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How to write a letter of intent without sounding obnoxious?
I need to write a letter of intent for an Accelerated Master's Program at the university I'll be attending as a freshman in Fall 2026, and I don't know where to start. Any tips or must includes? Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!
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5 answers
Kelly Fry, MBA, PMP
Customer Success Executive - Post Sales Strategic Advisor for Technology Platform
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Answers
Wenatchee, Washington
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Kelly’s Answer
Writing a letter of intent is one of those times that you have permission to be boastful of all your accomplishments. Here are a couple of tips to help you create a memorable letter:
Start with a Hook - Give the readers a quick understanding of why this education is so meaningful for you, maybe it's something that made an impact on your life.
Demonstrate Your Passion - You are you. Showcase why you are exceptional by telling them about your accomplishments - credentials, volunteering, grades, test scores, etc.
Use Bullets and Bold - People don't read, they scan. Make it easy for them to skim your letter. I recommend separating it in your mind to Hook/Passion, Accomplishments, Confident Close
Write First - Then AI to Edit - Key here is edit, not rewrite. Don't lose your voice to the AI. You will stand out more if you ask AI for feedback and you apply it, rather than having it rewrite altogether.
Close Strong - Be confident, you've got this.
Start with a Hook - Give the readers a quick understanding of why this education is so meaningful for you, maybe it's something that made an impact on your life.
Demonstrate Your Passion - You are you. Showcase why you are exceptional by telling them about your accomplishments - credentials, volunteering, grades, test scores, etc.
Use Bullets and Bold - People don't read, they scan. Make it easy for them to skim your letter. I recommend separating it in your mind to Hook/Passion, Accomplishments, Confident Close
Write First - Then AI to Edit - Key here is edit, not rewrite. Don't lose your voice to the AI. You will stand out more if you ask AI for feedback and you apply it, rather than having it rewrite altogether.
Close Strong - Be confident, you've got this.
Updated
Bella’s Answer
Make sure to focus on why you and why this program? why do you want to be on the accelerated path?
Spend five minutes jotting down two or three moments or experiences that actually led them here. Write a full brain dump first, get all your thoughts on paper. Then go back and organize your thoughts! Once you feel like you have the right message - use AI to EDIT your work. Use AI to help make sure your points are clear, but don't let it completely rewrite what you have!
Spend five minutes jotting down two or three moments or experiences that actually led them here. Write a full brain dump first, get all your thoughts on paper. Then go back and organize your thoughts! Once you feel like you have the right message - use AI to EDIT your work. Use AI to help make sure your points are clear, but don't let it completely rewrite what you have!
Updated
Liam’s Answer
You probably write better than you think you do so write something to start. Depending on the time you have, walk away, do something different, and then read it like someone is sending it to you. Change anything that sounds not like what you intended.
If you can't get the first part done, try and go online and find a similar document. It might be hard to search but keep at it and find examples. Use it as a template, almost like what you would do to write a resume.
Use AI tools. The best way to use AI is to take a document that you wrote and ask it what the voice is for that document. Ask it does it meet the purpose for what you are intending. Always make sure to remove PII if you are uploading it to a public accessible LLM. Don't ask it for a sentence or a paragraph, ask it to assist you with what you are creating. If you get stuck on what words to use, give it context and then ask for a few suggestions making sure that the word you choose represents your voice and intent.
If you have someone available in person do the same with them. Ask them to read it and ask them does it sound the way you want it to. Don't be afraid to rewrite it a few times to get it to sound the way you want it. Chances are good you will use a lot of what you wrote each time until it says what you want in your voice!
Good luck, I think you got this one!!
If you can't get the first part done, try and go online and find a similar document. It might be hard to search but keep at it and find examples. Use it as a template, almost like what you would do to write a resume.
Use AI tools. The best way to use AI is to take a document that you wrote and ask it what the voice is for that document. Ask it does it meet the purpose for what you are intending. Always make sure to remove PII if you are uploading it to a public accessible LLM. Don't ask it for a sentence or a paragraph, ask it to assist you with what you are creating. If you get stuck on what words to use, give it context and then ask for a few suggestions making sure that the word you choose represents your voice and intent.
If you have someone available in person do the same with them. Ask them to read it and ask them does it sound the way you want it to. Don't be afraid to rewrite it a few times to get it to sound the way you want it. Chances are good you will use a lot of what you wrote each time until it says what you want in your voice!
Good luck, I think you got this one!!
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
I have to tell you I'm not too familiar the letter of intent BUT throughout my experience I would say be yourself don't shy away of professionalism and character. Relax take a deep breath and let it rip showing who you really are and what you will bring to the university for the Accelerated Master's Program.
Updated
jose’s Answer
My biggest advice is to remember that writing is re-writing. so do a draft, read it out to yourself, see what you like and what you'd like to change, and keep doing that until you feel confident to send it.
For letters of intent, I'd suggest write exactly that- your intent. Why are you interested in this program? What are you looking forward to? What do you expect? and if you want to be honest, what are you scared of? What gives you pause? And what would you like to do about it? What do you want to get out of this program. As you write this, you will be writing about yourself and why you're a great fit for the program. You will be sincere and earnest. And more over, you will be letting them know what they can expect from you. So write with fierce. And as I said, if you write it first and you're not satisfied, edit it. Change things. work it until it feels thrustful. And thats' the best you can do.
Best of success in the program. Keep writing. Keep revising. Read out loud. get feedback. But also, unfortunately, keep a deadline in mind.
For letters of intent, I'd suggest write exactly that- your intent. Why are you interested in this program? What are you looking forward to? What do you expect? and if you want to be honest, what are you scared of? What gives you pause? And what would you like to do about it? What do you want to get out of this program. As you write this, you will be writing about yourself and why you're a great fit for the program. You will be sincere and earnest. And more over, you will be letting them know what they can expect from you. So write with fierce. And as I said, if you write it first and you're not satisfied, edit it. Change things. work it until it feels thrustful. And thats' the best you can do.
Best of success in the program. Keep writing. Keep revising. Read out loud. get feedback. But also, unfortunately, keep a deadline in mind.