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4 Amazing Recommendation Letter Samples for Students

Letters of Recommendation

How important are recommendation letters in a college application? According to William Fitzsimmons, dean of admissions and financial aid at Harvard, they are "extremely important."

If you're a student, examples of great letters of recommendation can help you understand how to get strong letters yourself from your teachers. If you're a teacher, the examples in this guide will inspire you to support your students strongly as they apply to college. Keep reading for four excellent letters from teachers that will get anyone into college , along with expert analysis on why they're so strong.

Important Note: Are you looking for job recommendation letters? If so, check out my great post here!

First, let's understand the role of recommendation letters in your application.

Why are Recommendation Letters Important?

The majority of admissions officers at four-year colleges, especially private schools, emphasize that their process is holistic . They seek to gain a sense of the student as a "whole person," rather than focusing on pieces of who she is based solely on grades and test scores. Since they rarely meet the student in person, the recommendation letters, along with the student's own personal essay, play a huge role in illuminating her intellectual and personal qualities.

That's why recommendation letters from teachers, especially those who know their students well, carry a great deal of weight in applications. A letter that expresses a strong vote of support, as well as highlights a student's impressive academic and personal strengths , can have a powerful effect on that student's chances of admission.

Let's look at some samples of strong recommendation letters, one from an English teacher, another from a physics teacher, the third from a history teacher, and the final one from a math teacher. Then we'll break down exactly why these letters of recommendation are effective.

The first example recommends Sara, a senior who loves to write and read poetry.

Sample Letter #1: Sara the Poet

Dear Admissions Committee, I had the pleasure of teaching Sara in her 11th grade honors English class at Mark Twain High School. From the first day of class, Sara impressed me with her ability to be articulate about difficult concepts and texts, her sensitivity to the nuances within literature, and her passion for reading, writing, and creative expression- both in and out of the classroom. Sara is a talented literary critic and poet, and she has my highest recommendation as a student and writer. Sara is talented at considering the subtleties within literature and the purpose behind authors' works. She produced an extraordinary year-long thesis paper on creative identity development, in which she compared works from three different time periods and synthesized cultural and historical perspectives to inform her analysis. When called upon to give her thesis defense in front of her peers, Sara spoke clearly and eloquently about her conclusions and responded to questions in a thoughtful way. Outside of the classroom, Sara is dedicated to her literary pursuits, especially to poetry. She publishes her poetry in our school's literary magazine, as well as in online magazines. She is an insightful, sensitive, and deeply self-aware individual driven to explore art, writing, and a deeper understanding of the human condition. Throughout the year Sara was an active participant in our discussions, and she always supported her peers. Her caring nature and personality allow her to work well with others in a team setting, as she always respects others' opinions even when they differ from her own. When we held a class debate about gun laws, Sara opted to speak for the side opposite her own views. She explained her choice as motivated by a desire to put herself in other people's shoes, view the issues from a new perspective, and gain a clearer sense of the issue from all angles. Throughout the year, Sara demonstrated this openness to and empathy for the opinions, feelings, and perspectives of others, along with shrewd powers of observation, all qualities that makes her outstanding as a student of literature and burgeoning writer. I am certain that Sara is going to continue to do great and creative things in her future. I highly recommend her for admission to your undergraduate program. She is talented, caring, intuitive, dedicated, and focused in her pursuits. Sara consistently seeks out constructive feedback so she can improve her writing skills, which is a rare and impressive quality in a high school student. Sara is truly a stand-out individual who will impress everyone she meets. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at [email protected]. Sincerely, Ms. Scribe English Teacher Mark Twain High School

This is a thorough, glowing recommendation for a student that Ms. Scribe clearly knows well. What other features make it stand out as a strong letter of rec?

The Breakdown

Ms. Scribe has a high opinion of Sara and her skills at writing and literary analysis. One way that she expresses this is by using powerful and specific language. She doesn't merely say Sara is a good writer. She says she's articulate about difficult concepts and sensitive to the nuances within literature. She calls her insightful and self-aware with shrewd powers of observation.

These descriptors don't happen by accident. Ms. Scribe took the time to choose her words carefully , and that effort paid off with a strong letter that captures Sara's special qualities.

Ms. Scribe also supports her characterization of Sara with examples . She describes her thesis paper and how she responded to questions thoughtfully under the pressured situation of her thesis defense. She gives the example of the debate on gun laws to illustrate Sara's openness to many different points of view.

In addition to illuminating her intellectual and personal strengths and supporting them with specific examples, Ms. Scribe speaks to Sara's goals for the future. She points out that she is talented at writing, poetry specifically, and that she is committed to continuing to improve as a writer in her future.

This letter, by virtue of its wording, length, and specificity, shows that Ms. Scribe took the time and effort to recommend Sara thoughtfully and with conviction. The fact that she knows Sara well and is committed to helping her application succeed with a thoughtful letter further adds weight to her assessment.

This letter would be a boon to Sara's application, especially if she's applying to study writing or English. She clearly impressed her English teacher and, in return, got a memorable, complimentary letter of recommendation for her college application.

This next example is similarly enthusiastic and detailed. It's for a student applying to an engineering program.

Sample Letter #2: Stacy the Engineer

Dear Admissions Committee, It is a great pleasure to recommend Stacy for admission to your engineering program. She is one of the most exceptional students I have encountered in my 15 years of teaching. I taught Stacy in my 11th grade honors physics class and advised her in Robotics Club. I am not surprised to find out she is now ranked at the top of an extraordinarily capable class of seniors. She has a keen interest in and talent for physics, math, and scientific inquiry. Her advanced skills and passion for the subject make her an ideal fit for your rigorous engineering program. Stacy is a perceptive, sharp, quick individual with a high aptitude for math and science. She is driven to understand how things work, whether they be the old computer hard drives in the school library or the forces that hold our universe together. Her final project in class was especially impressive, an investigation of frequency-dependent sound absorption, an idea that she said was sparked by not wanting to bother her parents with her hours of guitar practice at home. She's been a strong leader in Robotics Club, eager to share her knowledge with others and learn new skills. I have the students in the club prepare lessons and take turns leading our after-school meetings. When it was Stacy's turn, she showed up prepared with a fascinating lecture on lunar nautics and fun activities that got everyone moving and talking. She was our only student teacher to be met with much deserved applause at the end of her lesson. Stacy's personal strengths are as impressive as her intellectual accomplishments. She's an active, outgoing presence in class with a great sense of humor. Stacy's the perfect person to get a group project rolling, but she also knows how to sit back and let others take the lead. Her cheerful nature and openness to feedback means she's always learning and growing as a learner, an impressive strength that will continue to serve her well in college and beyond. Stacy is just the kind of driven, engaging, and curious student that helped make our classroom a lively environment and safe place to take intellectual risks. Stacy has my highest recommendation for admission to your engineering program. She has demonstrated excellence in all that she puts her mind to, whether it's designing an experiment, collaborating with others, or teaching herself to play classical and electrical guitar. Stacy's endless curiosity, combined with her willingness to take risks, leads me to believe there will be no limit to her growth and achievements in college and beyond. Please don't hesitate to contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions. Sincerely, Ms. Randall Physics Teacher Marie Curie High School

Ms. Randall is clearly as much of a fan of Stacy as she is of Mileva Marić. How does she communicate her recommendation?

Ms. Randall plugs for Stacy right off the bat with a statement of outstanding ranking : Stacy is one of the most exceptional students she's had in 15 years of teaching. A statement like this is pretty extraordinary and will make an impact in the mind of its readers. Stacy sounds like a special student, and she chose her recommender well.

Like in the last example, this letter uses strong, specific language , calling Stacy a perceptive and sharp person who has the confidence and good humor to take intellectual risks. Through its accurate and expressive language, this letter helps Stacy come to life in the mind of the reader.

Beyond the evaluation, Ms. Randall gives specific examples of Stacy's academic and personal strengths. She talks about her successful teaching in Robotics Club, her leadership in group projects, and her dedicated practice to teaching herself to play the guitar.

Rather than spreading the letter too thin, Ms. Randall highlights a few core themes. She connects Stacy's love of music with her passion for physics by talking about the frequency-dependent sound absorption project. All the threads tie together in a nice, memorable bow.

This letter is a strong vote of support for Stacy's application to an engineering program. Her physics teacher admires Stacy's skills and goals, and she made it clear that Stacy had her highest recommendation in this letter.

This next example also comes from a teacher who's extremely impressed with his student. It focuses on the student's performance in class and his volunteer work outside the classroom.

Sample Letter #3: William the History Buff and Social Organizer

Dear Admissions Committee, It is hard to overstate the meaningful contributions that William has made to our school and surrounding community. As both his 10th and 11th grade History teacher, I've had the pleasure of seeing William make profound contributions both in and out of the classroom. His school and community service is motivated by a strong sense of social justice, which he informs through a nuanced and sophisticated understanding of historical trends and events. I can say with confidence that William is one of the most caring and driven students I've ever taught in my fifteen years at the school. As a child of immigrant parents, William is especially drawn to understand the immigrant experience. He produced an extraordinary semester-long research paper on the treatment of Japanese-Americans in the U.S. during WWII, in which he went beyond all expectations to conduct Skype interviews with relatives of his featured subjects to incorporate into his paper. William has a great capacity to draw connections between past and present and to ground his understanding of current issues in the context of historical events. He never retreats to a simple answer or explanation, but is comfortable dealing with ambiguity. William's fascination with U.S. and World History and skill for deep analysis have him an exemplary scholar, as a well as a motivated activist driven to promote civil rights and work towards social equity. In sophomore year, William noticed that the college planning seminars students attended included little information for first generation or immigrant students. Always thinking about how institutions can better serve people, William spoke with counselors and ESL teachers about his ideas to better support all students. He helped collect resources and design a college planning curriculum for immigrant and undocumented students to enhance their college access. He further helped organize a group that connected ESL students with native English speakers, stating his mission to be helping ELLs improve their English and increasing multicultural awareness and social cohesion at the school as a whole. William identified a need and worked with students and faculty alike to meet it in an extremely effective and beneficial way. Ever the history scholar, he did plenty of research to back up his ideas. William believes passionately in social progress and working for the common good. His own personal experiences, along with his profound grasp on social history, drive his advocacy work. He is a talented, intelligent student with the charisma, confidence, strong values, and respect for others to make a huge difference in the world around him. I'm looking forward to seeing all the good that William continues to do for his fellow humanity in college and beyond, as well as the excellent work that he will produce at the college level. William has my highest recommendation. If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected]. Sincerely, Mr. Jackson History Teacher Martin Luther King, Jr. High School

Mr. Jackson's letter makes William sound like a pretty amazing student and person. How does he go about expressing his admiration for William in this rec letter?

Like Ms. Randall did in her letter, Mr. Jackson provides a statement of outstanding ranking for William, calling him one of the most caring and driven students he's ever taught. Considering his long teaching career of 15 years, this says a lot about William as a student and a person.

Also like in the last example, Mr. Jackson focuses on a few core aspects of William's character. He talks about his love of history and how it informs his social activism. He comments on his exceptional historical scholarship, as well as his personal qualities of caring for those around him and working for the social good.

Mr. Jackson also gives insight into William's personal life , explaining how he has a personal connection to his projects and volunteer work as the child of immigrant parents. This letter reveals that William is a thoughtful, motivated individual who connects his own experiences with his learning and desire to contribute to his community.

The letter also showcases William's exceptional accomplishments by giving specific examples of William's research paper and his work supporting the academic and personal needs of ELL students. Mr. Jackson expresses his enthusiastic recommendation while illuminating William's love of learning and strength of character. This letter would be both impressive and memorable to admissions officers considering William for admission to their school.

This next example comes from a math teacher. Let's see what Mr. Wiles has to say about Joe.

