How to write a recommendation?

Parents Forum
1

<p>My older daughter who has an MSW works with teenagers. One of them asked her to write a college recommendation for her focusing on the student’s leadership. She has never done anything like this. Does anyone have any suggestions? What kinds of things should she include? </p>

<p>Also my D wondered what personal info she should include about herself. Should she say she has an MSW and the school from which she graduated, since it is highly ranked? Would that give the rec more weight? Any help would be appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Everything that I have read from admissions officers says that they like to know how a student is doing in context (meaning compared to other kids at the school or workplace and relative to what opportunities the kid has been offered). Additionally, and perhaps even more importantly, they like to read anecdotal/slice of life recommendations in order to help “know” the student as a real, 3-D person. </p>

<p>I would probably start off a letter of recommendation by placing the student in context (“Out of the ___ students I have worked with, so-and-so is stands out due to her _______, etc…”). Then I would relate one or two <em>specific</em> incidents that cast the student in a favorable light. Then I would relate some of my background, in order to give my comments as much credibility as possible.</p>

3

<p>I am assuming she would write it on letterhead of whatever program that she is seeing the students through. My daughters teachers didn’t give their background although some of them had been nationally recognized, I think that takes the attention away from the rec.</p>

4

<p>I’ll leave substance to others but want to emphasize that a critical part of any recommendation letter is to establish how, and in what capacity, the writer knows the person who is being recommended. This can be done briefly, but it helps if the writer can convey that she knows this student well, and perhaps beyond the mere “formal” contact required by her job. So if the student has had informal contacts, and also can provide a resume for the writer to refer to, then the writer can “qualify herself” to comment on skills, accomplishments, character, interests, and promise.</p>

5

<p>Thank you so much for all your suggestions. I will pass them along to my daughter. They are really a big help.</p>

6

<p>She might consider doing a google search for letters of recommendation. There are a lot of examples.</p>

7

<p>Some times the google ‘templates’ can be more business focused, I had gone hunting for an example myself a few weeks ago - I would suggest writing a letter from the heart - but be sure to include anecdotes!</p>