Cover Letter Example

[Julia McGill]
[Number, Street Name]
[Cambridge, MA 92872]
[(123)-456-7890]
[Email Address]
[October 12, 2020]
[Alex Spencer]
[Recipient Job Title]
[University]
[Number, Street Name]
[Cambridge, MA 83726]
Dear Mr. Spencer,
With reference to the subject areas listed on [URL] under section [‘Degree Programs’], I am
writing to express my interest in the Computer Science program at the [University] starting
in August 2021. I recently completed my bachelor’s degree with a specialisation in Big
Data Engineering, and this doctoral program is exactly what I seek to leverage my
experience within the field of professional scientific research.
To shortly introduce myself, my name is [Julia McGill] and I am currently pursuing a
master’s degree at the University of Amsterdam with an expected completion date of
November 2020. After speaking with several of my professors, I am convinced to continue
my research on [subject]. In my master thesis, I use [Professor X’s] research findings on
[subject] and the prospect of working closely with such a reputable advisor allows me to
discover more important findings. In addition, this doctoral program also supports my
career goal to become a professor at a university or research institute.
I will graduate summa cum laude (4.0 GPA) with relevant coursework in software
engineering, systems programming and operating systems. At university, I developed
analytical skills and learnt how to deal with complex problems in a systematic way. During
my internship as a research assistant at [University], I led a team of 10 undergraduate
students for two projects in machine learning. We designed a new algorithm to increase
run time by 25% and for more efficient logical problem solving in the future. I received
recognition for my contribution and was awarded 1st place in the Engineering Design
Competition.
I would like to draw your attention back to my enclosed recommendations and resume,
which demonstrates my professional and academic history. If you need any additional
information, you can reach me at [Phone number] or [Email Address]. Thank you for your
time and consideration.
Kind regards, 
Julia McGill
 Writing Tips For PhD Applicants
1. Pick a standard font and font size that is easy to read. For example,
‘Verdana’, ‘Arial’, or ‘Times New Roman’ with a 10 to 12 point font size is
most suitable. Stick to a word count of around 300 to 400 words on a one
page document, and divide your letter in four paragraphs.
2. Choose a proper greeting for your cover letter. In the context of a
university, there are three options, ‘Dear Mr. / Ms. Spencer,’, ‘Dear Dr.
Spencer,’ and ‘Dear Prof. Spencer,’. Don’t use ‘Mrs.’ as the abbreviation,
unless you know that the contact person is a married woman. If you write
to an unknown recipient, then I’d advise you to write ‘Dear Sir or Madam,’.
3. Don’t be vague in describing your interest and motivation. Saying that you
enjoyed your physics undergraduate course or that you find physics
interesting won’t drag the reader’s attention. After all, they already assume
your interest in this subject or else you wouldn’t apply for the PhD
program. Instead, inform the reader about particular courses and/or topics
that interest you most. What have you learned from them, and why you
want to further educate yourself in this subject?
4. A cover letter is a supplement to your resume or CV. That means you need
to provide context to skills and personal traits listed in your resume. For
example, if you claim to obtain analysis and problem solving skills, then
you need to substantiate these statements with measurable results. What
have you achieved in numbers, statistics or awards you’ve been granted.
5. Choose a proper closing salutation for your cover letter. For example, ‘Kind
regards’, ‘Best regards,’ or ‘Sincerely,’. ‘Yours sincerely’ is British, and
Americans tend to reverse the order and write ‘Sincerely yours,’. Nowadays,
‘Sincerely’ is a common and an acceptable close for American cover letters.
You can also write ‘Yours faithfully’, which can be used when the recipient
is not addressed by name, like in, ‘Dear Hiring Manager’. It is a British
usage. ‘Yours truly,’ is the American equivalent.