Letters of recommendation are a very important part of the application process. As colleges become more and more sought out from the increasing number of applicants each year, the need to stand out from the competition is also increasing. Below we will provide helpful information on how to write a college recommendation as well as advice for tailoring each letter.
A high school transcript can help tell an admissions office a lot about a candidate, but a college recommendation letter provides an opportunity for them to see the whole person. While recommendation letters are never a bad idea to include in the application, even if the college does not require one, many colleges do necessitate the inclusion of one. Here is some advice to keep in mind when writing a college recommendation letter:
Know the candidate - it may sound obvious, but it is important that you know the candidate well. After all, how can you write a college recommendation letter for a someone you know little about? Recommendations written for candidates with a vague familiarity are often identifiable and can do more harm than good.
How you know the candidate - when you write a college recommendation letter, make sure to include how you know the candidate as well as the length of time you have known that person.
Provide relevant information - be sure to find out the purpose of the recommendation so as to provide relevant information about the candidate and his or her specific qualifications. If the recommendation is to supplement an application, discuss how that person is an appropriate candidate for the college he or she is applying to. Despite its purpose, however, the overall goal of a college recommendation letter is to attest to the capabilities and character of the candidate.
Obtain a rsum - another tip on how to write a collage recommendation letter is to first obtain the student's rsum with a listing of his or her GPA, activities, awards, leadership roles, community service, employment experience and special skills. The more information you have about a particular candidate, the more constructive your recommendation can be.
Personalize the letter - to help make the letter more personal, before writing a college recommendation letter, it is important to determine the person to whom the letter should be addressed. If the student is unaware of the name, the letter may begin "Dear Selection Committee."
