Imam Why is Writing a Request Letter Graduate School Writing Checklist So Hard? Your Problems, Answered
Many students struggle with writing a request letter for graduate school, and it’s not hard to see why. Here are some common pain points:
- Fear of rejection or not being taken seriously
- Difficulty in articulating research interests and goals
- Uncertainty about the right tone and format to use
- Lack of confidence in writing abilities
The Basic Framework for an Effective Letter
A well-structured request letter should include a clear introduction, a concise explanation of your research interests and goals, and a professional closing. Remember to tailor your letter to the specific program and faculty you’re applying to.
A good rule of thumb is to keep your letter concise, ideally no more than one page in length. Use formal language and avoid jargon or overly technical terms.
Application in Practice: 14 Scenarios & Examples
Scenario 1: Requesting Information about a Program
Ms. Jane Smith
Admissions Office
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
University of California, Berkeley
94720
February 10, 2023
Dear Ms. Smith,
I am writing to inquire about the Master’s program in English Literature at the University of California, Berkeley. I am particularly interested in the faculty’s research focus on modernist literature and its application to contemporary society.
Sincerely,
Emily Johnson
Practical Takeaway: Clearly state the purpose of your letter and specify the program you’re interested in.
Scenario 2: Requesting a Meeting with a Faculty Member
Dr. John Lee
Department of Computer Science
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX 78701
March 20, 2023
Dear Dr. Lee,
I am reaching out to request a meeting to discuss my research interests in artificial intelligence and its potential applications in healthcare. I am impressed by your work in this area and would appreciate the opportunity to learn more about your research.
Sincerely,
David Kim
Practical Takeaway: Show genuine interest in the faculty member’s research and highlight its relevance to your own goals.
Scenario 3: Requesting a Letter of Recommendation
Dr. Maria Rodriguez
Department of Psychology
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
April 15, 2023
Dear Dr. Rodriguez,
I am writing to request a letter of recommendation to support my application to the Ph.D. program in Psychology at the University of Michigan. I have had the pleasure of working with you on several research projects, and I believe your endorsement would carry significant weight.
Sincerely,
Sarah Taylor
Practical Takeaway: Provide specific details about your work with the recommender and explain why their endorsement is important.
Scenario 4: Requesting Additional Information about Funding Opportunities
Dr. Michael Brown
Graduate School of Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Urbana, IL 61801
May 1, 2023
Dear Dr. Brown,
I am writing to inquire about potential funding opportunities for Ph.D. students in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. I am particularly interested in the research focus on robotics and its applications to industrial automation.
Sincerely,
Jessica Lee
Practical Takeaway: Show enthusiasm for the program and its research focus, and ask specific questions about funding opportunities.
Scenario 5: Requesting a Deferral of Admission
Ms. Rachel Davis
Admissions Office
Graduate School of Public Health
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195
June 10, 2023
Dear Ms. Davis,
I am writing to request a deferral of my admission to the Master’s program in Public Health at the University of Washington. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I need to take a gap year to focus on my family and personal commitments.
Sincerely,
Michael Chen
Practical Takeaway: Explain your reasons for requesting a deferral and provide a clear plan for using the gap year productively.
Scenario 6: Requesting an Update on Application Status
Dr. Lisa Nguyen
Admissions Committee
Graduate School of Business
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA 90089
July 15, 2023
Dear Dr. Nguyen,
I am writing to inquire about the status of my application to the Master’s program in Business Administration at the University of Southern California. I submitted my application on May 1st and have yet to receive a decision.
Sincerely,
Kevin White
Practical Takeaway: Politely ask about the status of your application and provide specific details about your submission.
Scenario 7: Requesting a Waiver of Application Fee
Ms. Sophia Patel
Admissions Office
Graduate School of Education
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 19104
August 20, 2023
Dear Ms. Patel,
I am writing to request a waiver of the application fee for the Master’s program in Education at the University of Pennsylvania. As a low-income student, I am facing financial hardship and would like to explore options for fee waivers.
