ACTIVITY

ACTIVITY SHEETS
SHEETS

Subject: Reading and Writing Skills

Competency: Identifies the unique features of and requirements in
composing professional correspondence (Application for
College Admission).
Competency Code: EN11/12RWS-IVhj-13.2

Objectives:
1. Identify the features and parts of an effective application letter for college
admission.
2. Construct an effective college admission application letter that projects a
professional image.
3. Evaluate a college admission application letter.
4. Observe ethics in writing a college admission application letter.
5. Appreciate the importance of college education.

DAY 1
Activity 1
1. Imagine that you have just graduated from senior high school and you decided to
pursue your college education in one of the top universities/colleges in the
Philippines.
2. Choose one college/university to which you want to enroll.
3. Consider the course that you want to take, the location of the school, and your
financial standing, among others.
4. Look for a partner and share your ideas with him/her.

Activity 2
Write a college admission application letter for your chosen school. Use a one
whole sheet of paper for your letter.

Activity 3
After completing the letter, exchange letters with your partner. Then, answer the
following questions.
1. What did you feel during and after the activity?
2. Is the letter clear, focused, and professionally prepared?
3. If you find the letter insufficient, what are its weaknesses and how could they be
improved?
 4. Pretend to be the admission officer. After reading the letter, would you be
interested in admitting the student applicant? Why? Why not?

DAY 2
Features and Parts of an Effective College Admission Application Letter

A college admission application letter shows your interest in the university/college

while justifying why you are qualified at the same time. It also serves as a cover letter for
all your other college admission documents. As with any other correspondence, it follows
a standard letter format. Generally, a college admission application letter, presents your
academic qualification, accomplishments and reasons for applying for admission.

Parts of a College Admission Application Letter

Introduction
1. State who you are and what you are applying for.
2. State an eye-catching statement about yourself that will cause the reader to
continue reading your qualifications.
3. Show your enthusiasm to study in the university you are applying to.

Body
1. Present your academic qualifications, extracurricular involvement, community
activity engagements, and some personal qualities with specific evidence.
2. Organize your thoughts and segregate them into paragraphs. You may separate
paragraphs by theme (one paragraph for academic qualification and one for
extracurricular activities).
3. State the benefits the university can obtain by admitting you. Do not just give
facts; explain how these facts will benefit the university.

Conclusion
1. Indicate your interest for an interview.
2. Indicate how the interviewer can contact you.
3. Express your hope for a positive response from the Admission Director.
4. Say thank you.
 Tips in Preparing an Application Letter
The following tips will help you write a persuasive and interesting application
letter.

Content
1. The application letter must not simply repeat the content of your academic
records. Emphasize concrete examples.
2. Address the letter to a specific person. If you don’t know the specific addressee,
call the university and ask.
3. Mark yourself by presenting your academic qualifications, extracurricular
activities, and community engagements. Tell the university that you have a
unique or special skill to offer and how these skills are relevant to the university.
4. Do not begin with an awkward statement such as: “Let me tell you something
about myself. My name is…”
5. Highlight two or three of your most significant accomplishments or abilities. Avoid
superfluous information.
6. Avoid fancy statements such as “I think ABC University is the best university in
the entire world.” Instead, be realistic and provide specific reasons why you
believe the university is perfect for you.
7. Be factual. Never misrepresent yourself by overstating your experience and
skills. In short, do not exaggerate.
8. Minimize opinions about yourself. When you claim one, be sure to support it with
specific and factual evidence.
9. Do not beg for admission. (e.g. “Please take me in because this is my only hope
for success. I am desperately eager to study in your university.”)
10. As you write, imagine that you are writing a script for your interview: how you can
break the ice at the beginning of the interview; how you can convey a positive
personality; the things you want to talk about during the interview; and what you
hope to get from the interview.
11. Read everything there is about your target college or university. Be sure to match
your letter to the mission-vision of the university.
12. Focus on your strength and avoid mentioning any weaknesses.

Language
1. Use the active voice and verbs that denote action.
2. Be sure to have correct grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and usage. Avoid
jargons, clichés, and verbosity. Readers expect good grammar and writing. Any
typographical and grammatical errors may cause the reader to question your
competence.
3. Be direct to the point so as not to lose the interest of your reader.
Format and Mechanics
1. Use letter-sized bond paper with a 1- to 1.5-inch margin on all sided; limit the
letter to one to two pages.
2. Do not forget to put your signature above your name.
3. Use a letterhead. Include your full name, address, phone number, and email
address.
4. Use a business letter format (block, full block, semi-block, or simplified).
5. Do not cram the text at the upper half or lower half of the page. Be sure to have
appropriate page fill; avoid making your letterhead look crammed and dense.
6. Use a font size of at least 10 points and maximum of 12.

