How to write a recommendation letter for a student
When applying to colleges or jobs, students often need letters of recommendation from instructors or mentors. If you want a student to stand out from the crowd and succeed, you need to know how to write a recommendation letter that is both honest and encouraging.
What follows is an explanation of the purpose of a recommendation letter for students, as well as instructions on how to draft one and an example to use as a template.
Most important things to remember
- An academic program may request a letter of reference from an individual who knows the applicant well in order to vouch for the applicant’s character and work ethic.
- Preparing a letter of recommendation for a student involves gathering relevant information, using the correct address, introducing oneself, highlighting relevant qualifications, and finally, providing support and contact information.
- If you need assistance writing a recommendation letter for a student, you may find samples and templates online.
The purpose of a letter of recommendation is to bolster an applicant’s application by praising their work ethic and character. If a student needs help getting into school or finding a job, they might ask for letters of reference. It is common for a colleague or professor who has worked closely with the recipient to write the letter. The reference gives the employer or school information about the candidate’s abilities, strengths, aspirations, and achievements.
The proper way to draft a letter of recommendation for a student
If you need assistance drafting a recommendation letter for a student, consider the following six points:
- Ask the student about their academic history
Your first order of business should be to collect the student’s GPA, extracurricular involvement, and academic accomplishments. Make sure to inquire about the program, university, or career they are interested in. You may use this information to make your letter more tailored to the student and to champion their achievements.
Request to look at their résumé before writing a letter of recommendation for a job. This will allow you to have a better understanding of their experience. To help you determine if the student is qualified for the position, you may also ask for a copy of the job description. You can request to see the personal essay that students intend to submit with their application to a school or other program.
You might also inquire about the student’s motivations for applying, as well as what they anticipate accomplishing or gaining from the opportunity, in order to understand more about the student. When writing your recommendation letter, feel free to provide your thoughts on the provided material to make it more tailored and thorough.
- Make sure to address your letter correctly
By addressing your letter appropriately, you may not only guarantee that it is sent to the right individual, but you can also make the letter appear more personalized to the person who is reading it. Let the student choose the recipient of the recommendation letter; this might be an admissions counselor, hiring manager, or someone else entirely. If you are unable to find an individual to speak with, you may always write to the appropriate division, such as admissions or human resources.
A generic letter highlighting the student’s relevant characteristics is appropriate if they are applying to more than one university or job. If they are interested in software engineering, for instance, you should emphasize their accomplishments in computer science and provide examples of their work that has been recognized with prizes or honors.
- Give a brief overview of yourself and your background
An admissions committee or an employer might gain valuable insight into the student by considering your credibility as a reference. Start your letter by introducing yourself and explaining why you are qualified to represent the student. Be sure to provide your name, job title, and the place you work.
- Provide specifics regarding your professional connection with the student
Your introduction should continue with a discussion of how long you have known the student and in what role you have known them. You can use this section to explain your part in the student’s academic journey and give more information about your job title.
You might also share your initial opinions about the student and how you have enjoyed watching them grow into an accomplished student. One way to frame your assessment of the student is to think about the ways in which they excelled or surprised you when working on class projects or other academic tasks.
- Emphasize the student’s strengths by providing concrete examples
In their hiring processes, many schools and businesses seek for individuals they feel will have a positive impact on the company or university. A hiring manager could be interested in reading about the student’s potential contributions to the company’s success and culture. The person in charge of admissions may want to know if a student plans to join clubs and groups, take an active role in their education, and help their peers.
Think about who will be reading your letter of recommendation and make sure to highlight the student’s contributions to the institution or business. Highlight their accomplishments while at your organization to demonstrate their potential for future success. You can find some examples in their academic records or CV, which include things like:
- Sports
- Social groups
- Giving back through volunteer work
- Prizes, honors, and contests
- Work on projects alone or in teams
- Opportunities for public speaking and presentation
- Positions of leadership, such as team captain or club president
- Achieving or maintaining high academic standards
- Wrap up the letter
As a final touch, you might restate your belief in the student’s abilities and assure the reader that you are available to answer any further concerns regarding your recommendation or time spent working with the student. Think about giving them several options to get in touch with you, including an email address and a phone number.
