How to Write a Cover Letter for Graduate School

A cover letter is a tool you can use to introduce yourself when applying for a job or to a program, such as graduate school or an internship. When you apply for a program with your resume or application materials, including a cover letter—also sometimes called a “personal statement” or “letter of intent” in graduate school admissions—can help demonstrate why you’re a good candidate and act as a guide to your application. The cover letter may list all enclosed materials, such as your resume or CV, while also introducing you in a more human way than your resume can demonstrate. 

You can use your cover letter to explain why you’re a good fit for the program, how the program fits into your overall career goals, and why the program interests and excites you. Your cover letter will likely be the first thing the admissions panel reviews, which means it’s your chance to make a great first impression. 

Explore a sample cover letter for graduate school to get a sense of the typical length and layout, learn who you might address a grad school cover letter to, and discover what to include in each paragraph of your letter. 

Cover letter for graduate school example

Cover letters tend to follow a specific format. To help you visualize what a cover letter might look like, it can be helpful to review an example before exploring the specifics of each section. 

[Your name] Jill Frost

[Your address] 234 W River Rd. 

Sunnyplace, MI 12345

[Date] June 1, 2025 

[Admissions or department head] Franklin Roberts

[Department] Department of Biology 

[University name] West Central University 

[University address] 567 N. Lake Drive

Studyplace, MI 34567 

RE: Application for Master in Molecular and Cellular Biology program 

Dear Franklin Roberts, 

I’m writing to express my interest in the molecular biology program at West Central University. I will soon graduate from North College with a Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology and a minor in biochemistry, and I’m eager to pursue my Master of Molecular and Cellular Biology at West Central. I’m interested in your program because of your institution’s association with cutting-edge research in the field of food and drug interactions. Once I complete my education, my goal is to pursue a career in research for the Food and Drug Administration. I believe the laboratory training and research opportunities offered by your program will provide me with the tools necessary to achieve my goals. 

During my undergraduate program, I read Dr. K. Wilson’s book, Cellular Mechanisms: Structure, Function, and Regulation, and I am very interested in studying these concepts in her class. I believe that my long-term goals and passion for molecular research will align with your department’s goals and allow me to make significant contributions to your work. 

While at North College, I cultivated a strong foundation in cellular biology and organic chemistry. I’m particularly interested in the chemistry and cellular characteristics of drugs and how they interact with the body. This interest led me to pursue an independent research project on foodborne pathogens found on unwashed produce, with the goal of identifying strategies to mitigate the spread of foodborne disease. My research project was supervised by Professor Allison Smith and concluded with a paper titled Prevalence and Distribution of Foodborne Pathogens on Unwashed Produce and the Efficacy of Mitigation Techniques, submitted to the American Journal of Undergraduate Research. 

Thank you for considering my application. I welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further in an interview.

Regards, 

Jill Frost

ENCLOSED: Statement of purpose, resume, graduate program application

How long should a cover letter be for grad school?

A cover letter should typically be about one page, although you may find that in some fields, particularly in humanities and social sciences, two pages is acceptable. To accomplish this, choose a professional font in 10 or 12-point type and use single-spacing with an extra space between paragraphs. 

How to write a cover letter for a graduate school application

The first step to writing a cover letter is to format the document correctly. Once you’ve established an appropriate format, you can compose the body of your letter. Aim to include three to four paragraphs, each serving its own unique purpose in the cover letter. Finally, include a note detailing everything you’ve included with your cover letter. Explore each of these steps in greater detail. 

Formatting a cover letter for graduate school

Most cover letters follow a similar format, with your contact information, the recipient’s information, and a greeting at the top followed by the body of your letter, and ending with a closing statement, your signature, and a list of enclosed materials. It’s customary to start with both your address and the recipient’s address. Be sure to follow the contact information with the date and a subject line describing the purpose of the cover letter.

Who do you address a grad school cover letter to?

In general, the best person to address a cover letter to is the person who will be reading the letter. You may be able to find this information on a school’s website or with a phone call to the school. Although the role may differ from school to school, the contact person may be an admissions officer or the department head for the program. In a cover letter for a job, you might find this information in the job posting. You can use a personal salutation to begin. The most common way to begin a grad school cover letter is with “Dear [Name].” 

First paragraph

The first paragraph is a natural place to introduce yourself and explain the specific program you’re applying to. Describe your academic credentials thus far, and highlight how they have prepared you for the program. You can also provide an explanation about why the institution, and the program itself, interests you. 

Second paragraph

The second paragraph is your opportunity to expand on any relevant or important academic accomplishments you want to highlight. Depending on what you want to cover, this can be more than one paragraph, provided you’re maintaining the guideline of one page for most programs. Your resume or graduate school applications enable you to list all your credentials and accomplishments, so focus on only the most important details in the limited space of your cover letter. Examples to showcase might include commentary on independent research topics you’re involved with; professional experiences, such as teaching experience or laboratory experience; and examples of the skills you’ll bring to the program. 

Third paragraph

The third paragraph will likely serve as your conclusion and provides an opportunity to summarize the cover letter and address the logistics of your application. You can also mention included materials, such as your application, resume, statement of purpose, or letters of recommendation. If you have other materials, such as a writing sample, that you aren’t sure whether to include, you may want to mention your willingness to provide it here. Last, always remember to thank them for their time and state that you look forward to discussing the program further. 

Prepare for graduate school on Coursera

A cover letter for graduate school is a chance to make a great first impression and acts as an introduction to you as a graduate school candidate. If you’re considering a graduate degree program, you may be interested in a self-paced, flexible program with pay-as-you-go options, like one of the online master’s degree programs available on Coursera.