当一个人想得到某种机会或某些东西，如申请得到奖学金、求学、申请出国签证等，往往通过申请信来请求。申请信如何分段，没有严格的规定，其内容一般应包括以下三个部分：申请的具体内容和缘由；自己的情况和条件；提出要求，如回信、面试等等。
对于不同的申请内容，在介绍自己情况的时候也要有不同的侧重。例如在求学信中，应比较侧重介绍自己已有的学位及专业情况；在申请留学经济资助的信中，应着重介绍自己的学业及学术水平，因为国外很多学校颁发奖学金是以此为标准的。
写申请信应注意：第一，语气要诚挚友好千万不要表现出强求的意思；第二，对于申请的内容和原因一定要写得非常清楚；第三，尽管不能表现出强求的意思，但是期望得到的心情一定要表达出来。
以下是两封申请信，第一封是求学信，另一封是申请留学资助的，第一封信用的是齐头式，第二封信用的是缩进式，信头和信内地址都已省略。
［Directions］: You are a student of Huabei University,. Write an application to get a scholarship for your graduate study in another university in America. You should write about 100 words. Do not sign your own name at the end of your letter,using “Li Ming” instead. You do not need to write the address.
［参考范文之一］
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am writing to apply for admission to your university to pursue my M.S. degree. I have read the annual prospectus issued by your university and found that it has the best graduate program of chemistry. I am greatly interested in the program.
I graduated in 2004 from Huabei University, majoring in Chemistry and holding a B. S. degree. At university, I took many fundamental courses in Chemistry and my English is excellent as I had served as the head of English Association for two years. Since then I have been teaching Chemistry in Beijing Normal University. Through my teaching experience, I have not only deepened my understanding in this field, but mastered many complicated research skills as well.
Two of my former professors and the present dean of our department have kindly written letters of recommendation for me, as enclosed with this letter.
Thank you very much. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely yours,
Li Ming
［参考范文之二］
Dear Sir or Madam:
I wish to apply for admission to your department as a graduate student. I am writing to ask whether it will be possible for you to grant me a full scholarship, considering my academic record and the fact that I have no relatives or friends in America who can act as my sponsor.
I completed a four-year course in chemistry at Beijing University last June. During my four years in the university, I have passed all the required courses of study with satisfactory marks. With Chemistry as my major, I minored in Physics and Mathematics. Enclosed herewith is my transcript from the department concerned.
My English is very good. I have been learning English since early childhood with the help of my father who is a professor of English in Fudan University, Shanghai. I therefore believe that I will not have language difficulties while studying in the United States.
I should be most grateful if you would give my request favorable consideration. Thank you very much and look forward to your reply.
Sincerely yours,
Li Ming