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4 Amazing Recommendation Letter Samples for Students

Posted by Rebecca Safier | Oct 20, 2017 4:00:00 PM

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 subleties 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
callmeclemens@gmail.com.
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 milevamaricfanclub@gmail.com 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?

The Breakdown
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
thethingstheycarried@gmail.com.
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?

The Breakdown
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 fortheloveofalgebra@gmail.com.
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?

The Breakdown
Mr. Wiles writes a strong letter for Joe, with the same kind of enthusiasm and specific
examplesas 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.
Best Travel Insurance Company Plans

Rebecca Safier
About the Author
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.
Zawar Shah

13/12/2015 15.11.25
Thankyou so much Ma'am. All your articles helped me alot and are of great value. keep up
the good work. Stay Blessed.
Reply to Zawar Shah
Rebecca Safier

14/12/2015 11.46.41
You're very welcome! I'm so glad you find them helpful!
Reply to Rebecca Safier
Barzi Babak

18/12/2015 15.32.57
salam
I don't know how can I write a letter for apply for PHD course in USA. Could you possibly tell
me how can I write it.
thanks' a lot for your guidance.
Babak.
from Iran
Reply to Barzi Babak
Rebecca Safier

20/12/2015 15.15.32
Hi Babak, are you writing a letter of recommendation for a student who's applying or
applying yourself? Either way, PhD applications should be very specific and speak to a
student's research goals and relevant academic and professional experience. Compared to
undergrad applications, they tend to be a little less personal and a little more
academic/professional. Hope that helps, and let me know if you have more questions.
Reply to Rebecca Safier
Younis alshaibah

29/2/2016 13.17.28
Hi , first of all ,i would like to thank you for writing useful information , second , i want to study
at medicine college in turkey country , can you give me sample of an amazing
recommendation from biology teacher ??
Reply to Younis alshaibah
Rebecca Safier

29/2/2016 17.50.20
Hi Younis, so glad you found it helpful! While I don't have a sample specifically from a
biology teacher, I suggest you read this article on what goes into a good letter of
recommendation: http://blog.prepscholar.com/good-letter-of-recommendation.

You can make sure your letter has these qualities, like talking about both your personal and
academic qualities and sharing specific anecdotes about your contributions and
accomplishments. Your teacher may also find these articles about writing rec letters helpful!

http://blog.prepscholar.com/writing-a-letter-of-recommendation-how-to-for-student
http://blog.prepscholar.com/a-great-college-recommendation-letter-template
Fahimeh Soltani

25/12/2015 21.48.17
Hi ´ I need a recommendation letter of a teacher for a student in university . I am studing in
chemistry and I want to continue in master thank you
Reply to Fahimeh Soltani
Rebecca Safier

31/12/2015 13.42.16
Hi Fahimeh, I suggest you ask a teacher with whom you have worked closely. If you're
applying to study chemistry, then at least one rec letter from a chemistry professor would be
best. This article on who to ask for rec letters might help you, but keep in mind that it's for
students applying to Bachelor's, rather than Master's programs. -
http://blog.prepscholar.com/who-should-i-ask-to-write-my-college-recommendation-letter
Reply to Rebecca Safier
Mohamed I. hassan

25/2/2016 18.25.17
Hi, I am in need of a letter to recommend me apply to a training workshop/ course out of my
country
Reply to Mohamed I. hassan
Rebecca Safier

29/2/2016 18.35.15
Hi Mohamed, this guide should help you figure out who can best write you a
recommendation letter! http://blog.prepscholar.com/who-should-i-ask-to-write-my-college-
recommendation-letter
Reply to Rebecca Safier
helen vivo

31/12/2015 00.47.49
Rebecca, you saved my life Thank you very much. Even though I didn't get a good mark on
the SAT, the recommendations advice helped me a lot.
Reply to helen vivo
Rebecca Safier

31/12/2015 13.11.09
Hi Helen, I'm so glad! If you're considering retaking the SAT, this guide might be of use to
you - http://blog.prepscholar.com/should-you-retake-the-sat-or-act-3-step-process. We also
have a bunch of articles with strategies for improving math, reading, writing, and essay
scores. Best of luck with your applications!
Reply to Rebecca Safier
Jasmine

2/1/2016 11.33.58
Hi Rebecca, thanks so much for the amazing article! I was just wondering for undergraduate
admissions, can high school teachers just write one letter of recommendation for all the
universities that I am applying to? Also, how do universities get the recommendation letters
(Common App, online, mail, etc.) Thanks so much!
Reply to Jasmine
Rebecca Safier

3/1/2016 15.00.17
Hi Jasmine, generally speaking, teachers just write one letter that will go to all your
prospective colleges. However, if they can strengthen their letter by writing about your fit with
a specific college or program (maybe they attended themselves or know something about it),
then it could make the letter even stronger to be customized. This can be helpful for
especially selective schools, like those in the Ivy League. For the most part though, they just
write one.

