Unit 15 letter of Recommendation

It is a document to support the resume, the cover letter, and the personal statement.

letter of Recommendation

IntroductionRequirementContent Structure SamplesUseful expressions Choosing your recommenders

Introduction

A letter of recommendation praises the person being recommended through a written letter. Aspects discussed in a letter of recommendation include qualities of the individual, their characteristics, and capabilities in performing a specific task or function. The most common recommendation letter is addressed to an employer or to an educational institution. In addition, letters of recommendation are frequently written towards scholarship eligibility.

Your recommendations are important because they verify your claims and provide the admissions committee an opportunity to learn more about you from people you have worked closely with.   Hence, good recommendations can serve as a powerful tool to ‘sell’ yourself to the committee.

Every part of your application, builds an image of your personality in the minds of the admissions committee. The recommendation letters provide a third person’s perspective on the kind of person you are. What a recommendation letter writes about you should add or supplement what you claim to be through your essays/SOP and work experience details. It certainly would create doubts about you as a person if the image that your recommendation letter creates completely inverts the image that you’ve been trying to create through your essays/SOPs and work experience details.

Requirement of Recommendation

Usually two or more recommendations from different persons

The persons are in superior position, have personal contact with the applicant, and can evaluate the applicant in terms of academic ability, work performance, personal qualities.

The writers sign, seal, and send the recommendation to the organization concerned.

The language should be formal, the diction should be assertive but not exaggerating.

Content of Recommendation

Opening: state support for the applicant and mention the relationship between the writer and the applicant

Body: discuss the applicant’s qualities in terms of academic experience, work performance, personality, special talents, potential as a student or employee (one or more than one paragraph)

Conclusion: supply additional information, reassert the support, and express the willingness for any further assistance if necessary

Structure

Use proper format. The top left-hand side of the letter should include your address, phone number or email address. Your contact information is beneficial in case the recipient of the letter has questions for you. The contact information should be followed with the date.

structure

Address the letter appropriately. If you do not know who the letter is going to, address it with, "To Whom it May Concern

In the first paragraph, state who you are, the name of the person being, your relationship to the person and how long you have known the person. Also mention the capacity in which you are writing the letter of recommendation, what your credentials are or how long you have been working your career.

Write several paragraphs mentioning your experiences with working with the person being recommended, State the person's most notable qualities. This should be included in the third and fourth paragraphs. Each quality should be a separate paragraph. and be sure to include specific examples for more authenticity and to make it more personal. With your descriptions of the experiences you have with the person being recommended, be sure to bring out the qualities of the person.

In the conclusion you should state why you think the person is suitable for the position to which they are applying and how you think the person will contribute to the position.

Samples

Sample 1To Whom It May Concern:

Cheri Jackson is an extraordinary young woman. As her AP English Professor, I have seen many examples of her talent and have long been impressed by her diligence and work ethic. I understand that Cheri is applying to the undergraduate business program at your school. I would like to recommend her for admission.

Sample 1

Cheri has outstanding organizational skills. She is able to successfully complete multiple tasks with favorable results despite deadline pressure. As part of a semester project, she developed an innovative collaborative novel with her classmates. This book is now being considered for publication. Cheri not only headed the project, she ensured its success by demonstrating leadership abilities that her classmates both admired and respected.

I must also make note of Cheri's exceptional academic performance. Out of a class of 150 students, Cheri graduated with honors in the top 10. Her above-average performance is a direct result of her hard work and strong focus.

If your undergraduate business program is seeking superior candidates with a record of achievement, Cheri is an excellent choice. She has consistently demonstrated an ability to rise to any challenge that she must face.

To conclude, I would like to restate my strong recommendation for Cheri Jackson. If you have any further questions regarding Cheri's ability or this recommendation, please do not hesitate to contact me using the information on this letterhead.

Sincerely,

Professor William Dot

Sample 2

To Whom It May Concern:

As the Dean of Stonewell College, I have had the pleasure of knowing Hannah Smith for the last four years. She has been a tremendous student and an asset to our school. I would like to take this opportunity to recommend Hannah for your graduate program.

I feel confident that she will continue to succeed in her studies. Hannah is a dedicated student and thus far her grades have been exemplary. In class, she has proven to be a take-charge person who is able to successfully develop plans and implement them.

Hannah has also assisted us in our admissions office. She has successfully demonstrated leadership ability by counseling new and prospective students. Her advice has been a great help to these students, many of whom have taken time to share their comments with me regarding her pleasant and encouraging attitude.

It is for these reasons that I offer high recommendations for Hannah without reservation. Her drive and abilities will truly be an asset to your establishment. If you have any questions regarding this recommendation, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Roger Fleming Dean of Stonewell College

Sample 3

To Whom It May Concern:

As the Director of the Bay Area Community Center, I work closely with many of the community volunteers. I consider Michael Thomas to be one of the most studious and responsible members of our organization. After three years time, I have come to know him well and would like to recommend him as a candidate for your undergraduate business program.

Michael is a dedicated member of the Bay Area community and has donated countless hours of his time to the Center. He has not only worked with members of the community, he has also helped to implement plans and programs that will enrich the lives of those around him.

Michael's leadership and organizational skills have been invaluable to these programs, most of which have been started from the ground up. For example, the children of the Bay Area are now able to benefit from a multitude of new after-school and tutoring programs, while the elderly members of our community can now apply for grocery deliveries that did not exist previously.

In my opinion, Michael's unwavering devotion to his community exemplifies strong moral fiber and character. He is a trustworthy individual and would be an excellent candidate for your business school.

Sincerely,

John Flester Director, Bay Area Community Center

Useful Expressions

Choosing Your Recommenders

Choose people who know you well. Rather than choosing a famous person who has no intimate knowledge of your skills and abilities, it is much more powerful to use a person who can illustrate your strengths and show you at your best.

Choose people who really like you.  It is important that a recommender invests time in writing your recommendation.  A person who likes you will take out the time as well as put a positive spin on your qualities

Choose people who can address more than one key criterion: your business and managerial skills,  intellectual ability, leadership potential, maturity, work ethics etc.

The end

Samples (discuss the structure, language and diction)

Samples (discuss the structure, language and diction)

Give your recommender an outline of the assignments you have handled at work. Include in the outline some suggestions on how he/she might address specific issues such as analytical ability, integrity, intellectual curiosity etc.