Academic Cover Letter: Student Guidelines & Examples

An academic cover letter is an important document that everyone must learn to write. In this case, a real essence of this document is that it helps individuals to get jobs or admissions into higher institutions of learning. Further on, learning how to write an academic cover letter is not a complicated undertaking. Similarly, analyzing an expository essay example can provide valuable insights for structuring key arguments. Basically, the only requirement is to know why people are writing an academic cover letter and to whom. Then, important information that authors should provide is a position of a person to whom they are addressing and a vision and mission of a chosen organization. In a case of college admission, details should cover faculties in colleges or universities. Moreover, other important information is an author’s background and evidence of suitability by considering an opportunity at hand.

General Aspects

At one point in life, someone writes a cover letter to get employed or admitted to a learning institution. Therefore, understanding how to write a cover letter is an essential skill that anyone with aspirations for a professional career should develop. In job markets and educational arenas, individuals have an opportunity to write an academic cover letter to get a job interview or an admission interview, respectively. When writing such an academic cover letter, individuals should take time to review requirements, such as qualifications, as published by an organization or an institution. Then, applicants should compose statements that satisfy these requirements, giving concrete examples of qualifications to showcase their strengths and suitability for an opportunity. In summary, a primary goal of writing an academic cover letter is to convince a recipient of one’s suitability and approve an opportunity at hand.

What Is an Academic Cover Letter and Its Purpose

According to its definition, an academic cover letter is a formal type of writing submitted as part of a job or research application in various educational fields. For example, the main purpose of writing an academic cover letter is to showcase a candidate’s potential to contribute to an entire community, demonstrate a person’s alignment with a key institution’s values and missions, and persuade a hiring committee to consider an individual and offer an interview (Kingsley, 2023). Basically, writing such a paper serves as an introduction to an applicant’s qualifications, research interests, and professional goals, complementing a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume. Further on, candidates need to highlight their academic achievements, teaching experience, and research contributions, aligning them with position’s requirements (Dalton, 2021). In writing, these compositions provide a valid platform where applicants can explain how their skills and experiences make them an ideal fit for a department or institution. Moreover, this document plays a critical role in making a strong first impression, setting a correct tone to allow a committee to further evaluate applicant’s credentials (Welton & Moody, 2023). In terms of pages and words, the length of an academic cover letter depends on levels of education, institution’s requirements, and some nature of positions, while general writing guidelines are:

Format

Note: Some writing sections of an academic cover letter can be added, deleted, or combined with each other, educational levels, application requirements, and positions. For example, a standard academic cover letter format is a structured document that introduces an applicant’s qualifications, research fields, and teaching experiences to demonstrate a person’s fit for a chosen position (Kingsley, 2023). In writing, an average academic cover letter should ideally be 1 to 2 pages in length, providing concise yet detailed information relevant to a specific position, as anything longer may be considered too lengthy and unfocused. Further on, an academic cover letter should include an introduction, relevant qualifications, research or work experience, and a clear explanation of why a person is a strong fit for a chosen position or institution (Kenar, 2016). Basically, authors should address an academic cover letter to a specific hiring manager or selection committee, using their name if available or “Dear Hiring Committee” if a name is unknown. Moreover, an academic cover letter in education is a document that introduces applicant’s qualifications, experiences, and passion in a learning field while applying for a teaching or administrative position (Dalton, 2021). In turn, to start an academic cover letter, people introduce themselves and clearly state a specific position they are applying for, along with a brief reason for their interest in a chosen role.

Defining Features

An academic cover letter is a single-spaced, 1-page document that individuals write to a particular person, organization, or learning institution seeking consideration in a case of employment or admission. For example, to write a strong cover letter for an academic paper, people briefly summarize essay’s main contributions, highlight its relevance to a journal’s scope, and explain why it is a valuable addition to a field (Kingsley, 2023). Basically, a common structure of a typical academic cover letter should ensure that initial details authors provide are about why they are writing a latter and their suitability. Further on, such a latter should convince readers to have a look at an author’s resume (Yates, 2017). In short, an academic cover letter should introduce an author, mention an intent of a latter (application for a job or admission), and highlight person’s skill sets and how they align with key requirements of a chosen vacancy. Moreover, people should provide details that persuade receivers to read a complete resume. In turn, concluding remarks should include a call to action, where authors request to get an interview or a meeting (Dalton, 2021). In turn, some examples of sentence starters for beginning an academic cover letter are:

• I am writing to express my interest in [Position Title] at [Institution Name], as advertised on [Place of Publication].
• With a strong background in [Your Field], I am excited to apply for [Position Title] at [Institution Name].
• I am eager to contribute my research and teaching expertise to [Department Name] as a candidate for [Position Title].
• As a [Your Current Position], I have developed extensive experience in [Relevant Skill/Field] that aligns with key goals of [Institution Name].
• Having recently completed my [Degree/Research], I am enthusiastic about joining [Institution Name] to further my career.
• I am pleased to submit my application [Position Title] at [Institution Name], where I can apply my [specific skills/experience] to benefit your department.
• It is with a great enthusiasm that I apply for [Position Title] in [Department Name], and I am confident that my experience in [specific area] makes me a strong fit.
• I am particularly drawn to [Position Title] at [Institution Name] due to my alignment with a department’s focus on [specific research/teaching area].
• As a dedicated scholar with a passion for [Your Field], I am excited about an opportunity to contribute to [Institution Name] in a role of [Position Title].
• I am excited to apply for [Position Title], and I am confident that my expertise in [Research/Teaching] will contribute to an overall success of [Institution Name].

