Characteristics of Strong Recommendation Letters
- Letters should be 1-2 paged single-spaced in length.
- Provide context for your relationship with the candidate and the length of time you have known them.
- Situate the candidate's performance in the larger context of your experience.
- Address the student's academic performance or extracurricular engagements in detail and with specific examples if possible. A recommendation that demonstrates a personal knowledge of the candidate beyond grades and academics delivers a strong and lasting impression.
- Some scholarships will ask you to address a very specific quality in a candidate (ie: leadership). The candidate should be clear about what you are being asked to address and your letter should clearly and specifically address that quality.
- Be specific about why the student is a strong candidate for a specific fellowship.
- Avoid hyperbole as well as overly negative language. The foundations that grant these awards are looking for realistic, substantive evaluations of candidates rather than overly positive, unsupported statements.
Characteristics of Weak Recommendation Letters
- Short, vague, unsupported points.
- Generic letter or letters that were obviously written for other purposes.
- Letters that merely summarize a candidate's resume or transcript.
- Letters that merely describe classes or activities rather than the work the candidate did within those contexts.
- Letters that evaluate the candidate negatively, or even as merely average.
When to Decline to Write a Recommendation Letter
You should not write a letter of recommendation for a student or alumni if ...
- you are not strongly and positively supportive of the candidate;
- you do not feel that you know the candidate well enough to provide a substantive, detailed letter;
- you do not feel that you are the right person to recommend them for the fellowship or scholarship;
- you do not have time to write one*.
*Recommendation letters that come in after the deadline for national fellowships will never be considered as a part of the candidate's application by the foundation, and will therefore greatly disadvantage the candidate.
Adapted from Reed College, The Center for Life Beyond Reed - Best Practices
Advice by program
The Boren Scholarship is funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP) through the U.S. State Department. The national Boren committee closely examines three aspects of each applicant: academic background, and how it is helping prepare them to pursue professional goals; the study abroad program and plan, and how it will enable the student to have significant language and cultural experience; and overall academic and career goals, and how their study abroad experience will enable them to launch into their preferred position in the public sector before they go on to pursue other career goals.
The Fulbright US Student Program funds one-year post-graduate awards that place students in a classroom as an English Teaching Assistant (ETA). ETA awards are available in approximately 70 countries; students who have demonstrated community engagement and a desire to take part in a cultural exchange using education as a medium are strong fits for Fulbright's teaching program. Fulbright ETAs are not responsible for designing curricula or teaching full courses. Rather they serve, under supervision, at their assigned placements and will be expected to develop and carry out a variety of learning activities, make presentations on U.S. culture and society, and/or assist faculty in an English Language Department with their teaching responsibilities, as needed.
For the ETA competition, the Fulbright Program requires the submission of a reference form and not a general letter of reference. The Fulbright Program will NOT accept reference letters for ETA applicants. Once a student registers you as their reference, you will receive an e-mail with a secure link to the reference form. More information about the process, including a link to a sample form, can be found here - Fulbright Instructions for ETA Reference Writers.
The Fulbright US Student Program funds one-year post-graduate awards for study and research in more than 140 countries. The following are some suggestions for writing effective recommendations for students applying for research-based Fulbright Grants:
Fulbright applicants are evaluated on: (1) the merits and feasibility of the proposed project, (2) knowledge of the host country, (3) academic and other qualifications, especially in regard to the proposed project, (4) language qualifications, if applicable, (5) evidence of maturity, motivation and ability to adapt to a different culture, (6) impression the applicant will make as a citizen-ambassador of the US. Since the student you are writing for is applying for a research-type grant, your letter should address the merits of the proposed project and as many of the other criteria as you feel you can speak to. Keep in mind that the Fulbright program is not only an educational exchange program; it is a cultural exchange program for which the applicant’s potential for cultural engagement will also be assessed. Additional information can be found here - Fulbright Study/Research Reference Instructions.
Find advice on writing a Gates Cambridge letter from this well-articulated guide from Penn State: Writing Recommendations for Gates Cambridge.
