Students who feel they evolved and progressed through your teaching are likely to ask you for a letter of recommendation for graduate school, fellowships, scholarships, jobs, etc.

Writing a letter of recommendation is a positive indication of the work you are doing, as well as a great responsibility. As teachers, we would not be where we are were it not for a few helpful letters of recommendation during our own careers. For these reasons, writing letters of recommendation should be viewed as a positive experience and an integral part of teaching. Since they are so important, there are a few points to remember when writing a letter of recommendation:

1. A letter of recommendation is meant to be in support of your student. Should a student request a letter of recommendation and you feel you cannot write a positive and supportive letter, you should be honest with the student and decline the request.

2. Be informed. Since a letter of recommendation is meant to be in full support of the student, you must know your student well enough to write a credible endorsement. If you feel you need more information, ask the student to meet with you and/or request a resume or CV, a written sample of their work, a copy of the application or fellowship, a statement of personal and academic goals, a transcript, or any combination of these.

3. A letter of recommendation should be focused. In general, a good letter of recommendation will address both academic performance and abilities, as well as the personal character of the student. Be sure to note in what context(s) you have worked with the student. Avoid hyperbole, such as “This is the best student I have ever had,” as well as negative language, i.e. “I doubt….”

4. Take note of the due date as well as whether it is to be mailed directly to the admissions committee or returned to the student. Some letters will require a form to be used, others will simply request to be written on the University’s letterhead. If the student has waived their right to read the letter, remember to seal the envelope and sign your name across the seal. Should the student not waive their right to read the letter, inform them that many selection committees will not accept letters of recommendation that are not confidential.

Further Resources

• The Ethics of Writing Letters of Recommendation (from AAUP)
• Guidelines for Writing Letters of Recommendation (Berkely Career Center)