Summer Internship cover letter (first timer)

I am a writing cover letter for the first. I am posting here main body of the letter for review. Its not up to the mark. Suggestions required. I am really desperate to get this position. I have been working hard for it and I don't want cover letter to spoil my hard-work.

Respected Authority,

I am heavily interested in applying for summer internship/research assistantship at Institute of Quantum Computing.

I have always been a deep thinker. I developed a deep interest in philosophy when I was in high school. I was highly influenced by Plato, Socrates and Robert Pirsig. Soon after that I started finding similarities between physics and philosophy and this is how my interest transcended towards physics. And quantum mechanics was the subject that amazed me the most. I realized that it is not actually a branch of physics but something that every physicist should know.

I was among top ten participants in a national-level Physics Olympiad. I was awarded honorable mention in Space Settlement Contest organized National Space Society, NASA. My designed of space colony was appreciated for its uniqueness and originality. I was among the organizers of inter-college quiz competition and I was given the duty to set questions. I was awarded with “Star of the school” at the end of high school. I was selected to attend camp-***-workshop organized by Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India which promoted scientific education and research among junior college students. I was also awarded first prize for my innovative concept of “Prepaid cards of electricity consumption” at Science Exhibition organized by V.N.I.T.

I am currently pursuing Bachelor of Engineering, majoring in Electronics and Power with 8.5/10 cgpa (till date) and an ‘A’ grade in Engineering Physics. The reason why I chose Engineering over science (physics) is that I was not able to score enough in entrance exam to get me into a top science college. Later I realized that my low scores because my study was “knowledge-oriented” and not “exam-oriented”. But I didn’t quit studying physics. I still study physics along with engineering study through various open courses and video lectures. I like to educate people and hence I frequently write articles on quantum mechanics in local newspaper. I have a huge hunger for knowledge. I study all-the-time when I am not sleeping to balance Engineering study and my love for physics.

It can be seen from my achievements that I have an innovative mind and hunger for knowledge. If given the opportunity to work as an intern, it will provide a great boost to my educational background. Institute of quantum computing is one of kind institute. It has a highly qualified faculty. It would be dream-come-true to work under such people. With my deep thinking and hunger for knowledge, I can be the right candidate for this position.

Sincerely

Phaedo