Steps on How to Write an Academic Cover Letter

To write a good academic cover letter, people highlight their relevant research fields, teaching experience, and qualifications while aligning their skills with department’s needs and expressing genuine interest in a chosen position. For example, a cover letter in research is a document that accompanies a research application or paper submission, summarizing a research’s significance, its relevance to a target journal or institution, and researcher’s qualifications (Cliff, 2021). Moreover, people should write an academic cover letter, even if it is optional, as such a document provides an opportunity to highlight their strengths and demonstrate their enthusiasm for a chosen position. In turn, some basic writing steps include:

• Research an Institution and Position: Understand crucial institution’s values, mission, and specific requirements of a chosen position.
• Use a Professional Format: Follow a formal letter structure in writing, including a header with your contact details and recipient’s information.
• Address a Cover Letter Appropriately: Use a recipient’s name or address your writing to a hiring committee if a name is not available.
• Start With a Strong Opening: Introduce yourself as a candidate and clearly state a position you are applying for while capturing a reader’s attention.
• Highlight Your Research: Discuss your research experience, projects, and publications relevant to a given position.
• Describe Your Teaching Experience: Outline any teaching experience you have and your teaching philosophy, linking your writing to department’s needs.
• Align Your Skills With an Institution: Demonstrate how your qualifications and goals align with department’s or institution’s objectives.
• Show Enthusiasm for a Role: Express your interest and passion to explain how you will contribute to an institution and an academic community.
• Close Professionally: Summarize your writing as an interest in a position, thank a reader, and mention any enclosed documents.
• Proofread Carefully: Review your academic cover letter and fix any grammar, spelling, formatting, or writing errors to ensure professionalism.

Outline and Template

Academic Cover Letter Example

Analysis of a Written Sample

Besides principal details of a sender and a recipient, an academic cover letter above has three paragraphs in writing.

Difference in Use

While an academic cover letter for a job is different from one for college admission in terms of structure, they differ in content. Basically, an academic cover letter for college admission, like the one above, focuses on a person more than a college. For example, people need to talk more about their personal education and aspirations while ensuring this information aligns with a vision and mission of a chosen college (Dalton, 2021). In contrast, a job-related academic cover letter, a central focus of authors is on their educational background, experience, and qualifications when considering a job vacancy. As such, this letter highlights a direct connection between an author (education, training, and experience) and a kind of candidate that a given organization is offering. Therefore, despite similarities in structure, an academic cover letter for a job application and one for college admission differ in terms of content.

What to Include

Common Mistakes

• Using a Generic Template: Failing to customize an academic cover letter and its writing to a specific institution or position can make your application seem impersonal.
• Being Too Lengthy: Writing more than 1-2 pages may overwhelm a reader and detract from a central focus of your application.
• Overloading With Irrelevant Details: Including unrelated experiences can dilute an overall strength of your relevant qualifications.
• Failing to Highlight Research and Teaching Experience: Neglecting to showcase these core aspects can make it harder for a committee to assess your fit as an academician.
• Repetition of CV Content: Simply restating information from your CV instead of adding new context or insight misses an opportunity to elaborate on your experiences.
• Lack of Enthusiasm for a Position: Not clearly expressing genuine interest in a role or institution can make your application less engaging.
• Ignoring Department’s Needs: Focusing only on your own qualifications without addressing how you can contribute to a department may make your cover letter less compelling.
• Making Typos or Grammatical Errors: Small writing mistakes can undermine an overall professionalism and attention to detail expected in applications.
• Using a Casual Tone: Failing to maintain a formal and professional tone can give a poor impression to a hiring committee.
• Not Proofreading or Seeking Feedback: Skipping careful review or not asking others to critique your academic cover letter may lead to missed writing errors or unclear communication.

Summing UP

Writing an academic cover letter is a skill that everyone must develop. At one point in life, someone applies for admission to a college or university and seeks employment in an organization. In this case, a standard practice is that, in order to realize these goals, individuals must write a cover letter, indicating their suitability for an opportunity at hand. Hence, some of the tips that are worth noting in writing an academic cover letter include:

• Understanding key requirements of a chosen job or admission vacancy.
• Getting to know a recipient – their position in a chosen organization or institution.
• Familiarizing with an organization or institution – vision and mission or faculties.
• Providing a clear identity of self- background, education, skill sets, and so on.
• Providing evidence for one’s suitability, such as training and experience.
• Articulating a personal mission and how it aligns with an opportunity at hand.
• Making a call to action in an academic cover letter – persuade a recipient to get a formal interview.

References

Cliff, W. (2021). Stand out cover letters: The professional cover letters guide that will guarantee your next job. Independently Published.

Dalton, S. (2021). The job closer: Time-saving techniques for acing resumes, interviews, negotiations, and more. Ten Speed Press.

Kenar, J. A. (2016). Dear authors: We do read your cover letters. Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society, 93(9), 1171–1172. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11746-016-2889-3

Kingsley, T. (2023). How to write a cover letter: 7 easy steps to master cover letters, motivation letter examples & writing job applications. Theodore Kingsley.

Pears, R., & Shields, G. J. (2022). Cite them right: The essential referencing guide (12th ed.). A&C Black.

Welton, R. H., & Moody, L. (2023). CE: How to write an effective résumé. AJN, American Journal of Nursing, 123(4), 34–45. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.naj.0000925500.62874.39

Yates, J. R. (2017). The cover letter. Journal of Proteome Research, 16(2), 367–367. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jproteome.6b01068