DAY 3
Activity 4
Read and analyze the sample college admission application letter in the next
page.
 Sample College Admission Application Letter

Juan P. dela Cruz

123 San Pedro St., Igpalge, Anini-y, Antique Letterhead
Contact No.: +63926-456-8997
Email Address: juanpdelacruz@yahoo.com

April 2, 2016 Dateline

Mr. John Lloyd C. Martinez Inside Address

Director, University Admission Office
West Visayas State Univesity
La Paz, Iloilo City

Dear Sir: Salutation

Good day!

I am Juan P. dela Cruz, a senior high school student at Igpalge National High School.
I have chosen to apply for admission at West Visayas State University which is known Introduction
as the Center of Excellence.

As an aspiring teacher, I hope that my academic preparation in high school

will qualify me as one of your students in the college.

In addition, I am also involved in various community activities, one

of which is the Reading Caravan Project for out-of-school children. Through this
Body
volunteer work, and I learned how to touch others’ lives through teaching.

Attached are my application form, two recommendation letters,

and a personal statement for your consideration.

I hope that you find my qualifications fit for admission.

If you wish to know more about me, please refer to the attached documents.
Conclusion

I look forward to your positive response regarding this matter. Thank you very much.

Sincerely, Complementary Close

jpdelacruz Signature
JUAN P. DELA CRUZ
Applicant Signature Block
 Activity 5

Read the following college admission application letter. Analyze it in terms of its content,
format, language used, and grammar. Write your analysis on a separate sheet of paper.

Mr. Darwin Anderson

Admission Director

Dear Darwin,

I am a graduating student in a public high school in Antique. I would like you to consider me for
admission at ABC University to pursue my bachelor’s degree in education. I know that your school
is the best education school. So please admit me.

I have attached to this letter the accomplished application form and the recommendation letter from
my high school teachers. I am also attaching here my academic records so you could see my
performance during my high school years. I know that when I study at your university, I will be in the
top of my class because I am diligent, intelligent, and kind.

Though I was not involved in extracurricular activities, I would say that I still have very good
interpersonal skills. I have not initiated any brawls in school. I do not have any offenses. I did not
disrespect any teacher or school staff.

Hope my grades would meet your admission criteria. Thanks.

Respectfully yours,
Peter Luna

Activity 6
What makes an effective college admission application letter? With your partner,
discuss your answers and share it to the class.
DAY 4
Activity 7
Write an application letter for college admission using the following situation. Be sure
to use the correct format, language, and content.

You have just graduated from a senior high school. You are to apply for admission
and scholarship in your chosen university. The admission and scholarship offered by the
university are highly competitive.

Activity 8
Write E if the statement shows an effective way of writing an application letter and I if
it does not.

1. Use as many adjectives as possible.

2. As much as possible, limit the letter to one page.
3. Use “To whom it may concern” in your letter.
4. Use a font size of 12 points in your letter.
5. Align the letter to the needs and aims of the university.
6. Include at least eight major accomplishments with their corresponding details.
7. Write in a conversational tone.
8. Use a generic letter for different universities.
9. Affix your signature in the letter.
10. Mention any special skill that might be of interest to the university.

Activity 9
Write an application letter for college admission using the following situation. Be sure
to use the correct format, language, and content. You will be rated using the rubrics below.

Assume that you have already graduated from senior high school. Search for any
university or college that you want to enroll in. Read the details about the school and the
admission procedure. Then, write an application letter addressed to the school. Make
sure that only facts will be included in your letter. Print your letter.
 Rubric for College Admission Application Letter

Components 4 3 2 1
Letter clearly Letter clearly Purpose of Purpose of
states the states the letter is letter is
purpose. purpose. Some unclear. More unclear. Main
Appropriate explanations or explanations or idea is not
Content
explanations or facts are used facts need to supported by
facts are used to support the be used to explanations or
to support the main idea. support the facts.
main idea. main idea
Ideas were Ideas were Ideas were The letter
expressed in a expressed in a somewhat seemed to be
clear and pretty clear organized, but a collection of
organized manner, but were not very unrelated
fashion. It was the clear. It took sentences. It
Organization
easy to figure organization more than one was very
out what the could have reading to difficult to
letter was been better. figure out what figure out what
about. the letter was the letter was
about. about.
The writer The writer The writer The writer
accurately mostly uses commits 5 commits more
uses correct correct errors in use of than 5 errors in
Format
business letter business letter correct use of correct
format. format. business letter business letter
format. format.
There are no There are 1-2 There are 3-4 There are more
Grammar and errors in errors in errors in than 4 errors in
Spelling grammar and grammar grammar and/or grammar
spelling. and/or spelling. spelling. and/or spelling.

Reference:
Barrot, Jessie S. (2016). Academic reading & writing for senior high school. Quezon City:
C & E Publishing, Inc.