Sample Letter #4: Joe the Hard Worker

Dear Admissions Committee, It is my pleasure to recommend Joe, who I taught in my 11th grade math class. Joe demonstrated tremendous effort and growth throughout the year and brought a great energy to class. He has that combination of a positive attitude and the belief that he can always improve that's rare in a high school student, but so essential to the learning process. I am confident that he will continue to display the same commitment and diligence in everything he does. I highly recommend Joe for admission to your school. Joe would not describe himself as a math person. He's told me on several occasions that all the numbers and variables make his mind go fuzzy. Joe did, in fact, struggle to comprehend the material at the beginning of the year, but his response to this is what really struck me. Where so many others have given up, Joe took on this class as a welcome challenge. He stayed after school for extra help, got extra tutoring at the nearby college, and asked questions in and out of class. Due to all his hard work, Joe not only raised his grades, but he also inspired some of his classmates to stay after for extra help, as well. Joe truly demonstrated a growth mindset, and he inspired his peers to adopt that valuable perspective, too. Joe helped contribute to our classroom environment as one where all students can feel supported and able to ask questions. Joe's strong belief in his ability to acquire new skills and improve through practice was likely shaped by his years as a baseball player. He's played all through high school and is one of the team's most valuable players. In his final for our class, Joe designed an impressive project calculating and analyzing batting averages. While he initially described himself as not a math person, Joe reaped the benefits of his tremendous effort and found a way to make the subject come alive for him in a way that he was personally invested in. As a teacher, it is incredibly fulfilling to witness a student make this kind of academic and personal progress. Joe is a trustworthy, reliable, good-humored student and friend who supports others in and out of the classroom. He was a pleasure to have in class, and his positive attitude and belief in himself, even in the face of difficulty, is an immensely admirable asset. I'm confident that he will continue to demonstrate the same diligence, perseverance, and optimism that he showed myself and his peers. I highly recommend Joe for admission to your undergraduate program. Please feel free to contact me with any further questions at [email protected]. Sincerely, Mr. Wiles Math Teacher Euclid High School

While the students featured in the first three examples were top of their class or demonstrated leadership in the school, Joe isn't a top achiever in the traditional sense. However, this recommendation is still a strong one, even if it says he struggled in the teacher's class. What does Mr. Wiles focus on to recommend Joe?

Mr. Wiles writes a strong letter for Joe, with the same kind of enthusiasm and specific examples as the other three letters. Even though Joe may not have gotten the strongest grades in his math class, he found an enthusiastic recommender in his math teacher. Mr. Wiles was extremely impressed with Joe's attitude, effort, and growth mindset , which he demonstrated throughout the year and inspired in his fellow classmates.

Mr. Wiles focuses on Joe's substantial personal strengths, ones that would likely be impressive to his future educators. Even in a subject that may not come naturally to him, Joe is diligent and committed. He's not self-conscious about asking questions or seeking extra help, and he retains a strong belief in himself that he can continuously learn, improve, and acquire new skills.

This letter, like the others, is effective because it is focused, supportive, and backed up with examples. As you can tell from these examples, recommendations can communicate a great deal about a student. Because of this, they can have a powerful impact on a student's chances of admission. So what can teachers and students do to make sure they are sending a strong recommendation letter that will help their chances?

Enthusiasm is key.

How to Get a Strong Recommendation Letter

While these letters are about different students with different interests, they share certain fundamental features. One, they sound excited and enthusiastic. The teachers clearly communicate that they are impressed by these students and eager to help them get into college.

At the same time, the letters don't go overboard because they have examples to back up their assessments. Specific examples and stories are key for backing up the assessment. Plus, they make a letter more interesting and memorable. Rather than just another engineering applicant, Stacy is the student who researched sound-absorption to spare her parents from hours of guitar scales.

Finally, the teachers all discuss their students' personal strengths , along with their academic strengths. They present the holistic view that admissions officers are looking for, along with their strong vote of confidence in the students' future success.

Teachers should incorporate all these features into their letters, and students should help provide them with the raw material to write about. While students should choose a teacher who knows them well and has stories and observations to share, they should also give their teachers a detailed "brag sheet" and let them know what would go into their ideal letter. That way it can be even more personalized and complement the story the student is telling in the rest of her application.

While recommenders may or may not share their letters with students, there should still be open, two-way communication when the student makes her request . That way students and teachers can work together to produce an insightful, enthusiastic, and specific letter of recommendation to send to colleges.

What's Next?

Are you a teacher writing recommendations for your students? Read all about how to write an outstanding recommendation letter for your students , along with what not to include.

Are you or a student you work with applying to a selective school, like Harvard? Learn about what kind of letter she should get for the Ivy League.

Now that you've read these examples of strong teacher recommendation letters, check out these examples of bad ones . Warning: rec letters may appear better than they actually are.

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Rebecca graduated with her Master's in Adolescent Counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has years of teaching and college counseling experience and is passionate about helping students achieve their goals and improve their well-being. She graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University and scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT.

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Letter of Recommendation Examples for College Applicants

Admissions pros highlight what makes a recommendation letter stand out.

College Recommendation Letter Examples

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To help applicants and recommenders know what colleges are looking for in recommendation letters, some schools provide examples on their admissions website.

Recommendation letters can serve as powerful testimonials about a student's accomplishments, and the most effective letters demonstrate a candidate's potential for greatness, according to college admissions officers.

The best person to write a letter of recommendation is someone who knows the applicant well and can describe that person's journey in detail, says Kristen Capezza, vice president of enrollment management and university communications at Adelphi University in New York.

Ask for a recommendation letter from the teacher with whom you have the strongest rapport, Capezza suggests – not just someone who gave you a high grade. "That, to me, makes for a more powerful letter, because it will be more personalized and less generic."

Strong relationships shine through in letters and can help in situations where grades are poor, says Denard Jones, lead college counselor at Empowerly, a college admissions consulting company. Jones previously worked in college admissions at Elon University in North Carolina and Saint Joseph's University in Pennsylvania.

"Some of the best recommendation letters I’ve read over the years actually came from where a student might have had a lower grade than just an A," he says. "The reason being was the teacher knew that student and was able to go through and talk about the time they struggled and how they worked through the processes to overcome mastery of a new subject."

Similar to personal essays , recommendations should add to a student's application rather than repeat information, experts say. Admissions officers want to hear the story behind students to understand them holistically. For example, learning about a creative project a student participated in or the fact that the basketball player also starred in the school musical are examples that provide deep context, Jones says.

To help applicants and recommenders know what colleges are looking for in recommendation letters, some schools provide examples on their admissions website. Arizona State University provides this template , which shows how to format the letter as well as the type of content that should be included.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology also provides a breakdown on how to craft a strong letter, with several example letters and critiques on what makes them effective or ineffective.

College admissions pros also offered U.S. News insights on outstanding recommendation letters they've read during their careers.

Recommendation Letters That Swayed Admissions Officers

Admissions officials note that various types of recommendation letters can help a student's admissions odds. Those include letters that explain difficult personal circumstances, showcase remarkable achievements or reveal a student's personality.

Effective recommendation letters help admissions officers imagine how a student could contribute to their class, Capezza says.

"Reading about stories of perseverance, tales of transformation or simply honest accounts of the student's dedication to learning and the community help me to visualize the student as a future member of our community – and that visualization can be the turning point for a difficult admission decision," Capezza wrote in an email.

Challenges Faced and Overcome

Sometimes recommendation letters explain extenuating circumstances that clarify why a student's academic performance was subpar during a particular period in high school, says Skye Telka, admissions counselor at Sora Schools, a virtual private middle and high school. Telka previously served as a college admissions counselor for Warren Wilson College , a liberal arts school in North Carolina.

For instance, she once received an application from a student who performed exceptionally well in her freshman and sophomore years, but faltered in her junior and senior years.

The letter explained that the student's mother was critically ill, and the student had assumed the responsibility of parenting her own siblings, becoming her family's caregiver. Because of this letter, the Warren Wilson admissions committee accepted the student despite her lackluster grades, Telka says.

She also recalled admitting a student who had struggled in mathematics until eventually being diagnosed with dyscalculia , a learning disorder that affects a person's ability to do math.

"This letter of recommendation was important in not only revealing the student’s intellectual capacity, adaptability, and persistence, but also helped further contextualize their academic journey," Telka wrote in an email. "Especially in light of a global pandemic and some of the knowledge loss or academic irregularities associated with that, a clear and dedicated passion can really win over an admissions committee in the review process. Such passions are weighed heavily when it comes to shaping the incoming class."

This letter example from MIT shows how a school counselor provided context about a student's difficult life outside of school and previous struggles in the classroom.

Jane is an outstanding young woman whose academic record may not fully reflect her ability. Her parents were divorced during her junior year, and, for several years before that, her home situation had been in turmoil with a great deal of fighting between her parents. Her father has an alcohol problem, and Jane certainly endured a great deal of emotional distress. The fact that she has been able to do as well as she has done given the circumstances says a lot about her. Now that the home situation has stabilized, her performance has improved. I believe her senior year grades are a much better reflection of her ability.

The anonymous critique provided on the MIT admissions website says some may wonder if it's appropriate for recommendation letters to include such personal details. It is, the critique explains.

"We appreciate anything that gives us insight and perspective into a student’s performance and the environment," the critique reads. "Comments about problems that a student has experienced will help us understand the context in which they have accomplished whatever they have achieved. The extent to which they have dealt with these problems is useful to know as well."

These types of letters can be particularly valuable in cases where a student is less eager to share the details on their own, Jones says.

Information about a student's difficulties can not only mitigate deficits in an application, but also increase scholarship opportunities, Jones says. He adds that if a recommendation letter is especially compelling, the admissions committee might offer a student a scholarship or a spot in the honors program.

Abilities and Passions

Admissions officers say there are some recommendation letters that convey a student's strong interest in and aptitude for a specific academic discipline. Telka says she was amazed by a recommendation letter for a prospective agriculture student that was written by the student's employer at an apple orchard. The student had worked to revive a nearly extinct heirloom apple variety by planting it in various places.

"Because I had such context of what they had already achieved, it allowed me to reach out to faculty on campus (and) reach out to a couple of endowed scholarship opportunities," Telka says.

Another example from MIT shows a student interested in journalism who took on leadership responsibilities for the school newspaper and yearbook.

As business manager for the paper and co-editor of the yearbook the past two years, Mary has done an outstanding job. She personally brought the town’s business community from the view that the school newspaper was a charitable organization to the realization that the paper is a direct pipeline through which advertisers can reach students. She also took the initiative to set up the advertising rate schedule for the paper that produced enough revenue to expand coverage from a four-page paper, so that it is an eight-page and often twelve-page paper. Her work as photographer for both publications has been equally outstanding.

"Lots of specifics here give us a very clear impression and help us to know why that impression is held," the critique reads. "We have evidence of her newspaper directives and overall character."

When a student says he or she is strongly committed to a specific field or a particular type of community service , it is a plus if that statement is corroborated by a third party in a recommendation letter, Telka says.

It's also helpful when recommendation letters highlight a student's unusual interests. "We like to see nuggets of authenticity and anything that makes the student stand out," she says. "Clubs, extracurricular activities or anything else that makes a student unique. For example, we had one student who founded the juggling club at their high school. That sticks with you."

Strong Character

A recommendation letter may also offer insight into a person's character. Capezza recalls a letter she received about a student in a military family who had moved across the country. Written by a high school counselor , the letter described how the student had adjusted to the various places he moved.

"Throughout it all, the student was able to show upward trajectory in the grades and the types of classes being taken, but it also spoke to the student's ability to adapt to new situations," Capezza says. "No matter how overwhelming and daunting it was, the student was up for a new challenge and really learned to become his own self-advocate, and it was just a story of transformation by way of circumstance."

The following example, provided by college admissions consulting company IvyWise, describes a high-performing student's character.

Ashley’s teachers say she is an organized student who is not afraid to ask questions when she is uncertain about a skill or concept. She also works well in group settings, always making sure all members are actively involved in the work, instead of simply taking over, as many of her similarly high achieving peers are wont to do. She is also extremely goal-oriented; once she sets her mind to completing a task or project, she pursues it in earnest until it is done, regardless of any obstacles that pop up along the way. Far from the ruthless competitor, however, her peers characterize her as a compassionate friend, someone that everyone feels comfortable opening up to.  

This section of the letter "backs up the things the committee will likely see in her other recommendations and essays and provides a qualitative understanding of who she is as a student and a member of a school community," says Carolyn Pippen, master college admissions counselor for IvyWise.

