligning them with the position's requirements. The cover letter follows a modern style, keeping it concise and tailored to the specific job.  

Explore our matching student CV example for more tips and examples to streamline your job application.

Entering the job market for the first time? Learn our best strategies for crafting a compelling CV for a first job and begin your professional journey.

What to include in a student cover letter?

Beyond being a job requirement, the cover letter aims to complement your CV, providing deeper insight into your relevant skills, experience, and passion for the profession you're pursuing.

Much like a good CV , a well-structured cover letter aims to tailor in to a specific job. Ensure you carefully plan your writing process and include only the relevant information, leaving out all unnecessary details. The structure of a cover letter is simple. See the essential information you could add to your cover letter below:

Introduction : Briefly introduce yourself and state why you are interested in the position.

Summary of qualifications : Highlight your primary skills, experience, and accomplishments relevant to the job.

Relevant experience : Describe your work experience, focusing on your most relevant achievements.

Education : List your educational background, including your degree, institution, GCSE or A-levels.

Skills:  List your relevant skills, such as soft skills, hard skills, and transferrable skills.

Awards and honours : Mention any awards, honours, or certifications you have received.

References : If applicable, provide the contact information for your references.

Call to action : Thank the employer for their time and consideration, and express your eagerness to learn more about the position.

Learn more about this in our writing guide on crafting a well-structured cover letter.

Refer to the following examples for job-specific cover letters: Barista Waiter or waitress Admin Teaching assistant.

How to start a student cover letter

Your cover letter's introduction serves as a brief yet impactful overview of your relevant qualifications, referring back to your personal profile, also known as a personal statement, on a CV. Choose an eye-catching opening statement that draws your recruiter's interest, ensuring you create a solid first impression. 

Dear Evan Miller, I am writing to express my keen interest in the Customer Service Assistant position currently available at John Lewis. With a proven track record of providing exceptional customer service, I am thrilled about the opportunity to contribute my skills and enthusiasm to your dynamic team. My dedication to resolving customer issues promptly and effectively aligns perfectly with your company's commitment to customer satisfaction. I am eager to join your team and bring my commitment to excellence to John Lewis's customer service operations.

Refer to our customer service cover letter for more details. 

Below is the must-have information to add to your introduction:

Contact information : Provide your name, address, date of application, phone number, and email at the top of your cover letter.

Salutation:  Address the hiring manager or recruiter by name if possible. If not, use a general greeting such as "Dear Hiring Manager."

Introduction:  Start with a strong opening that briefly outlines your qualifications and expresses your interest in the position.

For more tips, refer to our article on how to start a cover letter .

Boost your job application with a compelling cover letter

How to write the body of a student cover letter .

In the cover letter body, convey your enthusiasm for the role by highlighting specific skills and achievements from previous experiences. Clearly state why you are the ideal candidate, aligning your abilities and aspirations with the company's values and mission. We suggest using two paragraphs to summarise your motivation for the job.

What to include in paragraph 1

Express interest in the desired role, highlighting your excitement for contributing to business growth. Briefly mention aspects of the company's mission that resonate with you to capture the reader's attention.

Paragraph 1 example

I am writing to express my keen interest in the Sales Associate position at DynamicTech Ltd. As a second-year student in Business Administration from the University of Manchester, I am eager to contribute my education and passion for sales to your dynamic team. The customer-centric ethos and innovation at DynamicTech Ltd align with my values, and I am excited about the opportunity to be part of a company driving business growth.

What to include in paragraph 2

Highlight your qualifications, detail relevant experiences and accomplishments from your student clubs, side activities or university projects. Use quantifiable metrics to emphasise the impact of your contributions.

Paragraph 2 example

During my studies, I led a successful university project, resulting in a 15% increase in sales and spearheaded a student club initiative, achieving a 20% boost in engagement. These experiences showcase my strategic planning and excellent communication skills. I am confident that my proactive approach to sales and these accomplishments align well with the Sales Associate position at DynamicTech Ltd.

For specific guidance on crafting a compelling sales cover letter as a student or seasoned professional, refer to our comprehensive guide with industry-specific advice.

Consider these additional tips to help you improve your student cover letter:

Prioritise relevant coursework, projects, or extracurricular activities to showcase transferrable skills .

Highlight internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer experiences, emphasising additional expertise .

Include achievements and projects from the university, aligning them with the desired role.

Mention any leadership roles in student organisations or notable accomplishments during your studies.

Use action verbs and quantify achievements to make your experiences more impactful.

Check out related articles on the apprenticeship CV and how to add achievements to a CV .

How to end a student cover letter

End your cover letter with a powerful call to action, reiterating your enthusiasm for the position and expressing your desire to discuss your qualifications further. Thank the reader for their time and consideration, and provide your contact information for further inquiries.

I appreciate your consideration of my Intern Commercial Retail Operations application and am excited about the prospect of contributing to the success of ChicEmporium. I welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experiences make me a strong fit for your team. Thank you for your time and consideration.   I look forward to further discussing my qualifications in an interview. Sincerely, Miriam Cates

See our retail cover letter example guide for more examples and tips.

How to write a student cover letter with no experience 

If you have little to no experience, a short cover letter can still make a big impact. Start by researching the company and job role to tailor your letter effectively. Compile a list of relevant skills and experiences, emphasising transferable skills and projects that align with the company's goals. Do not let a lack of experience deter you from applying. A cover letter offers room for flexibility, so use it to your advantage. 

CV tips for writing a student cover letter with no experience:

Research the company and the job role

Make a list of relevant skills and experiences

Mention your contact information 

Indicate your job target 

Show your transferable skills and projects, aligning with the company's goals

Sign off your cover letter with a call to action

Proofread for mistakes.

Dear Hiring Manager, I am excited to express my genuine interest in the part-time pharmaceutical research internship at MedLife, as advertised. As a third-year student in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Edinburgh, I am eager to apply my knowledge and enthusiasm for advancing healthcare solutions to contribute to your esteemed research team. I undertook comprehensive coursework throughout my academic journey, building a solid foundation in pharmaceutical research methodologies and industry practices. Although my formal research experience may be limited, my dedication to learning, adaptability, and practical communication skills make me a well-rounded candidate for this role. I am particularly attracted to MedLife for its commitment to cutting-edge research, and I am eager to be part of a team committed to making impactful contributions to the field. I am confident that my academic accomplishments and my passion for advancing healthcare make me an asset to the pharmaceutical research position. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss in greater detail how my skills and enthusiasm align with the specific needs of your research team. Thank you for considering my application. Sincerely, John Anderson

Refer to the job-specific pharmacist cover letter example for more tips!

Key takeaways

Writing a cover letter as a student involves showcasing your academic achievements and extracurricular activities while aligning them with the specific job requirements. Keep it concise, tailor it to the specific position, and ensure it reflects your enthusiasm for the opportunity.

Before submitting your cover letter, proofread carefully to eliminate spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. A polished and error-free document reflects your professionalism and attention to detail.

Use strong action verbs to describe your accomplishments.

Quantify your achievements whenever possible.

Personalise your cover letter for each position you apply for.

Maintain a positive tone that reflects your personality and enthusiasm for the job.

Next steps?

We also offer a variety of CV templates and CV examples tailored to match your career goals. If you need additional assistance, our CV Writing Service provides professional guidance to make the process easier.

What is the best student cover letter template?

A well-crafted student cover letter should be tailored to the specific job you're applying for. It should highlight your academic achievements, relevant coursework, and hands-on experience, demonstrating how they align with the role's requirements.

What is the purpose of a student cover letter?

A student cover letter is a professional document that introduces you and your qualifications to a potential employer. It is your opportunity to showcase your skills, experience, and accomplishments in a way that is relevant to the job you are applying for.

How long should a student cover letter be?

A student cover letter is typically one page long, concise and focused on crucial qualifications and experiences.

Refer to  how long a cover letter should be  for more information.

How should I format my student cover letter?

Use a clean and professional font like Times New Roman or Arial. We suggest sticking to a font size of between 10 and 12 points. Ensure to use consistent margins and spacing. Proofread your cover letter carefully for any errors before submitting it to your desired company.

See our related blog on how to choose the best font for your CV .

Should I use keywords in my student cover letter?

Yes, you should use keywords throughout your student cover letter. Doing so will help your application get noticed by applicant tracking systems (ATS) that scan resumes and cover letters for relevant keywords.

