Motivation Letter for master degree in Biomedical Sciences University of Groningen

Letter of motivation

We would like to know why you are applying for the programme of your choice and why you consider yourself to be a good candidate.

So, this is my response:

Dear Sir/Madam:
I am writing this letter to support my application for the master programme in Biomedical Sciences: Specialization Biology of Cancer and Immune System at The University of Groningen.

My interest in Biomedical science developed during my undergraduate degree in pharmacy at Khartoum University. There, I got extensive knowledge about the science behind medications and their long journey from discovery and development to clinical trials and finally their approval and use in the clinical practice. Since graduation, I am always eager and passionate to learn about the research behind the discovery and the development processes. Therefore, my career ambitions were targeted toward becoming an expert in biomedical research with the aim to partake in generating innovative ideas to optimize therapy.

Deciding to become a researcher in a developing country is challenging, bearing in mind the underdeveloped research capacity and the governmental neglect toward scientific research. But, I do like challenges. Hence, I thrived to get the best scientific orientation I could by joining the Institute of Endemic diseases as a master student of Molecular Medicine. There, I formed a solid foundation of how the human body functions at the cellular and molecular levels. Furthermore, learned how health is maintained at these levels and how the normal processes change, fail or destroyed by diseases. I completed the degree with a high performance as I scored 80 % in the taught modules.

During my master degree period, I developed a great interest to specialize in cancer research. My aim is to understand why is it difficult to treat and explore the possible therapeutical interventions and how they can be optimized. During the basic immunology module, I got a brief introduction about the mechanisms by which cancer evade the immune system. After that, I was captivated by the therapeutical ideas that stem from understanding these mechanisms. Therefore, I was attracted to cancer immunology field and engrossed myself in it for weeks reading and researching the field until I became adamant on pursuing it as a path. I believe that the deep Understanding of the interface between the immune system and cancer will allow developing innovative approaches to treat cancer using the already existing natural weapon. The advancements in this field already suggesting it to be the optimal hope for cancer cure. As a consequence of my passion, I thought of conducting the master complementary research project in cancer immunology. But unfortunately, the lack of specialist experts in this specific field in Sudan was a bigger hinder in my way since I could not find a suitable supervision for my research, although I was enrolled in the epitome of medical research facilities in Sudan. Instead, I conducted my thesis project in cancer pharmacogenetics exploring the variation in fluoropyrimidine response in the Sudanese population. I put an extreme effort in this research learning experimental and statistical techniques as well as scientific writing skills. Consequently, my research work was evaluated to be the top in my batch.

The lack of experts in the field of cancer immunology in my country is a great motivation for me to obtain a specialized degree in this field. I plan to get the required knowledge and research qualities to eventually become the first expert in Sudan. After a long search following my interest, I was gripped by the unique and precisely directed modules covered in the Biomedical Sciences programme. Moreover, I very much adored the flexibility of the programme and the possibility to construct a custom-made combination of modules that can perfectly satisfy my knowledge and experience needs as well as my future aspirations and career plan. I also appreciated the possibility of choosing the research track and spending most of the programme on developing expertise under a specialized research group. This being said, I believe this programme will be the optimal Progress for my career.

My career goal is to participate in enhancing the research capacity of the health sciences in my country by establishing immune-oncology research groups. I will use my position as part of the teaching staff in the faculty of pharmacy to transfer the theoretical and experimental knowledge which I will accumulate to undergraduates. In addition, I will manage to attract passionate researchers and lead research projects that can add great values to the scientific community both locally and internationally. The University of Groningen is my utmost destination to accomplish my career goals, as it has a well ranked global position in the quality of education and research. Joining The University of Groningen will give me the chance to learn from leading scientists and pioneer biomedical specialists. Moreover, studying at such an international institution will enable me to expand my scientific network. In the future, this network will help me to impact scientific research in Sudan by utilizing reliable connections to create effective partnerships and long-lasting bridges of expertise exchange.

In conclusion, I believe that my strong pharmaceutical background and knowledge buildup obtained during my master study makes me a perfect candidate. I trust that this knowledge and my eagerness to learn will set me to make the most out of this programme and creatively contribute throughout my studies and beyond.

I would like to thank you for considering me for this life changing opportunity.

Sabah, your dedication to research and learning is evident in this motivational letter. However, it is not strong enough to indicate that you have what it takes to become a good candidate for the program of your choice. While your desire to learn more and your perseverance in the face of potential failure depicts the type of character that might be successful as a masters degree student, it does not set you apart from the other candidates. Believe it or not, 99% of the candidates will share similar stories as yours with the reviewer.

Only 1% of the student applicants will stand-out to the reviewer because they present a unique aspect of their academic or professional training that makes them potentially more successful than the other applicants. The best way to compete with the other candidates is to highlight your academic and professional accomplishments that have called attention to your work. Present information about your student abilities and professional prowess that could help make this essay stand out from the others.

Right now, all this essay has going for it is your repeated reference to your desire to learn and ability to overcome obstacles. Your professional plans are god but nor impressive. There is no trailblazing reason for your interest in the program you are applying for so your desire to study the course comes across as only having a basic reference frame. There is nothing in your presentation that says your participation in the program will result in a heightened sense of education and professional accomplishment for you and future participants. There is no reference as to how you plan to shake-up, change, or improve the field once you return to your home country. Try to establish a more notable reason for your desire to complete this course that will show the reviewer that your participation will help to increase the notability of their masters program.

For a college application essay, those information would have been sufficient. The problem is that you are applying for advanced academic studies so simple traits such as yours as no longer sufficient and cannot be the only basis of your credentials to become a a good candidate for the masters program.