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Every recommendation letter is unique, written for a particular student. But good recommendation letters share similarities in format and expression. Below is a template showing one way of organizing a recommendation letter for graduate study. Here the emphasis is on the student's academic work. The letter begins by explaining the context in which the student is known, followed by details of the work that forms the basis for the writer's recommendation. It is the details that count.
December 19, 201x
Dr. Smith
Director of Admissions
Graduate School University
101 Grad Avenue
GradTown, WI, 10000
Dear Dr. Smith:
I am writing to you in support of Mr. Stu Student and his desire to attend Graduate School University for the Basket Weaving program. Though many students ask me to make this request on their behalf, I only recommend students whom I feel are well-suited for the program of their choice. Mr. Student is one of those students and therefore, I highly recommend that he be given the opportunity to attend your university.
As professor of the Basket Weaving Department at Undergrad University, I work with many students who have substantial knowledge of basket weaving. Mr. Student has consistently shown such a strong desire to learn basket weaving that I simply could not turn down his request for a recommendation.
I first met Mr Student in my Intro to Basket Weaving course during the Fall 2010 semester. Compared to the class average of 70, Mr. Student earned a 96 in the class. Mr. Student was evaluated on [explain basis for grades, e.g., exams, papers, etc.], in which he performed exceptionally well.
Though Stu has consistently exceeded in all areas of his coursework, the best example of his intelligence shone through a [paper/presentation/project/etc.] on theories of basket weaving. The work clearly showed his ability to deliver a clear, concise, and well-thought presentation with a new perspective by demonstrating [embellish here].Stu is an outstanding individual with a strong character. He has the ability to produce impressive results in a wide variety of areas. Stu is/has [list of positive traits/skills, e.g. organized, motivated, etc.]. I have seen astonishing results on complex projects that offered great attention to detail where quality was never compromised. Additionally, he has a very positive attitude and truly embraces learning all there is to know about basket weaving.
In addition to his coursework, Stu also dedicated some of his] time volunteering at [Club or Organization Name]. His position required him to [list of tasks]. He felt volunteering was an important leadership role, in which he learned [list of skills]. The skills acquired through volunteering will be beneficial to all of Stu's future endeavors. Stu has the ability to manage and organize his time and schedule around different activities without having them interfere with his work. school.
I believe Stu is destined to be a leader in basket weaving, and therefore is an excellent candidate for your school. I highly recommend that you consider his application, as he will be a great asset to your program. I'm sure you will find him to be a student whose talents will only grow. If you would like further information, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Tea Cher, Ph.D.
Professor
Undergrad University
Graduate school applications are standardized, meaning that they all contain the same basic parts: standardized test scores, admissions essays, transcripts, and, perhaps most overwhelming to students,recommendation letters.
Letters of recommendation - three words that often stress both students and faculty. Why are grad school recommendations so overwhelming? Because students often feel that they have no control over their content - and they often wonder who to ask. Requesting recommendation letter is daunting, but most students don't consider the challenge that professors face in writing letters of recommendation. So what does it take to write a letter of recommendation? A good, helpful letter of recommendation discusses the student in detail and provides evidence to support statements. Unfortunately there are many ways to write a bad recommendation.
Each student is different. Each application is different. There is no universal letter of recommendation. Every situation is different and certainly you will write different letters for all of your students. Samples, however, help. Letter writers (and students) may find these sample letters of recommendation helpful:
Sample Grad School Recommendation Letter from a Professor
This example is written by a professor.
An Effective Letter of Recommendation for Graduate School
An explanation of what goes into an effective recommendation letter coupled a brief letter.
A Poor Recommendation Letter
An example of what not to do when writing a recommendation letter as well as an explanation of why it is inappropriate.
Sample Recommendation Letter from an Employer
Frequently graduate applicants request recommendation letters from current employers. Here's an example of what you might write if you are in the position of writing on behalf of an employee.