What are some common mistakes to avoid in a student cover letter?

Here are a few common mistakes to avoid in a student cover letter:

Typos and grammatical errors.

Generic and irrelevant content.

Lack of focus on relevant skills and experience.

Failure to tailor the cover letter to the specific job requirements.

Including irrelevant information.

Submitting a cover letter that is too long or too short.

Is a cover letter necessary for a student job?

While not always mandatory, a cover letter for a student job can significantly enhance your application. It allows you to express your enthusiasm, showcase your qualifications, and provide additional context that your CV might need to cover.

Land the interview for your dream job with CVMaker

Effortlessly create your professional CV within 10 minutes and download it whenever and wherever you want!

Increase your chances of landing your dream job with CVMaker.

Choose Your Test

• Search Blogs By Category
• College Admissions
• AP and IB Exams
• GPA and Coursework

4 Amazing Recommendation Letter Samples for Students

Letters of Recommendation

How important are recommendation letters in a college application? According to William Fitzsimmons, dean of admissions and financial aid at Harvard, they are "extremely important."

If you're a student, examples of great letters of recommendation can help you understand how to get strong letters yourself from your teachers. If you're a teacher, the examples in this guide will inspire you to support your students strongly as they apply to college. Keep reading for four excellent letters from teachers that will get anyone into college , along with expert analysis on why they're so strong.

Important Note: Are you looking for job recommendation letters? If so, check out my great post here!

First, let's understand the role of recommendation letters in your application.

Why are Recommendation Letters Important?

The majority of admissions officers at four-year colleges, especially private schools, emphasize that their process is holistic . They seek to gain a sense of the student as a "whole person," rather than focusing on pieces of who she is based solely on grades and test scores. Since they rarely meet the student in person, the recommendation letters, along with the student's own personal essay, play a huge role in illuminating her intellectual and personal qualities.

That's why recommendation letters from teachers, especially those who know their students well, carry a great deal of weight in applications. A letter that expresses a strong vote of support, as well as highlights a student's impressive academic and personal strengths , can have a powerful effect on that student's chances of admission.

Let's look at some samples of strong recommendation letters, one from an English teacher, another from a physics teacher, the third from a history teacher, and the final one from a math teacher. Then we'll break down exactly why these letters of recommendation are effective.

The first example recommends Sara, a senior who loves to write and read poetry.

Sample Letter #1: Sara the Poet

Dear Admissions Committee, I had the pleasure of teaching Sara in her 11th grade honors English class at Mark Twain High School. From the first day of class, Sara impressed me with her ability to be articulate about difficult concepts and texts, her sensitivity to the nuances within literature, and her passion for reading, writing, and creative expression- both in and out of the classroom. Sara is a talented literary critic and poet, and she has my highest recommendation as a student and writer. Sara is talented at considering the subtleties within literature and the purpose behind authors' works. She produced an extraordinary year-long thesis paper on creative identity development, in which she compared works from three different time periods and synthesized cultural and historical perspectives to inform her analysis. When called upon to give her thesis defense in front of her peers, Sara spoke clearly and eloquently about her conclusions and responded to questions in a thoughtful way. Outside of the classroom, Sara is dedicated to her literary pursuits, especially to poetry. She publishes her poetry in our school's literary magazine, as well as in online magazines. She is an insightful, sensitive, and deeply self-aware individual driven to explore art, writing, and a deeper understanding of the human condition. Throughout the year Sara was an active participant in our discussions, and she always supported her peers. Her caring nature and personality allow her to work well with others in a team setting, as she always respects others' opinions even when they differ from her own. When we held a class debate about gun laws, Sara opted to speak for the side opposite her own views. She explained her choice as motivated by a desire to put herself in other people's shoes, view the issues from a new perspective, and gain a clearer sense of the issue from all angles. Throughout the year, Sara demonstrated this openness to and empathy for the opinions, feelings, and perspectives of others, along with shrewd powers of observation, all qualities that makes her outstanding as a student of literature and burgeoning writer. I am certain that Sara is going to continue to do great and creative things in her future. I highly recommend her for admission to your undergraduate program. She is talented, caring, intuitive, dedicated, and focused in her pursuits. Sara consistently seeks out constructive feedback so she can improve her writing skills, which is a rare and impressive quality in a high school student. Sara is truly a stand-out individual who will impress everyone she meets. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at [email protected]. Sincerely, Ms. Scribe English Teacher Mark Twain High School

This is a thorough, glowing recommendation for a student that Ms. Scribe clearly knows well. What other features make it stand out as a strong letter of rec?

The Breakdown

Ms. Scribe has a high opinion of Sara and her skills at writing and literary analysis. One way that she expresses this is by using powerful and specific language. She doesn't merely say Sara is a good writer. She says she's articulate about difficult concepts and sensitive to the nuances within literature. She calls her insightful and self-aware with shrewd powers of observation.

These descriptors don't happen by accident. Ms. Scribe took the time to choose her words carefully , and that effort paid off with a strong letter that captures Sara's special qualities.

Ms. Scribe also supports her characterization of Sara with examples . She describes her thesis paper and how she responded to questions thoughtfully under the pressured situation of her thesis defense. She gives the example of the debate on gun laws to illustrate Sara's openness to many different points of view.

In addition to illuminating her intellectual and personal strengths and supporting them with specific examples, Ms. Scribe speaks to Sara's goals for the future. She points out that she is talented at writing, poetry specifically, and that she is committed to continuing to improve as a writer in her future.

This letter, by virtue of its wording, length, and specificity, shows that Ms. Scribe took the time and effort to recommend Sara thoughtfully and with conviction. The fact that she knows Sara well and is committed to helping her application succeed with a thoughtful letter further adds weight to her assessment.

This letter would be a boon to Sara's application, especially if she's applying to study writing or English. She clearly impressed her English teacher and, in return, got a memorable, complimentary letter of recommendation for her college application.

This next example is similarly enthusiastic and detailed. It's for a student applying to an engineering program.

Sample Letter #2: Stacy the Engineer

Dear Admissions Committee, It is a great pleasure to recommend Stacy for admission to your engineering program. She is one of the most exceptional students I have encountered in my 15 years of teaching. I taught Stacy in my 11th grade honors physics class and advised her in Robotics Club. I am not surprised to find out she is now ranked at the top of an extraordinarily capable class of seniors. She has a keen interest in and talent for physics, math, and scientific inquiry. Her advanced skills and passion for the subject make her an ideal fit for your rigorous engineering program. Stacy is a perceptive, sharp, quick individual with a high aptitude for math and science. She is driven to understand how things work, whether they be the old computer hard drives in the school library or the forces that hold our universe together. Her final project in class was especially impressive, an investigation of frequency-dependent sound absorption, an idea that she said was sparked by not wanting to bother her parents with her hours of guitar practice at home. She's been a strong leader in Robotics Club, eager to share her knowledge with others and learn new skills. I have the students in the club prepare lessons and take turns leading our after-school meetings. When it was Stacy's turn, she showed up prepared with a fascinating lecture on lunar nautics and fun activities that got everyone moving and talking. She was our only student teacher to be met with much deserved applause at the end of her lesson. Stacy's personal strengths are as impressive as her intellectual accomplishments. She's an active, outgoing presence in class with a great sense of humor. Stacy's the perfect person to get a group project rolling, but she also knows how to sit back and let others take the lead. Her cheerful nature and openness to feedback means she's always learning and growing as a learner, an impressive strength that will continue to serve her well in college and beyond. Stacy is just the kind of driven, engaging, and curious student that helped make our classroom a lively environment and safe place to take intellectual risks. Stacy has my highest recommendation for admission to your engineering program. She has demonstrated excellence in all that she puts her mind to, whether it's designing an experiment, collaborating with others, or teaching herself to play classical and electrical guitar. Stacy's endless curiosity, combined with her willingness to take risks, leads me to believe there will be no limit to her growth and achievements in college and beyond. Please don't hesitate to contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions. Sincerely, Ms. Randall Physics Teacher Marie Curie High School

Ms. Randall is clearly as much of a fan of Stacy as she is of Mileva Marić. How does she communicate her recommendation?

Ms. Randall plugs for Stacy right off the bat with a statement of outstanding ranking : Stacy is one of the most exceptional students she's had in 15 years of teaching. A statement like this is pretty extraordinary and will make an impact in the mind of its readers. Stacy sounds like a special student, and she chose her recommender well.