A Strong Introduction and Conclusion Help

Like any piece of writing, it's important for a letter of a recommendation to immediately grab the attention of the reader. Though students don't necessarily have control over how a letter is written, experts say having deep relationships and offering anecdotes can help recommenders craft a more compelling letter.

"Experienced readers glance at the opening and concluding sentences before deciding if the letter is worth reading," he says. "A good anecdote is far more effective than even the most carefully chosen list of adjectives."

Jones provided an example of a teacher's recommendation for a fictitious student that demonstrates this well.

Introduction

One of my professors used to remind us daily of a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Nothing great has ever been accomplished without enthusiasm.” ... Jack epitomizes this quotation because he displays enthusiasm and energy toward everything he commits. Whether it be his intense dedication to academics, his devotion to making sure his customers are happy, his role as a lead in our Future Business Leaders of America club, or his overall school spirit, Jack puts forth every effort to produce the best possible results. He seems to live a fearless life. I have witnessed this first-hand.

The letter goes on to explain how Jack started his own lawn care service as a 10th grader and was managing more than 20 properties by his senior year. It also explains that Jack spent time working alongside his mother at a medical treatment center to help restore a decades-old barn that would help a local farm rebuild its revenue stream.

The conclusion should summarize the letter and tie everything together, Jones says. This example, written from the perspective of a school counselor for the same fictitious student, demonstrates that well, he says.

Jack is well-rounded – academically sound, athletic, and a leader. He has an entrepreneur's outlook, spirit, and risk-taking calculus. Life is more than what's happening for him today or next weekend – he is a strategic, forward thinker who enjoys planning for the future. He wants the next part of his journey to be in an environment where he can stretch himself, try different things, and confidently spread his wings. I am happy to give my full recommendation for admission to Jack Wright!

"A brief summary of the student's accolades will leave the reader with a positive feeling," Jones says.

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Four Incredible College Recommendation Letter Samples To Help Your Child Get Into College & Win Scholarships

4 Incredible College Recommendation Letter Samples To Help Your Child Get Into College & Win Scholarships

Did you know that you can’t rely on your GPA and test scores alone to secure your place at a great school? While these are important aspects of your application, they don’t tell your whole story as a student. 

According to data collected by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) , 40% of colleges reported that counselor and teacher recommendations are significant to the final admissions decision. This means that, if you want to create a well-rounded application that guarantees your chances of acceptance, you’ll have to submit good letters of recommendation.

As the founder and CEO of Prep Expert, I have had the honor of helping more than 100,000 students attain a spot in top colleges and earn thousands of dollars in scholarships. In this guide, I will teach you how to make sure your letters of recommendation are as strong as they can be through both tips and sample letters. Let’s get started!

Why Recommendations Matter

While it is important to have a high GPA and great test scores, your teacher recommendation letters might just make the difference between whether or not you get into your dream school.

Colleges and universities want to see that their applicants are well-rounded, passionate, and determined. Thousands upon thousands of students can earn a 4.0 GPA, but far fewer students are able to do so while also demonstrating strong leadership skills, advanced critical thinking skills, and impeccable character.

Schools rely on recommendations from teachers to gain a more holistic view of their applicants, allowing them to see which students have what it takes to thrive on their campus and contribute to the institution. In short, recommendations help you stand out. They showcase your personality and the way you interact in an academic setting.

How to Get Good Letters of Recommendation

If you want to get into your dream school, you’re going to need letters of recommendation that highlight your strengths. The last thing you want is a generic letter that makes it sound like you were just another face in a sea of hundreds of students within a teacher’s classroom.

Let’s go over a few tips you can use to make sure your letters of recommendation are strong and personal.

1. Ask Teachers Who Know You Well

This may seem like an obvious tip, but it’s important to consider. You probably have a lot of teachers and educators who have made a difference in your life. However, you can’t ask all of them to write you a recommendation. Most colleges will ask for only 2 or 3 recommendations, so you have to narrow down your choices to the teachers who know you the best.

Think about how long each person has known you and how much you have interacted with them. It may be helpful to choose teachers who have also worked with you outside the classroom in a club or volunteer setting because they may have a better understanding of your personality.

2. Ask in Advance

Your teachers are busy! Make sure you give them enough time to write a well-thought-out recommendation letter. Not only is it impolite to ask them the day before a deadline, but it will also require them to rush through writing it, meaning it might not be as strong as it could be. Provide at least 2 weeks notice before the deadline, if not more.

3. Be Polite in Your Request

Approach your teachers politely when you ask them to write a recommendation for you. It’s important to let them know what the recommendation is for so they can write as effectively as possible. However, try to avoid telling them exactly what you want them to say. It’s better to let them come up with their own evaluation of you and your strengths.

4. Provide Relevant Information

Some schools require recommenders to answer a specific prompt or submit their recommendation in a certain way. Be sure to give your teachers all the information they need to submit the recommendation correctly and on time. It may also help to provide your resume or personal statement that they can use as a reference while writing.

If your school asks that you mail in your letters of recommendation rather than submitting them electronically, include a stamped and addressed envelope for each teacher as well.

5. Don’t Forget a Thank You Note

Your teachers write letters of recommendation for you out of kindness, so remember to thank them for helping you. A hand-written thank you note is an excellent gesture of appreciation. If you aren’t sure what to write in your note, you can include an update about the outcome of your application and the role your teacher played in your success. Most teachers will be happy and excited to receive a follow-up.

Sample Letters of Recommendation

Here are 4 college recommendation letter samples that will help you learn what type of letter boosts your chances of admission.

Dear Admissions Committee,

My name is Mr. Smith, and I have had the honor of teaching John in AP Literature and Composition at High School X, during which I noticed his impeccable character, discipline, and leadership. John is a self-motivated student who always went above and beyond in my class. It is a pleasure to recommend him.

John has an insatiable desire to learn, and he demonstrated this throughout his year in my class. His questions were insightful and eloquent, and he produced work that was far above that of the average student. John’s writing and research skills are phenomenal. For his final project, he produced a truly remarkable essay analyzing cultural identity in Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake. John’s academic strengths are unparalleled, and I know he will be an asset to your institution.

John’s character is also impressive. He acts with generosity and compassion, and he is well respected by his peers and teachers alike. John is a natural leader, and he was such a joy to have in class.

As a learner and a leader, John is beyond exemplary. He has my strongest recommendation. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.

English Teacher

High School X

It is with great pleasure that I recommend Jill for admission to your institution. Jill is one of the strongest students I have taught in my 22 years of teaching, and I am beyond impressed by her academic performance and her leadership skills. Jill was in my AP Literature and Composition class, and I had the honor of coaching her on the High School X debate team. I am happy to recommend her, and I know that she will be a great addition to your university.

As captain of the debate team, Jill has spent countless hours conducting research and analyzing sources to prepare for our competitions. Her hard work and dedication led to her winning first place at the Iowa State Tournament this year. Jill not only has a strong aptitude for learning and debate, but she is also a strong leader. I watched her go beyond what is required of her to take students under her wing and help them become better debaters throughout our season. She is an incredible captain that understands the importance of leading by example and serving others. I firmly believe that both her personal and academic strengths will contribute greatly to your school.

Jill is an exceptional student, and she has my strongest recommendation. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.

Debate Coach

It has been a pleasure to have Jason in my English classes over the past four years. Jason is an exceptional student, and I have long been impressed by both his academic and interpersonal skills. Throughout the years that I have known Jason, his natural curiosity and desire for learning, his maturity and leadership, and his desire to serve his community have been remarkable. He has my strongest recommendation for admittance into your institution.

In my AP Literature and Composition class, Jason wrote some of the most insightful papers I have read in my 12 years of teaching. I was blown away by his analytical skills and his ability to make connections between different texts. His paper on Toni Morrison’s Sula, was one of the most incredible pieces of student work that I have ever had the joy to read.

Jason’s personal strengths are also strong. He treats his peers and teachers with respect, and he is one of the most compassionate and gracious students I have had in class. Jason is a strong applicant, and I know he will be the perfect addition to your university.

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.

Dear admissions committee,

Teaching AP Physics at High School X is rewarding because of students like Abigail. I have had the joy of watching Abigail’s critical thinking skills and passion for science grow over the past four years in my AP Physics class and as captain of the High School X Robotics team. Abigail is one of the brightest and hardest working students I have had in all of my years of teaching, and it is truly an honor to recommend her for admission to your institution.

Abigail takes her position as captain of the Robotics team very seriously. I have seen her go above and beyond what is required of her to make new members feel welcome and ensure our team is prepared to do well during our competitions. I have never met a student with her level of dedication and passion for sciences, and I know she will be a strong addition to your school’s engineering program.

In addition to her academic strengths, Abigail also has strong leadership skills. She always takes initiative, tackles challenges head on, and serves as a role model for the other students on the team. I know her work ethic and leadership abilities will make a positive impact at your institution.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Physics Teacher

Robotics Team Coach

Why These Letters Work

Notice the structure of these 4 college recommendation letter samples. Not only do they highlight each student’s strengths, but they also provide specific examples of the qualifications that back up those strengths. Specificity is important in recommendation letters because it shows that the recommender does know the student well and, thus, is qualified to recommend them. Their recommendation becomes both more trustworthy and more personal as a result.

So, when you request a letter of recommendation from your educators, remember to choose a teacher who knows you well enough to write an insightful, detailed letter about you. That letter might just be the final push that helps you secure a spot at your top school.

For more information about improving your chances of admission, I recommend booking a free appointment with Prep Expert’s college admissions consulting team. Every year, I work with our team of experts to help 96% of Prep Expert students gain admission to at least one of their top-3 choice colleges and win millions of dollars in merit scholarships. Sign up today to receive guidance for applications and holistic college planning for all students in grades 7 through 12.

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3 Sample Recommendation Letters for Students

July 3, 2023

In most cases, recommendation letters are a standard requirement for the college admissions process. Admissions boards use these letters to better understand the applicant’s promising qualities and characteristics that a transcript may not fully demonstrate. When you submit a strong letter, it can increase your chances of success in a large and competitive applicant pool. But do you know how a strong letter of recommendation sounds? What makes it memorable? Before you request letters of recommendation , it can be helpful to review a sample recommendation letter for college. That way, you can determine what will differentiate your application from the rest. Whether you need to write a recommendation letter for student success or are college-bound yourself, the following sample recommendation letters for students will help you better define how a winning letter should sound.

Getting Started

Firstly, it’s important to ensure you follow all guidelines before submitting a recommendation letter. For example, some colleges may require a teacher and counselor recommendation . Most universities will outline their expectations for how many letters are required and from whom the letter should come. Professional contacts like former or current teachers, employers, and coaches are excellent sources. Ideally, the person you ask should be familiar with your work ethic and personality in addition to your academic achievements.

Let’s take a look at some sample recommendation letters for college. As you read, imagine this letter has just come across your desk. Think about whether or not this letter would stick out to you.

The first sample recommends Isabelle, a high school senior who is interested in studying psychology and is also a student-athlete.

Sample Recommendation Letter for Student: Example #1

Dear Admissions Committee,

I had the pleasure of coaching Isabelle throughout her four years at Lewis and Clark High School. From her first day at try-outs, she impressed me with her incredible determination, her commitment to uplifting her team members, and her ability to balance her schoolwork with basketball. She prioritized her classes even throughout the height of the season. Isabelle is a hard worker with the drive to succeed in all facets of her life, and she has my highest recommendation as a student and an athlete.

During her junior year, Isabelle assumed the leadership position of team captain. In this role, Isabelle led by example. She was quick to demonstrate sportsmanship and kindness through tough losses, communicated effectively with team members, and encouraged new members when they made mistakes. Without my prompting, Isabelle took new players aside to coach them through our drills if they needed extra help. Isabelle was eager to spend time with the new recruits. She ensured they put their best foot forward and also made them feel included and valued. Isabelle is a wonderful communicator, and I imagine this quality will serve her well as she studies psychology and works with future clients in a one-on-one setting.

