A college recommendation letter can be a determining factor in whether a student gets into the school of their dreams. A recommendation letter humanizes the student outside the many documents attached that objectively show a student's academic capabilities.
It goes the extra mile to convince the admitting body that the student has the character, study habits, skills, and personality to thrive and succeed in a high-pressure college environment.
An excellent recommendation letter should add more content to the other documents attached by showing through narration where the student shines. It also helps show where a student has invested most and also allows us to learn about their passions and priorities.
The following section will discuss how to write a convincing college recommendation letter. But first, let's look at its purpose.
Purpose of a College Recommendation Letter
A college recommendation letter acts as an endorsement of a college applicant that aims at improving their chances of a student being admitted. A student, teacher, or school counselor writing this letter should provide valuable insights that accurately depict the applicant.
Other purposes of a college recommendation letter are:
- It helps admissions officers base their decisions on other factors outside academic excellence. It gives them a glimpse of a student's additional skills and accomplishments.
- It reveals the kind of relationship the student has with other people and may show interpersonal skills and the ability to work with others.
- It offers an opportunity for students to stand out from the competition by providing them an avenue to showcase their unique contributions and attributes.
Student Guidelines for Recommendation Letters
As a student hoping to attend a college of your choice, you must get a college recommendation letter that increases your chances of being selected. The following guidelines will help you get it right.
Who to ask for in a recommendation letter
A college recommendation letter is written mainly by a teacher, school counselor, or professor. However, some colleges accept a letter written by a coach, community leader, and manager of a place where you worked or volunteered.
As you choose who you want to write your letter, consider whether they may unintentionally hurt your chances by being lukewarm or bland when drafting it.
Don't reach out to a teacher in whose class you did not perform well or if you noticed they had reserved feelings towards you. Choose carefully before asking your principal or an influential person to write a letter for you. If they do not know you well, they may do more harm than good in the generic way they might write.
Look into the college requirements
After choosing the best person to write the college recommendation letter, check the college requirements to ensure you have the correct information.
Generally, most colleges require two recommendation letters from teachers and sometimes one from your guidance counselor. These teachers should have taught you, and some colleges specify the subjects.
Supply key information, material, and structure
Next, give the teacher or counselor the critical information and material they must include in the letter. If the college requires a specific structure to be followed, give them the exact format.
Providing a professional college recommendation letter template can also be ideal if there's no specification.
Teacher Guidelines
As a teacher, you may already know how sensitive this letter is to the student you will write for. It requires careful thought on what you will include and the wording you will use to endorse the student. The following are guidelines on how to approach writing the letter:
- Make sure you have enough experience with the student: A recommendation letter often describes the experience you had with the applicant. Ensure you have had a relationship you can talk about. For example, did you supervise the student or spend time with them to notice their skills and strengths?
- Evaluate if you have enough notice to write it: Did the applicant give you enough time to think through what you will write? If not, consider if you want to compose a short-notice recommendation letter that may not capture everything well.
- Analyze the information and requirements: What information is required by the college, and are you the best person to provide it? Ensure you abide by the content length, deadline, and submission requirements.
Structure of a Recommendation Letter for College
Most recommendation letters have the same structure. It should be no more than a page long, with an introduction, one to two paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Make your recommendation letter impactful by including the following:
- The proper salutation
- Introduce yourself and state how you know the applicant
- Discuss the student's merits, skills, and personality traits that you admire. Give examples where possible.
- Provide your overall impression of the applicant and a genuine recommendation.
Colleges see thousands of recommendation letters. Look for ways you can make yours stand apart by succinctly stating why the student would be an asset to the school. Your sincerity in writing the recommendation may be what makes the difference.
Start your College Recommendation Letter now
How to Reject a Request for a Recommendation Letter
Saying no to a student who has requested you to write their college recommendation letter can be challenging. But sometimes you have an option but to decline. You may not have the time, or you may not feel that you can write the recommendation in good faith.
Phrase your response clearly and professionally and send it promptly so they can look for someone else to write the recommendation. Outline your reason for declining the requests, but keep it polite and centered on you.
For example, "I don't think I am the appropriate person to write a recommendation given that I didn't have time to get to know your full capabilities."
