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College
Letters of Recommendation
Information
& samples of college letters of recommendation - writing letters,
asking for letters, special tips, and persuasive writing techniques.
When students
apply to undergraduate programs, the application process usually includes
at least two college letters of recommendation from teachers or others who
can honestly evaluate the student's academic ability and potential as a
scholar. These letters count a lot in making the decision on whether or
not to accept the student so it is important that you provide the admissions
committee with the kind of information that is most helpful.
Only agree to
write college letters of recommendation if you can write positive things
about the candidate. It is best to be honest with the student and tell them
to asksomeone else if what you have to say is going to hurt their chances
of acceptance.
Find out what
the student's specific goals are before you begin writing the recommendation.
You want to emphasize the aspects of their personality and academic performance
that relate to that goal.
The letter should
include:
- Your status
-- your position at the school or job title. How long have you known
the student and in what capacity (as a teacher, an adviser, a research
supervisor, etc.) The better you know the student, the more effective
your recommendation will be.
- Examples
-- Admission committees want specifics, NOT generalizations. It is good
to say that someone is hardworking and organized, but you need to back
up these statements with concrete examples.
- Expected
Results -- Talk about what the student has done and is capable of doing.
What is it exactly about the student that makes her or him special?
Why do you think this student would benefit from studying at the school
in question?
- Comparisons
-- Evaluate the student by comparing him or her with other students
you have observed in your work. Quantify your impressions. Is the student
in the top 5% of his or her classmates, top 10%, 25%, 50%? You can use
phrases such as excellent, very good, average, or below average.
The following
is a suggestion of categories you may wish to use for comparison:
Top / Bottom
- Intellectual
Ability
- Work Habits
- Teaching
Potential
- Seriousness
of Purpose
- Knowledge
of Field
- Emotional
Maturity
- Resourcefulness
and Initiative
- Adaptability
to New Situations
- Motivation
to Pursue Graduate Study
- Potential
for Contribution in Field
One page is
sufficient for most college letters of recommendation. Quality, not quantity,
is what is important. Make every sentence count. Do not put something in
if an immediate connection cannot be made between that information and the
student's ability to participate in the program.
Technically,
students are not supposed to see college letters of recommendation. Most
schools ask that the recommender put the letter in an envelope, seal it
shut, and sign over the seal. Nevertheless, it is generally a good idea
to go over at least an initial draft in person with the student. If the
student is not happy with your letter, then she should have the option
of looking elsewhere.
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