Motivational letter in only 200 words

Question

Hello everyone,I have problem in writing a motivational letter to apply for a master's degree program. The problem is they only allowed a 200 words letter. In my case, 200 words will only covers half of what I need to said specifically or the letter will become too general.Is there any example of a 200 words motivational letter, or are there any suggestions of what I should and should not write in it?Thanks in advance.(ps. if it is better to show the letter that I have made, I'll post it immediately)

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I guess they just want to see if you have the kind of clear mind that can be brief.

If you'd like to show us, please do.

Clive

Sleepinjiva · Answer

okay, thank you, I very much appreciate your help.

this is so far what I have written (and it is actually still in 229 words). I already showed this to a friend of mine. She said that it's still far too general. I will have to show more of who I am, what I have achieved and done, more details on what skill that I want to learn, and what will I do after I finished the master program.

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StartFragment>
Dear Sir/Madam:

I am writing to apply for a Master's Degree Programme in Editorial Design at ***.

I graduated from University of *** in February 2007. My degree focuses on Journalistic and Media Studies. From 2007 until now, I am working as an art director at *** ***. My main job is to design and create creative concepts for their periodical magazines, promotional items, websites, and other publications.

Both, media and design has always been my interest. I have been involved in many media and design activities. I think the complexity of a media production process is a wide-open field to broaden my knowledge and skill.

Looking at the rapid movement of new trends and concepts in the design world, I feel the need to constantly challenge myself and keep being update to current discoveries and knowledge.

I believe this Editorial Design Programme fits my educational background and professional experiences. I can broaden and deepen my knowledge and skill through this programme. Thus, after that I am able to create stronger ideas and concepts. Beside, I am more than eager to share the knowledge to fellow creative workers or other young potential designers through formal education institutions. I also believe my differences can make strong and unique contribution to the programme.

Thank you very much for considering my request. Looking forward to your positive response.

Sincerely yours,

*** ***.
EndFragment>

---

I have been working on that. But the letter just getting longer in words that it loses its points. I still can not get into details without prolonging the letter. This is how it goes so far (338 words).

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StartFragment>
Dear Sir/Madam:

I am writing to apply for a Master's Degree Programme in Editorial Design at ***.

I graduated from University of *** in February 2007. My degree focuses on Journalistic and Media Studies. From 2007 until now, I am working as an art director at *** ***.

Although I did not come from design educational background, I have been involved in the industry for more than five years. I have designed and made concept for at least twenty magazine productions, including layouts, photo sessions, and brand concepts. I have also involved in significant number of other creative productions (websites, books, publications, print ads, promotional items) within the last three years.

Design has been my passion since I first laid my hands on Adobe Photoshop when I was in junior high school in 1996. And then I got a chance to combine my best interest in both media and design when I got involved in my school magazine productions at the time. I have not stopped learning since.

With regards to career plans, I also plan to become a lecturer. I want to create an integrated study of media and design in University of ***. I also want to share knowledge with fellow creative workers. In the mean time, I already started sharing through learning forums at my office.

A deeper understanding in creating media design concepts is what I need in order to achieve my career plan. I want to elaborate more in the complex process of turning a mass amount of information’s into a magazine with exceptional design concept. Beside that, I also need a higher degree in education in order to become a lecturer.

I believe this Editorial Design Programme fits my educational background and professional experiences. Thus, after that I believe I would be able to create stronger ideas and concepts. I also believe my knowledge in media studies can make strong and unique contribution to the programme.

Thank you very much for considering my request. Looking forward to your positive response.

Sincerely yours,

*** ***.
------

I still think this letter is not going anywhere clear. Actually what I want to state is:

I didn't come from design educational background but I did my homework by being directly involved in the industry.
I want to become a professional practitioners and also academically active as a lecturer (and researcher, I love doing academic research).
In order to achieve that I need a higher education. But of course, I really need and want to learn more in this field of study.

Thank you very much for your help

EndFragment>

Clive · Answer

Hi,

I still think this letter is not going anywhere clear. Actually what I want to state is:

I didn't come from design educational background but I did my homework by being directly involved in the industry.
I want to become a professional practitioners and also academically active as a lecturer (and researcher, I love doing academic research).
In order to achieve that I need a higher education. But of course, I really need and want to learn more in this field of study.