Recommendation Letter Sample for Student #1 (Continued)

Throughout the school year, Isabelle was an active participant in events outside of the court. She led and organized athletic fundraisers and was elected president of the Student-Athlete Association. She created presentations for her peers and served as a mentor for the underclassmen. All the while, Isabelle continued to demonstrate punctuality by showing up on time for practice and maintaining an optimistic and energetic attitude.

I am certain Isabelle will continue to succeed and accomplish great things in her future. I highly recommend her for admission to your undergraduate program. Isabelle is a talented, compassionate, and highly-driven student who continually strives to better herself and those around her. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Coach Anderson

Athletics Director

Lewis and Clark High School

Even though this is a sample recommendation letter for college, imagine you have the opportunity to invite Isabelle into the undergraduate program. Does she sound like a promising candidate?

Why it Works

Obviously, Coach Anderson holds Isabelle in high regard. One way she demonstrates how much she appreciates Isabelle’s efforts is by using specific examples to demonstrate Isabelle’s impressive qualities. Instead of simply saying Isabelle is a dedicated student, Coach Anderson tells us what organizations Isabelle is involved in. She even tells us what some of Isabelle’s responsibilities are and how she has assumed leadership positions in these roles.

Similarly, Coach Anderson also highlights how Isabelle’s work ethic will help her succeed in her future career goals and college major . Isabelle’s ability to communicate well with her teammates will help her create meaningful and important relationships with her future clients. Isabelle has the right kind of demeanor for the career she wants to pursue.

When writing the recommendation letter for student applications, Coach Anderson’s admiration reads clearly because she thoughtfully recalls Isabelle’s accomplishments. Coach Anderson’s enthusiasm will certainly make the recommendation letter more memorable, as it shows Isabelle’s genuine connection with her coach.

Let’s look at another sample recommendation letter for college. This sample will recommend Jacob, a high school senior who is interested in studying biology. Let’s see if this letter is as successful as the first one.

Sample Recommendation Letter for Student: Example #2

Jacob was my student in AP Biology his senior year, and I had the great pleasure of working with him during that time. Throughout the academic year, Jacob impressed me not only with his natural aptitude for science but also with his curiosity and ingenuity. His dedication to exploring new concepts and procedures, even outside of the classroom, marked him as one of my most impressive students. Jacob has my highest recommendation, as I believe he will continue to succeed at the next level of scientific research.

Jacob is an inquisitive student whose motivation drives him to look for new opportunities. I am the supervisor for the Robotics Club at Robinson High School, and Jacob approached me about joining even before classes began. With each new project I assigned, Jacob constantly went above and beyond what was asked of him. He admitted to me that in his free time, he learned how to better utilize the codes I taught and worked hard to understand what confused him. Jacob is naturally curious about how things work together and is always willing to put in the time to figure it out.

Recommendation Letter Sample for Student #2 (Continued)

In the classroom, Jacob is an attentive and eager student. All of his assignments are rendered with thoughtfulness and great attention to detail. Jacob’s understanding of the classroom material is so great that he tutors underclassmen in biology. However, he never falls behind on his own assignments and always prioritizes his own workload. In fact, Jacob submitted a research thesis to a national competition in the fall and won third place. His research in artificial tissue production far surpasses the caliber I usually expect from my students. I know Jacob wants to continue this avenue of research at the university, and I believe he already has a solid foundation.

I imagine Jacob’s independence and motivation will serve him well as he continues on in a university lab. He is a self-starter with the initiative and drive that will help him succeed at any university he attends. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Ms. Patterson

AP Biology Instructor

Robinson High School

Does this recommendation letter for student Jacob pique your interest more than the recommendation letter for student Isabelle? They are both strong letters but for varied reasons.

Like the first one we read, this sample recommendation letter for college also utilizes specific examples to help us understand why Jacob would be a good fit for a university lab. Ms. Patterson knows Jacob as both her student in AP biology and as a member of the robotics club. She is sure to emphasize how Jacob’s inquisitive nature helped him succeed in both of these environments.

A different but equally important quality of this letter is that Ms. Patterson is sure to mention the work Jacob has completed outside of the classroom . Not only does Jacob tutor other students, but also he continues to study helpful skills, like coding, in his spare time. From these examples, we infer Jacob works well with others and is highly motivated.

Ms. Patterson also made sure to highlight Jacob’s prize-winning thesis. The work Jacob has already completed in high school is the perfect foundation for the research he wants to continue in college. In this way, Jacob is already prepared for the rigor and challenge of a college course. This example shows that he’s a student who is willing to take ownership of his assignments and displays great initiative.

Let’s take a look at one final sample letter of recommendation for college. This one is for Wendy, a high school senior who is interested in studying English literature.

Sample Recommendation Letter for Student: Example #3

Wendy was my student in English class her freshman year. She is a very thoughtful student who enjoys reading and writing. I always saw her nose in a book. I remember that her essays were perceptive, and she integrated quotes from her research well. Further, I believe she will succeed at studying literature. For that reason, Wendy has my recommendation.

Wendy enjoys reading nonfiction. I remember she liked to learn about different historical eras, as several of her essays covered earlier time periods. She reads every day and takes diligent notes on what she reads. Wendy always scored highly on her reading comprehension examination

Because of these reasons, I believe Wendy will be a good fit for your school. She is a dedicated student. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

English Instructor

Fields High School

How do you think this sample recommendation letter for college portrays Wendy? Is this sample stronger or weaker than the first two?

Strengthening the Letter of Recommendation

In this sample recommendation letter for college, Wendy’s qualities are vague and generic . Of course, an admissions board would assume that any student applying for an English literature degree would enjoy reading and writing. But what makes Wendy a unique candidate? Mr. Riley fails to denote any of Wendy’s specific strengths and qualities.

It is also unclear how authentic the relationship is between Mr. Riley and Wendy. It sounds like Mr. Riley had Wendy in class only once, and this happened many years ago. While Mr. Riley may have remembered her as a good student, he is not specific about why.

Finally, the letter is too short . Generally, it is a good rule of thumb to allow for at least three full paragraphs. Mr. Riley’s paragraphs feature clipped sentences, and the letter cuts off abruptly. This taut style of writing suggests that perhaps Mr. Riley does not know Wendy very well. Therefore, it feels like he is struggling to write this recommendation.

Sample Recommendation Letter for Student – Final Thoughts

After reviewing each sample recommendation letter for college, it should be clear that above all, admissions boards seek specificity . The more detailed and thorough the examples of a student’s admirable qualities, the better. The goal is to leave a lasting impression on the admissions committee members.

Similarly, it is also important to understand how the prospective student will be a good fit for the college. In Isabelle’s example, we imagine that she could become a successful mentor for her peers and a great leader. In Jacob’s example, we imagine that he will continue the research he has already completed at a higher caliber.

Undeniably, recommendation letters are an important component of the admissions process. In each sample recommendation letter for college, we outlined helpful attributes to look out for. These qualities will be sure to help your writing shine. So, while asking for a letter or even writing one may feel a bit overwhelming, don’t stress! Follow these guidelines, and you will be sure to set your recommendation letter apart from the crowd.

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Meghan Dairaghi

With a BA in English and an MFA in Creative Writing, Meghan has served as a writing tutor at the University of Missouri St. Louis and Maryville University. Additionally, Meghan has held editorial roles at River Styx and Boulevard, and was a prose reader at Farside Review . Most recently, her work has been featured in Belle Ombre , Flypaper Lit , and Mag 20/20 , among others, and she was nominated for the Mary Troy Prize in Fiction. 

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College Recommendation Letter Sample & FAQs

The college recommendation letter – an introduction.

As you begin your college application process, you will likely hear a lot about college recommendation letters. In this guide, with insight from CollegeAdvisor’s expert Admission Officers, we’ll explain exactly what a college recommendation letter is. We will also cover how to request a recommendation letter for college. And, we will present an example of what a strong college recommendation letter sample looks like. 

After reading this guide, hopefully you will understand the importance of the recommendation letter for college. Above all, you will want your college recommendation letter to be written by someone who knows you well. That way, your letter of recommendation for college will be the strongest it can possibly be. As you’ll see in the college recommendation letter sample that helped one student earn admission to Harvard University , a strong letter of recommendation can help you attend your dream school . But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s begin with the most important question: what is a letter of recommendation for college? 

What is a college recommendation letter?

A college recommendation letter is exactly what it sounds like. It’s an opportunity for those who know you in an educational setting to explain to an admissions committee the ways you stand out. It also helps them highlight why you would be a good candidate for college admission.

Your recommendation letter for college admission will help admissions officers get to know you from a third party perspective. They will glean insight into you beyond your personal essay , academics , and extracurricular achievements . It will help admissions officers understand: What are you like in the classroom? How do you lead your peers? What qualities do you have that would make you a great fit for the university you want to attend? A good recommendation letter for college will answer these questions and more.

Later in this guide, you’ll see a sample college recommendation letter that will demonstrate this. The college recommendation letter sample will show you first hand the type of content your teachers will be writing about you. The letter in this guide is a real recommendation that helped a student earn admission to Harvard University ! 

These 4 steps break down how to get a great letter of recommendation for college in more depth. And, here are some more FAQs about the letter of recommendation for college admission. For now, let’s discuss why a letter of recommendation for college matters so much. 

Why is a college recommendation letter important?

Not all colleges will require a letter of recommendation, but the majority do. So, it’s generally best to plan to secure them as part of your college application process. It’s impossible to weigh the role letters of recommendation play in the overall admissions process. It will vary a bit by school. However, many schools have shifted to a holistic admissions strategy as they review college applications. A holistic admissions approach means that colleges will consider all components of your college application more evenly. This includes your academics, your extracurriculars, and especially the recommendation letter for college. 

According to Inside Higher Ed , more than 60% of colleges reported that the counselor recommendation had at least ‘moderate importance’ in admissions decisions. The article explores the fairness and validity of letters of recommendation. However, one thing is for certain: they will continue to be used in the application process. 

So, it is worth understanding how to secure strong college recommendation letters. Due to COVID-19 , standardized testing has taken a back seat and some high schools are resorting to pass/fail grades. Therefore, letters of recommendation may matter even more in the admissions process, especially at more selective schools.

Let’s take a look at the times when a letter of recommendation for college admission can play an even more important role in college admission decisions.

When might a letter of recommendation for college matter most?

A few scenarios can play out where your letter of recommendation for college could be a deciding factor in an admission decision. Firstly, at highly selective schools , where each component of the application process counts, this may very well be the case. Let’s say for instance the admissions committee is deciding between two candidates. Both applicants have similar profiles in terms of academic interests, extracurricular involvement, test scores (if applicable), GPA, and curriculum. A strong letter of recommendation for college admission just may be the deciding factor.

In a second scenario, let’s take a less selective school with a truly holistic admissions process. A candidate might seem like an average student, but a strong letter of recommendation for college might show admissions how the student excels beyond grades. A strong letter of recommendation might motivate an admissions officer to take a chance on that candidate.

The deciding factor

Lastly, a common scenario at selective schools is one in which a candidate may be on the cusp. Academically, they aren’t strong enough for a definite offer of admission, so the decision can go either way. That’s when a recommendation letter for college or a personal essay can really make all the difference. A strong combination of the two can provide that boost admissions officers need to settle on a decision to admit.

At the end of the day, while a required recommendation letter for college isn’t the end-all be-all in the college application process, these letters can play an important role in the final decision. They are a third-party testament to your ability to excel. This insight can be an important addition to your college application packet. As such, it’s best to ensure your letters are as strong as possible. You’ll see an example of that in our college recommendation letter sample.

Asking for a recommendation letter for college: Things to know

Now that we’ve explained the basics of the letter of recommendation for college admission, let’s get into some more detail. We’ll even look at a sample college recommendation letter later on to give you a clear idea of what these letters look like!

Check out this step-by-step guide to the process, and keep reading to see our college recommendation letter sample later in this guide.

Who should I ask for a letter of recommendation for college?

This is probably the most important question you will ask yourself as you begin to think about your college recommendation letters. Deciding who should write your letter of recommendation for college admission requires careful consideration. It sounds a bit transactional, but you should take inventory of your teachers early in your junior year . The college application process requires planning , so you need to assess every step of the way. Be intentional about building strong relationships with your teachers with your letter of recommendation for college in mind.

