1. Show motivation

2. Describe your background in your own words

3. Think about how you could describe the classes you took which are relevant to our

program in such a way that you come across as an enthusiastic, curious, driven scientist.

4. Your favorite classes. (Was there something about the information presented in those

classes which you found particularly intriguing? Mystifying? Fascinating? Perplexing? If

so, how exactly did this reaction manifest itself in you? Did you find yourself staying up

all night to read your text books? The more you can delve into your own positive

experiences of enjoying science, the more your unique personality will show through.)

5. When you first start writing your letter of motivation, allow yourself to go crazy. Write

absolutely ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that comes to your mind as you think about

all the ways you liked (and maybe also disliked) your experiences with science so far.

Take it to an extreme; describe the looks, feel, taste, sound, and even smell of your

feelings and experiences. These descriptions will often supply you with excellent, and

very unique, verbs and adjectives that you can use later in a more polished version.

6. What to Avoid-

a) Clichés

b) Plagiarizing

c) Religious motivations

d) Altruistic motivations

e) Childhood experiences

f) The verb “to be”, in all its forms

7. What to Stress-

a) Your intellectual interest in _____

b) A professional, serious tone

c) Specific details about the research experience you have had so far

Specific Questions:

1. Introduction

2. Educational brief history

3. Career objectives and skills I developed that will help me achieve these objectives

4. How do my research interests and experiences fit the expertise of the faculty in the

program?

5. What has stimulated your interest and reinforced your conviction that you are well suited

for the field (classes, readings, seminars, work or other experiences or conversations with

people already in the field)?

6. Are there any gaps or discrepancies in your academic record that should be explained

(great grades but mediocre test scores, for example, or a distinct upward pattern to your

GPA if it was only average in the beginning)?

7. Why is this best program for me?