怎样写Recommendation Letter
OK. You've written a dynamite personal statement and filled out the a licatio . You're coping with school, work, research, volunteer commitments, and a licatio when all of a sudden you get an unexpected curve ball. One of your recommenders says. "I really want to help you get into grad school. Why don't you write the letter of rec, and I'll sign it. That way it will emphasize exactly what you think is most important."
You of course graciously acknowledge the recommender's good intentio and thank him or her for the outstanding idea. Inwardly you panic, curse, and think, "I can't write one more word. When am I going to find the time to do it? And what on earth am I su osed to say?"
Relax. I'll tell you what a recommender should say. In fact, you can pa these ti on to your recommenders in case they don't know what to say and don't ask you to say it.
10 Ti for Recommenders
1.Review a copy of the a licant's personal statement or a lication e ays so that your letter of recommendation can dovetail with--not conflict with or duplicate--the rest of the a lication.
2.Ask the a licant to su ly you with additional information like a resume.
3.Describe your qualificatio for comparing the a licant to other a licants.
I have been teaching for twenty years and have advised a roximately 450 students on independent research project over the last five years.
I have personally supervised ten inter every summer for the last five years plus worked with over two hundred college graduates in my capacity as trainer for Big Bank Corp.
4.Discu how well you know the a licant.
I was able to get to know Mr. Doe because he made it a point to attend two of my sectio every week when only one was required.
Ms. Smith reported directly to me for two years prior to her well-deserved promotion to the position of A istant Campaign Manager
5.Choose two to three qualities that you o erved in the a licant.
Jane has a rare blend of top writing and interpersonal skills.
The combination of tenacity, analytical abilities, and good communicatio skills found in Mr. Doe is truly unique.
6.In discu ing those qualities, su ort your statements with ecific i tances in which he or she demo trated those attributes. Be as concrete and detailed as po ible
He is the only student I ever had who came to all my office hours as part of a relentle , and ultimately succe ful, drive to master political theory. He was one of just ten percent in the cla to receive an A.
Because of Jane's writing skills, I didn't hesitate to ask her to write a report which was used by our PAC as the basis for a major policy statement. Congre man X eventually used the statement, based on Jane's sophisticated 20-page analysis of Middle East politics, in lo ying for increased funding.
7.Try to quantify the student's strengths or rank him or her vis a vis other a licants that you have o erved.
He was in the top 10% of his cla .
She has the best analytical skills of any person her age that I have ever supervised.
8.Avoid generalities and platitudes.
9.Include some mild criticism, typically the flip-side of a strength.
The only fault I have encountered in him is his retiring nature. His modesty sometimes hides a young man of remarkable strength and broad interests.
Occasionally, her fortitude and persistence can turn into stu or e , but usually her good nature and level-headedne prevail.
10.Discu the a licant's potential in his or her chosen field.
I enthusiastically recommend Mr. Doe to your graduate school. This well-rounded student will be a fine social worker.
With her exceptional leadership, writing, and research skills, Ms. Smith will be an outstanding profe or and a credit to the graduate school she attends.