Sample Recommendation Letter by a Professor
An example of a basic letter written by an instructor.
Another Prof's Grad School Recommendation Letter
Sample recommendation letter illustrating what might be included in a letter of recommendation.
Whether a letter is good or simply adequate depends not just on it's content but on how well it fits the program to which you’re applying. Consider the following letter written for a student who is applying to an online graduate program:
In this case, the student is applying to an online graduate program and the professor's experiences with the student are entirely in online courses. Considering this purpose, the letter is good. The professor speaks from experiences with student in an online class environment, presumably similar to what he will experience in an online graduate program. The professor describes the nature of the course and discusses the student's work within that environment. This letter supports the students' application to an online program because the professor's experiences speak to the student's ability to excel in an online class environment. Specific example's of the students participation and contributions to the course would improve this letter.
This same letter is less effective for students who are applying to traditional brick-and-mortar programs because faculty will want to know about the student's real-life interaction skills and capacity to communicate and get along with others.
A Sample Letter of Recommendation is Below:
Dear Admissions Committee:
I am writing on behalf of Stu Dent's application to the online master’s program in Education offered at XXU. All of my experiences with Stu are as a student in my online courses. Stu enrolled in my Introduction to Education (ED 100) online course in Summer, 2003.
As you are aware, online courses, because of the lack of face-to-face interaction, require a high degree of motivation the part of students. The course is structured so that for each unit, students read the textbook as well as lectures that I have written, they post in discussion forums in which they converse with other students about issues raised by the readings, and they complete one or two essays. The summer online course is especially grueling as a full semester’s worth of content is covered in one month. Each week, students are expected to master the content that would be presented in 4 2-hour lectures. Stu performed very well in this course, earning a final score of 89, A-.
The following Fall (2003), he enrolled in my Early Childhood Education (ED 211) online course and continued his above average performance, earning a final score of 87, B+. Throughout both courses, Stu consistently submitted his work on time and was an active participant in the discussions, engaging other students, and sharing practical examples from his experience as a parent.
Though I have never met Stu face-to-face, from our online interactions, I can attest to his ability to complete the academic requirements of XXU's online master's program in Education. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at (xxx) xxx-xxxx or email: prof@xxx.edu
Sincerely,
Prof.
Graduate school applications are standardized, meaning that they all contain the same basic parts: standardized test scores, admissions essays, transcripts, and, perhaps most overwhelming to students,recommendation letters.
Letters of recommendation - three words that often stress both students and faculty. Why are grad school recommendations so overwhelming? Because students often feel that they have no control over their content - and they often wonder who to ask. Requesting recommendation letter is daunting, but most students don't consider the challenge that professors face in writing letters of recommendation. So what does it take to write a letter of recommendation? A good, helpful letter of recommendation discusses the student in detail and provides evidence to support statements. Unfortunately there are many ways to write a bad recommendation.
An Effective Letter of Recommendation for Graduate SchoolEach student is different. Each application is different. There is no universal letter of recommendation. Every situation is different and certainly you will write different letters for all of your students. Samples, however, help. Letter writers (and students) may find these sample letters of recommendation helpful:
Sample Grad School Recommendation Letter from a Professor
This example is written by a professor.
An explanation of what goes into an effective recommendation letter coupled a brief letter.
A Poor Recommendation Letter
An example of what not to do when writing a recommendation letter as well as an explanation of why it is inappropriate.
Sample Recommendation Letter from an Employer
Frequently graduate applicants request recommendation letters from current employers. Here's an example of what you might write if you are in the position of writing on behalf of an employee.
Sample Recommendation Letter by a Professor
An example of a basic letter written by an instructor.
The success of your graduate school application relies on the quality of the recommendation letters professors write on your behalf. What goes into a helpful recommendation letter? Check out the sample letter of recommendation written by a professor. What makes it work?
An Effective Recommendation Letter for Graduate School
Explains how the professor knows the student. The professor speaks to the student’s abilities in several contexts (including assistant) rather than just in class.
