How to Write a Cover Letter for an Internship (With Examples)

To write a strong cover letter for an internship, start with a personalized introduction that mentions the specific role and company. Highlight relevant coursework, projects, and extracurricular activities that showcase your skills, even if you lack work experience. Connect your strengths to the company’s needs, express enthusiasm, and keep it concise — around 300–400 words. End with a confident closing, request the chance to discuss further, and thank the reader for their time. 

Writing a cover letter for an internship shouldn’t feel this hard. Should you even bother writing one? (Yes.) How many accomplishments should you include? (Up to three.) Can you just copy your sister’s “perfect” cover letter and swap out a few words? (Absolutely not.) 

The struggle is real, especially when you have little to no experience. What do you even talk about? Should you own up to it and say, “hey, I’ve never done this before, but I promise not to break anything”? And do you write a whole love letter about yourself, or should you flatter the company too? (They already know they’re great, right?) 

If you’re feeling stuck, you’re not alone. This guide will clear up the confusion and help you write a cover letter that actually works. Here’s what you’ll find: 

• A breakdown of what to include in each part of your cover letter. 
• A step-by-step process for writing your internship cover letter from scratch. 
• Cover letter examples tailored to your education level or career path. 

If you want help writing your cover letter, try the AI Cover Letter Builder. And for more cover letter help, check out these guides: 

• Are Cover Letters Necessary? 5 Times You Can Skip Them 
• Cover Letter vs. Resume: What’s the Difference?
• 15+ Short Cover Letter Examples 
• How to Write a Cover Letter with No Experience 
• 13 Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid 

Internship Cover Letter Breakdown 

Here’s a sample internship cover letter with notes on what to include in each paragraph to help you create a concise, tailored, and impactful application. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing an Internship Cover Letter 

In short: tailor your cover letter to the company by researching its values and projects. Use clear fonts, proper spacing, and concise content (300–400 words). Start with a strong introduction, addressing the hiring manager by name if possible. Talk about relevant coursework, projects, and extracurriculars with concrete examples. Show why you’re the right fit by linking your skills to the company’s culture. Close with enthusiasm, a call to action, and a professional sign-off. 

If you’re serious about landing that internship, a strong resume alone won’t cut it. You need a compelling cover letter that showcases your personality, provides context for your experiences, and makes hiring managers eager to learn more about you. 

Personalize your cover letter for the role 

Avoid generic cover letters. Show why you’re excited about the internship and what makes the company stand out to you. Do your research: check their website, social media, and recent news. Find something specific about their projects, values, or culture that resonates with you, and mention it. 

Use a professional format 

A well-formatted cover letter makes you look professional before they even start reading. 

• Stick to a professional font like Arial, Calibri, or Verdana in 10–12 pt for the body, and make your name bold and larger (20–24 pt) at the top. 
• Keep it short and sweet — one page, 300–400 words. 
• Use single or 1.15 spacing with one-inch margins. 

Add your contact details 

At the top, list your name, city and state (or country), phone number, email, and date. For a physical letter, include the recipient’s name and company address. 

Here’s an example of how to outline your contact information: 

Estefania Marquez
New York, United States
(012) 345-6789
estefania.marquez@gmail.com 

February 18, 2025 

Start with a strong introduction 

Address the hiring manager by name if possible, like “Dear Ms. Ortega.” If you can’t find it, “Dear Hiring Manager” works too. 

The opening paragraph of your cover letter should grab attention. Mention the internship, the company, your school, and field of study. Explain why you’re excited about the role and how it fits into your career goals. 

Here’s a sample introductory paragraph for an internship cover letter: 

Dear Dr. Williams, 

As a Bachelor of Science in Nursing student at Emory University with hands-on experience in a variety of clinical settings, I am excited to apply for the Nursing Internship position at St. Mary’s Hospital. Your hospital’s commitment to holistic patient care and continuous learning resonates deeply with my passion for providing compassionate, evidence-based care.

Highlight your skills and experience 

Look at the key skills mentioned in the internship description and connect them to your own experience. Rather than just listing skills, prove them with specific examples. 

• Relevant coursework. Emphasize classes where you applied skills. For example, a marketing course where you designed a campaign for a local business. 
• Projects. Academic projects (e.g. engineering simulations) or personal initiatives (e.g. website coding) showcase technical or creative abilities. 
• Extracurriculars. Leadership roles in clubs prove teamwork and initiative, like organizing a hackathon. 
• Volunteer work. Community service (like tutoring students) highlights empathy and problem-solving in real-world contexts. 

Here’s how you might describe your experience in your cover letter: 

During my clinical rotations in pediatric and adult care units, I cared for up to 10 patients per shift, refining my skills in administering medications, conducting assessments, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. On one occasion, I identified early signs of a patient’s deteriorating condition during a routine assessment, which led to timely intervention from the care team. Additionally, my volunteer work at a local health clinic allowed me to assist underserved populations by helping with patient intake and coordinating follow-up care — experiences that strengthened my adaptability and cultural competence.

Show why you’re the right fit 

Now that you’ve covered your skills, link them to the company’s culture and needs. 

• Align with their culture. Mention if you share their passion for innovation, sustainability, or teamwork. 

• Explain what you’ll gain. Show how this internship fits into your career goals, whether it’s learning new skills, gaining hands-on experience, or building industry connections. 

