You may write your cover letter in English or French. Maximum 2000 words.
The motivation letter is one of the most important documents in your application. For the cognitive science master’s program, it is even the first document we review when assessing applications.
Why it matters
Your application includes your grades and transcripts. Among the applications we receive, nearly all candidates have excellent academic records. So how do we differentiate between all these outstanding applications? Through your letter! The motivation letter is your opportunity to show who you truly are, beyond your grades and honors.
The goal of the master’s program is to recruit original students, open-minded individuals interested in the diversity of courses offered at ENS-PSL. We are not looking to recruit the best averages; we are seeking the best minds. The two are correlated, but only in part. Help us understand your background, what drives you, and what your scientific passions are.
Tips for writing your letter
“I don’t know where to start; I’ve been staring at a blank page for two weeks, and nothing comes out.”
Don’t panic. Writing a motivation letter is a very challenging exercise that takes time. Don’t try to write polished sentences right away. Start by jotting down fragments of text without worrying about structure. Ask yourself what you are proud of; think of moments in your life when you accomplished difficult things, and write them down. Reflect on what you enjoy about cognitive science and try to remember what led you to want to study it at ENS-PSL. Make a list of the newspaper or magazine articles that caught your attention. If you have read popular science books on cognitive science, jot them down. You might not use these notes directly, but they will help you realize your qualities and reinforce your motivation to apply. This step may take several days, or even weeks. Allow time for these ideas to surface. Only after this step should you think about organizing them into a meaningful structure.
What to include in your letter
Your letter should answer three questions: Who are you? What are you looking for at ENS? What do you want to become? Here are some tips for addressing each of them.
Who are you? We already have your CV. If your letter merely reiterates the content of your CV, you will miss the opportunity to say more interesting things about yourself. Use the letter to highlight the meaning behind your journey and to explain your choices. Tell us how you decided to pursue cognitive science. Did you read articles in the press? Books? Watch YouTube lectures? TED talks? Take online courses? Explain how these experiences influenced you. Another point: most applicants to the master’s program have not yet done research internships. If you have such experience, tell us what you learned from it. But be cautious: avoid name-dropping. If you mention specific aspects of cognitive science, say something precise about them.
What do you want to become? The goal of the master’s program is to recruit academically talented and original students (we are not looking for a “competition machine” profile). We are looking for students interested in being trained by research, and for research. This training is valued in all research professions, as well as in other careers. In fact, students from the cognitive science master’s program follow very diverse paths: some become researchers or research professors, others create start-ups, some become science communicators, others work as consultants in the public or private sector, and some pursue careers in the private sector as data scientists. Others work in public or semi-public institutions, like SNCF or EDF. All these careers are valued in the master’s program. We organize numerous research seminars, as well as seminars that help students discover the wide range of careers cognitive science can lead to.
What are you looking for in the master’s program and at ENS-PSL? ENS-PSL is a prestigious school, which is, in itself, an excellent reason to want to study there. But that is not enough. Research the master’s program, the courses offered, and the research conducted there, and show in your letter that you have thought about what the department and its training can offer you. Reflect on what you would like to study in our master’s program and, more broadly, at ENS-PSL, and explain it to us.
One final piece of advice about content: keep in mind that your letter may serve as a reference for the jury during your interview, so be prepared to discuss it. Do not oversell your skills or invent overly complex readings, as this could backfire during the interview. Instead, highlight what you are most eager to discuss. If your letter is well constructed, it will be your best ally during the interview.
Advice on presentation
Content is what matters most, but good presentation increases your chances of making a positive first impression. A few tips:
- Do not write a handwritten letter.
- Be cautious with colors, illustrations, and exotic fonts. If graphic design is not your strength, opt for simplicity (black on white, Times New Roman, 12 pt is usually very good).
- Ensure impeccable spelling and syntax. Prepare your letter well in advance so you can have it proofread by people you trust (friends, teachers, etc.).
- Avoid clichés (e.g., “I’ve always been interested in the brain”).
FAQ and common myths
“I got bad grades in my second year; there’s no point in applying.”
Do not self-censor. It is the jury that decides, not you. If you don’t apply, you are guaranteed not to be accepted; if you apply, you give yourself a chance. If you had poor grades for a semester and there is an explanation, mention it in your letter. Don’t assume the jury won’t notice the bad grades; assume instead that they will detect them, but that the jury is understanding and wants to know why. Were you ill? Facing family difficulties? Financial problems? Working during your studies? All these elements should be mentioned, because they help us better understand your transcripts.
“I got bad grades in preparatory classes (classes prépas, in France); there’s no point in applying.”
The ENS-PSL jury is very familiar with the workings of preparatory classes. We know that grading in prep school can be harsh and that teachers’ comments can be severe. We also know that prep school students’ grades are generally lower than those of university students. Again, do not self-censor. If you want to apply to the cognitive science master’s program, do so, even if your prep school grades are not outstanding. The jury will take everything into account.
“My academic background is ordinary. I have no remarkable experiences to share; I’m not an exceptional musician, I’ve never traveled abroad, I don’t do humanitarian missions. There’s no point in applying.”
What interests us most in your application is your potential to make the most of the scientific and intellectual life of the master’s program and ENS-PSL, and to transform what you learn here into a research or professional project that will have a positive impact on society. This potential is determined by two equally important factors: your academic abilities (whether you succeed in your studies) and your socio-behavioral abilities (whether you are serious, disciplined, hardworking and persistent; whether you can bounce back after failure and understand that mistakes are simply signals to keep learning; whether you have the energy to undertake new projects). These qualities may be reflected in certain hobbies: playing the violin for ten years at a conservatory, for instance, likely reflects discipline and persistence. But they are also, and often more strikingly, evident in other areas of life: being an athlete requires discipline and persistence; balancing studies with a student job demands discipline and persistence; and it takes a certain amount of courage to leave your hometown to study elsewhere (much more than it takes to travel the world on vacation). Tell us who you are, and help us evaluate your potential.