Needforspeed Posted 21 years ago
Letter Writing
Help with format - writing to university admission director
Hi everyone,
I am new to this forum and I have a few questions about writing a letter to the Director of International Admissions of the University of Chicago.
I have already applied to the University of Chicago for undergraduate admission one month ago, and I want to write a follow-up letter to the admission director to express my enthusiasm towards attending Chicago. However I do not want to write a letter of motivation since I already have written an essay with similar topic (why Chicago essay) on my application. I am planning to write in a personal and informal tone, kind of like my personal response essay on the application (hence in a narrative form). So here are my questions:
In what format should I write? Business or friendly? (i.e. with or without address heading)
How should I start the letter? By stating my intentions?
(i.e. I am writing concerning my applying to Chicago.)
Or starting with a “hook”?
(i.e. My mom is a master photographer in the conventional sense.)
Chicago is known for its unique and unusual essay topics on their application, and I am looking forward to writing something that is not bound by conventional letter writing rules; it is very hard to start this letter since it can potentially result in a great essay instead of a great letter. So I am hoping you can give me some ideas on how to start this letter and its tone.
Thank you.
Tony
I am new to this forum and I have a few questions about writing a letter to the Director of International Admissions of the University of Chicago.
I have already applied to the University of Chicago for undergraduate admission one month ago, and I want to write a follow-up letter to the admission director to express my enthusiasm towards attending Chicago. However I do not want to write a letter of motivation since I already have written an essay with similar topic (why Chicago essay) on my application. I am planning to write in a personal and informal tone, kind of like my personal response essay on the application (hence in a narrative form). So here are my questions:
In what format should I write? Business or friendly? (i.e. with or without address heading)
How should I start the letter? By stating my intentions?
(i.e. I am writing concerning my applying to Chicago.)
Or starting with a “hook”?
(i.e. My mom is a master photographer in the conventional sense.)
Chicago is known for its unique and unusual essay topics on their application, and I am looking forward to writing something that is not bound by conventional letter writing rules; it is very hard to start this letter since it can potentially result in a great essay instead of a great letter. So I am hoping you can give me some ideas on how to start this letter and its tone.
Thank you.
Tony
Top answer
I admire your enthusiasm, Tony, but I can only recommend against a 'follow-up' letter containing any kind of further personal expressions. The University of Chicago Admissions office is a large, bureaucratic, and busy place, and there will be no recipient to be affected by your unconventional or emotional outpouring. Have you received notice of their receipt of your application, perhaps on a standardized postcard?
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I admire your enthusiasm, Tony, but I can only recommend against a 'follow-up' letter containing any kind of further personal expressions. The University of Chicago Admissions office is a large, bureaucratic, and busy place, and there will be no recipient to be affected by your unconventional or emotional outpouring.
Have you received notice of their receipt of your application, perhaps
Have you received notice of their receipt of your application, perhaps
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