Like in the last example, this letter uses strong, specific language , calling Stacy a perceptive and sharp person who has the confidence and good humor to take intellectual risks. Through its accurate and expressive language, this letter helps Stacy come to life in the mind of the reader.

Beyond the evaluation, Ms. Randall gives specific examples of Stacy's academic and personal strengths. She talks about her successful teaching in Robotics Club, her leadership in group projects, and her dedicated practice to teaching herself to play the guitar.

Rather than spreading the letter too thin, Ms. Randall highlights a few core themes. She connects Stacy's love of music with her passion for physics by talking about the frequency-dependent sound absorption project. All the threads tie together in a nice, memorable bow.

This letter is a strong vote of support for Stacy's application to an engineering program. Her physics teacher admires Stacy's skills and goals, and she made it clear that Stacy had her highest recommendation in this letter.

This next example also comes from a teacher who's extremely impressed with his student. It focuses on the student's performance in class and his volunteer work outside the classroom.

Sample Letter #3: William the History Buff and Social Organizer

Dear Admissions Committee, It is hard to overstate the meaningful contributions that William has made to our school and surrounding community. As both his 10th and 11th grade History teacher, I've had the pleasure of seeing William make profound contributions both in and out of the classroom. His school and community service is motivated by a strong sense of social justice, which he informs through a nuanced and sophisticated understanding of historical trends and events. I can say with confidence that William is one of the most caring and driven students I've ever taught in my fifteen years at the school. As a child of immigrant parents, William is especially drawn to understand the immigrant experience. He produced an extraordinary semester-long research paper on the treatment of Japanese-Americans in the U.S. during WWII, in which he went beyond all expectations to conduct Skype interviews with relatives of his featured subjects to incorporate into his paper. William has a great capacity to draw connections between past and present and to ground his understanding of current issues in the context of historical events. He never retreats to a simple answer or explanation, but is comfortable dealing with ambiguity. William's fascination with U.S. and World History and skill for deep analysis have him an exemplary scholar, as a well as a motivated activist driven to promote civil rights and work towards social equity. In sophomore year, William noticed that the college planning seminars students attended included little information for first generation or immigrant students. Always thinking about how institutions can better serve people, William spoke with counselors and ESL teachers about his ideas to better support all students. He helped collect resources and design a college planning curriculum for immigrant and undocumented students to enhance their college access. He further helped organize a group that connected ESL students with native English speakers, stating his mission to be helping ELLs improve their English and increasing multicultural awareness and social cohesion at the school as a whole. William identified a need and worked with students and faculty alike to meet it in an extremely effective and beneficial way. Ever the history scholar, he did plenty of research to back up his ideas. William believes passionately in social progress and working for the common good. His own personal experiences, along with his profound grasp on social history, drive his advocacy work. He is a talented, intelligent student with the charisma, confidence, strong values, and respect for others to make a huge difference in the world around him. I'm looking forward to seeing all the good that William continues to do for his fellow humanity in college and beyond, as well as the excellent work that he will produce at the college level. William has my highest recommendation. If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected]. Sincerely, Mr. Jackson History Teacher Martin Luther King, Jr. High School

Mr. Jackson's letter makes William sound like a pretty amazing student and person. How does he go about expressing his admiration for William in this rec letter?

Like Ms. Randall did in her letter, Mr. Jackson provides a statement of outstanding ranking for William, calling him one of the most caring and driven students he's ever taught. Considering his long teaching career of 15 years, this says a lot about William as a student and a person.

Also like in the last example, Mr. Jackson focuses on a few core aspects of William's character. He talks about his love of history and how it informs his social activism. He comments on his exceptional historical scholarship, as well as his personal qualities of caring for those around him and working for the social good.

Mr. Jackson also gives insight into William's personal life , explaining how he has a personal connection to his projects and volunteer work as the child of immigrant parents. This letter reveals that William is a thoughtful, motivated individual who connects his own experiences with his learning and desire to contribute to his community.

The letter also showcases William's exceptional accomplishments by giving specific examples of William's research paper and his work supporting the academic and personal needs of ELL students. Mr. Jackson expresses his enthusiastic recommendation while illuminating William's love of learning and strength of character. This letter would be both impressive and memorable to admissions officers considering William for admission to their school.

This next example comes from a math teacher. Let's see what Mr. Wiles has to say about Joe.

Sample Letter #4: Joe the Hard Worker

Dear Admissions Committee, It is my pleasure to recommend Joe, who I taught in my 11th grade math class. Joe demonstrated tremendous effort and growth throughout the year and brought a great energy to class. He has that combination of a positive attitude and the belief that he can always improve that's rare in a high school student, but so essential to the learning process. I am confident that he will continue to display the same commitment and diligence in everything he does. I highly recommend Joe for admission to your school. Joe would not describe himself as a math person. He's told me on several occasions that all the numbers and variables make his mind go fuzzy. Joe did, in fact, struggle to comprehend the material at the beginning of the year, but his response to this is what really struck me. Where so many others have given up, Joe took on this class as a welcome challenge. He stayed after school for extra help, got extra tutoring at the nearby college, and asked questions in and out of class. Due to all his hard work, Joe not only raised his grades, but he also inspired some of his classmates to stay after for extra help, as well. Joe truly demonstrated a growth mindset, and he inspired his peers to adopt that valuable perspective, too. Joe helped contribute to our classroom environment as one where all students can feel supported and able to ask questions. Joe's strong belief in his ability to acquire new skills and improve through practice was likely shaped by his years as a baseball player. He's played all through high school and is one of the team's most valuable players. In his final for our class, Joe designed an impressive project calculating and analyzing batting averages. While he initially described himself as not a math person, Joe reaped the benefits of his tremendous effort and found a way to make the subject come alive for him in a way that he was personally invested in. As a teacher, it is incredibly fulfilling to witness a student make this kind of academic and personal progress. Joe is a trustworthy, reliable, good-humored student and friend who supports others in and out of the classroom. He was a pleasure to have in class, and his positive attitude and belief in himself, even in the face of difficulty, is an immensely admirable asset. I'm confident that he will continue to demonstrate the same diligence, perseverance, and optimism that he showed myself and his peers. I highly recommend Joe for admission to your undergraduate program. Please feel free to contact me with any further questions at [email protected]. Sincerely, Mr. Wiles Math Teacher Euclid High School

While the students featured in the first three examples were top of their class or demonstrated leadership in the school, Joe isn't a top achiever in the traditional sense. However, this recommendation is still a strong one, even if it says he struggled in the teacher's class. What does Mr. Wiles focus on to recommend Joe?

Mr. Wiles writes a strong letter for Joe, with the same kind of enthusiasm and specific examples as the other three letters. Even though Joe may not have gotten the strongest grades in his math class, he found an enthusiastic recommender in his math teacher. Mr. Wiles was extremely impressed with Joe's attitude, effort, and growth mindset , which he demonstrated throughout the year and inspired in his fellow classmates.

Mr. Wiles focuses on Joe's substantial personal strengths, ones that would likely be impressive to his future educators. Even in a subject that may not come naturally to him, Joe is diligent and committed. He's not self-conscious about asking questions or seeking extra help, and he retains a strong belief in himself that he can continuously learn, improve, and acquire new skills.

This letter, like the others, is effective because it is focused, supportive, and backed up with examples. As you can tell from these examples, recommendations can communicate a great deal about a student. Because of this, they can have a powerful impact on a student's chances of admission. So what can teachers and students do to make sure they are sending a strong recommendation letter that will help their chances?

Enthusiasm is key.

How to Get a Strong Recommendation Letter

While these letters are about different students with different interests, they share certain fundamental features. One, they sound excited and enthusiastic. The teachers clearly communicate that they are impressed by these students and eager to help them get into college.

At the same time, the letters don't go overboard because they have examples to back up their assessments. Specific examples and stories are key for backing up the assessment. Plus, they make a letter more interesting and memorable. Rather than just another engineering applicant, Stacy is the student who researched sound-absorption to spare her parents from hours of guitar scales.

Finally, the teachers all discuss their students' personal strengths , along with their academic strengths. They present the holistic view that admissions officers are looking for, along with their strong vote of confidence in the students' future success.

