Letters of Recommendation for Graduate School Applicants Brookings SD

If you've been asked to write a letter of recommendation for a graduate school applicant, the prospect of getting started might first appear somewhat daunting. Striking a balance between "honest" and "helpful," while wondering about things like how much detail to put in about how you know the person, or how to focus on those strengths without seeming overly ebullient, can be a difficult task.

Here are some tips for writing those letters of recommendation:

1. Organize the content. Even a letter of recommendation should follow the standard "opening - body - closing" structure. Take a minute to understand each of these components and what you have to say in each of them.
   
   
2. Opening: Explain who you are, and how you know the applicant. Discuss your acquaintance with the applicant and give the relevant information in one paragraph. How do you know the applicant? Is your relationship centered around work or school or volunteerism? How long have you known the applicant?
   
   
3. Body: Discuss the applicant's strengths here, in two paragraphs. In the first paragraph, list a few of his areas of expertise or particular skill or maturity (i.e. organization skills, creative problem-solving, keen grasp of the importance of deadlines, etc.). Keep this paragraph succinct and to the point. In the second paragraph, choose one skill or trait of the applicant's that is particularly noteworthy on which to focus - for example: "Of all John's abilities and strengths, perhaps his greatest is his ability to analyze complex issues without losing his compassion." Then, go on to give one or two concrete examples of how the applicant has demonstrated that trait or ability in the past. Keep your anecdote brief. Focus on the applicant's choices or skills, and how those choices and skills led to a good result.
   
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Author: Sheryl Schelin