Can a family friend write a letter of recommendation for college?

Asked by: Estella Roberts IV  |  Last update: August 22, 2023
Score: 4.9/5 (35 votes)

We want to see letters that tell us little stories or anecdotes about you – stories that show the letter writer really knows you. Do not ask a family member, friend, or a teacher you had several years ago. Your uncle and your second grade teacher may be wonderful people, but their letters won't have much credibility.

Can a relative write a letter of recommendation?

Letters of Recommendation

Relatives are not recommended. Give writers enough time (at least a few months) to write the letter. Provide your letter writer with a copy of your resume or past work from their class.

Can a family member write a personal letter of recommendation?

A friend or family member should not write a recommendation letter for you. Teachers, coaches, bosses, or administrators are all good choices, and if you have performed volunteer work, asking the volunteer coordinator would be a smart idea. The key is to find a person who knows you well and can attest to your growth.

Can your friends write you a letter of recommendation?

Your Best Friend (Unless It's a Peer Recommendation)

Even though the team captain of your favorite club may be able to concretely highlight how you've been an asset to the squad, if they are your peer, they should absolutely not be writing your college letter of recommendation.

Can a family friend write a letter of recommendation for medical school?

Some letters won't be given a lot of weight:

Letters from "family friends" - if they don't know you specifically in a professional setting. Letters from teaching assistants - it's not that they hurt your application, but they will not suffice for the science letters required by most medical schools.

Productivity Tutorial - Writing a letter of recommendation

45 related questions found

Can my mom write me a letter of recommendation?

Some colleges will accept parent recommendation letters if they are an optional application requirement. It's suggested for parents to write them if given the option in order to increase the admissions chances of their children. Parents who serve as the counselors of their homeschooled kids may also write them.

Who can write letter of recommendation for student?

Generally, a teacher or a school principal will write the letter to prove their students' capabilities and support their academic or career aspirations. Having a LOR is usually crucial when a student wants to go abroad for further studies or wishes to take up a foreign job position.

What are the rules to writing a letter of recommendation?

If a student asks you to write a letter of recommendation for them, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
  • Describe your personal relationship with the student. ...
  • Provide specific examples of the student's abilities and work ethic. ...
  • Stay away from vague wording and phrases. ...
  • Take the specific job or school into account.

Does it matter who writes letter of recommendation?

Letters of recommendation should be written by people who know you well and who have been responsible for evaluating your academic or professional work. Professors and workplace supervisors are both appropriate.

Does it matter who the letter of recommendation is from?

Only if the person knows the applicant and can provide specific information about the applicant. Ultimately, the student wants to have individuals whose letters will strengthen the overall application. Deciding whom the student will ask to write a letter of recommendation requires considerable thought.

Can family friends be professional references?

It may also be tempting to ask your friends, family friends, and members of your softball team to act as professional references. However, similar to using family for professional references, friends do not make the best choice unless they can talk about your professional skills and abilities.

What do colleges look for in letters of recommendation?

From your recommendation letters, admissions officers can learn about your academic interests and motivations, your personal qualities, and your contribution to your school community. These features, added together, present a vision of your future role and accomplishments at college.

Can a family member write a character letter?

One element that can often be helpful during sentencing is a character letter. Character letters are written by friends, family, colleagues, and others who know the defendant in criminal cases.

Can you write a reference for a family member?

Those providing the reference should know you well and be able to give examples that back up statements about your character. While friends and family are acceptable referees, it is better for you to select someone who is not immediate family as their opinion may be construed as being biased.

Who to ask for letters of recommendation if you don t know anyone?

Reach out to former professors

Professors are usually happy to help students reach their goals, and you can support them by providing them bullet-point details of the papers or projects you completed in their class and your exam grades so they can include these details in your letter.

What is the difference between a reference letter and a letter of recommendation?

Recommendations and references have a similar role in a selective process. Typically, recommendations are formal, confidential letters provided to a graduate school or other academic-based program while references are used by employers to confirm qualifications before making an offer.

What should you not do in a recommendation letter?

A successful letter should avoid:
  • General language or overly broad descriptors of the student's performance in the classroom;
  • Focusing on a student's punctuality or ability to complete the readings. ...
  • Too much time and attention detailing the relationship with the student or the content of the course.

Do colleges read letters of recommendation?

While letters of recommendation are just one part of your application, they do play an important role in the college admissions process. These letters provide admission representatives with valuable information that's not necessarily obvious from your college application alone.

What are the 6 details that should be included in a letter of recommendation?

What is a letter of recommendation?
  • Introduction and statement of recommendation.
  • List of specific reasons you are recommending them to the position.
  • Personal story with evidence of their qualities (soft and hard skills)
  • Closing statement with contact information.
  • Signature.

What is a strong recommendation letter?

A great letter will focus on your accomplishments, contributions, motivation, attitude, reliability, consistency, and other such skills. It is crucial to ensure that the person providing the recommendation knows you well and has a favorable opinion of your capability.

What are 3 examples of a good reference?

Here are a few examples of people who make great character references:
  • Coworker.
  • Co-volunteer or volunteer leader.
  • Coach.
  • Client or customer.
  • Vendor or business acquaintance.
  • Professor or academic advisor.
  • Personal or professional mentor.
  • Fellow student or graduate from an educational program.

How long should a recommendation letter be for college?

The letter should be about one page in length and generally consist of three parts: opening, body, and closing. The writer should explain the relationship between himself/herself and the candidate as well as why the letter is being written.

How to write a recommendation letter for a student you don t know well?

Be specific. Don't just praise the person with generalities (such as “quick learner”), but give specific stories or anecdotes about things the person did to give you that impression. A letter that praises a person without being concrete comes across as a tepid recommendation.

Who reads college recommendation letters?

When admissions officers evaluate applicants, they review both “hard factors” (quantitative measures like GPA) as well as “soft factors,” such as essays, extracurricular activities, demonstrated interest, and recommendation letters.

Who can submit letters of recommendation?

Counselors, Teachers, and Other Recommenders all have the opportunity to upload a letter of recommendation and share how they know the applicant. To begin working on a student's forms, click on their name in the Student section. Counselors and Teachers also have additional information to complete and share.