大多数学校都要求申请人提供二至三封推荐信。有力的推荐是录取的重要条件之一。推荐信要客观、公正、切忌流于形式，内容空洞，要与申请人的其它材料（如成绩单）等相符。推荐信也应注意格式、文法等。因为向来有"名师出高徒"之说。推荐信的格式与一般书信基本相同。有信头，发信日期，收信人姓名，称呼，正文，信尾谦称，签名，推荐人姓名，职称及工作单位等部分。但推荐信还应着重以下方面：
1.为了便于校方查阅，必须提到被推荐者的全名。
2.必须交待与被推荐者的认识期间（何时开始认识或认识多久），认识程度（偶尔见面或密切接触）及关系（师生关系，上下级关系，同事等）。
3.对被推荐者的优点介绍及评价，这是推荐信的核心。主要包括被推荐者的天赋，学习成绩，研究能力，工作经验，学习精神，组织能力，品行及个性方面。
4.必须表明推荐人的态度，是极力推荐还是有保留地推荐。
最近一些学校出于各种原因，设计了推荐表格，由推荐人填写，但其主要内容也和推荐信涉及的相同。
范例1计算机教授推荐信
At the request of Mr. Xizhen Chen, my former student in the Department of Computer Science, Beijing Univ. of Sciences, I am glad to write this letter furnishing my evaluation ofhis academic aptitude for your reference. Mr. Chen is interested in your graduate program in Computer Science.I came to know him in September 1987 when Mr. Chen enrolled in my class on FORTRAN IV Programming, a three semesters' course.In the class he was one of the most outstanding students. At the semester final he earned a high grade of 81, which should be "A" according to our grading system. I also found him good at other studies.After the class, he had personal talks with me several times. He indicated a great interest in computer hardware, In my opinion, Mr. Chen has a potential in Computer Science, which can be further developed.In view of his previous achievements in this College, I am firmly convinced that Mr. Chen will make a successful graduate student. Your favorable consideration of his admission will be highly appreciated.
范例2商管系教授推荐信
It gives me a great pleasure to recommend Mr. Cheng as a transfer to the School of Business Administration of your University in the summer quarter of 1989.During academic year 1980-1984, he was a student in our Department, World College of Journalism. I found him very diligent and intelligent. He often participated in extracurricular activities contributing a great deal to community affairs. Though Mr. Cheng graduated from this college 5 years ago, he keeps, contact with me very often. Worthy of mention also is his personality, honest, reliable, responsible and mature. I strongly recommend this promising young man and your favorable consideration and assistance to him will be very much appreciated.
范例3法律系教授推荐信
I am pleased to write this letter for my former student Miss Nan Li, who graduated from this College with an L.B. degree in June 1978.Miss Li was admitted to the Department of Law of this College in 1974 through highly competitive entrance examination which is conducted annually and is open to the whole nation. Even in such a selective group. Miss Li made herself distinguished. As professor and dean of the College, I have access to her records of academic work and moral conduct, In her fourth year study, I instructed her in Anglo-American Laws on Trespass. So I have known her quite well. Miss Li's performance, like that in many other courses she taken, was excellent with a superior grade of 86 for the first semester, and 84 for the second semester. In our university and in other university here, 80 is considered "A" , the highest level. As far as I know, Miss Li wishes to continue her study in Law for an advanced degree. I am sure she has had sufficient prerequisite knowledge for the subject and certainly has the ability to undertake the study. I recommend Miss Li without reservation and shall appreciate your favorable consideration of her application.