Senior Project

Letter of Intent
*** Sample on the Back of these instructions
Your Letter of Intent is a way to pitch your initial Senior Project plans to me. This is your first
attempt at committing to a project. If I sign off on this topic, then you can proceed in planning
and creating the Proposal. The Proposal will need to be signed off on by not only me, but your
parents and your mentor. However, again, you cannot start a Proposal until I have cleared your
Letter of Intent.
Your Letter of Intent should follow standard business letter form and include each of the
following:
1) At the top of the letter:
a. Your Essential Questions
b. Your Possible Product
c. Academic Subject(s) Involved
2) 1st Paragraph: An explanation of what you already know and/or have accomplished in
the area you have chosen & how you became interested. (Have you tried something
similar before?; What basic knowledge do you possess on the subject matter
currently?; How have you had a taste of this information; intro class? Saw a YouTube
video or in a movie? Watched a friend get involved?)
3) 2nd Paragraph: The way in which the Senior Project will represent a challenge to
you. (Are you worried about finding a mentor, or people to interview?; are you
apprehensive about starting a commitment such as this and the time that will be
required?; are you scared you wont receive the particular outcome you are searching
for?)
4) 3rd Paragraph: What life experiences, skills and/or accomplishments do you hope to
have/receive during your time? (What are you excited to come away with from your
search?)
5) Signature: Mine
Refer to the sample on the back of this page to assist you in developing an effective and correctly formatted
Letter of Intent.

Essential Questions: How do lasers benefit society? What are the skills required to work with them? Where
would I have to go to school in order to gain those skills?
Possible Product: Repair Jr. Colleges Science Department Laser Apparatus
Academic Subjects Involved: Physics, Mathematics
123 Whitney Court (YOUR HOME ADDRESS)
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
December 15, 2015 (THE DUE DATE)
Ms. Tiffany Sutherland (THE RECIPIENT OF YOUR LETTERS INFO)
English Department
Clayton Valley Charter High School
1101 Alberta Way
Concord, CA 94521
Dear Ms. Sutherland: (PROPER SALUTATION)
After much consideration, I have chosen to work with lasers for my Senior Project because I have always been
interested in optics. I became particularly interested in physics this year when I job shadowed a professor at a
local Jr. College. He made the field look interesting and relevant to helping our world. (1st PARAGRAPH
NOTE THERE IS NO INDENT)
This project will be very challenging for me because I have never worked with lasers or any electronic device of
this magnitude before. I will use my knowledge of physics and help from Mr. Jones to complete this project.
This mentored project should involve about 40 hours of work, and will cost about $50.00. The project I have
chosen is to repair a currently broken laser for Diablo Valley Colleges Science Department. I have never
worked with lasers before and am intrigued by the prospect of doing so now. Mr. Jones, an assistant engineering
professor at DVC, agreed to be my mentor after I was given his name by my high school physics teacher, Mrs.
Schultz. (2nd PARAGRAPH NOTE THERE IS NO INDENT again)
I am excited because this research project will involve extensive library research, several interviews with
scientists. I am also hoping to attend San Franciscos Academy of Sciences new laser exhibit, opening in the
spring. (3rd PARAGRAPH NOTE, again, THERE IS NO INDENT)
I hope this meets with your approval. (PROPER FINAL REQUEST)
Sincerely, (PROPER SIGN OFF followed by a comma leave enough room under it for your signature
before your type your name and period)

Amy Smith (YOUR 1st & LAST NAME)

Period 2 (YOUR PERIOD)
___________________________________________
Ms. Sutherlands signature signifying approval

___________________
date