College Student Cover Letter Examples & Templates
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Secure your dream job or internship with a powerful college cover letter emphasizing your relevant skills, education and enthusiasm for the role.
Explore our expertly crafted college cover letter examples and use our Cover Letter Generator to build a job application that impresses employers and wins interviews.
College Cover Letter Template (Text Version)
OLIVIA SMITH
Phoenix, AZ 85055
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com
Dec, 18, 2024
Sharon Jones, Project Coordinator
Engineering Department
Phoenix, AZ 85055
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com
Dear Sharon Jones,
As a dedicated college freshman majoring in engineering, I bring a strong foundation in mathematics, physics and problem-solving. I have demonstrated a proven ability to excel academically and apply critical thinking skills to complex challenges. My proactive approach has led to success in both individual and team-based projects, and I am eager to further develop my technical expertise and leadership abilities through hands-on learning opportunities in the New Robotics Project. With a passion for innovation, I am committed to contributing meaningfully to the field of engineering.
In my first semester, I achieved a 3.8 GPA, demonstrating my dedication to academic excellence. Through courses like Introduction to Engineering Design, Computer-Aided Design, and Calculus I, I have honed my proficiency in CAD, gained experience in SolidWorks, and strengthened my analytical reasoning skills, which I have effectively applied to collaborative projects. For example, as part of a design challenge for the Robotics Club, I co-led a team of four to develop a functional prototype of a sensor-driven robotic arm, completing the project within three weeks and under budget.
Beyond academics, I actively participate in extracurricular activities that enhance my leadership and teamwork abilities. As a member of Engineers Without Borders, Women in STEM and Student Volunteer Association, I contributed over 150 hours to diverse projects including developing sustainable water systems that impacted three communities. Additionally, my involvement in the student engineering society and volleyball team has strengthened my time management skills and commitment to excellence.
My technical and interpersonal skills are complemented by recognition such as the National STEM Scholar Award, Freshman Category, where I was honored for demonstrating innovation in engineering with a sustainability approach increasing productivity and sustainable efforts by 15% in two organizations. I am proficient in a variety of design tools, including AutoCAD and MATLAB, and remain dedicated to continuously expanding my expertise and leveraging it to deliver impactful results across diverse projects.
I am eager to contribute my enthusiasm and skills to the New Robotics Project. I believe this opportunity will enable me to grow as a future engineer while delivering meaningful contributions to your team. I would welcome the chance to discuss how I can contribute to your projects.
Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Olivia Smith
How to Format a Cover Letter for College Students
A college cover letter is your opportunity to introduce yourself to potential employers, expand upon your resume skills, and demonstrate your energy, adaptability and willingness to learn.
Your college student cover letter should be formatted to showcase the skills that make you a strong candidate for the role. Here are a few examples of key skills to highlight:
- Academic knowledge: Showcase your coursework, projects or internships that align with the role. For example, mention specific classes, research or practical experiences that have prepared you for real-world challenges in the field.
- Communication skills: Effective communication skills are essential in almost every profession. Highlight experiences where your ability to convey ideas clearly or collaborate with peers, professors or team members made a positive impact.
- Adaptability: College students often encounter new and dynamic situations. Share examples of how you’ve successfully navigated challenges, whether adjusting to a new internship role, balancing a rigorous academic schedule or thriving in a team setting.
Tailoring these transferable skills to the job description will help you stand out and demonstrate your potential to contribute to the role and organization. See how to format your letter below.
Use the standard business letter format
A cover letter is a business letter, so your cover letter format should follow the standard business letter formatting conventions.
Use 1-inch margins on all sides, 1.15 to 1.5 spacing and left alignment on your one-page letter. Additionally, your college cover letter template must include the following:
- A cover letter header with your name, city, state, ZIP code and phone number.
- The recipient’s address and contact information.
- A greeting like “Dear Mr. Kim,” “Dear Hiring Manager,” or “Dear HR Department.”
- A simple closing, like “Kind regards” or “Sincerely.”
Using a cover letter template is the best way to ensure your letter is formatted correctly and will pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS).
We also recommend reviewing our guide on how to make an ATS-friendly resume to ensure your job application reaches hiring managers.
You can explore our guide on what to include in a cover letter for information about what to include in each section of your college cover letter to stand out from the competition.
How to Write a Cover Letter as a College Student
Include a compelling introduction
Your college student cover letter introduction should grab the reader’s attention by briefly highlighting your academic background and how it aligns with the role.
Ensure that your introduction is professional, concise and tailored to the specific role, setting a positive tone for the rest of the letter. Here is an example:
I am excited to apply for the Marketing Intern position at Bright Horizons Agency. As a junior at the University of Santa Barbara majoring in Marketing, I have developed a strong foundation in digital marketing strategies, consumer behavior and brand development. Through my coursework and a recent internship with ABC Marketing Group, I honed my skills in content creation, data analysis and social media management. I am eager to bring my creativity and analytical abilities to Bright Horizons Agency and contribute to your innovative marketing campaigns.
