Two of the most important components of the Helios Scholars Program application are the cover letter and letters of recommendation. These parts give the selection committee and investigators a chance to “meet” you. Consequently, these components are your introduction and our first impression of your skills, aptitude and motivation for being a Helios Scholar. Students who are able to distinguish themselves through their letters are most competitive.

Tips for Cover Letters

A great cover letter is one that is thought-out, genuine, and clear. A strong cover letter:

• Is free of grammatical errors and typos;
• Is not just another version of your resume;
• Details your personal reason for applying to the program, any specific research interests and what sets you apart from other candidates;
• Describes what you hope to take away from the experience at TGen and what you will bring to the program at TGen;
• Gives the reader specific insight into your work style, attitude and aptitude;
• Leaves the reader feeling like they have put a “face” to the application and have learned more about you than what can be understood from just an academic record and resume.

Cover letters for the Helios Scholars Program (and most other academic internships) should be professional in form and tone, but should not be so formulaic that the reader is unable to gauge the personality and uniqueness of the individual who wrote it. Take your time and ask for feedback from others before submitting the final application.

Tips for Choosing References to Write Recommendations

Deciding who to ask to be a reference is one of the most challenging decisions a student must face when asked to obtain letters of recommendation. Choose your references wisely.

• References should be individuals who know you well enough to describe your academic record as a function of your work style and ethic, your ability to work independently and as a team member, your aptitude for working in a biomedical research lab setting and your level of interest, curiosity, motivation, enthusiasm, maturity, etc.
• References should be able to describe your personal qualities that set you apart from other candidates.
• Discuss your resume, accomplishments and your desire to be a Helios Scholar with your reference so that they have a thorough understanding of what your goals are. The more your reference understands you and what you intend to accomplish, the more genuine and natural the recommendation letter will turn out.
• Ask your references in advance if they would feel comfortable writing about you.
• Give your references enough time to compose a thoughtful, detailed letter.
• What a reference does and does not say about you is just as important as who they are.
• References should be professional contacts, not friends or relatives. References might be past employers, teachers, professors, coaches, group leaders, etc.

Recommendation Letter Tips for References

• Only agree to write a recommendation for a student if you can write a genuinely supportive letter. A tepid letter can do as much damage as a negative letter.
• Say how well you know the candidate, how you came to know them and how long you have known them.
• Avoid generalities without details in your descriptions of the candidate. Give specific stories or anecdotes that lead to your impression of the student.
• Share vivid details that demonstrate the uniqueness of the candidate, such as their specific strengths or personal qualities that set them apart from others.
• Describe the candidate’s work style and ethic, their ability to work independently and as a team member, their aptitude for working in a biomedical research lab setting and their level of interest, curiosity, motivation, enthusiasm, maturity, etc. Give examples.
• Be realistic and plausible in your description of the student.

Students and references that adhere to these guidelines produce more powerful, visible applications.

Whether or not you are ultimately selected as Helios Scholar, the experience of this application process will position you well for future endeavors. Cover letters, reference-seeking and recommendations are inherent in the application processes for most institutions of higher learning and employment positions. Experience and comfort with these components sharpens your ability to demonstrate your appeal.