Teachers should incorporate all these features into their letters, and students should help provide them with the raw material to write about. While students should choose a teacher who knows them well and has stories and observations to share, they should also give their teachers a detailed "brag sheet" and let them know what would go into their ideal letter. That way it can be even more personalized and complement the story the student is telling in the rest of her application.

While recommenders may or may not share their letters with students, there should still be open, two-way communication when the student makes her request . That way students and teachers can work together to produce an insightful, enthusiastic, and specific letter of recommendation to send to colleges.

What's Next?

Are you a teacher writing recommendations for your students? Read all about how to write an outstanding recommendation letter for your students , along with what not to include.

Are you or a student you work with applying to a selective school, like Harvard? Learn about what kind of letter she should get for the Ivy League.

Now that you've read these examples of strong teacher recommendation letters, check out these examples of bad ones . Warning: rec letters may appear better than they actually are.

Trending Now

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

ACT vs. SAT: Which Test Should You Take?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Get Your Free

Find Your Target SAT Score

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

How to Get a Perfect SAT Score, by an Expert Full Scorer

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading and Writing

How to Improve Your Low SAT Score

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading and Writing

Find Your Target ACT Score

Complete Official Free ACT Practice Tests

How to Get a Perfect ACT Score, by a 36 Full Scorer

Get a 36 on ACT English

Get a 36 on ACT Math

Get a 36 on ACT Reading

Get a 36 on ACT Science

How to Improve Your Low ACT Score

Get a 24 on ACT English

Get a 24 on ACT Math

Get a 24 on ACT Reading

Get a 24 on ACT Science

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Rebecca graduated with her Master's in Adolescent Counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has years of teaching and college counseling experience and is passionate about helping students achieve their goals and improve their well-being. She graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University and scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Cover Letter Examples for Students and Recent Graduates

The Balance / Luyi Wang

• Cover Letters
• Skills & Keywords
• Salary & Benefits
• Letters & Emails
• Job Listings
• Job Interviews
• Career Advice
• Work-From-Home Jobs
• Internships

What to Include in Your Cover Letter

College graduate cover letter example, student / recent graduate cover letter templates, student and recent graduate cover letter samples, how to write a cover letter, cover letter format and presentation tips.

If you're a student or a new grad, you may not have much experience in the workforce. This can make building a resume and writing a cover letter challenging. After all, if you haven't worked previously, what information can you include in these two documents?

Fortunately, on-the-job experience is not the only thing that shows your abilities. Here's guidance on what to include in your resume and cover letter, along with cover letter examples and cover letter templates are designed especially for high school students, as well as for college students and recent graduates seeking employment.

Academic Achievements and Extracurricular Activities

You can mention volunteer work, academic achievements, participation in clubs or activities (particularly those in which you held leadership roles), and internships. Your academic background is also an asset. Include details that are relevant to the position you want (use the job description as your guide to the qualities and training the employer seeks).

GPA and Honors

If you are an honors student with a GPA higher than 3.5, it is a good idea to mention this on a cover letter as well, along with any honors societies you have been inducted into.

Skills and Abilities

Other things you can mention are soft skills—interpersonal “people” skills like creative thinking, communication, teamwork, or time management that will help you to adapt easily to the people and clients or customers you will be working with.

Your goal in this cover letter is to show how you would be an asset to the company, describing the skills you bring that would allow you to perform well in the position.

Below, you'll find a list of student cover letters, listed by position and level of experience, to help you develop your own cover letter. 

Watch Now: 7 Tips for Finding Your First Job

You can use this sample as a model to write a college graduate cover letter. Download the template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online), or read the text version below.

College Graduate Cover Letter Example (Text Version)

Lucy Applicant 123 Main Street Anytown, CA 12345

555-555-5555 lucy.applicant@email.com

October 18, 2021

Eric Lee Media Director Kansai Collaborative Arts 123 Business Rd. Business City, NY 54321

Dear Mr. Lee:

I am writing to you to express interest in the graphic design position as advertised on Indeed.com. As a recent graduate with experience in 3-D animation software and the Adobe suite of software, I believe I am a strong candidate for a position at Kansai Collaborative Arts.

 During my time at the University of Northern State, I was awarded the top prize in the student design competition for my version of an app that would allow students to learn Japanese characters on their own time.

In addition to graduating with a 3.75 GPA, I spent a semester at a university in Japan, and I have strong conversational skills in the Japanese language. I believe this would be an asset, as I know your studio does a lot of collaborations with major design studios in Japan.

 Although I am a recent college graduate, my maturity, artistic skills, ability to work with others, and knowledge of the Japanese language and culture will make me an asset to your studio.

 I have enclosed my resume and will email you within the next week to see if we can arrange a time to speak further. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Signature  (hard copy letter)

Before you can begin writing your cover letter, it's important to know the guidelines governing these letters. Unlike a casual email to a friend, there are set standards for how to greet recipients, organize the letter's content, and much more. That's where templates can help: they allow you to know what information to put where, and they help you format your letter correctly. Review the templates below: 

• Cover Letter Format
• Cover Letter Template
• Email Cover Letter Template
• Email Cover Letter Sample
• Cover Letter Sample: General
• Cover Letter Sample: Block Format
• Microsoft Word Cover Letter Templates

These lists of cover letters include both general examples that will help you format your letter, as well as sample cover letters used to apply for specific positions, such as roles as a nanny or a marketing assistant.

Do not copy these sample letters—instead, use them as a guide to help you know what kind of information to include, and how to format your letter. 

Entry-Level Cover Letters

Have a look at these samples to see how best to present your experience when applying for an entry-level job.

• Entry Level Inquiry Letter
• Cover Letter Sample: Entry-Level

Student Cover Letters

As a student, the information you should emphasize in your cover letter will vary depending upon your level of education. Here are examples of effective cover letters created for students at the high school, college, and graduate levels.

• Recent College Graduate Sample #1
• Recent College Graduate Sample #2
• Response to Job Posting
• College Senior
• Graduate Student
• Networking Letter

Job-Specific Cover Letters

These cover letter samples target specific career fields. They demonstrate how to incorporate industry-specific keywords into your narrative.

• Email Cover Letter - Psychology Job
• Internship Cover Letter
• Finance Internship Program
• Entry Level Marketing

Cover Letters for Summer and Part-Time Jobs

Being able to write an enthusiastic and informative cover letter will set you apart from your competition when you apply for summer or part-time jobs while you’re still in school.

Make sure you send your cover letter and resume as soon as possible after a job is announced—these opportunities are snatched up quickly.

These samples can be modified to both summer and part-time work.

• Part-Time Job
• Summer Assistant Job
• Email Summer Job
• Summer Job #1
• Summer Job #2
• Summer Job Email Message
• Camp Counselor
• Email Editorial Assistant
• Sales Associate
• Summer Camp

This guide to writing a cover letter will walk you through everything you need to know to write a cover letter, including what to include in the letter, how to write it, and the proper cover letter format. Plus, find out about how to write a targeted cover letter and browse through additional cover letter samples and examples.

Here are cover letter tips and techniques for writing top-notch cover letters to send with your resume, including information about cover letter format and presentation, choosing a type of cover letter, writing custom cover letters, and cover letter examples and templates.

• Teacher Cover Letter Example and Writing Tips
• Special Education Cover Letter: Example and Writing Tips
• Speech Pathologist Resume and Cover Letter Examples
• Software Engineer Cover Letter and Resume Example
• Summer Hotel Job Letter Example
• Sample Job Cover Letter for a College Summer Assistant Job
• Sample Cover Letter for a Summer Camp Job or RA Position
• Admissions Counselor Cover Letter and Resume Examples
• Sample Cover Letter for a Job in the Arts
• Cover Letter Samples for Teachers
• Hair Stylist Cover Letter and Resume Examples
• Photographer Cover Letter and Resume Examples
• Administrative Assistant Cover Letter Examples
• Receptionist Cover Letter Examples and Writing Tips
• Academic Advisor Cover Letter Sample and Writing Tips
• Finance Internship Cover Letter Example

• Online Students
• Online Alumni
• Faculty & Staff
• African American/Black
• Asian, Pacific Islander & Desi American
• DACA & Undocumented Students
• First Generation
• Hispanic/Latinx
• Indigenous/Native/First Nations
• International
• Justice Impacted
• Middle Eastern/North African/Arab-American
• Military Members and Veterans
• Neurodivergent
• Students With Disabilities
• Liberal Arts
• Social Sciences
• Create a Resume / Cover Letter
• Earn Certifications & Badges
• Expand Your Network / Mentor
• Negotiate an Offer
• Prepare for an Interview
• Explore Your Interests / Self Assessment
• Prepare for Graduate School
• Explore Internships
• Search for a Job

How to Write a Personal Statement for a School Application

• Share This: Share How to Write a Personal Statement for a School Application on Facebook Share How to Write a Personal Statement for a School Application on LinkedIn Share How to Write a Personal Statement for a School Application on X

If you plan to apply to a university, law school, or other academic institution, you will likely need to compose a personal statement. These tips can help you compose a personal statement that is both well-written and effective.

