Have you already chosen a university abroad and a specialty on which you plan to study? Excellent! In order not to miss the desired place, it is necessary to do a lot - and including correctly draw up and submit an introductory statement. This is one of the main documents that the introductory commission is considering, and your introductory statement should distinguish you from dozens and hundreds of other applicants for your seat.
One enthusiasm for the subject, alas, will not be enough: you need to carefully read the requirements of your university and faculty, find out the criteria by which the applicant will be assessed, and clearly articulate, properly submit all your merits and advantages.
Structure of the application: rules for drawing up
Usually the opening statement consists of 4 parts:
- personal information
- Data on the education received
- Work experience
- Impressions and opinions about the chosen curriculum.
You have to fill out all the sections, not one without paying attention! Carefully read the requirements that the university makes to the applications of applicants - they are usually drawn up for each faculty and specialty. So you will know exactly what the admissions committee wants to see and hear, which you may still need. Formulate why you are passionate about this field of knowledge, why exactly these subjects are your priority, why you can become the best student on the flow. Try to make it clear that you will be useful for the university and the future profession.
Pay close attention not only to the content, but also to the form of the introductory statement: it is usually asked to fill in with capital (printed) letters and black ink. If the university requests to attach an additional letter, recommendations or summaries, other accompanying documents - sign "See the attachment" and attach the separately written file on a blank sheet A4.
Additional requirements for applicants
If you are applying for a serious, highly competitive specialty with a big competition (for example, medicine, teaching, law and jurisprudence, journalism), be prepared to confirm your work experience in the relevant (or at least related) field. Be sure to indicate your work experience in the text of the introductory statement! This will emphasize the seriousness of your intentions, your interest in this professional industry. Even if it seems to you that the existing work experience does not apply directly to the chosen specialty - indicate it: it may indicate that you possess useful skills that will be highly appreciated by the admissions office.
An introductory statement package of documents for admission is not limited - be prepared to provide:
- Certificate (list of studied specialties + report card with grades)
- Identity documents (passport, passport, ID-card)
- A certificate of passing the language courses, a proper level of language proficiency (for English-speaking countries this is usually IELTS with scores from 5.5-6.5).
The exact list of documents is approved by each university and faculty - carefully read it, do not miss a single trifle!
The process of filing and sending an application
Before sending a ready-made introductory statement, re-read it several times (preferably with an interval of a couple of days, you can give it for verification to a friend or your tutor). Check carefully whether the application meets all of these requirements, spell check and punctuation, grammar.
If you send a package of documents by mail (not e-mail), lay out more time for delivery. Be sure to take the receipt! Of course, it is unlikely that your letter will be lost, but if it does happen and you can demonstrate that it was not your fault (you sent the documents on time, as indicated on the receipt), the admissions committee will show condescension.
