A graduate school letter of intent (LOI) or statement of purpose is a written communication an aspiring student sends to an admissions committee when seeking acceptance to graduate school. This letter conveys the student’s purpose for applying, allowing the admissions committee to better understand their suitability for the program.
You may need a letter of intent for graduate school if you want acceptance into a program to earn one of the following degrees:
Explore some reasons why a graduate letter of intent is an essential aspect of applying for grad school:
Please adhere to formal business letter formatting when creating your letter. Include your name, address, and email in the top left-hand corner of the letter. Add the date on a separate line.
Follow this information with the graduate program director’s details, including their name and address. Visit the institution’s website to locate the program director’s name and address. You may address the school’s department if you can’t find the director’s name.
After a short salutation, begin writing your introductory paragraph. State who you are and briefly explain what you’re doing and what you’ve done in the past to qualify you to apply for entry into a graduate program.
Name the program and state the reason for applying. Incorporate your interests to create compelling reasons the admissions committee should admit you. Explain what factors drew you to the university or program.
Summarize your academic history, including your undergraduate studies and extra coursework. Provide an overview of your professional achievements if you’ve spent time in the workforce. If you haven’t held a full-time position, you can elaborate on how your internships, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities have helped you develop relevant skills.
State your academic and professional goals. Your academic goals will relate to the topics you want to learn and why, while your professional goals will relate to what you hope to accomplish in your future career endeavors. You may give some insight into your personal background as well, stating how you’ll use your current knowledge and resources to accomplish your goals.
Use the concluding paragraph to reaffirm your interest in admission to the graduate school program. Thank the reader for their time and invite them to discuss your application and background further.
In addition to a compelling letter of intent, here are some other materials you may need to submit alongside a graduate school application:
Here are some tips to implement when applying to graduate school:
Here is an example letter of intent from a student applying for graduate school:
Admissions Committee
University of South Florida
USF Health
Dear Admissions Committee Members,
I’m writing to express my strong interest in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at the University of South Florida. With a dedicated focus on improving population health through evidence-based practices and policy initiatives, I believe your esteemed institution will provide an ideal environment for my graduate studies.
My academic journey in health sciences began with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education and Promotion from Purdue Global. During my undergraduate studies, I excelled in health behavior theory, biostatistics, and epidemiology, which ignited my passion for addressing public health challenges.
Beyond academics, I have gained valuable experience through internships and volunteer roles. As an intern at Partners in Health, I collaborated on community needs assessments and developed health education programs for underserved populations. These experiences enhanced my analytical skills and deepened my understanding of health equity and its role in effective public health interventions.
Additionally, my involvement with the Purdue Student Branch of the Health Physics Society allowed me to organize public health workshops, engage communities, and promote health literacy among diverse groups. These experiences confirmed my desire to pursue a career in public health and equipped me with practical skills for graduate-level study.
I’m particularly drawn to the University of South Florida for its renowned faculty in global health, innovative research initiatives, and commitment to translating research into actionable policies. I’m eager to explore topics such as infectious diseases and global health policy and governance within your program.
Post-MPH, I aspire to specialize as a public health policy analyst focusing on infectious diseases. I’m driven by a passion for advancing health equity and achieving sustainable health outcomes.
I’m confident that the MPH program at the University of South Florida will provide the mentorship and training I need to achieve my professional goals. I look forward to contributing to your academic community and collaborating with faculty and peers on pressing public health issues.
Thank you for considering my application. I’m excited about the opportunity to bring my dedication and skills to the University of South Florida and contribute positively to its mission. I eagerly anticipate hearing from you to discuss my application further.
Download a graduate school letter of intent template in PDF or Word format below:
