How to Write an Essay Cover Letter (Examples and Tips)
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It’s time to send your student applications. You’ve been working for hours to get that perfect essay that will wow everyone in the recruiter’s office. But how can you boost your chances of getting in even more?
The answer: by writing a perfect essay cover letter. And we’re here to teach you how you can do it. So let’s begin our quick class of writing a perfect essay cover letter!
This guide will show you:
- An essay cover letter example better than 9 out of 10 others.
- Great cover letter for essay examples that let you plug in your core strengths.
- The work plan on how to write a cover letter for an essay.
Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.
Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter examples and create your cover letter here.
Have a look at other education-related cover letters:
- High School Cover Letter Example
- Entry-Level Cover Letter with No Experience Example
- Cover Letter for Scholarship Application Example
- Internship Cover Letter Example
- New & Recent Graduate Cover Letter Example
- Graduate Cover Letter Example
Want to explore your options even further? Check out our full selection of cover letter examples: Professional Cover Letter Examples to Apply for a Job in 2022
Let’s see an outstanding essay cover letter example, shall we?
Essay Cover Letter Example
Effie Holmes
78 Hillcrest Rd
New York, NY 10552
e.q.holmes124@zetymail.com
566-934-8364
New York, May 2024
Evelyn Gilligan
Recruiter
Parsons School of Design
66 5th Ave,
New York, NY 10011
Dear Evelyn,
My name is Olivia Hills. I am applying to become a student at Parsons School of Design, Art Bachelor Program for fall 2024. My passion for contemporary art has turned the task of writing this essay into a true pleasure. I can only compare one with witnessing a spectacular piece of politically engaged graffiti in the United Kingdom, which my piece is about, or sharing my thoughts about how it can shape the modern world. After reading my essay, I strongly believe you will be able to say that I am the perfect fit for your Art program.
I opened my essay with some facts regarding the current political state of the United Kingdom of Britain. With a new king, Brexit, issues with food banks, and the rise of the crime rate, it’s a difficult time for people of Britain and immigrants who come there for work. However, difficult times tend to make great artists. And, together with the grime music scene, the British hip-hop culture is in the avant-garde of political commentary. Ideas covered in my essay refer to what some people see as thuggish vandalism, and what I see as a commentary from poor, hungry, and angry modern working-class heroes. I end my essay with a conclusion of how the scene has changed throughout the years and how the present economic-political situation of the UK has impacted the latest grime albums.
Thank you very much for considering my application. I look forward to meeting you in person and learning more about your expectations for future Parsons School of Design students. Can we schedule a call next week to discuss my candidacy? I would also love to tell you more about how Brexit and recent elections influenced some of the most commented pieces of street art of the 21st century.
Best regards,
Effie Holmes
eqholmes124@gmail.com
566-934-8364
That’s one of the perfect cover letter for essay examples.
Now, let our lesson begin!
What Is an Essay Cover Letter?
An essay cover letter is a letter that accompanies the college application essay. It presents the highlights of the essay in a short summary. Having it done properly might boost your chances of getting ahead of your competitors.
So let’s find out how you can write a perfect cover letter for an essay.
1. Choose the Ideal Essay Cover Letter Template
You want to impress the recruiter right from the start. They will be getting tons of essays on their desk. Statistics show that only last year, there were over 20 million college enrollments across the USA. That means you need to get ahead of your competitors. Having an essay cover letter is an A idea. But having an outstanding essay cover letter template is an A+ idea!
Let’s have a look at the structure of your cover letter.
Essay Cover Letter Template—Checklist
- Your contact info.
- The school’s info.
- Dear (recruiter name).
- Paragraph #1: an introduction + enthusiasm regarding the application + reader’s expectations setting
- Paragraph #2: an essay overview + the essence of the essay
- Paragraph #3: repeated interest in the admission
- Best regards + your name
Try to follow those simple steps, as they will boost the readability of your document:
- Pick a modern template for a cover letter.
- Stick to the right length of a cover letter.
- Select a good font for a cover letter.
- Mind the spacing and margins for a cover letter.
That’s the general plan of your essay cover letter. So let’s not waste any time and get to write!
How to format your essay cover letter? Read more in our guide: Cover Letter Format
2. Open Your Essay Cover Letter Powerfully
Do you wonder how important your application essay is? Your essays account for 25% of your overall application at the top 250 schools in the US. But what you wrote is also ahead of the grades and coursework (20%), test scores (15%), and interviews and recommendations (10%).
That’s why you should create the right setting for the admission officer to read your essay. And your essay cover letter is precisely where you do that.
Here’s how to begin a cover letter for an essay:
- Create a professional header for a cover letter, which includes your name, address, phone number, and email address.
- Write down a date and your addressee’s address underneath your header.
- Begin with a cover letter greeting and show them your enthusiasm for the application. That’s how you tell them this essay was written precisely for this very school.
- Express what your essay is about and how they will be sure you’re the right fit after reading your document.
