Admission to any institute of higher learning usually requires one or more letters of recommendation. Graduate programs often require the submission of two or more letters and frequently follow specifically outlined procedures for their creation and submission. Be sure to follow these instructions carefully.
Letters required for admission to post-graduate studies are typically written by a faculty member, academic advisor, or administrator. In some cases, an employer can write the letter if academic recommendations are not available. These letters provide the admissions committee with information not found in the application—information that shows the applicant matches the school's expectations and requirements. The letter also provides an opportunity for an applicant to be seen as an individual, and helps him or her to stand out from the hundreds or thousands of other applicants.
It is important that the person providing the recommendation has a good understanding of your academic history, interests, goals, and direction. Normally, this type of recommendation letter is addressed to a specific person and should be submitted along with the admission application or as outlined in the admissions procedure. In many cases, accredited universities require that letters of recommendation be sent directly to specific departments or to the admissions office. If this is the case, the applicant may be required to sign a waiver of confidentiality and relinquish his or her right to access the information contained in the letter or forms.
Writing letter of recommendation is not a very difficult task. You should know what template to use and what information should go into a recommendation letter.
Now, what to put into recommendation letter? Find the detail below:
- Start your letter with "To Whom It May Concern" because in most of the cases you don't know who would be reading your letter of recommendation.
- First paragraph: In this paragraph, inform who you are and with what capacity you are wriring this letter of recommendation. Also tell who is being recommended. Also tell from how long you know the person you are recommending.
- Second paragraph: This is the biggest paragraph. This is where you mention the qualities of the person and the great things he/she has done. Don't just put general praises. Instead, give specific examples to mention each quality. Also describe your experience with the person.
- Third and last paragraph: Third paragraph summarize the qualities of the person and reinforce your belief in the person. This is the paragraph which contains your actual recommendation (I enthusiastically recommend..., I am please to recommend... etc.).
Few things to remember in how to write a letter of recommendation:
- While praising person, give examples.
- Identify the person's positive attributes before writing recommendation.
- Write about how this person is different from others (specific strengths).
- Write from how long you know the person and how well.
- Agree to write a letter of recommendation only if you can honestly write a supportive one.
- You can use more than three paragraphs to write a letter of Recommendation, if you got more information to fit in. See Example.
- Never exceed letter of recommendation on more than one page.
Sample Recommendation Letter: