Letters / Motivation Letter for Master's Program of Communication Science at VU Amsterdam [3]

Hi, I am applying for a Master in Communication Science , and I would love your honest feedback for this motivation letter!

Dear Admission Committee,
My name is Hai Nam Vo, and I am writing this letter to express my sincere interest in the Master's Program in Communication Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) for the September 2025 intake. I am currently a senior majoring in Media and Entertainment at X University in X, with a current GPA of X, and I am on track to graduate with a Magna Cum Laude distinction. I am greatly looking forward to continuing my academic journey at VU Amsterdam, where I am to integrate theoretical knowledge, research skills, and creative practice to advance my professional goals in global media and communication.
Throughout my life, I have always felt that media was more than just a source of entertainment. Its ability to connect people and distribute information has shaped my interests in cultural exchange, my identity as a global citizen, and my goals of working in international media. Media connected me with my passion for cooking through cooking shows and introduced me to different cultures. Additionally, it also played an important role in helping me learn English, which enabled me to travel abroad for the first time to America at the age of thirteen. I was also able to connect with Korean culture and K-pop through watching videos online. This eventually led me to share my love for Korean culture with over 2500 people online by co-running the X Club. Moreover, as Vice Head of Public Relations of X Project, I developed content strategies that helped raise over $2000 for charity through creative storytelling and audience engagement. These experiences make me fascinated by how digital content can mobilize communities and influence behaviors. This curiosity guides me toward pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Media & Entertainment in South Korea.
While pursuing my Bachelor's degree, I have explored basic theories on how media influences people both psychologically and socially. I realized how deeply the media intertwines with our everyday life, shaping what we see and how we connect with others. Alongside theoretical knowledge, I gained practical experience in video production, which enables me to express my perspectives while introducing cultural aspects to my classmates. These creative endeavors helped me realize how media can influence viewer's perceptions across cultural context. My program has also equipped me with basic skills in research, enabling me to develop multiple research proposals delving into specific characteristics of media and audience effects. One memorable project examined anchoring effects in short-form media, in which I wanted to discover if opening information has a significant influence on young people when watching short-form media like TikToks or Instagram reels. My academic journey further expanded when I had the opportunity to be an exchange student at VU Amsterdam. This experience left a profound impact on me because I was immersed in a different learning environment that exposed me to new approaches to media studies. For instance, in the course "Language in Social Media," I was introduced to the concept of "webcare," a topic that I had never thought could become a key factor between consumers and companies. These experiences opened my eyes to unexplored communication strategies that I want to delve into further. Consequently, as I approach the end of my undergraduate journey, I am increasingly motivated to deepen my expertise in media communication and pursue a path where research, creativity, and strategic thinking intersect.
Therefore, after substantial research, I am convinced that pursuing a Master's in Communication Science with a specialization in Marketing and Corporate Communication at VU Amsterdam is a necessary next step for me to advance both in my academic aspirations and professional ambitions. Firstly, I am interested in the specialization's curriculum for its unique integration of theoretical frameworks with practical media applications. To be specific, I am particularly drawn to the track's core courses such as "Marketing Communication and the Consumer" and the course "Public Relations" as these courses match my academic interests and will provide me knowledge on strategic communication and brand management. I am also excited by the elective "Storytelling: The Persuasive Power of Narratives", which will deepen my understanding of narrative techniques and build on the foundational skills I have developed through my media production work. Moreover, although I have equipped myself with sufficient research knowledge and produced multiple research proposals, my Bachelor's program does not include an independent thesis. Therefore, the chance to undertake a master's thesis with department supervision aligns perfectly with my desire to conduct original research. My current research interest focuses on new media, particularly with short-form media, to understand their influence on audience behavior and communication strategies. I aim to develop this topic into a well-grounded research through the guidance of the department. Through this work, I hope to contribute insights into driving positive change through communication, whether by promoting cross-cultural understanding, enhancing brand transparency, or designing content that encourages more ethical media consumption.
In addition, my prior experience at the university as an exchange student was enjoyable and gave me firsthand experience of your open, multicultural academic environment. The courses I took also provided me with new perspectives on the media industry. Therefore, I feel confident that VU Amsterdam is the place where I can flourish. In return, I believe I can contribute to the cohort by offering my international background, fluency in Vietnamese, English, and Korean, and my creative media experience, which I hope will enrich class discussions and collaborative projects with diverse cultural insights.
My goal when pursuing this program is to build a solid foundation in media analysis, brand communication, and consumer behavior, all of which are essential to achieve my professional goal of working in the global media industry. I hope to eventually create content that bridges cultural gaps, particularly between Asian and Western audiences. Furthermore, I want to be a part of projects that showcase diverse stories through digital platforms to shape inclusive, ethically grounded narratives. Thus, I strongly believe that this program will provide me with the academic knowledge and creative experience to prepare myself for a meaningful career in this industry.
Thank you so much for considering my application. I am looking forward to the opportunity to pursue my Master's degree at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Sincerely,
Hai Nam Vo