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Writing the motivation letter is an important step in
the application procedure - it is the basis on which
the organising groups select their participants!
There's no are perfect templates or instructions on
how to write your motivation letter for a BEST
courses - every student is unique, and this should be
reflected in this letter! However, there are some
general tips and hints that might be useful, and
might help you in getting accepted more easily!
First of all - when writing a motivation letter, do
keep in mind that it is going to be read by students,
just like you. They get many applications from which
they have to choose - and the only tool they have to
choose is the student's motivation letters. It might
be that the organisers have to read a few hundred
motivation letters, so to attract their attention,
try to be creative and funny.
So do not write a formal letter, do not start it
with "Dear Madam or Sir", and importantely, do not
make it look like a CV - do not state all the schools
you visited, all the jobs you did during your life,
etc.. write an interesting letter in prose
style!
In general, your motivation letter should focus on
the following parts:
-
Something about yourself - what you study, what you
do in your life , what are your hobbies, sports you
do, maybe what languages you speak...
BEST courses are always a lot of fun, so the
organisers should know that you are a funny person!
-
Why you want to go to abroad, and why do you want
to go to a BEST summer/winter/spring course!
It is important for the organisers to have
internationally minded, open persons - the course
does not consist only of the academic program!
-
Why you want to go to especially THIS event you're
applying for: why is the topic attractive, why
might the knowledge you can gain there help you (in
your studies, in your future carreer...) - the
event does neither consist of only the social part,
so let the organisers know that you are interested
in the course as well!!!
-
Sometimes, it is needed to tell the organisers that
you have a sufficient knowledge of the topic - so
let them know that and how you do! To find out what
is expected - read the course information on the
webpages carefully, as probably there are some
hints telling you which kind of participant are
expected to apply!
-
Be careful, and send the appropriate letter to the
appropriate place (don't mix them if you apply to
more than one course!)
-
Don't let the letter be too short or too long
– One, or half of an A4 page, is just enough
to get the organisers to notice you. If the letter
is too long, they might not want to read it, but if
it's too short, they will think that you are not
interested enough in the course!
-
Of course, the letter has to be written in English
;-)
These are just some general hints - take the ones you
want, leave the ones you don't like, but in any case,
add your own imagination and style, be creative, and
you'll have your motivation letter to go on a BEST
course!
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