Statement of Intent Example and Advice for Anyone Who Needs It :)
I'm sharing my letter of intent for anyone who doesn't have someone in their life who can help them write one (because, for the most part, I didn't either). I can't say what about the letter helped get me accepted, but I did get an offer of admission, so it can't be that bad lol.
Some tips I followed:
-Don't do what I did and write half of it the day before. If I were prepared, I probably could have taken it to the career or writing centers at the university. I was not.
-Pay attention to program-specific questions (mine asked us to talk about what EDID means to us)
-Don't be afraid to stroke the university's ego. Even if you're applying to dozens, they should feel like their university is your top pick. Similarly, what about this school is unique? Are they inclusive, focus on public librarianship, research, etc.?
-Similarly, hype up researchers and professors in the department. Go to the department page and look at what kind of research is being done. Is there someone you admire? Is there unique research being done? Is there research that aligns with your experience? Read some of their research.
-Even if you are not applying for a thesis route, propose some research ideas that you would like to explore. You will still have to do some research and write papers. This shows that you are engaging with the professional AND academic sides of the discipline. A lot of ppl ignore that information science part of the degree.
-List core courses that you are excited about. I didn't hear this tip from anyone, so maybe it doesn't help, but I assume its good to show that you are interested in the less flashy aspects of the degree.
-Show that you understand what librarianship is about outside of reading. Are you prepared and excited for the customer service parts? Show that you understand the demographics in your area. What populations will you be working with?
-If you are applying to a specific program (such as an online option), talk about why this is beneficial to you, even if you have to fluff it up a bit (I do enjoy online courses and they work for me, but realistically, I would do fine in-person as well).
-Idk how much you are expected to get into why your GPA is low, so I went with the most vague option. I still don't know if I could have explained more, but I didn't want to take up space either.
Dear Admissions Committee,
Growing up below the poverty line meant that libraries were an essential resource for my family. The inclusion, acceptance, and warmth they offered were a rare and precious thing. While I have always loved libraries, my interest in becoming a librarian began when I was helping students with learning disabilities pick out books. Seeing their eyes light up when they discovered that an author had as much trouble learning to read as they did was more fulfilling than any other part of teaching. I solidified my decision while I was working with unhoused youth and realized that as a librarian, I could help people of all ages access the information and resources they needed. I could still help children and youth discover a love of reading, but I could also run a wide variety of literacy programs, support unhoused patrons, and so much more. I am deeply passionate about helping people navigate the world around them, whether it's using the computer for the first time, filling out paperwork, accessing community resources, or building meaningful connections. In short, an MLIS will give me the skills and knowledge to launch a career that combines my passion for community service, education, and academics.
My interdisciplinary background lends well to a career in information science and the School of Library and Information Science’s mission statement. During my history degree, I developed strong research skills, an appreciation for resource preservation, and the ability to critically evaluate information. It also inspired the desire to make the humanities and social sciences accessible to people outside of academia. A master’s in library science would give me the skills to develop programs that connect people with the stories and histories that are important to them. My psychology degree has given me a profound understanding of mental health and an appreciation for quantitative research. The MLIS program would provide me with the opportunity to combine my understanding of human behaviour to better support library users. As a youth mentor, I didn’t work in a library, but we offered many of the same services. I loved running book clubs where youth could critically engage with the world around them. I saw how impactful it was to have access to video games, movies, music, and computers. What youth programs and public libraries have the most in common, however, is their commitment to free third spaces. I am passionate about upholding spaces in the community where all people can go to feel safe, included, and valued. Lastly, my experience in education left me with a love of teaching that I hope to put towards developing community programs.
I chose the [university] for three reasons: their accessibility, wide range of practical courses, and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization (EDID). The flexibility of asynchronous classes allows me to adjust the pace of learning, personalize my learning schedule, and engage more deeply with the material. It also ensures that I can work and volunteer while I study, both of which are very important to me.
I am interested in attending the [University] because of its commitment to EDID and excellence in research and scholarship. In 2015, Journalist Brooke Lea Foster wrote an article for The Boston Globe where she discussed the experiences of low-income scholarship students at Ivy League universities. Students reported feeling a strong sense of alienation and culture shock. Foster discusses the idea that these students are “doubly disadvantaged” because they lack social and cultural capital as well as financial capital. To me, this sums up the heart of equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization. Working to get underprivileged and minority students into university, or any other social institution, is a worthy cause, but it's not enough. We have to acknowledge that literacy is about more than reading. It is the cultural, social, and economic literacy that really makes a difference. Librarians and information professionals are crucial because they create spaces where inclusion and collaboration can come together to create a more equitable society. Public libraries do more than allow marginalized peoples to exist in the building; they build spaces that support and empower them. This is why I was drawn to [professor at university's] research on sex work activism. [professors] examination of collaborative research methods embodies the idea that collaboration is just as important as inclusion. The [project] fills an important gap in historical preservation and achievement, challenging the narrative that some histories are too unsavoury to be protected. It would be an invaluable opportunity to learn from [professor] and other members of the School of Library and Information Science.
In terms of practical coursework, the [University] offers a multifaceted program whose research in social class, queer studies, disability, and cultural studies will provide the knowledge and skills required to serve the community as a librarian. I am particularly interested in [small list of mandatory courses offered by the program]. I am also excited for courses such as [courses-elective ones] because I have a passion for children’s history. I argue in my forthcoming article in Central Europe Yearbook that children are active and vital participants in the social world whose contributions are too often overlooked. As an MLIS student, I would love to explore how people of different cultures and economic classes interact with information and what this means for creating inclusive and accessible spaces. I would also be interested in doing research on the ways that young people have shaped the public libraries we know today and how their histories are preserved and disseminated.
I realize that my GPA at the [University I was graduating from (my second degree)] is not as strong as it could be. My family was experiencing some challenges, which means that my record does not reflect my capacity. These challenges have recently been resolved, and I will be able to dedicate myself fully to the MLIS program. I am confident that my research experience, adaptability, and dedication make me a strong candidate for the MLIS program. I am eager to contribute to the academic and professional communities through the promotion of literacy, research, and inclusivity.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[my name]