Do you already know what particular school, major, or program you will be applying to? If so, you will certainly want to ask a teacher in the appropriate subject. If two letters are required, we suggest one letter of recommendation for college from a math or science teacher and another recommendation letter for college from a humanities teacher. Our college recommendation letter sample below is from a math teacher, so the best contrasting letter would be an English or history teacher. 

Junior-year teachers are best

Junior year teachers are ideal candidates to write your letter of recommendation for college admission. This is because they are the last ones to have taught you for a full year before the application process, and your classes are more rigorous. If you are lucky enough to have a junior year teacher that you had in previous years, that could certainly be an advantage. Either way, make sure to forge relationships with your teachers throughout your junior year. Let them know your interests, go to see them during their office hours, and be an active participant in class discussions.

Do you have the opportunity to work with one of your teachers outside of your class? Perhaps your history teacher advises the Yearbook committee, or your calculus teacher advises the Black Student Association. It’s a good idea to join the clubs your teachers advise so they can get to know you better outside of the classroom. Of course, these should be activities that you’re genuinely interested in.

Counselor recommendations

In addition to the teachers you will ask for a letter, your school counselor will also submit a letter of recommendation for college. This letter of recommendation for college admission will typically provide an overview of your years as a high school student. It will discuss your academics, extracurricular involvement and impact, as well as your personal traits and growth throughout the years. For that reason, even if you do work with an outside advisor (such as one of CollegeAdvisor.com’s Advisors ), it is also important to form a relationship with your school-assigned counselor.  

Your counselor’s recommendation letter for college can help fill in gaps in your application story by providing contextual information. For example, if your GPA suffered your sophomore year due to your parents’/guardians’ divorce or separation, or a death in the family, your counselor can include that information. For some information, such as medical conditions, your counselor will require written consent to include said information in your letter of recommendation for college.

Some colleges and universities will allow you to submit a supplemental letter of recommendation for college admission. The amount will vary by school, but one is typically enough.

This letter could come from:

• Supervisors
• Religious mentors
• Community leaders
• Research advisors
• Band teachers

You will want the person writing your supplemental recommendation letter for college to provide a unique perspective different from your other letters. A word of caution: be sure to check the individual college’s policy on the submission of a supplemental letter of recommendation for college admission. Not all schools welcome them, so do not have an additional letter of recommendation for college sent if they specify that it is not wanted.

Keep reading to see a favorite college recommendation letter sample of ours!

How to ask for a letter of recommendation for college?

You should try to ask for a college recommendation letter face-to-face rather than over email. If possible, ask your potential recommenders in person or ask to set up a meeting online. Understand that your teachers can decline your request to have them write a letter of recommendation for college. However, teachers know about the process of writing a recommendation letter for college and will be open to writing one for you. 

One important thing to do ahead of time when asking for a college recommendation letter is to prepare a resume and a list of key extracurricular activities and awards to give your potential recommenders. This will make their job much easier! They’ll know exactly what they should be highlighting as they write your letter. As you’ll see below in our sample Harvard recommendation letter, the student’s recommender lists her extracurriculars in the letter. This helps paint a more well-rounded picture of the student for admissions officers. 

Verify in the portal

Once you’ve confirmed who your recommenders will be, you will need to verify them through your application portal. For example, on the Common App, you invite the recommender to write you a letter by putting their email into the recommendation section of the application. The recommenders will receive a notification and be able to upload their letter of recommendation for college admission directly to the application portal. 

Looking for more information on how to ask for a letter of recommendation for college admission? Check out this article. And, keep reading to see us analyze a strong college recommendation letter sample. 

When should I ask for a college recommendation letter?

We cannot stress enough the importance of respecting your teachers’ time when asking for a letter of recommendation for college admission. While you should ask four weeks in advance at minimum , we advise asking in May or June before the end of the school year . Many teachers will use their free time during the summer to write college recommendation letters, so the earlier the better. 

You don’t want to be the student asking your teachers for a letter of recommendation for college admission just days before the application deadline; your teachers have enough to juggle. Ask your teachers in person if possible, and understand that they can decline.

What is the deadline for teachers to submit college recommendation letters?

If you are applying to schools with a November deadline, your teachers and counselor will generally submit your letters by then. Likewise for applications with a January deadline.

A letter of recommendation for college admission can generally come in after the deadline , within reason. Sometimes your college counselor will continue to submit information on your behalf throughout the cycle if necessary. What matters is that your application is submitted by the deadline. For schools with rolling admissions, your application will not be reviewed until it is complete.

What can I do as a sophomore/junior to ensure a good college recommendation letter?

The best thing to do to ensure a good letter of recommendation is to form relationships with your teachers. You can accomplish this by coming to class prepared so that you can answer questions and also ask questions. That said, you will want to make sure you consistently complete your homework and class assignments on time. 

You can set yourself apart by contributing to class discussions, respecting your peers, and getting along with your teachers. You can also show leadership by volunteering to help out in class and take the lead on group projects. You’ll want to identify teachers you trust and can ask for help in order to build relationships with your teachers. Additionally, you’ll also want to get to know your teachers and allow them to get to know you. In fact, you’ll see in our college recommendation letter sample how one student set herself apart for all four years of high school. 

For more information on how to get a great recommendation letter for college, check out this article . 

Letter of Recommendation for College: Form and Function

Now, we’ll go into detail about what the college recommendation letter should look like, what it should contain, and how many letters you should aim for. Keep reading for our analysis of a college recommendation letter sample as well. 

How long should a college recommendation letter be?

The standard length of a college letter of recommendation is one page. Some teachers may write a bit more or a bit less in a letter of recommendation for college. But expect approximately a page worth of content. Below, you’ll see our sample college recommendation letter is one full page, single-spaced.  

What should a college recommendation letter include?

A strong recommendation letter for college will provide key details that are not obvious from the rest of your application. In fact, you will see exactly what we mean below in the college recommendation letter sample. While you may have a strong academic profile, a letter of recommendation for college admission can provide contextual information. Information such as: your journey in that particular class; insight into how you think; how you treat your classmates; your relationship with your teacher; and how you contribute to the class. That’s information that a simple letter grade cannot provide.

Thinking beyond the “A”

And speaking of grades, you don’t have to ask teachers whose classes you earned an A in to write your letters. Sometimes the strongest letters can come from teachers whose class you didn’t ace — that’s not always the end result of hard work, after all. A strong letter can attest to the commitment you made to do well. You might have met the teacher outside of class, seen a tutor, or asked for additional resources to better grasp the material. What admissions committee wouldn’t appreciate a teacher speaking to your resilience and work ethic? Admissions officers aren’t looking for perfection, but they are looking to form the ideal class of students who can thrive academically.

Wondering about writing a recommendation letter for college from the teacher’s perspective? Check out this guide from MIT about what they like in a letter. Looking to read a college recommendation letter sample? We’ll be analyzing a very strong sample college recommendation letter below!

Who should my teachers address the college recommendation letters to?

Each letter of recommendation for college admission can simply be addressed “To whom it may concern,” as they are not written for specific colleges. Or, see our college recommendation letter sample for how to start a letter. 

How many letters of recommendation for college?

Usually, you will need two letters of recommendation. We suggest you get one recommendation letter for college from a STEM teacher, and one recommendation letter for college from a humanities or social sciences teacher. This helps to show colleges that you are a well-rounded student.

However, if you are applying for a specific program or major , for example any very competitive engineering programs, you may want to instead get a college recommendation letter from both a math teacher and a science teacher. Our college recommendation letter sample is from a math teacher, so if that student were applying for engineering, she may want to get a second college recommendation letter from a science teacher.

Some colleges allow you to submit more than two recommendation letters. It may be helpful to check out schools on your college list ahead of time so you know whether to ask for a third recommendation letter for college. 

Supplemental letter of recommendation for Harvard

For example, our sample letter below is a Harvard recommendation letter. Although you only need two Harvard recommendation letters, the college will accept a supplemental Harvard recommendation letter. A third Harvard recommendation letter can help the admissions committee to see an additional part of your background or personality. You can touch on things not already covered in your application or first two Harvard recommendation letters.  

However, do not think that every additional Harvard recommendation letter that you send will subsequently increase your chances of admission. In fact, sending too many additional Harvard recommendation letters may make the admissions office wary of accepting you. Knowing when enough is enough is key.

Now, let’s check out a sample college recommendation letter. This college recommendation letter sample will provide you with a concrete example of what these letters should look like. And, it helped Jennifer gain acceptance into Harvard!

College Recommendation Letter Sample

The moment you’ve been waiting for: a real college recommendation letter sample. Below, we’ll discuss what makes this a strong college recommendation letter sample, and how you can get a similarly strong college recommendation letter. This sample letter is actually a real Harvard recommendation letter that helped one student gain admissions Harvard University.

The above college recommendation letter sample is a strong example of a good college recommendation letter. We can break this Harvard recommendation letter down into three parts: the student’s academic background, specific examples of the student’s high achieving behavior, and the student’s extracurricular background. The recommender closes out the letter by offering an overall endorsement of the student. Now, let’s dive into the details of this sample college recommendation letter. 

The letter provides context

This college recommendation letter sample begins by offering context for Jennifer as a student and how the recommender knows Jennifer. This demonstrates to admissions officers why the recommender is qualified to endorse Jennifer as a candidate for admissions; Jennifer was a past student in two of the recommender’s extremely challenging courses. 

It highlights academic accomplishments with examples

The first paragraph of this sample college recommendation letter focuses on Jennifer’s academic accolades. She took AP Calculus freshman year of high school, then moved on to take a college level course in Multivariate Calculus as only a junior in high school. 

This college recommendation letter sample also mentions Jennifer’s successes on the AP exams, not only in math courses, but in AP Computer Science and AP History as well. Finally, this college recommendation letter sample details that Jennifer has taken multiple classes at the college level. All of this is extremely impressive, and we’re only on the first paragraph of this college recommendation letter sample!

In the next paragraph of this sample college recommendation letter, the recommender discusses specifics of Jennifer’s work that were outstanding. These specific examples back up the claims made in the above paragraph: Jennifer is a unique and brilliant student. 

Describes excellence outside the classroom

Finally, this college recommendation letter sample discusses Jennifer’s accomplishments outside of the classroom. This is always helpful for a recommender to mention in a letter of recommendation for college admission. It emphasizes that Jennifer is well-rounded and that her recommender took the time to get to know her outside of the classroom space. As we mentioned before, you can provide your recommender with a list of key extracurriculars and accomplishments. That way, like in this Harvard recommendation letter, your recommender can address the many facets of your high school career!

This sample college recommendation letter specifically highlights Jennifer’s success in mathematical courses. However, it also talks more broadly about Jennifer’s involvement in other courses and extracurriculars. It’s no wonder this Harvard recommendation letter helped earn Jennifer admission into the college. In fact, it really contributed depth and detail to her application. A college recommendation letter like this college recommendation letter sample would be a huge asset to an application!

College Recommendation Letters: Additional FAQs

Now that we’ve gone through a sample college recommendation letter, you should have a pretty clear idea of what a letter of recommendation for college admission looks like. Below, we’ll answer remaining questions you may have about getting a letter of recommendation for college admission. 

Can a college recommendation letter be from a family member?

No. A family member cannot write a letter of recommendation for college on your behalf. You could have a mentor or a boss write a recommendation letter for college, but they should not be related to you. 

Will I be able to read my college recommendation letter?

Your teachers will typically submit your letter of recommendation for college admission to your school counselor. From there, it gets uploaded to the platform your school uses such as Naviance or MaiaLearning, from which your counselor will submit your supporting documents to the colleges you’ve selected.

Typically, students must sign a FERPA waiver when they request their letters of recommendation for college. This agreement states that you waive the right to view your recommendation letter for college admission. 

How do I know if my college recommendation letter is good?

The quality of a recommendation letter for college can vary depending on the teacher writing it. Not all teachers are wordsmiths, and that’s ok. What matters most is the content, which is why it’s important to forge those teacher connections and choose recommenders who know you and your abilities best. If a teacher feels that they would not be the best person to write a solid recommendation on your behalf, they may decline your offer.