We've received reports of redirect issues with forms that require login.

If you are redirected to an incorrect form after logging in, return to the forms landing page and select the correct form again:

• Undergraduate student forms
• Graduate student forms

Letter of Permission Application

Use this form if you are a current University of Waterloo undergraduate student requesting permission to take a course at another university for credit towards your University of Waterloo degree. Before completing your form, ensure you are familiar with the host university's application process and deadlines.

Letter of Permission Application (PDF)

Exceptions:

• To take courses at Wilfrid Laurier University, use the Cross-Registration Form .
• If you've studied at Waterloo previously, and thus have a Waterloo student identification number (8 digits), submit a Visiting Student Readmission Application .
• If this is your first time wanting to study at Waterloo, learn about the application process and deadlines .

Letter of Permission Application submission process

This is a summary of the steps to complete the Letter of Permission Application; ensure to read the entire form before completing it.

• Application information: Complete all the fields under student information, host university information, and request information; be sure to sign and date the form.
• Environment: Carol Knipe or Johanna Wandel
• Mathematics: Eddie Dupont
• Science: Stephen Woods
• Course approvals: List the course(s) in which you hope to enrol at the host university. Obtain approval from Waterloo's academic unit offering the equivalent course content. Your academic advisor and/or academic unit will need to sign or initial the course equivalency table for each course if the course is to count towards a degree requirement.
• Each Letter of Permission Application is $25 (includes GST).
• Orders submitted in error will not be refunded.
• Payment methods accepted: American Express, Mastercard, Visa

Submitting your final transcript from the host university

Students must arrange to have an official transcript sent directly from the host university to the University of Waterloo once final grades have been released for your approved Letter of Permission course(s).

• If the host institution uses MyCreds TM , within the MyCreds TM  Learner portal account, you can share your official transcript by selecting the Share button, choosing the email option, and inputting [email protected] .
• If the host university does not use MyCreds TM , request the host university to email the official transcript to [email protected] .

Office of the Registrar University of Waterloo 200 University Avenue West Waterloo, Ontario N 2L 3G1 Canada

New Policies for Transfer Student Applicants

Last updated: August 22, 2024

Please check the following information for updated policies pertaining to Transfer Student applicants for the College of Letters & Science. For general prospective student applicant support, including for transfer applicants, please visit ls.berkeley.edu/prospective-students . 

Preparing for Transfer to UC Berkeley's College of Letters & Science (L&S)

For Transfer Admission Requirements, visit the UC Berkeley Admissions website for more information. Review L&S specific requirements under “College of Letters and Science."

TRANSFER PREPARATION & DEGREE PROGRESS

While preparing for transfer admission, it is helpful to familiarize yourself with the basic structure of the L&S degree program as outlined in the chart below.  L&S intends for you to apply most of your transfer coursework toward the satisfaction of degree requirements in order to enter UC Berkeley as a junior.

To accomplish this, and ensure timely progress toward completing your degree, it is highly recommended that in addition to the UC 7-Course Pattern, students complete individual courses or a general education (GE) curriculum at the community college that will also satisfy degree requirements upon admission. This includes one of the following:

UC IGETC (Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum)

Cal-GETC (California General Education Transfer Curriculum)

Transfer course work directly articulated to individual L&S GE requirements

In many cases, it is possible to complete a California community college course that will satisfy both UC 7-Course Pattern and UC IGETC/Cal-GETC requirements or individual L&S GE requirements. See FAQs below for instructions on how to navigate assist.org .

[CLICK TO VIEW]: Summary of L&S Degree Requirements

UC IGETC and CAL-GETC 

L&S only accepts full certifications of UC IGETC and Cal-GETC toward the completion of the College’s general education requirements as summarized in the chart below.  Cal-GETC satisfies most L&S GE requirements, with the exception of the Foreign Language requirement. It is highly recommended that students pursuing Cal-GETC also satisfy the Foreign Language requirement prior to transferring to UC Berkeley with approved courses in the assist.org General Education agreement.

Note: L&S does not accept partial Cal-GETC/ UC IGETC certification.

[CLICK TO VIEW]: L&S Degree Requirements Satisfied with Cal-GETC or UC IGETC

TRANSFER COURSE WORK DIRECTLY ARTICULATED TO L&S GENERAL EDUCATION

If you do not plan to complete full UC IGETC/Cal-GETC certification, upon admission to Berkeley, it is still possible to satisfy individual requirements on a requirement by requirement basis. Review the FAQs on this page for instructions on how to navigate assist.org to choose articulated courses that will satisfy L&S General Education requirements.

2023-2025 L&S Direct Admission to Major Transfer Pilot

Transfer students who are offered admission to L&S in the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 academic years, and have selected one of the majors below on their application, will be directly admitted into the major. These students will not have to go through an additional internal process to apply or officially declare their major because they will have already been admitted (or declared) into their major. Visit the L&S Direct Admission to Major Transfer Pilot website to learn more about this program.

[CLICK TO VIEW]: L&S Majors Participating in the Direct Admission to Major Transfer Pilot

L&S Foreign Language Requirement

Students admitted fall 2026 and thereafter cannot satisfy the  L&S Foreign Language Requirement  with three years of high school course work (approved AP and IB scores are still acceptable). Students can satisfy the FL requirement with college-level credit any time prior to graduation; however, we strongly recommend that transfer students complete the FL requirement prior to transferring to L&S to ensure timely graduation.

Transfer Applicant Resources

• L&S Prospective Students
• General Info for Transfer Students 
• Berkeley Academic Guide
• Berkeley Academic Calendar
• L&S Advising

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I am transferring from an institution outside of the california community college system. what guidance would you offer in selecting courses for degree progress.

Applicants from outside of the California Community College system must complete the same minimum requirements for admission as noted on the Berkeley Admissions website . We advise you to use assist.org by selecting any one of the California Community College campuses and reviewing the approved UC Berkeley courses in the UC transfer eligibility, general education, and major of interest agreements. We recommend that you use these ...

• Read more about I am transferring from an institution outside of the California Community College system. What guidance would you offer in selecting courses for degree progress?

I am transferring from another UC. Do you honor a UC Reciprocity letter confirming completion of GE at my current UC campus?

We will review letters of reciprocity from your current UC campus for consideration for completion of L&S GE. Letters from UC colleges and schools that are comparable to L&S, or are liberal arts in nature, tend to be the most successful in achieving full reciprocity.

• Read more about I am transferring from another UC. Do you honor a UC Reciprocity letter confirming completion of GE at my current UC campus?

If I am not completing UC IGETC/Cal-GETC, do I need to complete pre-approved courses for all L&S GE requirements?

If you are not planning to complete UC IGETC/Cal-GETC, it is not required to complete articulated courses for all L&S GE requirements; however, we strongly recommend that at the very least you complete courses (or have acceptable exam scores) that will satisfy Reading & Composition , Quantitative Reasoning , and Foreign Language ...

• Read more about If I am not completing UC IGETC/Cal-GETC, do I need to complete pre-approved courses for all L&S GE requirements?

I am not completing UC IGETC/Cal-GETC, will I still qualify for admission review?

UC IGETC/Cal-GETC are no longer required for admission eligibility. If you complete the following minimum requirements, you will qualify for admission consideration:

University of California 7-Course Pattern,

Minimum 60 UC-transferable semester (90 UC-transferable quarter) units,

Major preparation courses as advised in ...

• Read more about I am not completing UC IGETC/Cal-GETC, will I still qualify for admission review?

I received a score of 3 on an AP English exam. Will this score satisfy Reading & Composition (R&C)?