Sample letter of reference for a student
The following is a sample recommendation letter that you may use to help students:
[Professional salutation] [recipient’s name],
My name is [full name], and I am a [your professional title] at [organization or school name]. I am writing on behalf of [full name of student], who has applied to your [program or school]. [First name of student] was [your relationship]. I have known [first name of candidate] for [length of time]. In that time, I considered them to be [your overall impression].
[First name of student] worked on [project example]. They showed [skills or characteristics]. [Further information regarding the student’s skills or performance.]
I have witnessed [candidate’s first name] develop [describe an area in which they have excelled] during our time together. I anticipate that they will keep improving [insert talents or abilities where one may continue learning] in line with their academic pursuits and professional aspirations. They will be able to reach their career objectives and go further with the support of your graduate program in [name field].
I am writing to strongly recommend [first name of candidate] for enrollment in your [major field] graduate program. Their [name talents or attributes] allow them to [connect to program].
Feel free to get in touch with me at any time for clarification or further information. Feel free to contact me at [chosen means of contact] during [chosen time of day].
[Closing],
[Place to put signature]
[Your complete name]
[Title and department]
[School name]
[City and state]
[Phone number]
[Email address]
Sample letters of recommendation for students
If you need help writing a recommendation letter for a student, consider the following two examples:
Letter of recommendation for a college applicant (Example 1)
To strengthen a student’s college application, you may use this sample letter as a guide.
Dear Mr. Will Jackson,
At ABC School, I had the honor of instructing and mentoring Simone Allen. My name is Andrew Ford. This past year, Simone was a student in my Calculus 4 class; I am the director of the math department. In addition to her determination to succeed in the classroom, she has been a model of humility and sportsmanship over my four years of coaching her on the golf team. Rachel would be an excellent addition to XYZ School’s Accelerated Business Program for the next fall semester.
Whether she was playing on the field or in the classroom, Simone always showed maturity and drive. In addition to being an inspiration to her classmates, she has a sincere desire to improve her abilities and knowledge. It is remarkable how composed and deliberate she is. She has a cheerful mindset and is constantly supportive of other athletes.
In my opinion, Simone exemplifies what it means to be a great athlete: she maintains a positive attitude even in the face of defeat. Reason enough for me to choose her team captain, the ABC School Tigers’ golf squad.
I think Simone’s warm demeanor, natural leadership abilities, and ambitious spirit would be a great asset to XYZ School. For these reasons and more, Rachel is an ideal fit for XYZ School’s Accelerated Business Program.
It would be my pleasure to go into further detail about Simone’s achievements in the classroom and on the golf course. My email address is andrew.ford@email.com, and my phone number is 555-555-5555.
Warm regards,
Andrew Ford,
Math Instructor at ABC School
Example 2: Letter of recommendation for a job-seeking student
To strengthen a student’s resume, you may use this sample recommendation letter:
Dear Ms. Karina Johnson,
At ABC School, I work with students in eleventh and twelfth grades as an Honors English teacher. My name is Lucinda Grey. During my time at ABC, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Mitch Forester in many capacities, both as a teacher and as a coworker. His leadership and mentoring skills never cease to amaze me. His demeanor and maturity shine through in both his academic and extracurricular pursuits. So, if you’re looking for an HR assistant, I strongly suggest Mitch.
Mitch, in his role as VP of the Student Safety Committee, spearheaded student efforts to make ABC School a safer place to study. Following several student and parent concerns raised during a community meeting, he assisted the school in installing new crosswalks in the student parking lot and drop-off zones. In their coverage, local news stations also praised Mitch, calling him a “young man who sincerely cares about his classmates.”
Mitch is not only enthusiastic about taking the lead, but he has also shown to be an excellent peer mentor in my Honors English class. Mitch volunteered to help a fellow student who was having trouble with a group assignment on 19th-century literature. In addition to improving the student’s writing and observations during class discussions, he was effective in helping the student in more fully understanding the symbolism of the subject matter.
Mitch would be an excellent addition to your HR team. Not only is he a great asset to our school, but I have no doubt that he would also be an outstanding colleague.
Please get in touch with me if you would like to continue discussing Mitch’s personality and skills. My phone number is 555-555-5555 and my email address lucy.grey@email.com.
Best regards,
Lucinda Grey
ABC School English Instructor
