Graduate School Letter of Intent
Feb. 24, 2007
In this context a letter of intent is used by a student to formally state which graduate school he or she intends to attend. A letter of intent is written by a student who is looking to sell himself to a graduate school or an athletic department at a college/university. The purpose of the letter of intent is basically the same as that of a cover letter: it is a sales pitch. You are selling yourself and your abilities.
As a student, you have probably spent a great deal of time researching the schools and programs that interest you. Once you have narrowed down your choices to the ones that you believe fit you the best, it's time to introduce your best self to the right people. That's where the letter of intent comes in.