As for submitting, you'll assign recommenders via the Common Application and any other
school-specific online applications (for any schools that don't use the Common App). If your
high school uses the e-docs system, Naviance, then you'll assign recommenders through
that. Your teachers will get an email prompting them to upload their letter. Then the college
will get the recs (online) once you submit your whole application. Hope that helps!

Check out these guides if you want to learn more about what makes a rec letter stand out,
what admissions officers are looking for, and who to ask!

http://blog.prepscholar.com/good-letter-of-recommendation
http://blog.prepscholar.com/how-college-admissions-officers-read-recommendation-letters
http://blog.prepscholar.com/who-should-i-ask-to-write-my-college-recommendation-letter
Reply to Rebecca Safier
Ibrahim

14/1/2016 04.32.22
I will be writing SAT for the first time in December.will three months of practice be enough? I
really need to know.
Reply to Ibrahim
Rebecca Safier

21/1/2016 22.14.49
Hi Ibrahim, yes, you could do a lot of SAT prep in 3 months. This guide should help you
figure out how much time you should devote to studying to reach your target scores!
http://blog.prepscholar.com/how-long-should-i-study-for-the-sat-6-step-guide

You may also find this guide helpful, the Ultimate Study Guide for the SAT:
http://blog.prepscholar.com/the-ultimate-sat-study-guide-for-sat-prep
Reply to Rebecca Safier
Bhavani prasad

21/1/2016 13.57.23
Hi Rebecca , first of all ,i would like to thank you for writing useful information . Can you
please suggest me some tips for writing LOR's and SOP's for my graduate admission . What
are the things that i should mention while writing LOR's and SOP's for ms in cs .Waiting for
your response .Thank you in advance .
Reply to Bhavani prasad
Rebecca Safier

21/1/2016 14.19.52
Hi Bhavani, are you writing letters of rec for a student or applying to graduate school
yourself? If you're applying, I'd recommend asking for letters of recommendation from
professors who taught you in a subject related to the one you'd like to study at the Master's
level. Master's programs are much more specialized than undergrad programs, so both your
letters and SOP should focus on your dedication to and experience in a certain field, as well
as your academic and professional reasons for going to graduate school. In a nutshell, my
best advice is to be very specific about the past educational and/or professional experiences
that have led you to seek specialization in the field, as well as exactly what kind of project or
career you'd like to pursue during/after your Master's program. Hope that helps!
Reply to Rebecca Safier
Bhavani prasad

25/1/2016 22.37.22
Hi Rebecca , I would like Thank you for responding to my previous query . Can you suggest
me one simple and effective structure for writing a good SOP and by including what points
will make it more make attractive.
Reply to Bhavani prasad
Rebecca Safier

26/1/2016 09.23.38
Hi Bhavani, here are some useful resources with pointers and templates for writing an SOP
for grad school -

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/969/02/
http://www.uni.edu/~gotera/gradapp/stmtpurpose.htm
http://www.cgu.edu/PDFFiles/Writing%20Center/Writing%20Center%20Resources/Grad%20
School%20Personal%20Statement.pdf
Reply to Rebecca Safier
shivani raheja

7/7/2016 22.17.39
Thank you rebecca , the link that you posted on the statement of purpose really helped.
A big relief.
Thanks
Reply to shivani raheja
Rebecca Safier

18/7/2016 21.51.35
You're very welcome!
Aayat Jariwala

11/2/2016 00.25.08
Hi! I'm looking to write a two recommendation letters for an architecture course in the UK. I
have been a topper in my school at 95.6% and I will be writing on behalf of my principal and
my class teacher. It would be mean a lot if you recommend what qualities i can add in each.
Reply to Aayat Jariwala
Rebecca Safier

1/3/2016 23.57.41
Hi Aayat, are you writing recs or collecting them for a course? If you're asking your teacher
and principal, I suggest checking out these guides -
http://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-request-a-letter-of-recommendation
http://blog.prepscholar.com/good-letter-of-recommendation

In terms of what should be included in their letters, your teacher and principal might find
these guides helpful:
http://blog.prepscholar.com/writing-a-letter-of-recommendation-how-to-for-student
http://blog.prepscholar.com/a-great-college-recommendation-letter-template

Hope these help!