The Goldwater Scholarship seeks to find and support the next generation of research scientists, engineers and technology specialists. Approximately two hundred Goldwater Scholarships are awarded nationally each year to sophomores and juniors planning to pursue research careers in mathematics, engineering and the sciences. Goldwater Scholars receive $7,500 for the subsequent year of undergraduate study. When determining which applicants to award, Goldwater representatives are looking for three things: academic excellence, significant research experience, and a commitment to pursuing a career in research. For more information - Goldwater Faculty Recommenders.
Letter Submission Requirements. Your Letter of Recommendation should be no more than three pages, have one-inch margins on all sides, be single or double spaced and use either Arial or Times New Roman font that is no smaller than 12 point. Please save your signed letter as a PDF file and send your completed Letter of Recommendation to LeAnn Adam by the campus deadline.
Find advice on how to write a letter of recommendation for the Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program directly from KHS here: Writing Recomendations for KHS.
Approximately 35 Marshall Scholarships are awarded each year for outstanding students to pursue graduate study in the UK for one to three years of study. These awards look for intellectually distinguished individuals who will one day become leaders in their country. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional academic ability, mature character, potential to become a change agent, and the capacity to play an active part in the life of a UK university.
Criteria for the Marshall Scholarship to include in recommendation letters:
- Academic Merit - demonstrated strength in the major field; adequate preparation for the proposed course of study, quality of proposed program of study, knowledge of proposed courses and supervisors.
- Leadership Potential - distinction of intellect and character as evidence by both scholastic attainments and other activities and achievements; strength of purpose and sustained commitment, creativity, self-awareness and desire to contribute to society.
- Ambassadorial Potential - interpersonal skills and ability to engage with others, self-confidence and ability to seize opportunities, knowledge of US/UK relations, and ability to play an active part in the life of a UK university.
Recommendation letters should speak to the unique qualities envisioned in the scholarship criteria. For more information, select here - Marshall: Information for Recommenders
The Truman Scholarship exists to support the next generation of public servants and public policy experts. Up to 65 Truman Scholarships are awarded nationally each year to juniors who are planning to pursue a career as a leader in the public service sector including, but not limited to the government, non-profit organizations, public policy think tanks, education, and public health agencies. If awarded a Truman Scholarship, a student will receive a $30,000 scholarship for graduate or professional school, participation in leadership development, and opportunities for internships and employment with the federal government.
Truman applicants are required to provide three letters of recommendation; one of each emphasizing the following:
- Leadership Abilities and Potential
- Commitment to a Career in Public Service
- Intellect and Prospects for Continuing Academic Success
More information about the recommendation letter can be found through the following resources:
Udall Scholars are selected for the potential to shape the future of environmental or tribal policy or Native American health care and for their demonstrated commitment to tribal or environmental issues. It is important that you know in which category the candidate is applying, as students may only apply in one of the three Scholarship categories: environment, tribal public policy, or Native American health care.
The selection committee looks for sustained participation in environmental or tribal activities, assumption of leadership roles and evidence of initiative, service to the community, and coursework or research that complements activities and career goals.
- Briefly explain to the selection committee in what capacity and context you know the candidate: as a research supervisor, through volunteer or campus activities, professional experience, and for what length of time.
- Provide concrete evidence of the candidate's leadership and service activities. The most effective examples highlight the candidate in action, as an innovator, activist, leader, volunteer, researcher, or teaching assistant, and convey the candidate's passion, enthusiasm, and dedication to environmental or tribal issues.
- Give examples of the candidate's personal characteristics. Showing is stronger than telling.
- Convey the scope of responsibility the candidate has assumed; what impact has his or her actions had?
For more information - Udall: Information for References
Advice from OSU's Career Development Center
Follow the Career Development Center's useful guide on how to be a good reference here: Tips for Reference Writers
General Resources
Read Inside Higher Ed's article on recommendations: Tips for Writing Recommendation Letters.