A score of 3 on an AP English exam may be acceptable to satisfy requirements for UC 7-Course Pattern or UC IGETC/Cal-GETC; however, if you are not completing the full certification for UC IGETC/Cal-GETC, a score of 3 (which can satisfy one of the two courses for the 7-Course Pattern UC-E English composition requirement) will not satisfy the R&C requirement. A minimum score of 4 or higher is required to satisfy the R&C requirement as published on the ...

• Read more about I received a score of 3 on an AP English exam. Will this score satisfy Reading & Composition (R&C)?

Will the courses completed for UC 7-Course Pattern automatically satisfy L&S Degree Requirements?

Students completing University of California 7-Course Pattern will automatically satisfy the UC Entry Level Writing Requirement. Completion of two 7-Course Pattern English composition (UC-E) courses will guarantee satisfaction of one half of the Reading & Composition (R&C A). We highly recommend that students complete UC-E courses that articulate to R&C A and R&C B in ...

• Read more about Will the courses completed for UC 7-Course Pattern automatically satisfy L&S Degree Requirements?

How do I satisfy the Reading and Composition Requirement with coursework outside of the California Community Colleges (CCC)?

Review the approved R&C courses from non-CCC institutions If the institution you plan to attend is not listed on the website, consider taking an online offering of an approved CCC course. Review the instructions here for ...

• Read more about How do I satisfy the Reading and Composition Requirement with coursework outside of the California Community Colleges (CCC)?

How do I use Assist.org to choose courses that will satisfy L&S degree requirements?

Selecting courses that satisfy requirements for both 7-Course Pattern and L&S General Education requirements will automatically satisfy these requirements upon admission.

We strongly recommend that prior to transferring to Berkeley you complete articulated courses as published on assist.org for these L&S General Education requirements:

Reading & ...

• Read more about How do I use Assist.org to choose courses that will satisfy L&S degree requirements?

Who can I reach out to with questions?

Prospective transfer students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions . Once you have matriculated, there will be an orientation program to welcome you to the college, and advisers will be available to help you navigate Berkeley Letters & Science!

• Read more about Who can I reach out to with questions?

How do I declare my major after I arrive?

Transfer students are currently admitted to the College of Letters & Science as “undeclared” and must apply (i.e. complete major declaration requirements) to the major they wish to declare. The process to declare a major is different for each L&S major.

Once you arrive on campus, you will work with your Undergraduate Major Adviser (UMA) to learn about the process to declare your major.

• Read more about How do I declare my major after I arrive?

The University of Chicago The Law School

Employment law clinic—significant achievements for 2023-24.

During the past academic year, the Employment Law Clinic has continued its work helping pro se plaintiffs in employment discrimination cases in federal court. This work includes representing pro se plaintiffs as their Settlement Assistance Counsel in individual discrimination cases and representing pro se plaintiffs in their appeals to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. In addition, the Employment Law Clinic has expanded its work with pro se plaintiffs by participating in the William J. Hibbler Memorial Pro Se Assistance Program. This program allows students in the Employment Law Clinic to provide pro se plaintiffs with advice about procedural issues in their cases. Some of the significant developments in a few of the Clinic’s cases are detailed below.

Settlement Assistance Cases

Clinical Professor Randall D. Schmidt and his students are appointed on a regular basis to provide representation to pro se plaintiffs at settlement conferences. Since starting this project in early 2021, Professor Schmidt has been appointed as Settlement Assistance Counsel for pro se plaintiffs in twenty employment discrimination cases. Although most of these cases were pending in the Eastern Division of the Northern District of Illinois, he has also been appointed in cases pending the Western Division of the Northern District of Illinois and in the Central District of Illinois.

These cases allow students to interview the client, research the legal and factual issues in the case, draft a settlement demand letter, represent the client at a settlement conference, and, if the case settles, draft the settlement agreement.

Professor Schmidt and his students have been very successful in resolving these cases. Of the twenty cases Professor Schmidt and his students have handled, fourteen were settled after one of more mediation sessions. Five are still pending awaiting the initial or follow-up settlement conference. One case did not settle and the plaintiff recently lost her case when the court granted the defendant’s motion for summary judgment.

Below are a few examples of cases that Professor Schmidt and his students handled during the 2023-24 academic year. Each of these cases resulted in a settlement after one or more mediation sessions. Pursuant to the settlement agreements in these lawsuits the details of the settlements are confidential.

Jackson v. Robert W. Baird & Co. , No. 1:22-cv-04852 (Settled 09/11/23)

In October 2016, Devonia Jackson began working for Robert W. Baird & Co. (“Baird”) as an Administrative Assistant in its Milwaukee, Wisconsin office. Baird is a global investment-banking firm that provides private investment services to mid-market businesses.

While employed by Baird, Ms. Shaw received several promotions and pay increases in recognition of her excellent performance. In 2018, Ms. Jackson relocated to Baird’s Virginia office. In two months she raised concerns over the abusive behavior of a lead banker and transferred to the Chicago office.

In 2020, Ms. Jackson began reporting to a new supervisor. From the beginning of their professional relationship, the new supervisor treated Ms. Jackson differently from other employees. The supervisor was often dismissive of Ms. Jackson’s concerns. Without asking Ms. Jackson, she reassigned Ms. Jackson’s to work with junior bankers. The supervisor told Ms. Jackson that she was “scared of working” with her, despite being Ms. Jackson’s supervisor.

Suddenly and without warning, Baird discharged Ms. Jackson in August 2021. In support of its decision to discharge Ms. Jackson’s termination, Baird cited two incidents in which Ms. Jackson was allegedly insubordinate. Ms. Jackson disputed that she was insubordinate during either incident. Moreover, no one at Baird raised concerns about either incident until Ms. Jackson was discharged. Ms. Jackson’s supervisors neither warned Ms. Jackson about the incidents before her termination nor gave her a chance to explain herself, even though she had a history of being a high-performing employee.

In addition, Baird did not terminate other similarly situated, substantially younger, Administrative Assistants whose job performance and/or behavior at work was alleged to have been insubordinate. After discharging Ms. Jackson, Baird assigned Ms. Jackson’s duties to younger employees.

Finally, after Ms. Jackson left Baird, she found out that between August 2020 and August 2021 Baird terminated ten administrators, all of whom were over the age of forty. The employees who had been terminated were also highly experienced—many had over ten years of experience at Baird— and in an older age group. They, too, were replaced by younger employees.

Ms. Jackson filed a pro se complaint against Baird and alleged that its termination of her employment violated the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. During discovery, the parties indicated to the court that they were interested in participating a settlement conference. Accordingly, the court appointed Professor Schmidt to serve as Mr. Lara’s Settlement Assistance Counsel. The parties were able to agree to a settlement during the initial settlement conference and the case was dismissed.

Johnson v. P.F.A. Systems, Inc. , No. 1:22-cv-0719) (N.D. Ill.) (Settled 03/25/24)

P.F.A. Systems, Inc., is a regional trucking company that transports liquid hazardous materials. P.F.A. hired Seneca Johnson as a truck driver in February 2022. At the time he was hired, Mr. Johnson told his supervisor that as an accommodation to his disability (a lower back injury), he needed to be assigned to drive trucks with automatic transmissions. Mr. Johnson was told that it would not be a problem to provide this accommodation to him.

Despite P.F.A.’s assurance that it would provide Mr. Johnson with an automatic transmission truck, P.F.A. forced Mr. Johnson to drive a 13-speed manual transmission truck, which caused severe pain, numbness in his leg and exacerbated Mr. Johnson’s back injury. Mr. Johnson complained to P.F.A. about its failure to assign him to a truck with an automatic transmission. In response, P.F.A. informed Mr. Johnson that the automatic truck had been given to another driver because that driver’s truck had to be fixed.

A few days later, Mr. Johnson again requested that P.F.A. accommodate his disability by assigning him to a truck with an automatic transmission. His immediate supervisor told him that he needed to “deal with it or find another job.” The supervisor also said, “P.F.A. and I don’t care about people with disabilities. We’re not going to make special accommodations for people with disabilities.” Mr. Johnson told the supervisor that he and P.F.A. were discriminating against people with disabilities. The supervisor retorted that P.F.A. does not hire people with disabilities. In response to Mr. Johnson’s statement that it is against the law for a company to turn down a qualified person because of their disabilities, the supervisor said, “Then you are at the wrong company. We don’t play by those rules.”