Let’s see some examples:
Essay Cover Letter [First Paragraph]
| Right |
|---|
Effie Holmes 78 Hillcrest Rd New York, NY 10552 e.q.holmes124@gmail.com 566-934-8364 New York, May 2024 Evelyn Gilligan Recruiter Parsons School of Design 66 5th Ave, New York, NY 10011 Dear Evelyn, My name is Olivia Hills. I am applying to become a student at Parsons School of Design, Art Bachelor Program for fall 2024. My passion for contemporary art has turned the task of writing this essay into a true pleasure. I can only compare one with witnessing a spectacular piece of politically engaged graffiti in the United Kingdom, which my piece is about, or sharing my thoughts about how it can shape the modern world. |
| Wrong |
|---|
Hi! I am applying to become your student this year. Please find my essay attached. After reading my essay, I strongly believe you will be able to say that I am the perfect fit for your program. |
The difference is clear. The first one is very precise, contains proper headings, salutation and explains what the essay is about. The second one is generic and looks like it was sent to tens of different universities.
The beginning is done. No time to waste, let’s move on to the next part of our essay cover letter.
Let’s keep on going!
Pro Tip: Try to avoid the “To whom it may concern” opening. Find out your recruiter’s name and make it personal from the top!
3. Create an Ideal Middle for Your Essay Cover Letter
By this point, you already seem like an ambitious young person trying your best to appear as someone who is not afraid to walk the extra mile just to ensure your word goes through. So let’s focus on the details and write something more about the reason you even write this cover letter. Let’s focus on your essay.
How to write a great middle paragraph for your essay cover letter?
- Provide the overview of your essay. This part is sometimes called the personal statement, and it’s an explanation of what precisely your essay is about.
- Try to give your readers some interesting facts straight from your essay. Writing with passion is what’s good to include in every cover letter, as it shows that you're passionate about the matter you've chosen to write about. And if those facts won't impress your recruiter, that alone will.
- Explain the essential statement of your cover letter for an essay. That’s how you allow the readers to see the bigger picture and fully understand what they’re about to read. It’s another effective way of setting their expectations.
Let’s have a look at some examples:
Essay Cover Letter Examples [Middle]
| Right |
|---|
| I opened my essay with some facts regarding the current political state of the United Kingdom of Britain. With a new king, Brexit, issues with food banks, and the rise of the crime rate, it’s a difficult time for people of Britain and immigrants who come there for work. However, difficult times tend to make great artists. And, together with the grime music scene, the British hip-hop culture is in the avant-garde of political commentary. Ideas covered in my essay refer to what some people see as thuggish vandalism, and what I see as a commentary from poor, hungry, and angry modern working-class heroes. I end my essay with a conclusion of how the scene has changed throughout the years and how the present economic-political situation of the UK has impacted the latest grime albums. |
| Wrong |
|---|
My essay is about the UK politics. It mentions Brexit, food banks and other important issues the UK is dealing with right now. I also mention how UK’s hip-hop responds to that and how it changed the entire music industry in the UK. The first example works well, as it explains in detail the essence of your essay. A reader knows well what to expect. |
The second example, on the other hand, is just purely dull. It only hints what the essay will be about and doesn’t deliver any significant details.
Your reader is already looking forward to reading your piece. So let’s not keep them waiting much longer and let’s end your letter!
Learn more about writing a perfect cover letter. Read our guide: Cover Letter Tips
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4. Close Your Essay Cover Letter Perfectly
Your essay needs a great conclusion. The same applies to your cover letter. After all, you’ll leave the reader with it, so it has to stand out. That’s how you get easily remembered.
How should you end a cover letter for an essay?
- Express your passion for the chosen topic of your essay. One sentence would do the trick, let the essay speak further!
- Repeat your interest in the application. Make sure they know precisely why you’ve written that essay, that cover letter, and that message.
- Draw attention to attachments. That’s just to be on the safe side, as you don’t want your recruiter to miss your essay.
- Encourage the reader to contact you once the essay is read. Some call to action at the end of your cover letter is always a good idea.
- Add your contact information once more, wish them a great read and an amazing day, and add a professional cover letter sign-off.
Let’s look at the difference between these essay cover letter endings:
Essay Cover Letter Examples [Ending]
| Right |
|---|
Thank you very much for considering my application. I look forward to meeting you in person and learning more about your expectations for future Parsons School of Design students. Can we schedule a call next week to discuss my candidacy? I would also love to tell you more about how Brexit and recent elections influenced some of the most commented pieces of street art of the XXI century. Please find my essay attached. Best regards, Effie Holmes eqholmes124@gmail.com 566-934-8364 |
| Wrong |
|---|
Thank you very much for your time. Please find my essay attached. I look forward to hearing from you. Effie Holmes |
The first example repeats interest in the application while trying to schedule a call. She ends with a reminder regarding the attachment and repeats contact information. All bullet points checked.
The second example is just generic. Don’t be generic.
Well done! You’ve got an amazing essay cover letter example in front of you. Soon you’ll be tossing your graduation hat in the air!
Find out more about concluding your cover letter perfectly. Read our guide: How to End a Cover Letter
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Key Takeaway
Just a quick recap on how to ace your admission with the right essay cover letter:
- Choose the correct format for an essay cover letter.
- Express your interest in admission.
- Write an overview of your essay, some interesting facts from it and the essential message it delivers.
- Express your passion for the topic you've written your essay about.
- Encourage the reader to contact you after reading.
- Sign off professionally and wait for the message.
That’s it for today. Class dismissed!
Want to talk more about how to win the hearts of your recruiters? Let’s talk about it in the comment section below!
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