• Include your affiliation or relationship with the student: Were you the professor, supervisor and/or advisor? You will be able to identify different strengths based on your relationship with the student.
• Give honest and factual information: Let students know how well you can speak about their strengths and abilities. If you have not had much interaction with a student, let them know before you write a letter.
• Ask a student for a copy of their resume or a list of their activities on campus, accomplishments, and any other experiences: This will allow you to see a more holistic picture of the student.
• Identify the student’s skills, attitudes, personal characteristics, ability to grasp information, contributions made, and intellectual ability: Include examples when possible.
• Let students know how much time you need to write a letter and try to stay within that time frame: Students will be respectful of your time and effort but also consider students’ deadlines.
• Be cautious when utilizing any information that could be the basis of discrimination: Though employers or graduate schools cannot legally discriminate, you do not want to include information that others can wrongfully use.
• The letter you are writing can include some weaknesses, but as a whole create an honest and accurate picture of the student.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers has a
Sample Recommendation Letter for your review.
Words you may want to include:
| • Articulate | • Efficient |
| • Assertive | • Expressive |
| • Cooperative | • Imaginative |
| • Creative | • Innovative |
| • Dependable | • Mature |
| • Effective | |
Some possible points to address in the letter:
| • Ability to communicate | • Ability to handle conflict |
| • Self-confidence | • Competitiveness |
| • Initiative | • Level of commitment |
| • Leadership ability | • Research skills |
| • Energy level | • Analytical ability |
| • Interpersonal skills | • Motivation level |
