Graduate Recommendation Letter
Writing Guide 2023
Are you an aspiring graduate looking for recommendation letters? Or have you been approached by your student or intern for a powerful endorsement letter?
Well, we can help you! Our team of seasoned content writers have crafted the perfect tool. Our writing guide will help you understand the importance, step-by-step process together with guidelines you need to follow while drafting a recommendation letter for a graduate student.
So hurry up and let’s get started!
What is a Graduate Recommendation Letter? Why is it important?
Graduate Recommendation Letter - Sample
Write your LOR in 6 Steps
Dos and Don’ts in your Graduate Recommendation Letter
Tips for Writing
What is a Graduate Recommendation Letter? Why is it important?
In order to undertake your higher education today, most universities require a third-person endorsement of your resume. This is called a graduate recommendation letter. By describing the student’s profile with a deep insight into the skills and personal qualities can make the application stand out.
Most universities do not have the manpower or time to go through each resume and learn the unique factors of each application. Thus, submitting a letter written by a mentor or professor is very useful in deciding your career.
Questions You Should Answer Before Writing
Now that you know what a Graduate Recommendation letter is, let us look at the prerequisite information you need to have before you start:
Which university is the applicant choosing and what is their area of interest?
Learn about the student’s desired area of study and the university. You can conduct your research and discuss with the student about their motivation. This will give you the time to bond and plan your letter accordingly.
Are there any university specific guidelines to follow?
Some universities have set formats to be followed by the recommenders. Go through the university portal and speak with the applicant to learn about submission deadlines, process, formats, etc.
What are the short term and long term goals of the applicant?
You can correctly align the applicant’s goals with the next educational step if you learn about the same. This will give the letter a better flow and will definitely earn a brownie point in the level of intimacy between you and the applicant.
Are there any achievements or key events that make the applicant unique?
Stories and small anecdotes create a larger ripple than mere words and thus we encourage you to add the same to your graduate recommendation letter. Reading about the greatest achievement or challenge of the student will definitely boost the readability of the letter than generic sentences.
Do you have all the relevant information to get started?
Now that we have the other things sorted, check if you have the full account of the student’s professional journey. You can ask them to share the resume or brochure which will help you gain a better look at the profile.
What Admission Officers Look For In Graduate Recommendation Letter?
- The nature and duration of relationship of the applicant and recommender
- The applicant’s skills and qualities – both academic and non-academic
- Evidence to prove the competence of the applicant
- The contact information of the recommender
Graduate Recommendation Letter - Sample
Our writers have prepared a sample recommendation letter for graduate student for your reference:
Elliot John
Assistant Professor
Salt Lake University
321, Park Street,
CA – 54321
March 23, 2023
Alexander Brown
Office of the Registrar
Northland Business School
123 Business Avenue,
CA – 12345
Dear Mr Brown,
I am delighted to recommend Brian Conrad for undertaking higher education at your esteemed university. I have been associated with Brian in the role of a Professor during his undergraduate studies at Salt Lake University.
I met Brian as a shy and nervous boy who has extraordinary skills. In his first year, I taught his class Business Communication and Organisational Behaviour. These modules included both self study, group discussion and presentations. I remember seeing Brian with a pale face in the morning of his presentation. I approached him and asked him to take a deep breath. When Brian was up for his turn, the entire class turned their heads towards him. Words were flowing out of his mouth and once he was finished, he received a standing ovation.
Brian is intellectually very superior and has a very attractive academic record, positioned in the top 1% of the class. However, in order to become a business graduate he had to work on his communication and public speaking skills. He connected with me on a consistent basis for feedback and undertook various certificate courses too. Brian is a patient and disciplined student and kept practising vigorously until he mastered it.
He graduated college as the spokesperson of the Business Club and the secretary of the university debate society. Brian is very receptive to feedback and has a strong urge to grow continuously. This makes him the perfect addition to any team. I am certain that your university has the resources that would enable Brian to realise his potential. His analytical skills, creative thinking and pragmatic reasoning abilities, together with his leadership qualities will enable him to contribute to the cohesive learning experience offered by your respected institution.
If you have any questions regarding Brian’s qualifications or academic background, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Elliot John
444-444-4444
Download More LOR Samples PDF
Write your LOR in 6 Steps
- Discuss with the student about his/her goals, motivation, academic history etc.
- Research about the educational institution and the study programme
- Go through the resume and the academic qualifications
- Learn the university format and structure the letter
- Write the content
- Proofread carefully to avoid mistakes
Who Is Eligible To Write Your Graduate Recommendation Letter?
The most suitable recommenders to endorse your application for graduate education are those who have closely observed you through your growth process. This includes school teachers, university professors, employers, mentors or reporting managers.
While teachers and professors have knowledge about your performance in schools, your managers and employers can testify to your skill growth at the workplace.
Final Checklist
- Have you used a letterhead?
- Is the letter complying with the format set by the university?
- Have you described your relationship with the applicant?
- Are the skills and qualities of the applicant backed with evidence?
- Did you proofread the document?
Dos and Don’ts in your Graduate Recommendation Letter
Dos
- Plan and structure the letter
- Discuss with the applicant thoroughly
- Research on the university and program selection
- Provide your contact details
- Proofread
Don’ts
- Use vague sentences
- Provide untrue information
- Write more than 400 words
Tips for Writing
- Be in close contact with the applicant and use all the resources available
- Go through the university website to learn what they are looking for in their candidate
- Use the letterhead of your university or organisation to increase credibility
- Pinpoint his/her strengths and skills
- Portray both academic and personal side of the applicant
- Provide contact information
Conclusion
By now you would have learned about graduate recommendation letters in great detail. With the help of our graduate recommendation letter example and guidelines, you will be able to prepare for your students or colleagues.
Mr. Sugathan
Mr. Sugathan is the founder of Professional Writing Services. He is an Army veteran who served the nation for more than two decades. During his tenure, he was involved in a lot of documentation and secretarial works. He has been drafting letters and documents on a daily basis.
Get In Touch
Related Services
- SOP Writing Services
- Linkedin Profile Writing Services
- Personal Statement Writing Services
- Website Content Writing Services
- Resume Writing Services
- SEO Copywriting Services
- Blog Writing Services
- Article Writing Services
- Motivation Letter Writing Services
- Personal Essay Writing Services
- Ad-copywriting Services
- Admission Essay Writing Services
- Cover Letter Writing Services
- eCommerce Content Writing Services
- Essay Writing Services
- Press Release Writing Services
- Case Study Writing Services
- Company Profile Writing Services
- Scholarship Essay Writing Services
- Landing Page Content Writing Services
- Letter Of Recommendation Writing Service
