Letters of Recommendation

You want to get into an academic program, or get a scholarship, or you want to get a job. What do you need for your application? This varies among institutions. However, one thing you are almost certain to need are letters of recommendation.

What do academic programs, scholarship programs, agencies, companies want in such a letter? They want specific information, not generalities. The following is an outline of basic information they want from the person writing the recommendation.

Background:

• What is your relationship to applicant?
• How long have you known the applicant?
• How well do you know the applicant?
• In what capacity have you known the applicant?

Accomplishments:

• Academic achievements
  • What is the quality of grades, test scores, and writing that the applicant has achieved? Is there an exceptional example?
  • What honors, scholarships, or awards has the applicant received?
  • Has the applicant demonstrated academic leadership?
• Service:
  • What extracurricular activities was the applicant involved in?
  • How has the applicant demonstrated commitment to his/her community?
  • How has the applicant demonstrated his/her leadership qualities?

Potential:

• Has the applicant lived up to his/her potential?
• If not, what evidence can you provide to demonstrate that he/she will?

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Remember, reviewers are looking for specific information or examples; generalities will not really do because competition for positions is stiff.

Do the people that you have asked know you well enough to answer these questions?

Almost never!

You should provide them with transcripts, a résumé or vitae, and a copy of your career goals statement from the application (if one was required). A good way to prepare for this is to visit the career center in the Student Services department and develop an application packet.

Remember, too, that professors see a lot of students. They cannot write a strong letter of recommendation on the basis of one or two courses, and after one or two semesters they will have only a general memory of you, at best.

Letters of recommendation are formal, and a strong letter of recommendation takes a good deal of effort to write. Make sure you provide enough time (at least 2 weeks) for your "recommender" to write a good letter. When they do, be sure to thank them.