Letter of Recommendation for College- Final Thoughts

We hope this guide has provided a comprehensive explanation of the college recommendation letter process. We hope you also gained a better sense of what a strong college recommendation letter sample looks like. Remember that not all letters of recommendation will be exactly like the above college recommendation letter sample. So, you shouldn’t compare your successes to the student in the college recommendation letter sample. You are you , and that’s the greatest advantage in the college admissions process! Find recommenders who understand you, and be sure to ask for a college recommendation letter far before the deadline. Be prepared to provide recommenders with a list of extracurriculars, as the student in our college recommendation letter sample did. Your personal essay (if you’ve written it) may also be helpful for recommenders to see. Any additional information you can provide will be helpful for your teachers. Like in our college recommendation letter sample, you want to seem a well-rounded, unique, and hard working student. 

For more information on the college recommendation letter process, check out this Common App article. Good luck!

This informational article was written by CollegeAdvisor.com Admissions Experts and former Admissions Officers. Didn’t see your question on the list? Get help writing your college essay from our talented team of advisors and other CollegeAdvisor admissions experts, click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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College Recommendation Letter Samples & Writing Guide

It's important to review college recommendation letter samples if you are applying to college soon or if you have been asked to write a letter for a prospective student. In this increasingly competitive admissions climate, college letters of recommendation as just as important as college essays and GPA. Keep reading to learn more about college recommendation letters, how to make sure you secure and write a compelling one, as well as examples of great letters of recommendation that will definitely inspire your own.

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Article Contents 14 min read

What are college recommendation letters and why do they matter.

As the name suggests, college recommendation letters are essentially positive endorsements of an applicant's skills and qualities. Their aim is to recommend the applicant in question for a particular college or university. Most four-year colleges, like the easiest ivy schools to get into , or the best undergraduate business schools, for example, have a holistic admissions process. This means that they want to know the "whole person" behind the IB or AP courses, grades, and test scores. Recommendation letters and personal essays play a significant role in making that happen. They give the admissions board more information about how students view themselves and how others see them.

A strong letter of recommendation holds substantial weight in admissions decisions. It allows the admissions committee to get a better idea of who you are as a person and what you would be like as a student. A strong letter can be the deciding factor between receiving an acceptance letter, an interview invitation, or a rejection letter when the school is faced with two equally qualified applicants. 

College recommendation letters should be written by someone familiar with your work, character, and accomplishments. Someone who knows you well enough to illuminate your intellectual and personal qualities will write a better letter than someone who has little knowledge of who you are.  Depending on your academic and professional background, there are three main types of letters that you can request from various referees.  

A personal reference, also called a character reference, is a letter written by a friend, family member, mentor, neighbor, or anyone who knows the candidate well enough personally and who can attest to the traits that would make them a good addition to the school or program that they are applying to. This type of letter should explain how the writer knows the applicant and discuss the qualities and attributes that make them the ideal candidate.  ","label":"Personal references","title":"Personal references"}]' code='tab1' template='BlogArticle'>

Regardless of the type of letter you are requesting, one important thing keeps coming up: the referee should know you well! You do not want writers with whom you have not worked personally or with whom you’ve only had brief interactions. These have not had time to evaluate you and your skills, so they will most likely end up writing a very generic sounding letter. Remember that the recommendation letter is supposed to give the admissions team information about you that can't be found anywhere else in your application. 

Before we get into the structure of a recommendation letter, what it needs to include, and those examples that we promised, we want to go over a few things that you need to keep in mind if you want to have recommendation letters that stand out. 

• The earlier, the better:   Any good college advisor will tell you that you need to start planning and working on your college applications early. College applications have a lot of components that require time and focus to get right. That's why it is ideal for you to request your recommendation letters early, as it gives you more time to focus on other aspects of your college application, like writing your common app essay or reviewing common college interview questions . Furthermore, the earlier you speak with your chosen writers about your reference letter, the sooner they can start working on it. Therefore, the higher your chances of getting a strong letter of recommendation.
•  Ask tactfully:   It's important to remember that when you're asking for a letter of recommendation, you are essentially asking for a professional favor. It's therefore important to be courteous and professional when asking your chosen writers for one. We recommend doing it face to face whenever possible, but if that's not an option for you, then you may send the request by email. In both cases, you should explicitly ask for a letter of recommendation and provide them with all the information they may need. This brings us to our last point...  
•   It's your responsibility:   As the applicant, it is your responsibility to provide your chosen writers with everything they need to write the strongest letter they can. You should provide them with supporting documents like your supplemental essay, high school resume if you have one, and a short biography to fill in any gaps. They also need to know what format the letter should be in, if anything specific is required by the school, whom they should send the letter to, and when. You should also make sure they have your contact information to get in touch with you if they need additional information. At the end of the day, this is your college application, so you need to follow up with every single component, even if you are not writing your own letter of recommendation .    

There is no golden template for college recommendation letters. You just need to make sure that the letter is grammatically correct, easy to read and follow, and communicates the right information. It is important to check the guidelines and instructions given by the school you are applying to. Some colleges can request that references be submitted in a specific format, and it is your responsibility to inform your chosen writers of this. You may have a form that your selected referee will need to fill out or specific questions that the school requires them to answer in their letter.  

Unless otherwise stated, we recommend using the following format: 

A letter of recommendation is a document that is supposed to highlight an applicant\u2019s positive attributes, skills, and accomplishments. A strong letter will be clear and provide specific examples to back up any claims made about the student. People tend to remember narratives, so this is one of those instances where it is better to show instead of telling. We recommend using brief anecdotes and specific examples of exceptional projects or meaningful interactions. "}]'>

Conclusion and college recommendation letter examples

College letters of recommendation are challenging. Whether you're requesting a letter of recommendation or have been asked to write one for a prospective college student, there are a lot of things that you need to keep in mind. It's important to use a format that is easy to read, a structure that is easy to follow, and to have specific examples that will show the admissions board why a candidate belongs in their school or university. Following the tips outlined above will definitely help you come up with a recommendation letter that is as compelling or maybe even better than the outstanding examples that we'll share with you below.

College recommendation letter sample # 1 

To whom it may concern,  

It is with great pleasure that I write this letter of recommendation on behalf of Jane Doe. I have known her for three years, having served as both her English teacher and her supervisor on the XYZ High School newspaper. I firmly believe that Jane would be an excellent addition to the XX College English program.  

 I have watched Jane grow into a capable and confident leader. She started as one of the junior writers of our high school paper, and from the very beginning, Jane was always early to newspaper meetings, and she always came prepared. Whether it was with research for the stories she wanted to pitch or a pen and paper to take notes on whatever assignment she would get. She worked her way up to features editor and she has been occupying this role for one year.   

  Her leadership skills are reflected every day in how she delegates work to her assistant staff and motivates the other writers on her team with words and creative contests that appeal to their competitive side. For example, she recently bought two tickets to a concert and offered them as a prize for the junior writer who came up with the most interesting angle for a story about renovating the school cafeteria. All of the writers had been staying away from it because it seemed like a pretty boring subject but now, they are all looking for ways to make it interesting.   

  She has also been able to manage her commitments to the school paper and the cheerleading team without compromising her grades, which is a testament to her organizational skills. She has consistently been an active participant in class discussions and has demonstrated her impressive written and verbal communication skills through numerous research papers, newspaper articles, and class presentations. Jane intends to spend her years in university honing those communication skills and learning how to be a better journalist, something that I know she is very passionate about and will excel at.  

  I am confident that Jane would be a great addition to your school, as she has so much to offer, both inside and outside the classroom.    If you have any questions regarding Jane's qualifications, please feel free to contact me at (514) 123-4567 or [email protected] .  

Regards,   

Izzie Stevens,   

English teacher, XYZ high school   

College recommendation letter sample # 2 

  To Whom It May Concern,  

I have had the pleasure of supervising George Yang at BBG Auto dealership for a little over two years now, and I can say without a doubt that he would make a great addition to the student body of ABC program.   

I have been impressed with how reliable and responsible George is. Many part-timers in the car dealership business are high school or college students, and often, they require a certain amount of handholding, but this has never been the case with George. From the very beginning, he was always punctual and respectful with customers. One gentleman in particular was so impressed with the service that he received that he booked a separate appointment with me, just to tell me how friendly and helpful George was as he went through the process of buying his daughter’s first car. The customer insisted that George deserved a raise.   

  Moreover, when he is not using his downtime to catch up on schoolwork, he is either taking initiative and cold calling potential customers to tell them about upcoming promotions that might interest them or helping his coworkers complete additional tasks, like cleaning up the cars in the showroom, updating the price tags on the cars and sometimes even helping the other salespeople close on a deal.   

  In addition to being a team player, he also shows great leadership potential. At his request, I gave him the opportunity to run one of our promotional campaigns, and he did a fantastic job. He came up with a marketing plan that attracted over 60 customers to the dealership in one day, and he delegated tasks when he had to make sure things ran smoothly. Furthermore, and perhaps most importantly, in my opinion, he sought help from myself and other members of management whenever he needed it.   

  George has mentioned that he is interested in pursuing a degree in business, a niche in which I am positive he will excel. His dedication to learning makes him a focused student, and I am optimistic that he will graduate with flying colors.   

  I give George my highest recommendation for enrollment in the business program in your college, without reservation. Please feel free to contact me at (819) 123-5678 or [email protected] for any further information.  

Sincerely,  

Jacob Blake  

Sales Manager, BBG Auto Dealership  

To Whom It May Concern  

I am writing this recommendation letter at the request of Jonathan Smith, who is applying for admission to X university. Jonathan has been a student at JKL High School for three years and the captain of our football team for a year now. As the team's coach, I have had the pleasure of getting to know him as an athlete but also as a person and a student.  

 As an athlete, it is evident that Jonathan strives to win and enjoys the sport in its pure form. As a person, I have watched him learn to be a better leader by listening to his teammates and often asking questions that gave me a pause. I remember a particular instance where he sat next to me on the bus as we were coming back from a game and asked if it was his role to intervene when two team members were having a personal dispute that could potentially affect the game but had not gotten to that point yet. It was one of those moments that showed me that he takes his role as a captain seriously.  

As a student, Jonathan is always eager to learn. I have noticed it when we study plays, and he takes careful notes and asks follow-up questions. Many of my colleagues at JKL high school have also commented on his ability to quickly grasp concepts and follow up on the rare occasions where he is not able to do so on the first try. It is one of the main reasons why he was able to secure an ‘A’ in his AP Biology class even though he joined the class later than the other students.   

As you can probably tell from the few stories that I have shared with you, Jonathan is a focused young man who takes his responsibilities and commitments very seriously. He has assured me that he is committed to becoming one of the best physical therapists in the country and that X university gives him the best chance of achieving this goal.   

I recommend Jonathan for your program without any reservations, as I am confident that he will contribute to your alma matter in great ways, both in and out of the classroom and on the football field. I can be reached by phone at (800) 123-8888 or email at [email protected] if you require any further information.  

Tucker O'Malley,   

JKL High School   

College recommendation letter sample # 4 

It is without hesitation and with great pleasure that I write to you today regarding Aisha Bellgam's application to your prestigious institution. I have been a counselor at XYZ high school for over ten years, and Aisha is one of the most promising students that I have had the pleasure of working with.   

  Aisha first came to me for guidance during her first year of high school. She was new to the country, unfamiliar with our educational system, and dealing with some pretty heavy family problems that made it difficult for her to focus in school. The reality of my job is that I often have to offer my help to students who need it, or other teachers have to send them to my office. So, as you can imagine, I was pleasantly surprised that Aisha had decided to take this step by herself.   

  Over the years, I have noticed that taking this kind of initiative comes naturally to her. For example, once we had worked through her issues and she was more comfortable in school, she decided to help other students like her. Our school is located in an urban community with many children from immigrant families. Being one herself, Aisha is uniquely qualified to identify some of the things that make it difficult for these children to adapt to their new environment, and she recognized that. In her sophomore year, she came to me and asked if she could volunteer in my office and provide resources to help students new to the country integrate faster.   