Sleepinjiva · Answer

I have been trying to revised my letter. I got many inspirations through other threads on similar subject. This is the newest revised version, the least I can do until now. It is still in 263 words. Can you suggest which part that I can edit or cut lose more? I also need some opinions, which letter's better my first draft or this one? Have I covered the basic needs of a motivational letter?

---
StartFragment>
Dear Sir/Madam:

Media and design has always been my passion. I admit there were times when I get confused on where do I have to put my next step on education. Will it be on Media Studies or Design Studies? My path was never been enlighten so much as I found the Editorial Design Master’s programme at *** which integrates both worlds.

These last four years I have been fully involved in media and design industry, as I am currently working as an Art Director at ***. I have been creating concepts in at least twenty magazine productions, including layouts, photo sessions, and media concepts. I have also involved in significant number of other creative media productions within the years.

With regards to professional career plans, I also plan to become a lecturer. I want to create an integrated study of media and design for scholar majoring on Mass Communication in my former university. I am also eager to share knowledge with fellow creative workers.

I have taken my graduate study on Mass Communication. Even though it has never been a regret or an obstacle for me, but I persist that I need to obtain formal design education from the right sources. I believe that this Programme would be a step towards obtaining the right academic credentials to allow me to pursue my preferred career in Media Design. I also believe my knowledge in media studies can make strong and unique contribution to the programme.

Thank you very much for considering my request. Looking forward to your positive response.

Sincerely yours,

*** ***.
---

Thank you very much!

EndFragment>

Clive · Answer

Hi,

I have been trying to revised my letter. I got many inspirations through other threads on similar subject. This is the newest revised version, the least I can do until now. It is still in 263 words. Can you suggest which part that I can edit or cut lose more? I also need some opinions, which letter's better my first draft or this one? Have I covered the basic needs of a motivational letter?

---

~~StartFragment~~>

Dear Sir/Madam:

Media and design has always been my passion. I admit there were times when I get confused on where do I have to put my next step on education. Will it be on Media Studies or Design Studies?

<<< I'd omit this part. My path was never been enlighten so much as I found the Editorial Design Master’s programme at *** which integrates both worlds.

These last four years I have been fully involved in media and design industry, as I am currently working as an Art Director at ***. I have been creating concepts in at least twenty magazine productions, including layouts, photo sessions, and media concepts. I have also involved in significant number of other creative media productions within the years. <<< I'd also omit or rephrase this. They didn't ask you to talk about your past.

With regards to professional career plans, I also plan to become a lecturer. I want to create an integrated study of media and design for scholar majoring on Mass Communication in my former university. I am also eager to share knowledge with fellow creative workers.

I have taken my graduate study on Mass Communication. Even though it has never been a regret or an obstacle for me, but I persist that I need to obtain formal design education from the right sources. I believe that this Programme would be a step towards obtaining the right academic credentials to allow me to pursue my preferred career in Media Design. I also believe my knowledge in media studies can make strong and unique contribution to the programme.

Thank you very much for considering my request. Looking forward to your positive response.

Overall, I think you are being much too indirect, and you are not focusing on what they want to know from you.

A motivational letter is called that because it lists your motives. A 'motive' is why you want to do something.

In simple terms,I would expect a lot of sentences that basically start with

'I want to do this program because . . . . '

'I want to do this program because . . . . '

'I want to do this program because . . . . '

Try writing it that way. Then once all that is clear, you can make it sound stylish.

Clive

Anonymous · Answer

aahh, yes, why didn't I think of that before!
Thank u for "slapping" me back to right track.

hope I can make something shorter out of it.

manythanks!

Sleepinjiva · Answer

aahh, yes, why didn't I think of that before!
thanks for "slapping" me back to the right track.

hope I can make something shorter out of it.

manythanks!

Anonymous · Answer

i need to write 200 words why i want to join the West Africa Examination Council.i dont know were to begin or how to write it.

Clive · Answer

Start by writing what you would say if a friend asked you "Why do you want to join the Council?"

Anonymous · Answer

Anonymousi need to write 200 words why i want to join the West Africa Examination Council.i dont know were to begin or how to write it.

I need to write 200 words why I want to join the West Africa Examination Council. I don't know were to begin or how to write it.

Motivational letter in only 200 words

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