Is detailed.
Supports statements with specific examples.
Compares a student to her peers and the letter explains exactly what makes the student stand out.
Describes a student's capacities in specific ways rather than simply noting that she is an excellent student prepared for grad school (all letters say that!)
Below is the body of an effective recommendation letter, written by a professor.
To: Graduate Admissions Committee
It is my pleasure to write on behalf of Jane Student, who is applying to the PhD program in Research Psychology at Major University. I have interacted with Jane in several contexts: as student, as teaching assistant, and as thesis mentee.
I first met Jane in 2008, when she enrolled in my introductory Psychology class. Jane immediately stood out from the crowd, even as a first semester freshman. Just a few months out of high school, Jane demonstrated characteristics commonly held by the best college students. She was attentive in class, prepared, submitted well-written and thoughtful assignments, and participated in meaningful ways, such as by debating other students. Throughout, Jane modeled critical thinking skills. Needless to say, Jane earned one of five A’s awarded in that class of 75 students. Since her first semester in college Jane has enrolled in six of my classes. She demonstrated similar competencies, and her skills grew with each semester. Most striking is her ability to tackle challenging material with enthusiasm and endurance. I teach a required course in Statistics that, as rumor has it, most students dread. Students’ fears of statistics is legendary across institutions, but Jane wasn’t fazed. As usual she was prepared for class, completed all assignments, and attended help sessions conducted by my teaching assistant. My teaching assistant reported that Jane seemed to learn concepts quickly, learning how to solve problems well before the other students. When placed in group work sessions, Jane easily adopted a leadership role, helping her peers learn how to solve problems on their own. It was these competencies that led me to offer Jane a position as teaching assistant for my statistics class.
As teaching assistant, Jane strengthened many of the skills I have articulated. In this position Jane held review sessions and offered out-of-class assistance to students. She also lectured in class several times during the semester. Her first lecture was a bit shaky. She clearly knew the concepts but had difficulty keeping pace with PowerPoint slides. When she abandoned the slides and worked off the blackboard, she improved. She was able to answer students questions and the two that she couldn’t answered she admitted to and said she’d get back to them. As a first lecture, she was very good. Most important to a career in academics, is that she improved in subsequent lectures. Leadership, humility, the ability to see areas in need of improvement, and the willingness to do the work needed to improve – these are all characteristics we value in academia.
Most important to a career in academics is research competence. As I have explained, Jane has an excellent grasp of statistics and other skills critical to a successful career in research, such as tenacity and excellent problem solving and critical thinking skills. As mentor of her senior thesis, I witnessed Jane in her first independent research efforts. Similar to other students, Jane struggled with finding an appropriate topic. Unlike other students, she conducted mini literature reviews on potential topics and discussed her ideas with a sophistication that is unusual for undergraduates. After methodical study, she chose a topic that fits her academic goals. Jane’s project examined [X]. Her project earned a department award, university award, and was presented as a paper at a regional psychology association.
In closing, I believe that Jane student has the capacity to excel at X and in a career as a research psychologist. She is one of a small handful of student that I have encountered I my 16 years teaching undergraduates that has this ability. Please do not hesitate to contact me with further questions.
Why this Letter is Effective
It is written by a professor who has extensive experience with the applicant.
The professor describes several aspects of the student's competence.
It describes how the student has grown and developed her skills.
What does this mean for you as a potential applicant to grad school? Work to foster close, multidimensional relationships with faculty. Develop good relationships with several faculty because one professor often cannot comment on all of your strengths. Good graduate school letters of recommendation are built over time. Take that time to get to know professors and for them to get to know you.
You've been asked to write a letter of recommendation. No easy task. What makes a recommendation letter good? Effective letters of recommendation have these 8 characteristics in common.
An effective letter of recommendation:
1. Explains how you know the student. What is the context for your evaluation? Was the student in your class, an advisee, a research assistant?