Helpful Resources:
We Are Teachers - Tips for Writing a Genuine and Powerful College Recommendation Letter
A college recommendation letter can be a determining factor in whether a student gets into the school of their dreams. A recommendation letter humanizes the student outside the many documents attached that objectively show a student's academic capabilities.
It goes the extra mile to convince the admitting body that the student has the character, study habits, skills, and personality to thrive and succeed in a high-pressure college environment.
An excellent recommendation letter should add more content to the other documents attached by showing through narration where the student shines. It also helps show where a student has invested most and also allows us to learn about their passions and priorities.
The following section will discuss how to write a convincing college recommendation letter. But first, let's look at its purpose.
Purpose of a College Recommendation Letter
A college recommendation letter acts as an endorsement of a college applicant that aims at improving their chances of a student being admitted. A student, teacher, or school counselor writing this letter should provide valuable insights that accurately depict the applicant.
Other purposes of a college recommendation letter are:
- It helps admissions officers base their decisions on other factors outside academic excellence. It gives them a glimpse of a student's additional skills and accomplishments.
- It reveals the kind of relationship the student has with other people and may show interpersonal skills and the ability to work with others.
- It offers an opportunity for students to stand out from the competition by providing them an avenue to showcase their unique contributions and attributes.
Student Guidelines for Recommendation Letters
As a student hoping to attend a college of your choice, you must get a college recommendation letter that increases your chances of being selected. The following guidelines will help you get it right.
Who to ask for in a recommendation letter
A college recommendation letter is written mainly by a teacher, school counselor, or professor. However, some colleges accept a letter written by a coach, community leader, and manager of a place where you worked or volunteered.
As you choose who you want to write your letter, consider whether they may unintentionally hurt your chances by being lukewarm or bland when drafting it.
Don't reach out to a teacher in whose class you did not perform well or if you noticed they had reserved feelings towards you. Choose carefully before asking your principal or an influential person to write a letter for you. If they do not know you well, they may do more harm than good in the generic way they might write.
Look into the college requirements
After choosing the best person to write the college recommendation letter, check the college requirements to ensure you have the correct information.
Generally, most colleges require two recommendation letters from teachers and sometimes one from your guidance counselor. These teachers should have taught you, and some colleges specify the subjects.
Supply key information, material, and structure
Next, give the teacher or counselor the critical information and material they must include in the letter. If the college requires a specific structure to be followed, give them the exact format.
Providing a professional college recommendation letter template can also be ideal if there's no specification.
Teacher Guidelines
As a teacher, you may already know how sensitive this letter is to the student you will write for. It requires careful thought on what you will include and the wording you will use to endorse the student. The following are guidelines on how to approach writing the letter:
- Make sure you have enough experience with the student: A recommendation letter often describes the experience you had with the applicant. Ensure you have had a relationship you can talk about. For example, did you supervise the student or spend time with them to notice their skills and strengths?
- Evaluate if you have enough notice to write it: Did the applicant give you enough time to think through what you will write? If not, consider if you want to compose a short-notice recommendation letter that may not capture everything well.
- Analyze the information and requirements: What information is required by the college, and are you the best person to provide it? Ensure you abide by the content length, deadline, and submission requirements.
Structure of a Recommendation Letter for College
Most recommendation letters have the same structure. It should be no more than a page long, with an introduction, one to two paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Make your recommendation letter impactful by including the following:
- The proper salutation
- Introduce yourself and state how you know the applicant
- Discuss the student's merits, skills, and personality traits that you admire. Give examples where possible.
- Provide your overall impression of the applicant and a genuine recommendation.
Colleges see thousands of recommendation letters. Look for ways you can make yours stand apart by succinctly stating why the student would be an asset to the school. Your sincerity in writing the recommendation may be what makes the difference.
Start your College Recommendation Letter now
How to Reject a Request for a Recommendation Letter
Saying no to a student who has requested you to write their college recommendation letter can be challenging. But sometimes you have an option but to decline. You may not have the time, or you may not feel that you can write the recommendation in good faith.
Phrase your response clearly and professionally and send it promptly so they can look for someone else to write the recommendation. Outline your reason for declining the requests, but keep it polite and centered on you.
For example, "I don't think I am the appropriate person to write a recommendation given that I didn't have time to get to know your full capabilities."
Helpful Resources:
We Are Teachers - Tips for Writing a Genuine and Powerful College Recommendation Letter
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