  Furthermore, many of her teachers have commended her for often taking the time to tutor other students after school. Her compassion, willingness to help, and amicable nature are why she was elected president of the student council. They are also the reason I believe that she will excel in college and go on to change many lives for the better after graduation if she is admitted into your social work program.   

  I am writing this letter today because I wholeheartedly believe that Aisha will be a fantastic addition to your social work program. I have watched her grow into a confident, compassionate young woman who is continually working to better herself and those around her. I look forward to seeing her continue to do so in college and beyond.   

  Please do not hesitate to contact me by phone at (204) 123-4567 or email at [email protected] for any additional information regarding this application.   

  Sincerely,  

Iris Doe  

XYZ High School counselor  

College recommendation letter sample # 5 

My name is Jonathan Sheperd, and I am writing to you today in support of Mr. James Doe's application to the pre-med program at X university.   

  I have been a family physician for over twenty-five years. I currently own and operate a small walk-in clinic in downtown Toronto, and James has been volunteering with us since January 20xx. I have had the pleasure of supervising him and observing him work for over a year now, and I can confidently say that he will make an excellent doctor in the future.   

  I personally believe that bedside manner is one of the hardest things to teach future doctors, but I do not think that will be the case with James. He is always patient, friendly, and courteous with the incoming patients. I realized this during one of his first full shifts at the clinic when a patient who was having a problem controlling their bowel movements came into the clinic and was looking for assistance. Even some of the most experienced members of my staff were having a hard time staying professional, but James volunteered to help this young man with no complaints, and he did so with a smile. In the end, I heard the patient thank him for helping him through one of the most embarrassing days of his life.   

  This is the type of great impression that James leaves with patients and colleagues as well. Even though he only works the front desk at the clinic for 20 hours every other week, the entirety of my staff has acknowledged that his willingness to help and work ethic are things we can always rely on. He has often volunteered to work longer hours when we need extra help, and he always accepts new assignments with enthusiasm.  

  He recently informed me that he made the dean's list again this spring. It did not surprise me because I know that he brings the same level of dedication and work ethic to his studies. He has a very curious mind that is always at work. We actually have a running joke in the office about the little notebook that he carries around and writes in constantly. When I finally asked him about it, he told me that he likes to write down some of the terms that he repeatedly hears in the office so that he can research them or ask his biology teacher about them.   

  His work ethic and eagerness to learn are undeniable, and I am convinced that they will help him succeed as a student and, later on, as a physician. I strongly recommend this applicant for your pre-medicine program as I believe that his professionalism, positive learning attitude, and thirst for knowledge will make him a great addition to your student body.   

  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any additional questions. You can reach me by phone at (618) 123-3698 or email at [email protected] .    

Dr. Jonathan Sheperd  

  FAQs

It's a document that highlights a candidate's skills and qualifications and recommends that they be admitted to a particular college or university. 

Very important! College admission boards like to get a sense of who is the applicant is beyond their academic background, and college essays and letters of recommendation allow them to do just that. In other words, a strong letter of recommendation can mean the difference between an acceptance letter and a rejection one.

You can ask your high school teachers, school counselors, mentors, supervisors, etc. Just make sure that it is someone who knows you well enough to talk about your skills and other positive attributes.

The earlier, the better. You should ask for your recommendation letters at the very beginning of your college application process. You can even mention it to your chosen writers before then and simply remind them when it comes time to apply to colleges.

We recommend that you ask for a letter of recommendation face to face. Remember to be polite and professional, be specific in your ask, and provide all the information your referee will need to write a strong letter.

You should provide your chosen writer with supporting documents about your background, like your personal essay or high school resume, and information about the letter format, content, and submission deadline.

Ideally, college recommendation letters shouldn't be longer than one page.

In short, a narrative and specific example. Instead of just telling the admissions board that the applicant is a capable student with leadership skills, it would be best to share an example or a brief anecdote that shows that they are.

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Have a question ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer your questions.

Please can the recommender's email be personal?.

BeMo Academic Consulting

Hello Valetine! Thanks for your comment. It is always best to put down the professional email of your referees, so do your best to include them instead of personal email. However, if your referee is no longer working in an official capacity (retired, for example), you can use their personal email. Though we always recommend using a professional address. 

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Letter of Recommendation for College Application (Guide and Sample)

3 sample letters of recommendation for college admissions.

Bonus Material: College Letter of Recommendation checklist

Applying to competitive universities this coming fall? Perhaps you’ve already put in the hard work on your grades, test scores, and even your college essays. But you want to make sure that you also do everything you can to improve the quality of your letters of recommendation. 

Many students think of these as something they have no ability to affect, but the truth is you can do a lot to improve your letters of recommendation . And it matters: having stand-out letters of recommendation can set you apart from other applicants. 

At PrepMaven, we’ve guided thousands of students to acceptances at elite universities. Over that time, we’ve developed a proven system for navigating college admissions. In this guide, we’ll cover 3 sample letters of rec, discuss what makes a good letter of recommendation, and explain what you can do to ensure you have one. 

Below, you can download a sample letter of recommendation so you know what kind of work it takes to get one. In the meantime, keep reading to learn more about how you can maximize your chances of acceptance by improving your letter of recommendation. 

Download PrepMaven’s College Letter of Recommendation Checklist

Jump to section: 3 Sample Letters of Recommendation for College How Can You Improve Your Letters of Recommendation for College? How Much Do College Recommendation Letters Matter? What Makes a Good Letter of Recommendation for College? Who to Ask for College Recommendation Letters When to Ask for College Recommendation Letters Next steps

3 Sample Letters of Recommendation for College

Let’s start by taking a look at 3 excellent sample letters of recommendation, each of which we’ll break down briefly. Look at these letters carefully, and think about what you can do to ensure your letters look like this. 

Sample Letter 1

Dear Admissions Committee,  As Lila’s eleventh grade AP Language teacher, I’m eager to take this opportunity to convey what makes her such an exceptional student and classmate.  Her academic record in my class speaks for itself, but what I’d like to highlight is the uniquely passionate and incisive nature of her class contributions. I still remember (though this was last year) a class discussion of Martin Dressler by Steven Millhauser . While many students contributed meaningfully, I still distinctly recall Lila’s vociferous and insightful argument that Dressler’s character embodied everything wrong with the acquisitive, me-first mindset of deregulated business. Not everyone agreed, of course, but the energy behind her contribution sparked an intense class discussion that was one of the best of the year. Perhaps no less important was Lila’s openness to hearing other students’ opinions, even ultimately allowing her own perspective to change. That moment is indicative of what Lila brings to the classroom environment daily: passion, insight, and open-mindedness.  While I would’ve been thrilled to hear that Lila plans to study English in college, I’m equally impressed by how detailed and invested she is when she speaks about her plans to major in Economics. When she spoke to me about the importance of understanding rhetoric and narrative when looking at economic crises, it became clear to me that she’s the kind of student able to seamlessly integrate her interests into the study of the things that fascinate her.  Even though I’ve taught countless students, I can say that few have made such an impact on the energy and depth of classroom discussion as Lila has. I’m confident that any university will benefit from her presence as a thinker, writer, and peer.  Sincerely, ———-

There are three key things to notice with this first sample. 

• First, it references a specific way that the student had an effect on the life of the classroom.
• Second, it connects that instance in class with who Lila is overall as a student and thinker. 
• Third, it connects both of these elements with who Lila will be in college, and with what she wants to pursue. 

Combining these three factors is what makes an excellent letter of recommendation. It shows the college that this student really had an impact on the class and the teacher. Importantly, it goes far beyond the generic letter of recommendation, standing out from the rest. 

Sample Letter 2

Dear Admissions Officers,  From the first week of my AP Biology class this year, it was clear how much Sanjit loved the material. During each of our class discussions, he’d raise questions that went beyond just clarification, connecting our subject matter with real-world issues he’d been following. While most students were content to take notes and answer the questions I posed, Sanjit was always looking to explore the links between what was in the textbook and what was happening in the wider world, whether in politics or in new studies on human health and longevity he’d been following.  What most impressed me beyond his drive and desire to explore was how committed he was to helping other students find that same passion. During our labs this past year, Sanjit always prioritized helping his group members–and even the members of other groups–fine-tune their experiments. Indeed, during especially complex labs, I’d often find myself helping one group while another turned to Sanjit for assistance.  He never did this to show off or prove something: what Sanjit exuded was a real passion and love for the material. In our class discussions, labs, and optional after-school review sessions, he constantly sought to use what we learned as the foundation for broader, more systemic explorations, even mentioning his desire to conduct independent research over the next summer.  It really is a pleasure to hear that Sanjit plans to continue pursuing his talent for biology and to follow that talent all the way to medical school. While I’m not sure if his plans will change, I can attest to the fact that he entered my class already dedicated to exploring how he can make an impact on human health, and that I’ve rarely seen students so capable of bridging the gap between the textbook and the real world.  Wherever he goes, whatever he does, Sanjit will make an incredible contribution to the classroom and the lab.  Sincerely,  ——-

This second letter addresses each of the same three things as the first: specificity, character, and bigger picture. 

While the focus may be different, the ultimate upshot is clear: Sanjit is a student who impressed his teacher so much that she remembers specific ways he went above and beyond in the class. 

Note that it isn’t just about what Sanjit does for himself: the letter makes a point of showing how Sanjit was always there to help other students (without being a know-it-all or teacher’s pet). 

Sample Letter 3

To whom it may concern,  Hearing that William plans to study French was tremendously gratifying. While I’m happy anytime one of my students plans to continue their French study at the college level, William was a special case. From what I know of his academic success, he excelled in most subjects, and I know he was quite torn between what field he really wanted to pursue. I never push my students one way or another, but I can tell you that William is the kind of student who will profoundly change every French class he enters.  His language ability is, of course, fantastic, but that isn’t what makes him a great French student. During our classes, he showed a real fascination with the history, culture, and especially literature of Francophone countries. While most students saw the books and poetry we read in AP French as ways of learning the language, William always wanted to explore the texts themselves. In particular, he was fascinated by how the study of French language was connected with the history of French colonization. Reading The Stranger by Camus, William was the only student in class to quickly see the text’s connections to the French occupation of Algeria. He quickly became interested in the complexities inherent in speaking the language of an occupying country, and threw himself into research outside the classroom that he’d frequently integrate into our discussions.  The short essay he wrote on our final exam was one of the best I’ve read in twenty years of teaching, especially in his ability to explore sophisticated and nuanced ideas in a foreign language. It’s clear to me that William doesn’t just have the technical facility to learn and study French language and culture: he has that rare creative instinct that allows him to make wholly original contributions to the field.  Sincerely,  —

You can certainly see the pattern by now: specificity, character, and big picture all come together to paint a picture of this student as a uniquely intelligent and capable scholar. 

You might notice that every one of these letters ends by articulating that this student isn’t just smart : they’re driven, they’re original, and they stand out from the rest of the intelligent students these teachers have had. 

If you want a letter like one of these–and you should–you might be wondering how you can possibly affect what your teachers write about you. The good news is that you can : read on below to see how you can help your teachers improve the letters of recommendation they write for your college applications. 

How Can You Improve Your Letters of Recommendation for College?

You might think this sounds strange: after all, you’re not writing your letters of recommendation, and in most cases you won’t even see them. 

So, how can you do anything to improve them? It all has to do with what information you give to your letter of recommendation writers. 

Many students think that just politely asking a teacher for a college letter of recommendation is where the process begins and ends. But if you don’t give your teacher specific information, you’re very likely to get a generic letter of recommendation. 

It’ll probably say nice things: that you’re a good student, that you excel in class, that you’re dedicated and always pay attention, and so on. 

Can you imagine how many times college admissions officers at large universities or elite colleges read phrases like that? (Hint: too many!) No matter how positive the letter is, it needs to be unique and specific if you want admissions committees to remember a word of it!

So, what can you do to help your recommendation letter writers produce better letters? Give them some personal, specific information! 

• Ask your teacher to sit down for a short conversation before they begin writing your letter. Yes, it could be awkward, but we guarantee you that it’ll pay off! 
• Were there concepts that really stood out to you? 
• Did they help you overcome a challenge?
• Did they open your eyes to something new that stuck with you? 
• Did their class influence your choice of major or career?
• If not, did the class affect how you see yourself as a student and thinker?
• Can you find a connection between your major and the teacher’s class?

