WHAT IS A LETTER OF INTENT? (Motivation Letter)

It is a written document that contains information about why the applicant is applying to the relevant field and why the institution should select them when applying for a master's degree, doctorate, or job.

IN WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES IS A LETTER OF INTENT WRITTEN?

1.     It may be written if requested by the employer or relevant institution.
2.     It may be written to stand out when there is high demand for the position applied for.
3.     It may be written if the position applied for is not sufficiently suitable based on the CV, but the person considers themselves suitable for the position applied for.
4.     It may be written when applying for managerial or similar positions.

ACADEMIC INTENTION LETTER

•     It should include information about the current level of education or occupation.
•     It should include areas of interest related to the department being applied to, as well as personal characteristics.
•     It should state which department the applicant wishes to study in.
•     It should explain why the applicant wishes to study in the relevant department.
•     Information should be provided about when and how the interest in the department arose and why the applicant is in this department.
•     Information should be provided about why the applicant prefers to study at the university in question.
•     Information, skills and experience related to the relevant field should be provided.
•     Activities undertaken by the applicant to develop themselves academically should be provided.
•     The goals for what the applicant wishes to do after completing their education should be included.
•     Information about what sets the applicant apart from other candidates should be included.

LETTER OF INTENT IN WORK LIFE

•     The institution and position where the person currently works should be stated.
•     The position applied for and the reason for choosing this position should be specified.
•     Information regarding the person's background for the relevant position should be provided.
•     Information regarding the reason for leaving the previous place of employment should be included.
•     What the applicant can contribute to the organisation or employer they are applying to should be specified.
•     The applicant's expectations from the organisation or employer they are applying to should be included.

HOW TO PREPARE A LETTER OF INTENT?

•     The title and then the first and last name should be written one below the other and centred.
•     The introduction should state who the letter is addressed to.
•     The introductory paragraph should use a bold and purposeful style that arouses curiosity about the rest of the text.
•     The topics mentioned above should be addressed in paragraphs that are connected to each other.

POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN PREPARING A LETTER OF INTENT

•     Academic language should be used.
•     Care should be taken to use a consistent writing style and font size.
•     When writing a letter of intent, the criteria of the institution to which the application is being made should be taken into account.
•     Attention should be paid to spelling mistakes.
•     The first and last names should be written in a larger font so that they are memorable to the reader.
•     One may draw inspiration from letters of intent written for their own field. However, it should be borne in mind that not every example is entirely correct.
•     The letter should be completed in such a way as to make a strong impression on the person or institution to whom it is addressed.
•     Your letter should be read by a person or persons who are knowledgeable in the field and have a command of academic language.
•     You may include your personal story about how you arrived at your current position in the field. However, the important point here is not to give a detailed account of your life story, but to tell a story related to the field that will impress the reader.
•     A letter of intent is not a CV. It should contain information that describes your personality, beyond the information included in your CV.
•     Instead of academic experiences, it should focus on education and experiences outside of teaching.
•     Avoid incorrect and exaggerated statements.
•     Take care not to construct sentences that constantly begin with ‘I’.
•     Any gaps in your CV should be explained with strong arguments.
•     Avoid repeating information that is already included in your CV.