Reply to Rebecca Safier
Reverend Bonita Kitt

17/2/2016 10.11.17
Why is it I can't find the questions a high school can ask in preparing a letter of
recommendation for a teacher? The students ONLY needs the questions?
Reply to Reverend Bonita Kitt
Rebecca Safier

1/3/2016 22.32.04
Hi, students can answer questions about themselves to give detailed insight into their
experiences and goals, which recommenders can then incorporate into their letters. If you're
writing a recommendation, you might find these guides helpful:

http://blog.prepscholar.com/writing-a-letter-of-recommendation-how-to-for-student
http://blog.prepscholar.com/a-great-college-recommendation-letter-template
Reply to Rebecca Safier
Cally

20/2/2016 07.17.39
Hi,
I am a homeschooled student preparing to enter college next year in the fall.

Who can write my recommendation letter? I am not involved in any clubs and I do not know
anyone who would be a good candidate for writing the recommendation letter.

Thank you
Reply to Cally
Rebecca Safier

29/2/2016 18.45.04
Hi Cally, colleges usually want to see one or two rec letters from academic teachers. If you
have trouble meeting this requirement, I highly recommend speaking to the admissions
offices of your colleges of interest. Colleges will often offer more flexible admissions
processes for homeschooled students, often accepting a letter from a parent or someone
who knows you well outside the classroom. Your teacher(s) would be probably be the best
candidates for writing your letter(s). Hope that helps!
Reply to Rebecca Safier
Cally

1/3/2016 21.34.12
Thank you very much!
Reply to Cally
Rebecca Safier

1/3/2016 21.39.41
You're very welcome! You may find this guide on applying to college helpful as you prepare
for the application process: http://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-apply-for-college. Best of
luck!
Brian

26/2/2016 06.18.14
Hello Mrs. Safier,

I am a student who has prepared for the transfer admission. Several professors will write me
the recommendation letters. I wonder how to send these letters. Are they going to send the
letters directly to schools that I am applying or are they sending them to advisor (counselor)?
I will be waiting your response. It was nice to read this blog article!

Sincerely,
BK
Reply to Brian
Rebecca Safier

29/2/2016 18.17.46
Hi Brian, typically you'd invite your recommenders to submit their letters online by providing
their names and emails in the section provided in your application. Your recommenders
would receive an email and then submit their letters online. You should be able to see when
they've been uploaded to your app. Your colleges will receive the letters when you submit
your entire application. Hope that makes sense!
Reply to Rebecca Safier
Adam Alabtah

2/3/2016 18.03.31
hi Rebeccab ,
thanks a lot you did great job in helping us , i'm going to study master degree in USA and i
was asked to prepare tow recommendation letters , so my specialist will be in IT information
technology , i asked my one of my prof in previous university , then asked me to write this
letter and he will sign it whatever i wrote , so do you have any advice what should wrote in
this letter to be as good as they need it .
thanks a lot in advance
Adam
Reply to Adam Alabtah
Rebecca Safier

3/3/2016 01.49.28
Hi Adam, it's hard to say, because the expectation is that a professor will write the letter and
speak to his impressions of you as a student. You and your professor might find these
guides on writing recommendation letters helpful:

http://blog.prepscholar.com/writing-a-letter-of-recommendation-how-to-for-student
http://blog.prepscholar.com/a-great-college-recommendation-letter-template
Reply to Rebecca Safier
Anastasiya Pylypenko

24/3/2016 06.40.07
Rebecca! What a wonderful job you're doing..I admire the way you write and explain stuff to
people..really. :)
Good luck in your career and personal accomplishments.
Reply to Anastasiya Pylypenko
Rebecca Safier

29/3/2016 02.22.39
Hi Anastasiya, thanks so much for your feedback! I'm so glad you found my articles helpful
and appreciate your kind comments!
Sintayehu Tarekegn

