Sample 1:
22 May 2006
DearSir,
Iunderstandyourwell-respected collegeoffers anumberof places to overseasstudentsevery year,andI amwritingto enquireabouttheapplicationprocedure.
I am at present a student at Mary High School, Hong Kong, where I have been studying for the past five years.Ipassed theHongKongCertificateof Education Examinationlastyearwith distinctionsin English and History, and credits in Economics and English Literature. My advanced-level subjects are History, Economics and EnglishLiterature.Inadditionto thesesubjects,"Useof English"isalsoa compulsorysubjectbecausea passin Englishisaminimumrequirementforadmissionto mostfacultiesof theUniversityof HongKong.
Apartfromacademicwork,Ihavebeen activelyinvolvedinextra-curricularactivities.IamChairmanofthe EnglishClubandIhaverepresented my school inmany inter-schoolcontests.
On the advice of my friends, I have decided to further my studies in England because I wish to widen my horizons and benefit from the scholarly heritage of your country.
I wish to continue to study the above-mentioned subjects at your college in the 2006/7 academic year before I sit the Advanced-level Examinations in England.
As regards my character, Mrs. Chen, my Principal, and Mr. Huang, my English master, have agreed to act as my references.
As I come from a family of fairly limited means, I would like to know if there is any financial assistance availablefor overseas students.
Attached isasummaryof myqualifications foryourreference.
I should be grateful if you would kindly consider my application and notify me of the result at your earliest convenience.
Should you require any further information, please feel free to contact me or my references.

Yours faithfully, Lily Chen