A week later. P.F.A. discharged Mr. Johnson claiming it did not have enough work for him. At the same time, P.F.A. was running help wanted ads seeking truck drivers.

Mr. Johnson filed a lawsuit against P.F.A. alleging that it violated the Americans with Disability Act by (1) failing to provide a reasonable accommodation for his disability and (2) retaliating against him for asserting his statutory rights. After most of the discovery had been competed in the case, Professor Schmidt was appointed to represent Mr. Johnson as his Settlement Assistance Counsel. The matter was resolved a few months later.

Lara v. Health Track Sports and Wellness, LLC , No. 1:23-cv-00487 (N.D. Ill.) (Settled 03/19/24)

Lazaro Lara worked for Health Track Sports and Wellness, LLC, (“Health Track”), a health and fitness club, for sixteen years. Mr. Lara was diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, and depression, which qualifies as an impairment under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Early in his employment, Mr. Lara informed his employers of his disability.

Beginning in April 2020, Health Track subjected Mr. Lara to a severe and pervasive hostile work environment. Mr. Lara’s supervisor and his co-workers routinely harassed Mr. Lara on the basis of his disabilities, calling him “crazy” and taunting him that he “suffer[ed] from schizophrenia.” They hounded Mr. Lara about his medical issues, telling him that his medication was not working and that he needed additional medical intervention. They would change his schedule without notice, including forcing him to work in person during the COVID pandemic while others were allowed to stay home. To ensure compliance with their orders, Health Track threatened to strip Mr. Lara of his health insurance.

Mr. Lara suffered damage to his mental health that significantly affected his quality of life because of the severity of Health Track’s hostile work environment. As Lara’s condition worsened, he took two steps to try to stop the harassment. First, he requested a few specific accommodations: that all of his work tasks be put in writing, that he receive clear instructions, that he be put on a schedule to keep track of his hours and to avoid management changing it without notice, and that he have access to a quiet place as needed. Health Track, however, failed to provide these requested accommodations.

Second, after Health Track ignored his requested accommodations, he filed a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in January 2021. In the charge, Mr. Lara alleged that he had requested reasonable accommodations for his disabilities and Health Track refused to provide those accommodations. Mr. Lara further alleged that his co-workers subjected him to harassment because of his disabilities.

Subsequently, in late March 2021, Mr. Lara attended a meeting with his supervisors for the express purpose of discussing Mr. Lara’s accommodations not being met and the harassment. However, during the meeting, the supervisor tried to convince Mr. Lara that he was not mentally stable and that Mr. Lara needed to find someone to “take care of his affairs.” Further, the supervisor told Mr. Lara that he would never allow Mr. Lara to work due to his mental condition—even though Mr. Lara’s doctor had cleared him to work—and that Health Track did not have any hours for him if he tried to return. The supervisor pushed Mr. Lara to resign, guaranteeing him that he could retain health insurance through COBRA or the American Rescue Plan if he chose to resign. Mr. Lara refused to resign at any point during the meeting or thereafter. At the meeting’s end, the supervisor told Mr. Lara to take a few days off, assuring him that Health Track would investigate the issues and get back to him with their conclusions.

The next time Mr. Lara heard from Health Track was two weeks later in April 2021. At that time, Health Track informed Mr. Lara that he had voluntarily resigned and that he was no longer an employee of Health Track.

Mr. Lara filed a lawsuit against Health Track alleging that its actions violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. In his complaint, Mr. Lara alleged that Health Track failed to accommodate Mr. Lara’s disabilities and subjected him to a severe and pervasive hostile work environment due to his disabilities during his employment. Mr. Lara also claimed that his discharge was in retaliation for his filing the EEOC charge and complaining about the discrimination and harassment.

Shortly after the case was filed, the court appointed Professor Schmidt to serve as Mr. Lara’s Settlement Assistance Counsel. After several settlement conferences, the parties were able to agree to a settlement and the case was dismissed.

Shaw v. Chicago School of Professional Psychology , No. 1:23-cv-00631 (N.D. Ill.) (Settled 09/11/23)

Donna Shaw worked for the Chicago School of Professional Psychology (“TCSPP”) for seven years. TCSPP is an accredited, nonprofit university that offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs in psychology and related behavioral science fields. TCSPP has in-person campuses in seven metropolitan areas, including Chicago and San Diego, and an online campus.

Throughout her time at TCSPP, Ms. Shaw was discriminated against due to her race, color, and age. Most significantly, Ms. Shaw’s superiors created a hostile work environment for Ms. Shaw and repeatedly denied her promotions to positions that she is qualified to fill. On each occasion, instead of promoting Ms. Shaw, TCSPP promoted younger, less qualified, non-Black individuals. When Ms. Shaw complained about her treatment and the denial of promotions, TCSPP retaliated against her.

Ms. Shaw filed a pro se complaint of discrimination against TCSPP. In her complaint, Ms. Shaw alleged that TCSPP’s failure to take steps to end and prevent the hostile work environment and its failure to promote her violated Title and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Shortly after TCSPP filed its answer, the court appointed Professor Schmidt as Ms. Shaw’s Settlement Assistance Counsel and set the case for a settlement conference. The parties were able to reach a settlement during the settlement conference and the case was dismissed.

William J. Hibbler Memorial Pro Se Assistance Program

In early 2024, the Employment Law Clinic expanded its work with pro se litigants by participating in the William J. Hibbler Memorial Pro Se Assistance Program (“Hibler Help Desk”). The Hibbler Help Desk is administered by the People’s Law Center in cooperation with the District Court and the Chicago Bar Foundation. It is “staffed” by volunteer attorneys. It serves pro se litigants in civil cases filed or to be filed in the federal court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern and Western Divisions. A Program attorney provides pro se litigants with limited legal assistance with their cases. In particular, the Hibbler Help Desk provides pro se litigants with help on procedural issues, not substantive legal advice.

The Employment Law Clinic began helping pro se litigants in February 2024. Since then, students in the Clinic have met with and assisted more than twenty-five pro se litigants. The assistance we have provided includes helping clients complete the documents needed to file a pro se employment discrimination complaint; providing guidance on submitting Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a) initial disclosures, written discovery requests and responses; help in complying with the NDIL’s rules regarding motions to compel discovery; explaining the status of the pro se’s case or appeal; referring clients to resources that could assist them with the substantive legal issues in their cases; and referring pro se’s other providers of civil legal services or to social service agencies.

Appellate Cases

The Employment Law Clinic represents clients in a number of appeals in the US Court Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. In some of these appeals, the Employment Law Clinic represents the appellants in their appeals. In other reconsiderations appeals, the Clinic is contacted and asked to participate as amicus curiae. Students working on these appeals write the briefs and present oral argument to the Seventh Circuit. Both Professor Schmidt and Lecturer in Law James Whitehead supervise the students in the appeals pending in the Seventh Circuit.

Bell v. DeJoy Appeal No. 24-1478 (7th Cir.)

Mary Bell is currently working for the United States Post Office (“Postal Service”). On November 22, 2022, Ms. Bell filed her pro se Complaint alleging that the Postal Service discriminated against her with respect to overtime pay and by refusing to downgrade her position. In response, the Postal Service moved to dismiss the complaint, in part, because Ms. Bell had not received a right-to-sue letter from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission before filing her complaint. Thus, according to the Postal Service, Ms. Bell’s complaint was premature. Contrary to the Postal Service’s motion, Ms. Bell had in fact received a right-to-sue letter from the EEOC after filing her complaint and prior to the Postal Service’s filing of its motion to dismiss. This fact was not brought to the court’s attention, even though the Postal Service had received a copy of the right-to-sue letter, the court agreed and dismissed the complaint.

The Employment Law Clinic decided to submit an amicus brief in support of Ms. Bell because this case presents several issues of significant importance to the rights of individuals to pursue federal employment discrimination claims in court. In particular, the Employment Law Clinic argues that the district court incorrectly dismissed Ms. Bell’s claims because she had not filed an Amended Complaint raising the claims within ninety days of her receipt of a right-to-sue letter. The court, however, ignored the fact that she had raised the claims in her prematurely filed complaint before receiving the right-to-sue letter. In so doing, the district court disregarded the Seventh Circuit’s settled law that her receipt of the right-to-sue letter before the dismissal of her complaint had cured the Complaint’s premature filing.

The case is currently being briefed.