Here’s how you can personalize this section of your cover letter: 

I am particularly excited about St. Mary’s “Healing Hands” campaign, which demonstrates your hospital’s commitment to advancing patient care through cutting-edge surgical innovations and community health initiatives. This aligns perfectly with my passion for providing comprehensive, patient-centered care while continually growing in a dynamic and collaborative environment.

Close with a strong call to action 

The closing paragraph of your cover letter is your chance to make a final impression — so use it wisely. 

• Express enthusiasm. Reaffirm your excitement about the role and your eagerness to contribute to the company. 
• Request an interview. Politely request a chance to discuss your qualifications further. 
• Be thankful. Always thank them for their time and consideration. 
• Use a professional sign-off. Close with a respectful phrase like “Sincerely” or “Best regards,” followed by your full name. 

Here’s a sample closing paragraph: 

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my background and skills align with the goals of St. Mary’s Hospital. Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to the possibility of contributing to your team. 

Sincerely, 
Estefania Marquez 

Cover Letter for Internship Examples 

Check out these internship cover letter examples, whether you’re in high school, college, or applying for a role in your field. 

High school student internship cover letter 

This high school student’s cover letter highlights their relevant skills without overexplaining. It connects their extracurricular activities to the skills needed for a social media marketing internship. 

College student internship cover letter 

This university student’s cover letter clearly emphasizes relevant coursework and transferable skills, like tutoring, to show the applicant’s qualifications. It’s tailored to the specific company and role, demonstrating both enthusiasm and a strong understanding of what the internship entails.

Business internship cover letter 

This cover letter for business internships connects relevant coursework, skills from volunteering, and non-related experiences to the role’s responsibilities, while showing a clear understanding of the company and how the applicant’s background aligns with their needs.

Engineering internship cover letter 

This cover letter highlights the applicant’s relevant coursework, project experience, and transferable skills, all tailored to the role and company. It effectively connects technical abilities with real-world problem-solving, demonstrating the applicant’s potential to contribute and enthusiasm for the company’s values. 

IT internship cover letter 

This cover letter shows off the applicant’s technical skills and hands-on experience with key IT tools, while also connecting their values to Google’s mission. It shows they understand Google’s focus on innovation and scalability, and it clearly expresses their excitement and readiness to be part of the team.

Medical internship cover letter 

This cover letter works well for medical internship applicants because it connects coursework and volunteer experience to real-world clinical skills. By highlighting transferable skills like leadership, communication, and teamwork, it shows the candidate’s potential to make a positive impact at a place like Mount Sinai Hospital.

Research internship cover letter 

This cover letter blends academic knowledge with hands-on experience, showing how skills in research methods, data analysis, and communication can be applied in a lab setting. By highlighting relevant experiences and transferable skills, it clearly shows the potential to contribute to a top institution like Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. 

Internship Cover Letter Template 

You’ve seen some examples, and now you’re ready to get started (with a little help from that inspiration or caffeine boost). Use this simple template with step-by-step instructions to craft your cover letter. 

Summary 

Here’s a recap of what to keep in mind when writing your internship cover letter: 

• Research the company and explain why you’re excited about the internship and how it fits your career goals. 
• Keep it professional: use readable fonts (Arial, Calibri, or Verdana), one-inch margins, and stick to 300–400 words. 
• Include your full name, location, phone number, email, and the date at the top. For physical letters, add the company’s address. 
• Address the hiring manager by name if possible. If not, use “Dear Hiring Manager.” 
• Start by stating the internship title, company name, your school, and field of study, then express enthusiasm and briefly explain what draws you to the company. 
• Highlight relevant skills and experience with real examples from coursework, projects, extracurriculars, or volunteer work. 
• Show how your values and career goals align with the company’s mission or recent projects. 
• Wrap up your cover letter by expressing enthusiasm for the role, summarizing your qualifications, thanking the hiring manager for their time, and politely requesting an interview to discuss your application further. 
• Sign off with “Sincerely” or “Best regards,” followed by your full name. 

FAQ 

How to write a cover letter with no experience? 

Even if you don’t have formal work experience, you definitely have skills and achievements worth highlighting. Talk about coursework, class projects, extracurricular activities, or volunteer work that proves your abilities. Show enthusiasm for the industry and connect what you’ve learned to what the company needs. A strong introduction, a body that focuses on transferable skills, and a confident closing can make all the difference. 

Can I use the same cover letter for multiple applications? 

You can, but you shouldn’t. Recruiters can spot a generic cover letter from a mile away. Instead, customize each letter to the specific internship by mentioning the company, role, and why you’re excited about the opportunity. Highlight the skills from the job description and show how your experience matches. 

How long should a cover letter be for an internship? 

Keep it short and sweet — around 300 to 400 words, or roughly half a page to a full page. Recruiters don’t have time to read long essays, so get straight to the point. Focus on key skills, your enthusiasm, and how you’d be a great fit, without rambling.

Should I talk about my hobbies in my cover letter? 

Only if they’re relevant. If your hobbies showcase skills that tie into the job — like coding for a tech internship or running a blog for marketing — go for it. Otherwise, stick to professional experience. 

Do internships look at cover letters? 

Yes, many do. While some companies make them optional, a well-written cover letter can help you stand out, especially when competing against candidates with similar resumes. It’s your chance to show personality, enthusiasm, and why you’re the perfect fit. 

How to write a cover letter for an internship that doesn’t exist? 

If you’re reaching out for an unlisted internship, focus on why you admire the company and how your skills can add value. Show initiative by pointing out areas where you can help. Keep the tone professional yet enthusiastic, express interest in future opportunities, and politely ask if they’d consider you for an internship based on your background.