Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Tips for Writing Letters of Recommendation
As a college professor, many students approach me for letters of
recommendation. Writing these letters is one of the most challenging aspects
of my job. How do you fit a comprehensive profile and assessment of a
student into a 1-2 page letter? How do you ensure that students provide you
with all the relevant information that will help you to write the best
letter than you can? How do you protect yourself from liability in writing
letters of recommendation? This article takes a closer look at tips to help
you in writing letters of recommendation.
Inform Students
Students tend to be uninformed about their needs and responsibilities in
seeking letters of recommendation. Guide students by providing them with a
detailed list of what will assist you in writing a letter on their behalf.
Many professors create a handout or web page listing the desired
information. Here are some suggestions:
· Explain the purpose of the letter
· Desired focus of the letter (e.g., discuss my research skills and
experiences in your lab, or discuss my responsibilities as a teaching
assistant in your class)
· Useful skills (e.g., computer, statistical, or interpersonal skills)
· Related experiences (extracurricular, work experience, clubs, volunteer
work)
· Courses taken with the faculty member, with grades and sample work (e.g.,
term paper)
· Reasons for pursing graduate study
· Resume
· Transcript
Think About It
Do not immediately agree to write a letter on behalf of a student. Instead,
take a little bit of time to think about it and reflect on your experiences
with the student.
Be Honest
If you don't know a student well or cannot write a positive letter on his or
her behalf, explain your reservations to inform the applicant. If he or she
insists, you can either refuse, write a neutral letter, or include negative
evaluations with supporting behavioral examples.
Get Permission
Obtain the student's written permission (the signed recommendation form
included in admissions packets for most graduate programs is suitable)
Be Specific
Use specific examples to support your statements. Specific examples will
enhance the value of positive comments and will protect you from legal
action. If you choose to include unfavorable information, you must include
specific examples to illustrate your point.
Organize the Letter
An effective letter of recommendation is structured. Begin your letter by
indicating for whom you are writing, what they are applying to, and an
overview of the tone of the letter. Indicate to what extent and length of
time you have known the student. Your next step should be to review grades
and your records regarding the student. Next, provide specific examples that
illustrate the student's intellectual ability, capacity for independent and
original thought, knowledge of the field, or attitude and motivation. Close
by reiterating your overall recommendation and its strength.
Beware of Ambiguity
Letters of recommendation tend to be overwhelmingly positive. Because most
letters are inflated, readers examine them as if they were written in code.
Recommendation letters thus become a projective test wherein any ambiguity
is questioned. Any equivocal information might be interpreted in a negative
light, even if you did not intend so.
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recommendation. Writing these letters is one of the most challenging aspects
of my job. How do you fit a comprehensive profile and assessment of a
student into a 1-2 page letter? How do you ensure that students provide you
with all the relevant information that will help you to write the best
letter than you can? How do you protect yourself from liability in writing
letters of recommendation? This article takes a closer look at tips to help
you in writing letters of recommendation.
Inform Students
Students tend to be uninformed about their needs and responsibilities in
seeking letters of recommendation. Guide students by providing them with a
detailed list of what will assist you in writing a letter on their behalf.
Many professors create a handout or web page listing the desired
information. Here are some suggestions:
· Explain the purpose of the letter
· Desired focus of the letter (e.g., discuss my research skills and
experiences in your lab, or discuss my responsibilities as a teaching
assistant in your class)
· Useful skills (e.g., computer, statistical, or interpersonal skills)
· Related experiences (extracurricular, work experience, clubs, volunteer
work)
· Courses taken with the faculty member, with grades and sample work (e.g.,
term paper)
· Reasons for pursing graduate study
· Resume
· Transcript
Think About It
Do not immediately agree to write a letter on behalf of a student. Instead,
take a little bit of time to think about it and reflect on your experiences
with the student.
Be Honest
If you don't know a student well or cannot write a positive letter on his or
her behalf, explain your reservations to inform the applicant. If he or she
insists, you can either refuse, write a neutral letter, or include negative
evaluations with supporting behavioral examples.
Get Permission
Obtain the student's written permission (the signed recommendation form
included in admissions packets for most graduate programs is suitable)
Be Specific
Use specific examples to support your statements. Specific examples will
enhance the value of positive comments and will protect you from legal
action. If you choose to include unfavorable information, you must include
specific examples to illustrate your point.
Organize the Letter
An effective letter of recommendation is structured. Begin your letter by
indicating for whom you are writing, what they are applying to, and an
overview of the tone of the letter. Indicate to what extent and length of
time you have known the student. Your next step should be to review grades
and your records regarding the student. Next, provide specific examples that
illustrate the student's intellectual ability, capacity for independent and
original thought, knowledge of the field, or attitude and motivation. Close
by reiterating your overall recommendation and its strength.
Beware of Ambiguity
Letters of recommendation tend to be overwhelmingly positive. Because most
letters are inflated, readers examine them as if they were written in code.
Recommendation letters thus become a projective test wherein any ambiguity
is questioned. Any equivocal information might be interpreted in a negative
light, even if you did not intend so.
