Tips for writing a letter of recommendation
If a student requests that you write a letter of recommendation for them, keep the following tips in mind:
- If you are uncertain about your ability to write a positive reference or if you do not know the individual well, explain your reservations to the student. Suggest that the student ask someone else to write a letter of recommendation.
- Ask the student for a copy of his/her resume or other materials that may help you write the letter.
- Provide specific examples that demonstrate the student's past performance. Examples give more credibility to strong, positive comments and will also help protect you from legal action if including unfavorable or negative information.
- Use language that is straightforward and to the point. Avoid using jargon, clichés or language that is too effusive.
- If you submit a letter of recommendation to career development for a student in the teacher education program, that letter will become part of the student's credential file, which he or she can read.
Recommendation letter outline
Introduction
- Identify the candidate for whom you are writing the recommendation and the position to which he/she is applying.
- State the relationship between you and the student and the length of time you have known him/her.
- Provide a brief statement that will set the tone for the remainder of the letter, indicating your overall opinion of the student's potential.
Body
- Focus on two to three qualities that you observed in the applicant, and provide specific examples to support your statements. Discuss only those traits that are directly related to the position for which the student is applying.
Conclusion
- Summarize the main points from the letter, and restate that you recommend the candidate for the position.
- Provide your contact information in case additional questions arise regarding the student's qualifications.
Addressing Calvin's Rigor to Graduate Schools Unfamiliar with Calvin
When writing a recommendation letter, some graduate schools who aren't familiar with Calvin might appreciate data regarding the college's rigor. Here's a sample paragraphy used by one Calvin professor that might be useful to others:
XXX has flourished in this academically rigorous community of Calvin College. The US News & World Report ranks Calvin College ninth nationally in “Schools with a Strong Commitment to Teaching.” Princeton Review places Calvin in the select 25-percent of “Best of the Midwest” and StateUniversity.com ranks Calvin College second in the state after University of Michigan. When Calvin students apply to graduate programs at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, Calvin students are routinely awarded a 0.2 increase in GPA when compared to other undergraduate institutions. A significant number of Calvin’s graduates obtain doctoral degrees with Calvin College ranking 15th out of 925 private colleges in this category. Our XXX majors have obtained doctorates at programs such as UCLA, Cornell, Notre Dame, the Universities of Minnesota, Michigan, to name just a few. I am certain that XXXX will continue the strong doctoral tradition of our graduates.
Sample letter of recommendation
Legal issues to consider when writing letters of recommendation
