Cover Letter or Letter of motivation for MS in Petroleum Geoscience

Please check this essay and suggest any modifications, if required...thanks in advance...

My purpose for applying to this master program is to broaden my technical skills and expertise in area of petroleum exploration and production. I wish in particular to be trained at an advanced level in Well-logging - Evaluation of formations and basin analysis and evaluation. Since the day, I joined geology as my major subject; my ultimate dream was to become a successful petroleum geologist and success stories of my seniors, hardship and explorers way of life which a petroleum geologist lead while their field projects inspired me most. I believe that advanced training in this graduate program will help me to realize my dream.

Presently, I am working in XYZ Limited, as a geologist, with designation of Graduate Engineer Trainee. I am responsible to understand and learn about different projects of company and to get well acquainted with that. I will be held responsible to do engineering geological investigation for the construction of hydropower dam in Etalin, Arunanchal Pradesh (India).

I recently completed post- graduation in Applied Geology from "XXX(college name)"(2012). My post-graduation course focused on all aspects of geology and application of geological concepts to solve problems related to mining, petroleum, construction industry. But my particular instinct and passion for working for oil sector pushed me to apply for this program of Petroleum geoscience.

My zeal to give my input to understand the use of well logging to petroleum pushed me carry my dissertation project in well logging. I wrote a program in MatLab, which can be employed to study the petrophysical properties of thin beds. My study was based on Thomas- Stieber model and to show usefulness of this model to study thin shaly sand beds. I am still working on it with my guide and planning to publish a research paper on this very soon. I want to add that, I received highest grades for my project (A+, 10/10) due to uniqueness and indigenous work of mine. My internship was to study of proxies which are used for Gas Hydrate Exploration which is an emerging field in natural gas industry. My area of study was Mahanadi basin. Different field works which I carried out as student grew my interest. I developed practical approach to understand geological problems in field and solve those problems like, how particular structure evolved, which one is younger or older formation, using data collected in field and logically reasonable imagination.

Along with my academic activities, I kept myself involved in different quizzes and competitions related to geology. I won 2nd prize in geology quiz competition while my graduation. I participated and secured 2nd position in a case study named "Discovery to Barrels" organized by Cairn India Ltd. In this case study I had to work with the actual data which was used by the geologist at the time of exploration and reservoir estimation of oil and gas reserves in Mangala(Rajasthan, India) oil and gas field.

Following this course I see myself working as a professional petroleum geologist striving to discover new oil and gas fields, implementing the latest innovations and leading a competitive team. The opportunity to develop my knowledge in geophysical imaging and interpretation, well logging to evaluate formation properties, basin analysis and modeling but also in 3D seismic interpretation and visualization is a great chance for me to realize these aspirations.

I am aware that studying towards a MS in Petroleum Geoscience requires strong motivation, hard work, maturity, the capacity to think independently and the ability to work as a team, the qualities which I believe I possess. ZZZ(institute name) is well known for its excellence in the oil and gas sector, complete with an accomplished faculty and modern research resources. I am also attracted by the program's inventiveness and uniqueness. With students from various nations, it provides its students with a good chance to learn from different cultures. Thus I am convinced that through diligence and application, I will be able to make a positive contribution to your university.

Thank you... any further suggestion is also welcomed... i also wanted to know whether it is presented in well structured manner or not...

Well, I think you have written it well, but I wish if you showed more creativity in your first para;


This is ok... but it sounds too direct and less creative. Since this is the opening sentence, why not give a little more try to enhance its presentation? why not add a touch of emotions? Read some of other motivation letters here to get an idea. :)

Hi,

I don't want to make things more confusing for you, but I MUCH preferred your original opening sentence,


versus your reworked sentence,


Many applicants try to come up with creative, "eye-catching" opening statements that will most likely only make the reader roll their eyes. There is no need to be profound or clever. When reading your original first line, I thought, " Oh cool. A candidate who can express their reasonable goals in a straightforward and concise manner". It is not boring...it is honest and makes complete sense. On the other hand, your second sentence made me go, "whaaat?". Not only is it overblown, but it also says nothing about you and why you are pursuing graduate studies. Faculty members don't appreciate gimmicks, they want serious students with sincere interests...which is exactly what your original opening conveyed.

Thank you... can you suggest a better solution to this kind of situation... better say some sentence which can express both kind of my sentiments.. so that i could show my interest with the expression of some creativity

I wouldn't change it to make it more creative. What is the prompt or question for the letter?

Just need to show motivation...

I see. I am not sure how you can be more "creative". I can only suggest to not be creative for the sake of being creative. Some people do have interesting stories/experiences/insights to begin with, but even those should be kept short and to the point. If your true motivation for entering into a master's program is to broaden your expertise in petroleum exploration and production, that is great! Good luck with your application.