Explore our college student resume examples for tips on crafting a compelling job application that stands out and wins interviews.
If you are applying for an internship, we recommend exploring our guide on writing an internship cover letter for tips specific to internship applications.
Showcase accomplishments
Your college cover letter should include measurable accomplishments that demonstrate your suitability for the role you are applying for.
This could include achieving a high GPA in relevant coursework, leading a successful campus project or increasing membership or engagement in a student organization.
Use strong action verbs and numbers to describe your accomplishments in previous roles. Here are a few examples:
- Earned a 3.8 GPA while balancing a part-time job and leadership responsibilities in the university’s Business Club.
- Increased membership in the university’s Environmental Club by 30% through targeted recruitment campaigns and organizing three campus-wide events.
- Led a group of five peers in a marketing capstone project that resulted in a 20% increase in engagement for a local business’s social media platforms.
Remember to highlight both hard skills and soft skills relevant to the role throughout your college student cover letter.
Close with an invitation
The final paragraph of your student cover letter should be used to thank the hiring manager for their time and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role.
Show that you understand the organization’s mission and why you believe you would be a good fit for their team. Here is an example:
Thank you for considering my application for the Marketing Intern position at Bright Horizons Agency. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my creativity and analytical abilities to your team and contribute to your innovative marketing campaigns that connect with diverse audiences. I would welcome the chance to discuss how my coursework in digital marketing and my internship experience with ABC Marketing Group align with the needs of this role.
See our cover letter writing guide for additional guidance on how to write a cover letter for college that impresses hiring managers and recruiters.
Pair your college cover letter with a matching resume
FAQ
How long should a college cover letter be?
A college cover letter should typically be no longer than one page, ideally 250-400 words. It should be concise, clear and focused, containing three main sections:
- Introduction: A brief opening paragraph that grabs attention and explains who you are, the position you’re applying for and why you’re interested.
- Body paragraph(s): One or two paragraphs highlighting your relevant skills, work experience and accomplishments.
- Conclusion: A short closing paragraph reiterating your interest, thanks the reader and invites further discussion.
See our guide on how long a cover letter should be for additional information. Remember to keep the tone of your college cover letter professional and enthusiastic.
What does a college cover letter look like?
A college cover letter is a concise, professional document, typically one page long, tailored to a specific job or internship. Our basic cover letter examples demonstrate the ideal format.
It begins with a formal heading that includes the student’s contact information, the date, the recipient’s name and organization details.
Additionally, the letter highlights transferable skills, such as communication, teamwork or problem-solving skills that align with the employer’s needs.
A college cover letter should be formatted cleanly with consistent spacing, font size and style to ensure it is easy to read and visually appealing. See our cover letter examples for various roles.
Do college students need a cover letter?
Yes, college students often need a cover letter, especially when applying for internships, part-time jobs, research opportunities, or entry-level positions.
A cover letter for an internship or full-time role is an important part of the job application process because it allows students to:
- Stand out: It allows students to showcase their unique skills, achievements and enthusiasm for the position, helping them stand out among other candidates.
- Personalize the application: A cover letter lets college students tailor their application to the specific role and company, demonstrating that they’ve done their research.
- Showcase soft skills: A cover letter allows students to provide examples of how they’ve demonstrated interpersonal skills in school or other experiences.
- Explain their background: Since college students may not have extensive work experience, a cover letter can highlight their extracurriculars and transferable skills.
See our guide on the necessity of cover letters for additional tips from career advice experts to help determine if you need to include a cover letter in your job application.
How do you write a college cover letter with no experience?
Writing a cover letter for a college student with no experience can feel challenging, but it’s an opportunity to highlight your enthusiasm, academic achievements and transferable skills.
Begin by introducing yourself and stating the position you’re applying for. Mention your academic background and express enthusiasm for the role or company.
Even without formal work experience, your coursework, projects and academic achievements can demonstrate your knowledge and skills. See what to include in a cover letter for more tips.
Employers value candidates who are eager to learn and grow. Express your excitement about contributing to their team and gaining experience.
See our step-by-step guide on how to write a resume with no experience to write a resume that demonstrates your readiness to take on the role, even without direct experience.
Best Practices
- Address the hiring manager directly. See how to address a cover letter.
- Explain what attracted you to the company in one or two sentences.
- Customize your college cover letter for the job or internship.
- Include keywords from the job description throughout.
- End with a clear call to action.
- Proofread your cover letter more than once.
- Write a generic college student cover letter.
- Write more than one page. See more cover letter tips.
- Use generic salutations, like “To Whom It May Concern.”
- Regurgitate the information from your resume.
- Rely on automatic grammar or spell-checkers.
- Write a fan letter, even if it is your dream job.
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Elizabeth is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and a member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Careers Coaches. She is passionate about delivering information that empowers job seekers to achieve their professional goals.
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