A cover letter is your chance to show a potential employer who you are and what you’re passionate about. Here are four tips on how to make the most of it.
Make It Personal
To make your cover letter seem more personable, it’s a good idea to address the reader directly. Try to avoid phrases like “to whom it may concern”, or other vague language. Instead, acknowledge the person you’re writing to at the very beginning of the letter.
Usually, you’ll have some idea of who’s in control of the hiring process. If you’re unsure, research! Take a look at the company directory; who’s in hiring, talent, or recruitment? These are often your first leads.
Past, Present, and Future
Dividing your personal introduction into past, present, and future sections is a good way to stay organized while talking about yourself. Start with your background; what is your level of education? Have you worked in related fields in the past? Then, discuss your present; what are you doing now? Finally, explain your long-term career goals. These segments can be very brief – even just a sentence each – and are a thorough, effective way of describing yourself professionally.
Research is Key!
An important question to address in a cover letter is why you want the job. There are many practical reasons to apply for a position; connections, experience, and, of course, to make a living. Although these are all completely valid reasons to get a job, they also apply to nearly everyone else you’re competing with. To avoid blending in with other applicants, identify specific aspects of the position or company that appeal to you. You can draw inspiration from the original job posting, or browse the company website until you find something compelling. Adding specific information shows that you’re well prepared, well researched, and genuinely excited about your potential role in a company.
Keep It Brief
It’s recommended to keep cover letters under a page, so don’t write like you’re trying to meet a word requirement. If you use clear, direct language, you’ll be surprised at how quickly you’re able to get your point across. If you’re finding it difficult to communicate your point concisely, try making an outline of everything you want to say. By laying out all of the information, you may find points that don’t seem completely necessary, or that repeat something you’ve already said.
Even if you’re not currently job searching, it’s always helpful to practice writing cover letters for when the time comes. Choose a company for your “application”, and go through all the steps of researching them! Resumes are only half the solution to getting hired; if you become an expert at cover letters now, your future self will thank you.
Be sure to take advantage of the wonderful resources with UMBC’s Career Center. They are there to help you!
FAQs
The acceptance rate at UMBC is 81.1%.
This means the school is lightly selective. The school will have their expected requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores. If you meet their requirements, you're almost certain to get an offer of admission.
Can I get into UMBC with a 3.7 GPA? ›
Minimum GPA
An undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is preferred. Applicants with a GPA lower than 3.0 are able to apply and should submit additional documents for possible consideration.
What is a failing grade at UMBC? ›
Regular grading option (A, B, C, D, F)
“A,” indicates superior achievement; “B,” good performance; “C,” adequate performance; “D,” minimal acceptable achievement; “F,” failure.
What is UMBC acceptance rate? ›
University of Maryland, Baltimore County admissions has an acceptance rate of 81% and an early acceptance rate of 64.1%. Half the applicants admitted to UMBC who submitted test scores have an SAT score between 1210 and 1400 or an ACT score of 23 and 29.
Can I get into UMBC with a 3.5 GPA? ›
Have at least a 3.5 composite GPA when applying to UMBC (calculated based on coursework at all institutions attended) Enroll in a UMBC degree program within one year of completing your associate degree without attending another 4-year institution.
Can I get into UMBC with a 3.1 GPA? ›
What is the minimum GPA required for admission? The minimum GPA for admission is 3.0 overall, and 3.3 in the major. What are the GRE and TOEFL score minimum requirements? We do not require GRE scores.
Is a 93 a 3.7 GPA? ›
What is a 93/100 average in terms of a 4.0 GPA? it depends on what class you're in, or what school you go to. Some schools or teachers consider a 93% as an A- which is a 3.7 on the GPA scale, unweighted. However, some teachers or schools consider that to be just an A, a 4.0.
What does UMBC look for? ›
We weigh a number of factors in making admissions decisions. In addition to grade point average and optional standardized test scores, the strength of your curriculum, class rank, and other achievements as well as your essay will be considered.
Is a 4 O GPA good? ›
A 4.0 GPA (Grade Point Average) is typically considered a perfect or straight-A average. Since it represents the highest possible grade point average, a 4.0 GPA would place you at the top of your class in terms of academic achievement.
What is passing at UMBC? ›
Grades and Grading Policies
“A”,”B”,”C” (Passing), “D,”F” (Failure) and 'I' (Incomplete).
At most colleges, a final grade below 60% qualifies as a failing grade. Depending on your college's GPA scale, that can mean anything below a 1.0 or 0.7 GPA counts as a failed class.
What grade fails you in college? ›
You'll usually need to receive a letter grade between A and D to pass a class, often the numerical equivalent of 65 percent or higher. Receiving an F—which stands for “fail”—indicates that you did not pass the class. The cutoff to receive an F is usually 64 percent.
Is UMBC easy to get in? ›
The acceptance rate at UMBC is 81.1%.
In other words, of 100 students who apply, 81 are admitted. This means the school is not selective. As long as you don't fall way below average, you'll likely get in.
What percent of UMBC is white? ›
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The enrolled student population at University of Maryland-Baltimore County is 34.6% White, 20.3% Asian, 19.5% Black or African American, 8.07% Hispanic or Latino, 4.73% Two or More Races, 0.066% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.066% American Indian or Alaska Native.
Is UMBC a respected school? ›
UMBC is a highly rated public university located in Catonsville, Maryland in the Baltimore Area. It is a mid-size institution with an enrollment of 9,069 undergraduate students. The UMBC acceptance rate is 81%. Popular majors include Psychology, Biology, and Information Science.
What GPA do I need to get into UMBC? ›
For All Students:
You must have an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (converted to a 4.0 scale), with GPAs of 3.2 or higher preferred. GPAs in Master level courses or degrees can be included for GPA considerations.
How prestigious is UMBC? ›
University of Maryland, Baltimore County is ranked #133 out of 439 National Universities. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
