HYPer-iffic: Solidify the Admissions Decision With a Cover Letter

We've already taken a detailed tour of the HYPer University application and we have discussed the joys of application packaging. Now we'll see how to turn theory into reality. Sometimes what we think is essential for an admissions officer to see (or hear) can be surprisingly unimportant. On the other had, a few things that our HYPer applicant (let's call him "Zane") wrote may have solidified the admissions decision without us even knowing it!

The cover letter. Lots of people wonder why you would ever need a cover letter. For me, a cover letter provides a kind of "overture" or preamble to the application itself. You've already seen how complex and exhaustive an application like this is. It's a kind of epic event. Just as those great screen epics, Gone With the Wind and Dr. Zhivago, had their own musical overtures before the movie started, so too does an Ivy application deserve one.

As you'll see, though, there's a method to this madness. The letter does three things:

1. It shows that the applicant has his act together. Notice that Zane has accounted for all the elements of his application package. He tells HYPer what's included and what to expect from others who are sending in supporting materials.
2. It justifies the applicant's position. Zane tells it like it is: "HYPer is my clear, first-choice school." That statement is music to the adcom's ears. In this era of multiple EA applications, ED I and ED II, and all the other opportunities for fleeting loyalties, it's nice to know where an applicant's heart lies.
3. It adds a touch of humor. The effective use of humor is probably the most misunderstood and underutilized element in college applications. Zane's comment about ditching the typewriter is a nice touch that may signal the adcom to be on the lookout for more light-hearted input further into the application. As you'll see, there is more.

Here's the cover letter:

***********

Admission Office
HYPer University

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This is the completed Part 2 of my Early Action application to HYPer University. I have made every effort to be complete and candid, the goal being to present myself as a worthy candidate for next year's freshman class. The following is a list of what I have submitted here and requested from others to complete my admission file:

• Application Part 1 and application fee (already mailed)
• Application Part 2 (enclosed here) with Attachments:
  • Attachment 1: CTY writing course evaluation
  • Attachment 2: summary of awards, honors, and activities
  • Attachment 3: PA Governor's School course descriptions
  • Attachment 4: PA Governor's School team physics report
• two teacher recommendations (to be mailed separately)
• the Secondary School Report (to be mailed separately)
• a recommendation from Dr. Peter Bergmyer, University Director, Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences (to be mailed separately)
• the Optional Reference Form from my father (already mailed)

HYPer is my clear, first-choice school. I understand how competitive the admission process is, so I have documented my qualifications as completely as possible. Incidentally, a few portions of the application are hand-printed. We ditched our typewriter long ago when we got a computer. I couldn't format some of the pages for our printer. That's progress, I guess.

Thank you very much for considering my Early Action application.

Sincerely,

Zane R. Smith

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