The Letters of Rec Too?!?!?!?
OK. You've written dynamite essays and filled out the applications. All of
a sudden you get a crazy thought. What if my recommenders don't know what to say
in the letters of recommendation they're writing for me? You know they want to
help you, but you don't know if they know how to do so.
Relax. We'll tell you what a recommender should say. In fact, you can pass
these tips on to your recommenders — just in they would appreciate a little
help.
10 Tips for Recommenders
- Review a copy of the applicant's personal statement or application
essays so that your letter of recommendation can dovetail with —
not conflict with or duplicate — the rest of the application.
- Ask the applicant to supply you with additional information like a
resume or activity list.
- Describe your qualifications for comparing the applicant to other
applicants.
I have been teaching high school drama for fifteen years and
have taught AP English for the last five years.
I have personally supervised ten research interns every summer
for the last five years plus, I have coached the cross-country
and tennis teams at Elite High School for the last five years.
- Discuss how well you know the applicant.
I had the pleasure of directing plays in which John starred
during each of his three years at ABC High School.
Over the last three years I coached Jane as she worked her way
up from JV to varsity tennis and state champion.
- Choose two to three qualities that you observed in the applicant.
Jane has a rare blend of steely determination, incredible
self-discipline, and great teamwork skills.
The combination of tenacity, leadership qualities, and good
communications skills found in John is truly unique.
- In discussing those qualities, support your statements with specific
instances in which he or she demonstrated those attributes. Be as
concrete and detailed as possible.
John's discipline and dedication were extraordinary — not
only did he never miss a practice; he came early to warm up and
always worked out for an additional hour after school.
Jane not only participated in every rehearsal; she also made
herself available to other actors and actresses for impromptu
rehearsals and practices, thus inspiring the rest of the cast
to even greater efforts and success.
- Try to quantify the student's strengths or rank him or her vis-a-vis
other applicants that you have observed.
He was in the top 10% of his class.
She has the best analytical skills of any high school senior
I have ever taught.
- Avoid generalities and platitudes.
- Include some mild criticism, typically the flip-side of a strength.
The only fault I have encountered in him is his retiring nature.
His modesty sometimes hides a young man of remarkable strength and
broad interests.
Occasionally, her fortitude and persistence can turn into stubbornness,
but usually her good nature and level-headedness prevail.
- Close with a ringing recommendation and endorsement of the applicant's
ability.
I enthusiastically recommend Mr. Doe to your university. This
well-rounded student will be a fine asset to your student body.
With her exceptional leadership, writing, and quantitative skills,
Ms. Smith will be an outstanding credit to the college she attends.
These tip pages reflect the experience of Accepted.com's staff, which
collectively has well over ten years of experience in admissions editing
with close to one hundred years of experience as writing professionals. You
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By Linda Abraham, Founder and President of Accepted.com
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