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Student
Letters of Recommendation
Information,
examples, and advice regarding student recommendation letters: admission,
scholarships, and internships. Includes writing, requesting, and using
letters effectively to open doors.
When students
apply to undergraduate or graduate programs, the application process usually
includes at least two recommendations from teachers or others who can honestly
evaluate academic ability and potential as a scholar. These student recommendation
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.
Deciding
Whom to Ask
By carefully
choosing the people who will write your recommendations, you can ensure
that each of your student recommendation letters shares a different positive
quality
about you. Recommenders should be people who know you well and know
about the quality of work you've done in their classes or at their work
sites, such as a teacher or a nurse who supervised you at a volunteer job.
Recommenders
should write positive student recommendation letters detailing your academic
abilities, personal traits, and motivation for higher education. Taken together,
your student recommendation letters will portray a well-rounded view of
you.
Before you
ask anyone from outside of your school to write you a recommendation,
make sure this is okay with the college to which you are applying. Teacher
recommendations carry a lot of weight since you are applying for admission
as a student; previous performance in the classroom is probably the best
indication of future performance. However, since virtually all the student
recommendation letters the admission boards receive are from teachers,
including a letter from someone else provides novelty and could make you
stand out.
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To help decide
whom you’ll ask, make a list of possible recommenders. Think about their
position (high school principal, chairwoman of the biology department, English
teacher, supervisor of your volunteer job at the community hospital, etc.)
and then ask yourself:
- Does each
person know me well enough to write a strong letter ?
- Does each
person think highly of me?
- Which
set of people can write student recommendation letters that will best
reflect my background and strengths?
- Which
set of people will be most highly regarded by the college admission’s
committee?
Now you can
pick the strongest candidates from your list. You can also ask your mentor,
a teacher, or friends to look over your list and suggest who they think
are the strongest candidates.
If you know
someone who could be a great recommender but who probably lacks the skills
required to write an effective letter, don't worry. It is common for candidates
to ghostwrite their own student recommendation letters. Just make sure the
recommender agrees with everything that is said and is comfortable with
this process.
Guiding Your
Recommenders
Once you decide
whom you are going to ask, think about the different aspects of your background,
character, academics, and activities that you want reflected in your student
recommendation letters -- which should be the things you believe are most
attractive to the admissions boards! Each letter should focus on things
that are not covered in your essay so that the college can get a broad sense
of you and your skills.
Next to the
names on your list, describe what you would like each recommender to emphasize.
For example, your list might look like the following:
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- Mr. Lanieux,
chemisty teacher: good grades, class participation, interest in science,
tutored other students, participation in chemistry district rally competition,
developed algebraic method of balancing chemical equations, career goals
in science
- Mr. Roso,
English teacher: writing and conceptualization skills; public-speaking;
leadership skills; interest in medieval literature; academic performance
in advanced placement classes; goal of combining speaking and writing
skills with a career in science.
- Ms. Morgavi,
student government advisor: participation in high school student government;
leadership and public speaking; interpersonal skills; commitment to
representing all groups of students; goal of continuing involvement
in leadership activities.
- Mr. Waggenhauser,
moderator of student volunteers: community involvement; work with the
deaf and retarded; devotion to work; ability to relate well to people
from diverse backgrounds; participation in other humanitarian activities
(select a few key activities).
You should also
provide your recommenders with information about your background, any hardships
you have overcome, and your personal goals and skills. Some additional items
you may ask your recommenders to mention are:
- Your personal
background, including your family situation, such as if you will be
the first in your family to attend college.
- Hardships
you have experienced in seeking higher education, such as being from
a low-income background or living with parents who do not speak English.
- Personal
strengths that will make you a good college student, such as being inquisitive,
motivated, and hard-working.
- Your commitment
to other students and your community, as demonstrated by your volunteer
work, willingness to help other students, and involvement in humanitarian
causes.
- Your leadership
skills and experiences.
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Writing Your
Recommenders
When you finish
your list of what you want each recommender to emphasize, write a formal
note requesting that they write you a letter of recommendation. Your student
recommendation letters should be personalized for each recommender and should
list the specific skills and attributes you want them to emphasize. Remember,
the more detailed your letter, the easier it will be for your recommender
to write a strong argument in support of your application using the information
you provide.
You should also
provide your recommenders with a simple resume that describes the classes
you have taken, your grades, and your work and volunteer experiences.
Meeting with
Your Recommenders
After you finish
your letters, call or stop by to see your recommenders. Ask them when you
can set up a meeting to talk with them for a few minutes. Make sure that
this meeting is at a convenient time for them. Schedule the meeting at least
a month before your student recommendation letters are due so that each
recommender has plenty of time to write you a great letter.
When you meet
with your recommenders, give them the personalized letter you wrote and
your resume. Remind them how hard you have worked to get this far and how
excited you are about attending college. Let them know that their letter
will be an important part of your application.
Finally, thank
them for supporting you and writing the letter. Be sure to take stamped
envelopes that the recommender can use to mail your letters. The envelopes
should be addressed either to you or to the colleges to which you are applying
(depending upon the preference of the college).
Following
Up With Your Recommenders
After you
meet with each of your recommenders, make a note in your calendar to follow
up with them in a few weeks to be sure that they send their student recommendation
letters before they are due.
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Thanking
Your Recommenders
When you know
the student recommendation letters have been sent, write a personal thank-you
note to each recommender expressing your appreciation for their help.
General Tips
for Students
- Don't
wait until the last minute to ask for your recommendation. More than
likely, you will be denied. If not, you are likely to skew the results
against yourself – either because your referrer is forced to do a quick-and-dirty
job, or because he writes less glowing comments due to the irritation
you have cause him.
- Your request
needs to be proper and polite. Remember that you are requesting a significant
favor.
- Be sure
to indicate for what purpose the letter is being written. The more specific
the purpose, the more specific (and pertinent) the letter.
- Supply
as a minimum:
- Your
full name
- Classes
you have taken from the referrer (also when and grade received)
- Other
coursework that is relevant (when and grades received)
- Special
skills or talents and how you demonstrated to them
- Statement
of career / academic interests and goals
- List
of relevant extracurricular and summer activities
- Honors
received
- Full
name, title, and complete mailing address of the person to whom
each letter should be written.
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- Waive
your rights to read the letter or form. Recipients place more credence
on student recommendation letters which are not read by students, and
many teachers prefer to send their recommendations directly to the schools
to which you are applying. Including a pre-stamped and addressed envelope
for sending the letter to the recipient is a nice touch.
- If your
student recommendation letters are being sent directly to the college,
you need to arrange for them to notify you when your student recommendation
letters arrive. Prepare a self-addressed (to you), stamped postcard
with this message on the back: "To (whomever the letter of recommendation
is to be sent): Please mail this card if a letter of recommendation
concerning me has been received from (whomever you are asking to write)."
Sign your name, and ask the referee to include it with his/her letter
or form. If you do not receive the card in a few weeks, check on the
status of the letter.
- Of course,
having your student recommendation letters sent directly to the college
introduces more risk for you. If you are in doubt about the kind of
recommendation the referee will write, then just ask. Most teachers
agree to share the contents of their student recommendation letters
even in cases when colleges would prefer they didn't.
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