Can you tell me the difference between a motivation letter and a letter of intent?
A motivation letter is written for admission and focuses on your traits and fit for a university programme. A letter of intent is commonly linked to visa purposes. The two have different formats and objectives, so you should not interchange them.
A letter of motivation is meant for your admission, while a letter of intent is meant for visa purposes. Because the two have very different formats and objectives, you should not use one in place of the other.
Motivation Letter and Letter of Intent Compared
| Point | Motivation letter | Letter of intent |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Admission to a programme | Visa purposes |
| Focus | Your traits and fit for the university programme | Conditions and objectives of the proposed plan |
| Style | Clear, structured and personalised | More formal, legal-style |
| Interchangeable? | No | No |
Where Confusion Comes From
Students often mix the two up because a letter of intent is sometimes called a visa letter. In the business world, a letter of intent is also used for official and commercial purposes, where it describes the aims, objectives and expectations tied to an opportunity such as a deal.
My Advice
Check what each university or the visa office actually asks for before you start writing. If it is an admission document, write a personal, well-structured letter of motivation about your traits and fit, and keep the formal letter of intent for the purpose it is meant for.
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