Your motivation letter (or personal statement) is your voice in the admissions committee. It should not repeat your CV—it should explain why that program at that institution fits your path and what you bring to the classroom.
A structure that works
Open with a clear purpose paragraph (max five lines). Develop two to three blocks with achievements aligned to the program. Close with concrete goals at three to five years and why that school is the bridge.
- Paragraph 1: purpose and target program.
- Paragraphs 2–3: relevant experience with outcomes.
- Paragraph 4: fit with the institution (courses, faculty, resources).
- Close: contribution and professional plan.
Tone and length
Europe often asks for 500–800 words; North America sometimes 400–600. Keep a professional but personal tone: first person, active voice, no excessive corporate jargon.
Committees read hundreds of letters. Yours should answer on page one: why you, why now?
— Admissions committee, partner university
Mistakes that eliminate candidates
Generic template letters, wrong university names, spelling errors, inflating experience without evidence, and ignoring prompt questions.
Final review
Proofread in the program language, ask a mentor for feedback, and tailor each version. On ApplySite you can save favorite programs and message admissions to clarify expected format.
