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Andr359 Posted 19 years ago
Letter Writing
Too creative or too conventional motivation letter?
I´m in the process of writing my motivation letters for admission to PhD in Finance programs in the US. I´ve found a handful of sample letters on the net. All of them are supposedly "winning" letters and follow this pattern:
"I want to do a PhD because I want to do research and teaching at a leading business school. My research interests are ....... . I´m applying to XXXX school because of its strengths in ....... .
I have finished a masters degree at YYYY school, where I learnt ....... . This prompted me to research the ........... under professor ....... . This experience has strengthened my skills in ...... which I feel are a powerful asset for the PhD program in ..... .
I have also worked at CCCC where I have become a manager of ....... . My duties include ....... and I have achieved ....... . I will be able to reflect on my time and experiences at CCCC to become a successful PhD student.
On a personal side, I enjoy ..... and have participated in national competitions, winning ...... . I also volunteer at ....... weekly. I consider myself a well-rounded individual who can offer ....... to your business school, and look forward to becoming a member of your diverse, distinguised community."
This seems to be the pattern of most, if not all, PhD motivation letters I´ve found online. Would presenting a letter written with this pattern invariably bore the adm committee? what if, on the other hand, my letter is too "creative" (for example, written as a story) and they don´t take it seriously??
"I want to do a PhD because I want to do research and teaching at a leading business school. My research interests are ....... . I´m applying to XXXX school because of its strengths in ....... .
I have finished a masters degree at YYYY school, where I learnt ....... . This prompted me to research the ........... under professor ....... . This experience has strengthened my skills in ...... which I feel are a powerful asset for the PhD program in ..... .
I have also worked at CCCC where I have become a manager of ....... . My duties include ....... and I have achieved ....... . I will be able to reflect on my time and experiences at CCCC to become a successful PhD student.
On a personal side, I enjoy ..... and have participated in national competitions, winning ...... . I also volunteer at ....... weekly. I consider myself a well-rounded individual who can offer ....... to your business school, and look forward to becoming a member of your diverse, distinguised community."
This seems to be the pattern of most, if not all, PhD motivation letters I´ve found online. Would presenting a letter written with this pattern invariably bore the adm committee? what if, on the other hand, my letter is too "creative" (for example, written as a story) and they don´t take it seriously??
Top answer
I don't know that any of us are admissions officers, so it will be hard to get a useful opinion. The problem with being too creative is that some people may think you are not showing proper respect for the process, or for the person reviewing the application. If you were applying for an advanced degree in theater or writing, a creative approach might be useful.
- I don't know that any of us are admissions officers, so it will be hard to get a useful opinion.
- The problem with being too creative is that some people may think you are not showing proper respect for the process, or for the person reviewing the application.
- If you were applying for an advanced degree in theater or writing, a creative approach might be useful.
- I don't know that finance is an area you want to be too creative in.
- In fact, "creative financing" can be euphamism for things that are illegal.
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3 Answers
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I don't know that any of us are admissions officers, so it will be hard to get a useful opinion. The problem with being too creative is that some people may think you are not showing proper respect for the process, or for the person reviewing the application.
If you were applying for an advanced degree in theater or writing, a creative approach might be useful. I don't know that finance i
If you were applying for an advanced degree in theater or writing, a creative approach might be useful. I don't know that finance i
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Thank you, Grammar Geek, and sorry for the double message. Will be more careful in the future.
So I guess adding some variety while maintaining a "conventional" layout is the way to go in this case, particularly in the case of a phd in finance application.
So I guess adding some variety while maintaining a "conventional" layout is the way to go in this case, particularly in the case of a phd in finance application.
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Well, that would be my advice. Sometimes it's best to go with the tried and true. Good luck with your application!
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