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The letter should be customized to the school, department, and position, using a distinctive opening, organized sections, and evidence of teaching effectiveness, scholarly output, and future goals. 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Take into account the characteristics of the department and institution in order to identify the most relevant aspects of your teaching, research, and service, and show great enthusiasm for joining their community. Will the position focus primarily on teaching (e.g. a 4-4 class load) with some research requirements, or will the main emphasis be on research with a reduced teaching load (e.g. 2-2)? Does the University have a Catholic identity like Notre Dame, a mission to provide educational access to underrepresented groups of students, or some other feature that can guide your message? Showing that you have the experience, background, and desire to grow the department’s faculty composition in meaningful ways will help catch the committee’s attention.  \nHOT  \nTIPS  \n• Customize your cover letter to the needs of the school, department, and position.  \n• Catch the reader's attention with a unique opening line.  \n• Focus on your teaching, research, and interests.  \n• Present information in order of importance to the position.  \nThere are three main sections to most cover letters: introduction, body, and conclusion. Here’s what to include in each:  \nIntroduction Section  \nThe initial paragraph of the letter should identify the position you are applying for by name, how you learned of the opportunity (e.g. posted on the Chronicle website or your professional organization), what you study, and when you will graduate if A. B. D. (All But Dissertation).  \nIn order to attract the reader’s interest, avoid opening your letter with the phrase “I am writing to apply for  ”Because the phrase is commonly seen, it does not help you make a positive impression on the search committee. Consider these options as alternatives:  \n• “Having graduated with a Ph. D. in [your field] from the University of Notre Dame, I am writing to apply for the [position rank/title and field].”  \n• “My interest in the [position rank/title and field] position can be traced to the [course name] course I taught last Spring as a Ph. D. candidate in [your field] at the University of Notre Dame.”  \n• “Researching [your broad topic] with [your advisor’s name] has generated a deep interest that I will bring to the [position rank/title and field] position.”  \nThe Graduate School and Division of Student Affairs  \nBody Section  \nWhile the CV offers a record of your past accomplishments, the cover letter describes how those experiences will help you serve the department and institution in the future. Unlike the body of cover letters used in business, industry, government, or non-profit, which include only 1-2 paragraphs focusing on the two main skills or experiences that qualify you for the position; academic cover letters are broader and can include significant detail on the following areas:  \nTeaching  \nStart by identifying the courses you have already taught, in order to show your experience. Describe the effective and engaging pedagogy skills you incorporated into the classroom, especially if a separate Teaching Philosophy statement is not required for the application. For your Teaching Assistant (TA) positions, discuss the nature of your contributions to the success of the class and your direct involvement with students or course development. If you have been awarded or nominated for any teaching accolades, or if you have high Course Instructor Feedback (CIF) scores, be sure to include that information to show your success. In a separate paragraph, identify the additional classes you are capable of teaching, mentioning the specific names of courses currently offered by the institution as well as new, innovative ones you would offer.  \nResearch  \nBegin with an overview of your gen","cbCainlh3SWlUh9X","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCainlh3SWlUh9X","pdf",132872,"English","# Introduction Section\n## What to include and how to avoid generic openings\n# Body Section\n## Teaching\n## Research\n## Interests\n# Conclusion Section\n## Enclosures, interview interest, closing details\n# Additional Tips\n## Proofreading and presentation guidance","[{\"question\":\"What are the three main sections of an academic cover letter?\",\"answer\":\"Most academic cover letters include an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.\"},{\"question\":\"What should the introduction section state?\",\"answer\":\"It should identify the position by name, explain how the applicant learned of the opportunity, describe what the applicant studies, and indicate the graduation timeline (including A.B.D.).\"},{\"question\":\"What content should be covered in the body section?\",\"answer\":\"The body should address teaching, research, and professional interests, showing how experiences and goals support the department and institution. It should also present information in an order matched to the position’s emphasis.\"}]","Academic Cover Letters - How to Write an Academic Cover Letter for Graduate School Applications | PDF"]