Miko Thomas v. JBS Green Bay Appeal No. 24-1404 (7th Cir.)

Mr. Thomas works for JBS Green Bay, one of the world’s largest meat producers. In his complaint, he alleged that his employer discriminated against him due to his color with respect to several terms and conditions of his employment, in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Relying on the Seventh Circuit’s standard for establishing justiciable adverse employment actions in discrimination cases, the district court dismissed Mr. Thomas’s Complaint and Amended Complaint. The court concluded that the actions he complained of were not “materially adverse” as a matter of law.

Mr. Thomas appealed and asked the Employment Law Clinic to represent him in his appeal. The Employment Law agreed to do so because of its interest in clarifying what adverse actions are actionable under Title VII, the ADA and other anti-discrimination statutes.

After the Employment Law Clinic agreed to represent Mr. Thomas, and six weeks after the district court’s final decision in Mr. Thomas’s case, the US Supreme Court, on April 17, 2024, issued its opinion in Muldrow v. City of St. Louis , 601 U.S. ___, 144 S. Ct 967 (2024). As the Employment Law Clinic predicted, the Court held that, although an employee must show some harm in order to prevail in a Title VII discrimination suit, an employee does not need to show that the injury satisfies a heightened significance test or was “materially adverse.” In doing so, the Court mentions Seventh Circuit precedent as an example of courts using an incorrect standard for determining what actions constitutes adverse action for purposes of Title VII.

Thus, the primary issue in Thomas is whether the district court erred in dismissing Mr. Thomas’s case in light of the Supreme Court’s opinion in Muldrow.

The case is currently being briefed and an oral argument is expected to take place this fall.

Sapp v. Forest Preserves of Cook County , Appeal No. 22-2865 (7th Cir.)

Tyler Sapp served as a full-time Police Officer for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Illinois (“Forest Preserves”) from January 5, 2009, until his employment was terminated in January 2019. In 2018, Mr. Sapp went on a leave of absence under the Family and Medical Leave Act so that he could receive treatment for a for bipolar disorder. In July 2018, he was released by his personal doctor to return to work with no restrictions. The Forest Preserves, however, refused to allow him to return to work and required that he undergo an independent medical examination to determine if Mr. Sapp was fit to return to work from his medical leave. Mr. Sapp agreed to do so. The doctor who performed the IME, however, concluded that Ms. Sapp was unfit to return to work as a Forest Preserves Police Officer. Mr. Sapp then requested that the Forest Preserves engage in an interactive process with him to determine if the Forest Preserves could accommodate his condition. The Forest Preserves refused to do so and instead discharged Mr. Sapp.

Mr. Sapp brought a disability-discrimination claim against the Forest Preserves under the Americans with Disabilities Act. He alleged that he is a qualified individual with a disability and that he had been denied the same terms and conditions afforded to his co-workers who were similarly situated. In particular, Mr. Sapp alleged that the Forest Preserves was aware of his disability and failed to reasonably accommodate his disability despite accommodating the disabilities of other Forest Preserves Police Officers.

After the close of discovery, the parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment. The district court issued its Memorandum Opinion and Order granting summary judgment to the Forest Preserves and denying Mr. Sapp’s motion. Mr. Sapp appealed the court’s decision.

On appeal, Mr. Sapp requested that the Employment Law Clinic represent him in his appeal. The Employment law Clinic agreed to do so. The primary issue the Employment Law Clinic planned to address in the appeal was whether the district court erred in granting summary judgment to the Forest Preserves because a reasonable jury could have found that the Forest Preserves’ failure to engage in the interactive process led to a violation of the ADA due to the failure to identify a reasonable accommodation. Instead of engaging with Mr. Sapp to find a solution, the Forest Preserves thwarted discussions by terminating his employment.

Shortly after filing an appearance in the appeal, the matter was set for mediation before the Seventh Circuit’s Mediation Office. After several mediation sessions, the parties were able to reach a settlement in the case and the appeal was dismissed.

Franklin Township Community School Corporation , Appeal No. 23-2786 (7th Cir)

In 2012, Wesley Tedrow was hired by Franklin Township School Corporation (“School Corporation”) as a teacher. In November 2019, Mr. Tedrow was preliminarily offered a higher-paying position to teach sixth grade at a different school in Indiana. The School Corporation, however, refused to provide Mr. Tedrow with a reference, despite having provided such references in the past. The School Corporation’s refusal to provide the reference resulted in the other school resulting in the rescinding of its offer.

Mr. Tedrow filed a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), alleging that the School Corporation declined to provide him with a reference because his sex and disability.

After Mr. Tedrow filed his initial charge, the School Corporation demanded that Mr. Tedrow submit to an Independent Medical Examination to determine if he was using steroids. The IME was inconclusive. The School Corporation then transferred Mr. Tedrow to different school in the district.

Mr. Tedrow filed a second charge with the EEOC alleging that his transfer was discriminatory and in retaliation for his first charge. The EEOC issued Mr. Tedrow a notice of right to sue and Mr. Tedrow filed suit against the School Corporation alleging discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008.

After discovery was completed, the School Corporation filed a motion for summary judgment on all claims, which was granted by the district court. The court dismissed Mr. Tedrow’s discrimination claims on the basis that: (1) he failed to properly plead his allegation that the School Corporation unlawfully refused to provide him with a reference, and (2) his transfer did not constitute an adverse employment action as required by Title VII because it did not include a reduction in compensation or benefits.

The Employment Law Clinic agreed to represent Mr. Tedrow on appeal because the issue of what constitutes actionable adverse action was an issue that was then pending before the US Supreme Court in in Muldrow v. City of St. Louis , 601 U.S. ___, 144 S. Ct 967 (2024), In addition, several other circuit courts of appeal hard recently issued opinions rejecting their prior precedent on what adverse actions are actionable.

Harris v. Vision Energy LLC , No. C-2300406 (Ohio Ct. App.)

The Employment Law Clinic is often requested to submit amicus briefs in cases in pending before the Illinois Supreme Court, the Illinois Court of Appeals, and appellate courts in other jurisdictions. This year, the Employment Law Clinic was asked to submit an amicus brief concerning the history of the Illinois Wage Payment and Collections Act (“IWPCA”) in Harris v. Vision . The Employment Law Clinic previously submitted a similar brief in Johnson v. Diakon Logistics, 44 F.3d 1048 (7th Cir. 2022).

In Harris , Jeff Harris, a resident of Ohio, worked for Vision Energy, an Ohio company. All of the work Mr. Harris provided to Vision took place in Illinois. In exchange for Mr. Harris’s labor, Vision promised him, among other compensation, a four percent equity interest in a yet-to-be-formed corporation. When Vision failed to pay him the value of the promised equity interest, Mr. Harris filed a complaint against Vision in Ohio to recover that sum under the IWPCA. Vision moved to dismiss Mr. Harris’ IWPCA claim based on a choice-of-law provision in the parties’ contract, which stated that the agreement was to be governed by Ohio law. The court granted Vision’s motion and dismissed the IWPCA claim.

Mr. Harris appealed the court’s dismissal of his IWPCA claim and his counsel requested that the Employment Law Clinic submit a brief explaining the history and strong public policy behind the IWPCA. The Employment Law Clinic agreed to do so and submitted an amicus brief on behalf of Mr. Harris.

In the amicus brief, the Employment Law Clinic argues that the history of the IWPCA and Illinois’s prior wage-theft statutes demonstrates the importance that the Illinois legislature has placed on protecting its workers and the centrality of preventing wage theft to Illinois’s public policy. The amicus brief also demonstrates that Illinois has a materially greater interest than Ohio in the resolution of the dispute because Mr. Harris performed all his work for Vision in Illinois. The lower court’s decision that requires Mr. Harris to bring his wage theft claim against Vision under Ohio’s wage laws, is manifestly repugnant to the fundamental policies of Illinois because Ohio’s wage protection laws would not have provided him with a viable claim or with any remedy for the work he performed solely in Illinois.

Finally, the Employment Law Clinic argued that the choice-of-law provision in the Harris-Vision Agreement did not override the territorial limitations of Ohio’s wage protection statutes, which do not apply extraterritorially to work performed exclusively outside of Ohio. Courts across the country, including Ohio courts, have long recognized that a state’s territorial limitations apply even when that state’s law is selected for application by a choice-of-law provision.

The appeal is pending in the Ohio Court of Appeals.