How to Write Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are a key responsibility of many teachers, professors and internship coordinators. Many faculty members struggle to come up with positive things to say about students they have had for only a single class. Writing an honest letter that is truly in the student's benefit will require you to meet with the student and understand what he is applying for and why.
Instructions
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Ask the student what she would like you to say and what she thinks you can add to her application. A good student will have already prepared this and will request a meeting with you on her own.
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Try to come up with two to four examples of great promise that you have seen from your student. Attitude, academics and experience are all effective ways to pull examples. Anything memorable that makes you think well of your student or intern would work.
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Start writing. Detail your credentials. Explain your relationship with the student and why you think she is right for what she is applying for. Then take each of your examples and turn them into paragraphs in the body of the letter. Conclude with your sell of why you believe that your student would be a good fit with the opportunity she is seeking.
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Go through and revise your letter using appropriate adjectives and examples. Some of the strongest letters of recommendation include clear imagery that allows the admissions committee to visualize what the student has done and why it is so impressive. Similarly, your choice of adjectives says how strongly you feel about the student. Thus, if you feel strongly, use strong words.
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Turn in your letter before the due date. Nothing is more heartbreaking for a student than to get a rejection for her top-choice school because the letter of recommendation was late. If you know you are going to miss the deadline, give the student plenty of notice or do not agree to write the letter in the first place.
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Let your student know that you have submitted the letter. This will calm his nerves and he will know that his application is complete.
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Tips & Warnings
If you cannot think of anything positive, be honest with your student and say that you do not know him well enough to write a strong enough letter. Suggest that he might want to ask someone else.
