A motivation letter is a letter you submit when you apply to college, for a scholarship, or for an internship. You write a motivation letter to explain why you’re interested in the specific opportunity and how your background and interests make you an ideal candidate. Some colleges call motivation letters a statement of purpose instead.
Writing a motivation letter is a lot like writing a cover letter, but motivation letters are more personal and specific about your motivations.
Motivation letter samples
The four example motivation letters below demonstrate how to show passion and personality when applying for different types of opportunities.
Scholarship motivation letter
Scholarship motivation letters are typically 400–700 words. Bachelor’s letters are generally up to 2 pages, whereas Master’s applications should be limited to a concise 1-page maximum.
University application motivation letter
Your letter needs to be well-rounded and compelling. Highlight academic achievements while describing your ambitions and enthusiasm in the subject. The letter below demonstrates this well.
Internship motivation letter
If you’re applying for an internship, think beyond your classroom achievements. The best internship application letters highlight relevant extracurricular activities, projects, and similar achievements, making their authors appear well-rounded and passionate.
Motivation letter for a job
Some employers, especially NGOs and volunteer organisations, use “motivation letter” instead of “cover letter.” The key to writing one is balancing your strengths with a clear explanation of why you’re applying.
The example below does this well — the applicant highlights their key accomplishments before expressing their enthusiasm for the opportunity.
When working with this type of motivation letter, you should aim to highlight your professional goals and align them with the job.
Our cover letter builder can make you a cover letter in as little as 5 minutes. Just pick the template you want, and our software will format everything for you.
How to write a motivation letter
Your motivation letter is the employer’s chance to get to know you as an applicant. It should explain your interest in the opportunity in a professional yet personal tone.
1. Know what’s expected of you
Carefully review the program or job opportunity before you start writing your motivation letter. What is the hiring manager or admissions officer looking for in an ideal applicant? What are their main priorities and requirements?
Universities and scholarships typically look for proof of your academic curiosity and independent thinking, while a corporate employer will be more interested in your skills and career goals.
Check if there are any guidelines for the motivation letter. Some organisations request a specific structure, word count, or key topics to cover. Ignoring these details can weaken your application.
2. Map out your goals and strengths
Take some time to reflect on what drives you. Why do you want this opportunity? What personal strengths make you a good fit?
Here are a few good questions to ask yourself:
- What excites me about this opportunity?
- How will this opportunity help me achieve my goals?
- What skills or experiences set me apart from other applicants?
Your motivation letter is a chance to tell your story. A clear sense of purpose will make your story more compelling and authentic.
3. Write your introduction
A great introduction sets the tone of your motivation letter by pitching your strengths and personal voice. Put time and thought into the contents of your opening statement.
A reliable approach is to put your qualifications front and center by mentioning your academic background, years of experience, or areas of expertise. Then, show personality by highlighting interests or career goals that align with the opportunity:
I saw on LinkedIn that you’re looking to fill a journalism internship. As a broadcast journalism major with a longstanding passion for media and storytelling, I’d be the perfect fit. Since junior high, I’ve actively pursued my interest in journalism in both my two-year role as a reporter for my high school newspaper and more recently as a freelance writer for Teen Voice magazine. Now I’m finally studying to be a professional journalist, I couldn’t be more excited to develolop my professional skills through your internship.
This opening statement works because it’s personal and authentic. The writer is applying for an internship, so they’ve emphasized their longstanding interest in journalism and highlighted some experience that will help them make the most of the position.
4. Structure your argument into the right format
Now you know how you plan to pitch yourself to the employer, it’s time to organize your supporting arguments into a professional letter format.
As motivation letters are normally quite concise, structure your thoughts by using a motivation letter template like the one below. This ensures your letter stays focused and relevant.
Your Name
Your Street, City, State xxxxx | your.email@gmail.com | (xxx) xxx xxxx)
Today’s Date
Contact Person’s Name
Organization/School’s Street Address
Organization/School’s City, State xxxxx
(xxx) xxx xxxx
contact.person@gmail.com
Dear [Mr./Mx./Ms.] [Contact Person’s Last Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I’m writing to express my interest in your [opportunity you’re applying for]. I’m excited to apply because [main reason you’re applying].
I believe I’m an ideal candidate due to my [further explanation of the main reason you’re applying]. Furthermore, my related areas of [interest/experience] include:
- [Interest or experience #1]
- [Interest or experience #2]
- [Interest or experience #3]
I’m truly grateful that you’ve taken the time to review my application. I look forward to [discussing this position further in an interview/hearing from you regarding your decision] soon. You can reach me at [your.email@gmail.com] or [your phone number].
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
5. Edit and proofread
Edit the contents of your letter first. Fix the grammar and spelling second.
When editing your motivation letter, remember the assignment. Focus on convincing the reader to give you an opportunity rather than telling your life story. Make sure every sentence supports your main message.
If you used AI as a writing aid, make sure the text is phrased naturally and accurately to make sure it sounds authentic and is free of detectable AI patterns or placeholder errors.
Lastly, typos and errors will make your otherwise thoughtful application seem rushed and careless. Proofreading extensions like Grammarly will catch the most obvious errors, but you should still read through your letters line by line. Printing it out and reading on paper can give you a fresh perspective when you’ve been reworking your letter for an extended period.
More help for your application
Use these writing guides to complete your application for a job, college program, or academic role.
About the Author
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Seb is a Certified Professional Resume Writer with 10 years of combined experience in career counseling and editorial work. With a MA in International Communications from National Chengchi University (Taiwan), he helps job seekers translate their experience into employer-ready applications for global job markets.
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