A strong recommendation letter will play a powerful role in the life of a student. Especially when students apply for a college program, scholarship, or an internship, a good letter of recommendation will help them unlock several opportunities. As a recommender, you should tell the student’s story in a way that highlights their strengths and skills and shows why they would be a great fit for the institution. Simply by writing a great letter of recommendation, you can help students stand out and achieve their goals. If you are clueless about how to write a compelling letter of recommendation for students, then read this blog. Here, you will learn everything about a recommendation letter, its structure, and preparation tips with an example.
What is a Letter of Recommendation?
A letter of recommendation is a formal letter that focuses on highlighting a student’s personality, skills, and achievements. Students often need a letter of recommendation to apply to colleges, scholarships, jobs, or internships. It typically helps colleges, scholarship committees, or employers get a better sense of who the student is and what they are capable of. Moreover, by showcasing qualities like leadership, passion, and perseverance, a strong recommendation letter will make a big difference in the student’s application selection process. Your job as a recommender will be to write a letter that highlights the student’s best qualities and positively presents them.
Steps for Preparing the Letter of Recommendation
The recommendation letter you create should always be personalized, specific, and impactful. To do this, before you begin writing the letter, you should gather relevant details about the student first. Generally, a well-written letter will showcase the student’s strengths and grab the faculty’s attention. On the other hand, a poorly written letter can hurt their chances. So, before you start preparing your letter of recommendation, follow these steps to make the letter noticeable
Get to Know the Student
At first, learn about the student. Specifically, ask the student to provide the following details:
- The purpose of the letter (college, job, etc.)
- A copy of their resume or grades
- The skills and experiences they would like to highlight
- Deadlines and submission information
Understand their Career Goals
Once you know the basic information about the student, you should tailor the letter to meet their goals. If you want to make that possible, you should ask the students about their career or academic aspirations. Then, based on that, you should highlight the qualities that will help them succeed.
For instance, if the student is applying for a leadership scholarship, then in the recommendation letter, you should highlight their leadership skills and teamwork experiences. When a student enrolls in academic programs, then in the letter, you should emphasize their commitment to learning and growth.
Check the Specific Requirements for the Letter
Some institutions will provide specific guidelines for recommendation letters. Therefore, before you start writing the letter of recommendation, check whether the institution has specific guidelines for the letter, such as word count or format. If there are any particular rules, then make sure to follow them. This will help you submit a strong letter that effectively supports the student’s application.
Understand How to Structure a Recommendation Letter
Remember, the letter of recommendation you create should be formal and one page long. Moreover, it should be written in professional language with a respectful yet personal tone. Also, it should be concise and focus on the student’s strengths without including unnecessary details. To create a well-structured recommendation letter format, you should include the following elements
Introduction
The introduction is the opening section that will set the tone and context for your recommendation letter. When you write the introduction part of your letter, you should
- Introduce yourself (name and title) and your relationship to the student (teacher, coach, supervisor, mentor, etc.)
- Tell how long you have known the student and what your relationship is like
- Make a strong statement about why you are recommending the student
Body of the Letter
This is the main part of the letter where you should showcase the student’s best qualities and characteristics, using specific examples. Specifically, highlight what makes them memorable to you.
Here, you should describe the student by including
- Academic achievements, skills, and interests that show their intellectual curiosity
- Personal qualities like leadership, teamwork, creativity, and resilience
- Extracurricular activities, such as clubs, volunteer work, or special projects
- Specific stories, incidents, or examples that demonstrate the student’s strengths and successes, like how they handle challenges, interact with others, etc.
Close the letter with an endorsement
Finally, you should close the letter with a strong statement recommending the student to a particular institution. Particularly, while you conclude the letter, you should
- Restate your recommendation and the confidence you have in the student.
- Mention, “If you need more details, I’m here to help.”
- Professionally sign off. Wrap up the letter with ‘Best Regards’ and mention your name, title, and signature.
Tips for Writing a Letter of Recommendation
Typically, a good recommendation letter will show the student’s personality, strengths, and character through specific stories and examples. If you wish to write an outstanding letter of recommendation, then follow these tips
- Keep the letter concise (300-400 words), organized, and structured with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
- Describe how you know the student and their strengths in one sentence, and then share 1-2 specific examples that show what they are like.
- Instead of just saying good things, share specific stories that show the student’s personality and qualities.
- Focus on relevant strengths, such as leadership, problem-solving, or technical skills, depending on the application.
- If you know the student’s intended major, then mention why they would be well-suited for that field and career.
- Never use cliches and exaggerations.
- Write each letter specifically for the individual student. Avoid using generic phrases that could apply to many students, and focus on what makes this student unique.
- Double-check the letter for any mistakes to make a great impression.
A Sample Recommendation Letter
Here is an example of a letter of recommendation for students to a college
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[School Name]
[Date]
Admissions Committee
[College/University Name]
Dear Admissions Committee,
I wholeheartedly recommend [Student’s Full Name] for admission to [College/University Name]. As a teacher, I’ve taught [him/her] for [number] years and seen [him/her] grow into a great student and person.
[Student’s First Name] showed exceptional understanding and dedication in [subject/class], notably leading a successful project on [specific topic]. [He/She] also demonstrates great character, leadership, and passion for [specific interest or field]. I’m confident [he/she] will succeed at [College/University Name] and contribute positively to the community.
Feel free to contact me for more information.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Title]
[School]
Wrapping Up
By now, you would have understood how to write a letter of recommendation for students. When writing the recommendation letter, make sure to follow the steps and tips we have suggested in this blog. You can also refer to the sample example we have provided for your reference. If you are still unsure how to create a strong recommendation letter, then quickly contact us for help. The assignment experts in our team will offer you help with writing letters of all types as per your requirements.
