KEYS Letter of Interest Instructions and Tips!

Instructions for writing the Letter of Interest You must address the following prompts in your letter: Identify your life and academic goals and explain how participating in the KEYS Research Internship will help you achieve these goals. Identify your specific interests in bioscience research, if you have them and explain what sparked your interest. Identify one of your strengths or attributes and explain how it makes you more competitive for the KEYS Research Internship.

Instructions for writing the Letter of Interest The letter must be in a word format (either .doc or .docx or in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). Your letter in total cannot exceed 800 words (letters containing more will only be read to the 800 word mark). Your letter should be word processed, single- spaced, and in 12-point font (font type Times New Roman or Arial are preferred). The letter should begin with, “Dear Selection Committee”.

Helpful Tips Follow directions Do not lose easy points for not following directions! If you do you not understand a direction or have questions please don’t hesitate to ask. KEYS staff are here to help! If your GPA is less than the recommended 3.5 use your letter as an opportunity to address why it is lower and what you have done to still excel.

Phases in creating your letter Phase 1: Plan Create a timeline and outline or what needs to be done. Pick a date you want to have your letter completed by and create different time slots for phases 2-4.

Timeline Ideas Day 1: work for no more than 30 minutes creating your plan. Remember not to overwhelm yourself. Day 2: Draft Day 3: Craft Day 4: Edit Day 5: Submit

Phases of creating your letter Phase 2: Draft Don’t overwhelm yourself Be creative Think of your letter as a hand shake: A firm one grabs the recipient’s attention, while a limp grasp does not. Your letter is your way to make a first impression. What sets you apart from other applicants? Using academic and extracurricular experiences are key. Tell a story including details that really shows how you have gained or developed skills that will make you a successful applicant for the program.

Phases of creating your letter Phase 3: Craft This is the editing phase Take out irrelevant information and/or enhance and expand on what you have written. Check for proper grammar usage and punctuation. A good letter can go bad if you misspell or make grammatical errors! Get feedback from other readers Have several readers read your letter. Feedback will help you make improvements not only to the actual mechanics of the letter but also may help you remember to add details/experiences you may not have thought to include. Personalize your work This is your opportunity to tailor your letter to represent you and your interests, abilities, and PASSION for science! What personal experiences have you had that make you a successful applicant for the Internship? What classes, extracurricular activities, community and personal experiences make you an ideal candidate?

Phases of creating your letter Phase 4: Edit Proofread Make sure you check your letter for grammar and punctuation errors in addition to content. Remove flowery language Think of your letter as an opportunity to describe yourself and your skills/interests, adding too many “filler” words will take away space that you could use to sell yourself in an efficient way. Add details or new information Take time to add any information you may have forgotten or details that may help you stand out. This may also be a good time to ask others that know you well if there is anything they think you should include. Read your letter to others This ensures that your letter reads well and includes all the important information you want your audience to know.

Phases of creating your letter Phase 5: Submit Make sure you attach your letter to the KEYS application at http://keys.arizona.edu once you are ready to submit!