Guide to Writing a Great Letter of Recommendation for any school
Why is the letter of recommendation so important?
And how to write a Great Letter of Recommendation?
A student's grades and activities aren't enough to apply to a highly selective university. Admissions counselors want to get to know a potential student and learn why he or she is the best fit for their university. Letters of recommendation, in this case, are so important for students because they are formal documents that highlight a student’s character traits, behavior, and work ethic and provide information regarding the qualification, experience, skills, and achievements of the student to help them in their application process.
This video will help you understand how to write a great letter of recommendation for any school. Vanderbilt University's vice provost for enrollment and dean of admissions - Douglas Christiansen - are here to help you.
📌 Instruction:
Step 1:
- Be candid and honest (Make sure to know who you are writing for - Talk with the student).
- Explain your background and connection to the student (as a counselor or a teacher recommendation)
Step 2:
- Have the student’s transcripts
- Writing More about student’s “intangibles”:
+ Reaction to setbacks or criticism
+ Creativity
+ Inquiring attitude of mind
+ Level of engagement
+ How this student has made a difference
Step 3:
Finishing touches:
- Keep an electronic or hard copy of the letter
- Let the student know the letter has been sent
- Encourage student to waive right to see letter-give letter to student if you wish
🔑 The key to a letter of recommendation: is helping to understand who the human being is.
💡 Note: Some asked questions:
* What are the problems with a letter of recommendation?
- Basically says nothing that is already known from the transcript.
- Give no insight into leadership
- Give no insight into course load or intensity
- Very vague, general statements without enthusiasm or multi-dimensional, intangible aspects of the student.
- No mention of the teacher’s qualifications
* How to make a letter unique, without going over-the-top?
=> Write about things that make the student stand out in whatever particular way you want to describe. That helps to understand who the student is.
* What makes an excellent letter of recommendation?
=> Recommendations are needed to understand the student: home environment, work environment, and educational environment. Tell stories about the student’s maturity process.
* What if I am a teacher and do not know the student that well?
=> Say the truth, such as I am probably not the best one to write this letter for you.
* What if the student I am writing for is not the best brightest in my class?
=> Write about the uniqueness of that student, and that is how you look at fit.
🎬 Video Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:39 Why is the letter of recommendation so important
01:35 Know who you’re writing for
02:24 Counselor vs Teacher Recommendation
03:12 Student Transcripts
03:27 Intangibles
04:46 Uniqueness
04:47 Understanding the student
10:31 What if I don’t know the student
11:07 What if the student is not the best
✍️ Tips for writing:
- Do your research about the student
- Be specific to help the recipient get to know the student
- Stay positive by demonstrating honest enthusiasm and avoiding any negative comments.
- Keep the letter of recommendation formal and concise
- Don’t be afraid to say no if you feel like you’re unable to offer a glowing recommendation for that student
- Follow the instructions carefully and get your letter in on time
📗 Format of a letter of recommendation In general:
- Date
- Recipient Name
- Recipient Title
- Recipient Address
- Greeting: Address the recipient by name if possible (Dear Ms/Mr).
- Personal introduction: Begin the body of your letter by introducing who you are and your relationship to the applicant.
- Recommendation: What makes the candidate a good fit? Offer specific examples of skills or qualifications that match the role.
- Anecdote or example: Include a personal anecdote about what it’s like to contact the candidate. Include any environments or their maturities you’ve observed them to possess.
- Closing: Give an overview of why you’d recommend this person.
- Contact information: Provide your email address and phone number so the recipient can follow up.
- Signature
📗 Example about letters of recommendation:
As in the video