Sincerely,
Alexandra Rodriguez
Practical Takeaway: Explain your financial situation and provide documentation to support your request for a fee waiver.
Scenario 8: Requesting a Meeting with an Alumnus
Mr. John Smith
Alumni Relations
Harvard Business School
Boston, MA 02163
September 1, 2023
Dear Mr. Smith,
I am writing to request a meeting with an alumnus of Harvard Business School to discuss my interests in the MBA program and gain insights into the school’s culture and community.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Martin
Practical Takeaway: Show enthusiasm for the program and its community, and explain how meeting an alumnus would benefit your application.
Scenario 9: Requesting a Review of Application Materials
Dr. Daniel Lee
Admissions Committee
Graduate School of Engineering
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305
October 10, 2023
Dear Dr. Lee,
I am writing to request a review of my application materials for the Ph.D. program in Electrical Engineering at Stanford University. I would appreciate feedback on my research statement and personal statement.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Kim
Practical Takeaway: Ask for specific feedback on your application materials and provide a clear explanation of what you hope to gain from the review.
Scenario 10: Requesting a Recommendation from a Professor
Dr. Rachel Hall
Department of Biology
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, CA 92093
November 15, 2023
Dear Dr. Hall,
I am writing to request a letter of recommendation to support my application to the Ph.D. program in Biology at the University of California, San Diego. I have had the privilege of working with you on several research projects, and I believe your endorsement would carry significant weight.
Sincerely,
Christopher Brown
Practical Takeaway: Provide specific details about your work with the professor and explain why their endorsement is important.
Scenario 11: Requesting a Meeting with the Admissions Committee
Ms. Karen Thompson
Admissions Office
Graduate School of Public Policy
University of California, Berkeley
94720
December 1, 2023
Dear Ms. Thompson,
I am writing to request a meeting with the Admissions Committee to discuss my application to the Master’s program in Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley. I would like to discuss my research interests and goals.
Sincerely,
Matthew Davis
Practical Takeaway: Show enthusiasm for the program and its research focus, and explain how a meeting would benefit your application.
Scenario 12: Requesting a Deferral of Application Submission
Dr. James Wilson
Admissions Committee
Graduate School of Law
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA 22904
January 5, 2024
Dear Dr. Wilson,
I am writing to request a deferral of my application submission to the J.D. program at the University of Virginia. I need additional time to prepare my application materials and would like to submit my application for the next cycle.
Sincerely,
Emily Patel
Practical Takeaway: Explain your reasons for requesting a deferral and provide a clear plan for using the additional time productively.
Scenario 13: Requesting a Meeting with a Current Student
Ms. Sophia Lee
Student Ambassador
Graduate School of Business
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
February 10, 2024
Dear Ms. Lee,
I am writing to request a meeting with a current student in the MBA program at the University of Michigan. I would like to discuss my interests in the program and gain insights into the school’s culture and community.
Sincerely,
David Kim
Practical Takeaway: Show enthusiasm for the program and its community, and explain how meeting a current student would benefit your application.
Scenario 14: Requesting a Review of Application Essays
Dr. Lisa Tran
Admissions Committee
Graduate School of Education
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195
March 15, 2024
Dear Dr. Tran,
I am writing to request a review of my application essays for the Ph.D. program in Education at the University of Washington. I would appreciate feedback on my writing style and content.
Sincerely,
Michael Taylor
Practical Takeaway: Ask for specific feedback on your application essays and provide a clear explanation of what you hope to gain from the review.
Final Checklist: Is Your Letter Ready to Send?
Before submitting your request letter, review the following checklist:
- Is your letter concise and well-structured?
- Have you clearly stated your purpose and goals?
- Have you provided specific details and examples to support your request?
- Have you proofread your letter for grammar and spelling errors?
- Have you tailored your letter to the specific program and faculty?
- Have you included a clear call to action and contact information?
- Have you proofread your letter multiple times for clarity and tone?