21/3/2016 20.31.24
I'd like to apply to an international NGO, how I apply? I tried many times, but no feedback. I
doubt that my application or recommendation letter is incorrect., please would help me with a
written sample?
Thanks
Reply to Sintayehu Tarekegn
Rebecca Safier

29/3/2016 03.18.11
Hi Sintayehu, I'm sorry to hear you haven't had any responses from the NGOs that you're
interested in. Sometimes organizations aren't able to respond to all applicants and only
reach out to a select few who are granted an interview. You might try to track down a
specific person's email and ask whether he/she received your materials. At this time, we only
have recommendation letter resources geared toward high school students and their
parents. We might branch out to graduate school and employment-related letters in the
future. Sorry I can't be of more help at present. Best of luck in your application process!
Reply to Rebecca Safier
Inva Millo

22/3/2016 20.17.51
I am a senior student for finance-accounting bachelor and i need a reference letter from a
Ph.D .
Please can you help me with with an example.

Thank you for your time

Reply to Inva Millo
Rebecca Safier

29/3/2016 03.09.19
Hi Inva, we're primarily providing resources for high school students and their parents right
now, but we may grow into graduate school-related articles soon. Sorry I can't be more
helpful at present, and best of luck with your PhD application!
Reply to Rebecca Safier
Yorleny Pfeffer

25/3/2016 07.30.02
Hi Rebecca,

I am writing a letter for my niece. She did not do well in high school. Went to college for one
semester and now wants to start at another school. It's too late for her to ask any of her HS
teachers for letters, so she asked me if I could write one for her. What would you
recommend? Obviously, not being her teacher I can't comment on her academic strengths.
What would you recommend?
Reply to Yorleny Pfeffer
Rebecca Safier

29/3/2016 02.05.44
Hi Yorleny, since you're not one of your niece's teachers, you could best help her by
providing a character reference. In your letter, you should focus most on her personal
strengths and impressive qualities. However, most colleges want to see academic
references to learn about the candidate's performance as a student. Perhaps she could still
ask a teacher or two as a last-minute favor! Below are a few guides that go over the
principles of writing rec letters in more detail. Hope they help, and best of luck!

http://blog.prepscholar.com/writing-a-letter-of-recommendation-how-to-for-student
http://blog.prepscholar.com/a-great-college-recommendation-letter-template
http://blog.prepscholar.com/good-letter-of-recommendation
http://blog.prepscholar.com/for-counselors-how-to-write-a-strong-recommendation-letter-for-
your-student
Reply to Rebecca Safier
smith Thapa

29/3/2016 08.30.40
Hi Rebecca,
I am from Nepal and teachers here do not know much about you.Frankly speaking only 2-3
teachers know my name! I have strong grades, Sat score, personal letter but I do not think
my recommendation letters will be good enough to go to Cornell. I am losing my hopes to
learn in US...what should I do apply to Australia ??
Reply to smith Thapa
Rebecca Safier

6/4/2016 20.00.38
Hi, I bet you could help your teachers get to know you by writing down and sharing
information about yourself. You could tell them about your favorite classes, personal
accomplishments, and goals for the future. You could also set up a meeting with a teacher or
two to talk about why you want to attend college in the US and give them some information
on how to write recommendation letters. You could share these guides, for example -

http://blog.prepscholar.com/writing-a-letter-of-recommendation-how-to-for-student
http://blog.prepscholar.com/4-amazing-recommendation-letter-samples

As for preparing information for your teachers, this guide might help you -
http://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-request-a-letter-of-recommendation.

We're focused on applying to US colleges, but if you're interested in Australia, you might
start with the official Australian government site for international students -
https://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/. Hope that helps and that you can overcome this hurdle
of recommendation letters to still apply for the colleges you want!
Reply to Rebecca Safier
10/6/2016 18.37.37
Do all recommendation letters for a college application have to come from a high school
teacher? Can they come from a middle school principal?
Reply to cheryl tarkanyi
Rebecca Safier

23/7/2016 01.30.01
Hi Cheryl, typically you can ask for a letter from an administrator rather than just teachers,
but I'm not sure I'd advise asking your middle school principal, just because it's not recent
enough. If you feel a letter from your middle school principal would really add a lot to your
application, perhaps you could send it as an extra, supplemental letter. For the core letters,
though, I'd suggest going with teachers or administrators who you had more recently.
Reply to Rebecca Safier
Shelly