Need help with the Cover Letter for Apple internship

I'm applying as an Software Engineering Intern for Apple this summer. It looks like they care a lot about the cover letter and English is my second language so I've had a hard time to come up with a good cover letter. Any feedback/advice is highly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Respected Sir/ Madam,

I hope this letter finds you well. I would like to first take this opportunity to request your consideration for the position of Software Engineering Intern, which I saw listed on jobs.apple.com.

Nowadays when you think Apple, you don't think of the fruit that grows on trees, but the driving force and pinnacle of technology; with sleek, stylish and well known designs coupled with its great hardware and software capabilities. It is for this reason that I want to work at Apple. As your company is looking for innovative partners, my engineering background would be a positive addition to your team.

I have strong skills in C/C++ and Java programming, which I have expanded in the fields of information technologies and software engineering throughout my five-year studies. I also have extensive knowledge in Mac OS X, UNIX and Windows operating systems. The knowledge I have gained as a junior at University of Houston has enhanced my capacity to perform a job such as this one, and fostered a desire to apply my knowledge in a practical way. Working on the projects individually or as a team, before a given deadline, inculcated a sense of responsibility in me and taught me the art of managing time and resources to achieve the target in the best possible way.

Adapting to various work cultures, identifying, resolving bottlenecks and prioritizing are the striking features of my work ethics. At the same time I like challenges which require innovation on my part. Developing new solutions with motto “if something doesn’t need to be there, it won’t be there” and coming out with ways that are not very common is what excites me. My curriculum has been influential in making me a team player and at the same time made me self-sufficient to be able to work on my own. During my internships, I am responsible for full lifecycle development of the company’s software, from initial requirement gathering to design, coding, testing, documentation and implementation.

The combination of my education at University of Houston and the capability in coming out with successful solutions coupled with my technical knowledge has equipped me with skills necessary to be a successful intern at Apple. I ensure you that I will try my level best to assist your company by enhancing and implementing my programming skills. I would like to discuss my qualifications with you in person. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your time and consideration.