Not only will your teacher love hearing this (flattery always works!), but it’ll give them ideas for things they could mention in their letter. Instead of just talking about what a good student you are, they can draw on specific examples that you bring up in your conversation. 

Another option is to simply send the recommendation letter writer a short email where you describe why you’re asking them for a letter and what you gained from the class. 

The more specific you are, the easier it’ll be for them to write you a great letter!

How Much Do College Recommendation Letters Matter?

The key to a strong college application is understanding the 3 pillars of a successful college application . In a nutshell, these are the three key elements by which admissions committees will evaluate you: 

• Academic achievement
• Extracurricular distinction
• Character and personal qualities

While these overlap a little bit, here’s an easy way to understand them. 

Academic achievement is conveyed by your grades, test scores, and the rigor of your curriculum. 

Extracurricular distinction is conveyed by your achievements in the various activities you’ve been involved with. 

Character is conveyed in your essays and letters of recommendation. 

Often, it’s character that makes the difference between a good application and a great one–especially at top tier universities like Ivies!

Note that the letter of recommendation is not there to highlight your academic achievement. Why? Because college admissions committees already have your grades and transcript! 

Instead, the recommendation letter should highlight your personal attributes. What kind of student and classmate are you? How do you contribute to the intellectual life of a school? What makes you the kind of person a professor would want to have in their class?

For a successful college application, it’s crucial that all three pillars come together. Because character is primarily conveyed in your essays and recommendation letters, you don’t have many opportunities to really convey this to elite college admissions committees. 

The data bears this out. By looking at the Common Data Set for elite universities, we identified how elite colleges like Princeton prioritize letters of recommendation. 

Each school ranks the elements of a college application in one of four categories: 

• Very important
• Not considered

At Princeton, for example, the letters of recommendation are considered “very important,” just like test scores and grades!

At Yale, letters of recommendation are also considered “very important,” whereas standardized test scores are only “considered.” 

At Dartmouth, letters of recommendation are, once again, considered “very important.”

Are you picking up on the pattern yet? It might be easy to think of college recommendation letters as a tiny part of your application, but nearly every elite university considers letters of recommendation a very important part of your application! 

What Makes a Good Letter of Recommendation for College?

So, with all that in mind, we can now identify a little more precisely what makes a good college recommendation letter. 

A compelling letter of recommendation for college:

• Avoids generic phrases and claims. 
• Uses specific examples to explain how you stood out in the class. 
• Focuses on your character, not your grades. 

The criteria for a strong letter of recommendation are simple, but in our experience, the vast majority of recommendation letters fail this test!

You won’t be able to see your recommendation letter, but you can affect what information your letter writer uses. Make sure to give them the kind of detailed, specific information that aligns with those three bullet points, focusing on instances where you really demonstrated your character in the class. 

If you want to read a sample of an excellent recommendation letter, take a look at the link below: it’s short, simple, and effective! 

Who to Ask for College recommendation Letters

Our advice here is simple, but serious. 

First, make sure you ask two teachers for your academic recommendation letters, then ask a third person to write your non-academic recommendation letter (which most schools also accept). 

This third recommender can be a bit more flexible: a supervisor at work, a sports coach, or the coach of an extracurricular activity you’re involved with are all great options. 

For the two academic recommenders, pick teachers who know you best. These should be teachers you’ve had recently: don’t pick a teacher from freshman year, since that really won’t be telling college admissions committees much about your character now. 

You should also pick teachers in subjects that align with your planned area of study. If you’re going all in on a STEM field, you’re best off picking teachers whose letters can support the narrative of you as an exceptional scientific and mathematical thinker. 

If you’re more humanities focused, you’ll definitely want one letter from a teacher whose class was writing-intensive. For the second letter, you might want to think about what complements your overall story. Don’t just go for another humanities class: think about what other interests drive you, and pick a teacher who can speak to that passion. 

More than anything, however, the critical question is which teachers can best speak to your personal attributes now . Pick those teachers, speak to them, and you’ll be likely to get a great recommendation letter like the one in our free sample here . 

When to Ask for College recommendation Letters

The earlier, the better! It’s as simple as that. Once you’ve settled on your recommenders and had your conversations with them, ask them to draft your recommendation letters. 

You should do this before the summer break after your junior year. You’ll want your recommendation letters done by the end of summer. Once this pushes on into the fall, your letter-writers will be flooded with requests, and the quality of your letter will suffer. 

Speak to your teachers before summer vacation, and set a clear deadline while being respectful. Make it clear that you’ll be applying to programs early, and you’d really appreciate the letter being done by the end of the summer. 

In most cases, the teachers will appreciate this themselves. If a teacher tells you that’s impossible, make sure to respect their decision, and simply ask what timeline works for them. 

In general, however, set the end of summer as the deadline for your recommendation letters. 

If you’re already thinking about your college recommendation letters, that means you’re taking the college application process seriously. That’s great, but have you done everything you can to maximize your chances and perfect your application?

For a college application to work, every element of your academics, extracurriculars, and character has to come together. If your test scores, grades, or college essays are weak, you’ll need to put in the work to improve them. 

There’s no better way to do so than by working with one of our expert tutors. Our tutors range from exceptional undergraduates at Ivy League universities to graduate students with years of tutoring experience. 

Once you know what you need help with, we’ll pair you with the best tutor for your needs. All you have to do is contact us. 

In the meantime, read over the free sample letter of recommendation below, and take notes on what makes this so effective. 

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Letters of Recommendation Advice and an Example

Most competitive schools require letters of recommendation (LOR). They do not do so lightly. The letters of recommendation that are submitted with your application are read with great care and are considered one of the most important parts of your application. A lukewarm letter can destroy an otherwise excellent candidate’s chances, and a glowing letter can help a borderline student gain admittance.

Why are college letters of recommendation important? What makes them so interesting to the admissions committee?

• Objectivity: Firstly, they give the admissions committee an informed, independent, third-party perspective of the applicant. The more the recommender can demonstrate his or her bona fides AND his or her genuine knowledge about the student, the more the admissions committee can trust his or her assessment of the student.
• Filling the Knowledge Gap: Second, the letter can provide important information about the applicant not otherwise available on the application, like the way she participates in class or the kind of friend he is. They fill an important knowledge gap.
• Stand Out Among Your Peers: Finally, the letter can help students stand out from among their peers. As the quote from the MIT admissions officer above points out, a letter that raves about a student will help a student much more than a merely supportive one.

Because of their usefulness in identifying great candidates, letters of recommendation are often also required for internships, summer programs, and employment opportunities, and for scholarships and special academic programs. As a result, it is really important to get the best letters of recommendation you can, early and often. They can make or break your admissions success rate.

Sample Letter of Recommendation for a College Application: 

Dear Admissions Office,

It is with great pleasure that I write this recommendation letter for Brandon Thomas to support his application for admission into the engineering program at your university. I know Brandon very well since he joined my optional Advanced Programming and Robotics class in his first year at Joy High School. Brandon is one of the top students in an extremely able class at Joy High School and one of the few exceptionally gifted students I met in my career. Brandon has a high aptitude both for engineering subjects such as Computer Science and natural sciences such as Biology and Chemistry. 

His diverse interests and at the same time determination and ability to focus on the areas of his special interest are among Brandon’s biggest strengths. Brandon truly impresses me with how far he is ready to go beyond regular curricular programs in order to acquire additional knowledge on specific topics. Although not an A student in all of the subjects, in the areas of his special interest he constantly and actively seeks opportunities to acquire new knowledge demonstrating his love and passion for science and engineering. 

I was not surprised when Brandon informed me that he participated this summer in the research project conducted by the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Maryland in the area of Material Engineering and Science under the guidance of professor Stanely Leverbe Ph.D., full professor in the Department of Materials. The work in the laboratory with more senior and experienced research team members helped him to develop and strengthen his general laboratory skills, critical thinking, and ability to perform as a part of the team under pressure. As a result of this intensive work Brandon recently assisted in a paper that was published and presented at the International Conference on Materials in Maine. The topic of the paper was related to the influence of 3D printing orientation on the mechanical properties of PLA polymers. 

Brandon has contributed to our community in a variety of ways, but Brandon’s most notable accomplishment was the organization of a very successful charity project for Special Hospital for Chronic Childhood Diseases Gornja Bistra. The hospital treats children up to 18 years of age who suffer from chronic diseases or diseases whose course of treatment is extremely long. These are mainly diseases of the central nervous system, endocrine or metabolic disorders, various syndromes, and other serious diseases without a prognosis for recovery. Brandon and a few of his classmates regularly volunteered in the hospital prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. Their task was to walk children with severe motor difficulties in the park and read to them whenever possible. Since this type of activity is due to the pandemic health protection measures are presently not allowed Brandon was actively seeking other ways to provide help and support to the hospital and its small patients. Since the hospital is in constant demand for specific products Brandon took the initiative and organized a charity program in order to provide necessary supplies to the hospital. He conducted many phone calls, emails, and meetings with potential donors until a significant quantity of supplies and financial aid was collected. The Joy High School received a special honor from the hospital board for this accomplishment and details about this charity program were published on the hospital’s official web pages. I can not emphasize enough how this undertaking made us both proud and moved at the same time. 

Brandon also has the ability to successfully schedule demanding extracurricular activities around a full academic workload. When confronted with hurdles and disturbances Brandon is calm, focused, and persistent in finding the right solution. Instead of looking for excuses he works harder and smarter. Brandon’s positive can-do attitude and strong belief in his ability to improve through practice were likely shaped by his years as a basketball player and overall impressive athlete. Brandon trains with great dedication every day for a few hours and not without notable results. In 2019 Brandon as a tenth grader won with his classmates Joy High School Basketball Championship and they have won all the school championships ever since. His contribution to this great accomplishment as a regular starting five player and one of our team’s most valuable players was indispensable.

Brandon is a well-rounded individual who is highly motivated and committed to work hard in order to achieve his academic goals. Brandon has a passion, genuine interest, and talent for engineering and science, he has the intelligence to comprehend complex concepts and the ability to think critically. He is a self-motivated, dedicated, hardworking student and has all the determination, discipline, and persistence he needs to succeed in any undertaking he sets his mind to. He is competitive and clearly enjoys a challenge, in a competitive international college environment he will be in his natural setting. 

Brandon clearly exhibits many qualities of a leader: charisma, integrity, maturity, determination, responsibility, and compassion. Brandon has a warm personality with an intelligent sense of humor and is respected and liked by his classmates and other peers. He radiates with confidence and easily gets along with others very well in any setting. He is an independent and active member of our community who pursues various personal interests.

I strongly believe that Brandon is an ideal candidate for your demanding engineering program and therefore he has my highest recommendation. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Analysis: What Makes This a Good Letter of Recommendation? 

The teacher advocates for Brandom immediately. plugs for Stacy right off the bat with a statement of outstanding ranking: Brandon is one of the top students in an extremely able class in Joy High School and one of the few exceptionally gifted students I met in my career. This statement quickly draws the reader in and situates the student within their academic setting. 

This letter uses strong, specific language highlighting the student’s academic interests and tangible ways they’ve contributed to the school. 

Beyond the evaluation, the recommendation vividly offers examples of the student’s involvements and character. 

This letter is a strong vote of support for Brandon’s application to an engineering program. His physics teacher admires Brandon’s skills and goals and made it clear that Brandon came highly recommended.

Best of Luck in Your Own Recommendation-seeking!

If you’d like assistance in this, or any other aspect of your college admissions journey, we’d love to be the ones to support you. Contact us for a no-obligation call/meeting with one of our admissions strategists.

Angela Dunnham

Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Dartmouth College 1 Year in Dartmouth College Admissions 1,000+ Applications Read and Evaluated Angela Dunnham is a graduate of Dartmouth College, where she majored in English Language and Literature. She is earning her master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy at Beijing Normal University in China. Angela has considerable experience advising students and families throughout all stages of the admissions process. She’s worked with students living in the United States and China.

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