2. Evaluates the student within your area of knowledge. Within the context in which you know the student, how did he or she perform? How effective a research assistant is he or she?
3. Evaluates the student's academic capacity. This is easy if the student was in your class. What if the student is not? You can refer to his or her transcript, but only very briefly as the committee will have a copy. Don't waste space talking about objective material they already have. Talk about your experience with the student. If a research assistant you should have some grasp on his or her academic competence. If an advisee, refer briefly to your discussions and provide clear examples that illustrate academic potential. If you have little as academic contact with the student, then make a broad evaluative statement and use evidence from another area to support. For example, I expect Stu Dent to be a meticulous student, as he keeps very careful and accurate records as the Biology Club Treasurer.
4. Evaluates the student's motivation. Graduate study entails more than academic skills. It's a long haul that takes a great deal of perseverance.5. Evaluates the student's maturity and psychological competence. Is the student mature enough to accept the responsibility and manage the inevitable criticisms and even failures that will accompany graduate study.
6. Discusses the student's strengths.What are his or her most positive attributes? Provide examples to illustrate.
7. Is detailed. One of the most important things you can do in improving the effectiveness f your letter is to make it as detailed as possible. Don't just tell them abut the student, show them. Don't just say that the student can understand complex topics or work well with others, provide detailed examples that illustrate your point.
8. Is honest. Remember that although you want student to get in to graduate school, it is your name that is on the line. If the student really isn't a good fit for graduate study and you recommend him anyway, the faculty at that school potentially could remember and in the future take your letters less seriously. All in all, a good letter is highly positive and detailed. Remember that a neutral letter will not help your student. Recommendation letters, in general, are very positive. Because of that, neutral letters are viewed as negative letters. If you can't writing a glowing letter of recommendation, then the most honest thing that you can do for your student is to tell him or her and decline their request to write a letter.
Recommendation letters are a critical component of your graduate school application, yet are entirely dependent on other people -- your professors. How you request a letter influences professors' responses and ultimately the quality of your recommendation.
How to Request a Recommendation Letter
Don't request a recommendation letter by email.
Don't spring it on the faculty member. Don't ask before or after class, in the hall, or at any other seemingly random time.
Arrange an appointment, explaining that you wish to discuss your plans to apply to graduate school. This gives the professor a heads up and a chance to think about whether he or she can write a helpful letter on your behalf.
Don’t ask, “could you write a letter?” Instead ask, “Do you feel that you are able to write a helpful letter supporting my application to graduate school?" Ask whether the faculty member feels that he or she can write a "helpful letter." You don’t need any old letter – you need a good letter.
an average or even mediocre letter. When every recommendation letter an admissions committee receives is stellar, average will hurt your application.
Understand that even if you give a professor a month to write your recommendation letter he or she might not submit it until just before the deadline. It's a sad reality: Profs procrastinate too.
Give the professor what he or she needs to write an informed letter, including recommendation forms, transcript, essays, and other essential information. Don't forget to include relevant links and emails for online applications.
If your prof requests hard copies, print out information for each program so that faculty have the information they need to tailor their letter of recommendation to the program (very effective, if they choose that route).
Be neat. Place all of your documentation in a folder and neatly label each item. Clip each recommendation form to supporting documentation, relevant admissions essays, and a stamped envelope. Use a sticky note to mark the deadline on each. Neatness counts because it makes professors’ jobs easier and sends the message that you are organized.
If your prof requests electronic documents, place all files into one folder and organize them by using descriptive titles. Again, be neat.
Ask for input on your choices and overall advice. If the faculty member offers to review your admissions essay, take him or her up on it – and use their advice to improve your essay.Seek Advice and Pay Attention
Pay attention to signals that faculty member does not want to write a letter on your behalf. Anything other than a glowing letter can harm your application. You don't want a lukewarm letter – it’s the kiss of death.
Take no for an answer. If a faculty declines to write you a recommendation letter, don't push. He or she is doing you a favor
