How do you know if a letter of recommendation is good?
Asked by: Mrs. Ava Pfannerstill III | Last update: October 10, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (73 votes)
Depth and detail: A strong recommendation letter is thorough and provides a clear, detailed picture of who you are as a student. It should go beyond your resume or transcript and discuss aspects of your character and work ethic that might not be apparent from other parts of your application.
What does a really good letter of recommendation look like?
The letter includes opinions and observations. The letter is specific and accurate, including details. The writer states specific qualities the candidate possesses: preparedness, clinical curiosity, and teaching skills. The writer provides details to demonstrate how the candidate exhibited a certain quality.
What are the 6 details that should be included in a letter of recommendation?
- 1 Date. Provide the date you send your letter, especially if there are specific application cycles or deadlines to adhere to. ...
- 2 Greeting. ...
- 3 Introduction. ...
- 4 Overview. ...
- 5 Personal anecdote. ...
- 6 Closing statement. ...
- 7 Signature.
What is a strong letter of rec?
Such letters provide the links between past performance and what is proposed. Place the student in a larger context. For example, a letter could compare the present applicant to others who have applied for similar honors in the past or who have succeeded in such competitions.
What should you not do in a recommendation letter?
- Avoid Vague Introductions. ...
- Use Facts, Not Opinions. ...
- Paint a Picture Instead of Using Clichéd Descriptions. ...
- Steer Clear of Personal Characteristics. ...
- Eliminate Unnecessary Words with WordRake.
Elements of a strong recommendation letter
What makes a bad letter of recommendation?
It's all breadth and no depth. A strong letter would dive deeply into specific skills or qualities, rather than skimming over a lot of different points with a general overview. A recommendation letter should personalize a student and give deeper insight into her intellectual capacity and character.
Do employers look at letters of recommendation?
References and/or letters of recommendation are usually a necessary part of your job search. In fact, once an employer narrows their list of potential candidates, references are often the determining factor for which candidate gets offered the position.
What is an example of a good recommendation?
John is a very humble individual who gets along well with his peers and the entire medical team. It is therefore without reservations that I recommend him to you for any residency program that he may be seeking. I am sure he will be a valuable asset to your organization.
What 3 points would you like me to highlight in your letter of recommendation?
Leadership skills, dedication, ability to focus, and ability to learn quickly are all skills that are good to highlight in a recommendation letter. A great letter of recommendation balances describing both work that someone has done in the past and how it relates to their suitability for the position.
What is the best opening sentence of a letter of recommendation?
The introduction, which first and foremost includes your statement of recommendation (i.e. “it is my pleasure to recommend…”). It is common to also briefly state who you are and what your expertise is. The overview, or a description of the applicant's top skills, attributes, and strengths.
How to end a recommendation letter?
The closing of the letter should briefly summarize previous points and clearly state that you recommend the candidate for the position, graduate program or opportunity they are seeking. The recommendation letter should be written in language that is straightforward and to the point.
What are 11 impactful words to use in a letter of recommendation?
- Successful.
- Excellent.
- Accomplished.
- Outstanding.
- Skilled.
- Knowledgeable.
- Insightful.
- Resourceful.
How to make a recommendation letter stand out?
Point to specific examples of what the applicant has done. (
paper, mention its topic and why it stood out. If the student did outstanding work in another regard, explain the nature of this work and its particular strengths, especially as they relate to the goals of the fellowship.)
What key content do you include for a strong letter of recommendation?
Recommendation do's
Keep it concise. Summarize in one sentence how you know the student, identify their strengths, and provide 1-2 examples or stories. Use concrete examples, not generalizations. Tell stories that illustrate the student's character.
Should I read my letter of recommendation?
In our experience, you should ALWAYS waive your right of access to your recommendation. Recommendation letters provide a confidential, third-party perspective of the applicant's profile and achievements.
What makes an lor stand out?
An effective LOR should be concise, focused, and impactful. It's important to note that it's a distinct document and should never be confused with a resume. This distinction is crucial to avoid potential rejections or refusals.
What are three important things to mention in a letter of recommendation?
A recommendation letter should include information on who you are, your connection with the person you are recommending, why they are qualified, and the specific skills they have.
What are good sentences for recommendation letter?
Rarely have I been able to recommend someone without reservation. It is a pleasure to do so in the case of……. Seldom have I been able to recommend someone with such confidence. I firmly believe in his/her exceptional capabilities for…and strongly recommend him/her for your program.
What does a glowing letter of recommendation look like?
A "glowing" letter is one that praises the candidate in the highest terms on several criteria: "One of the three best .... I've ever worked with...". The letter will detail both past performance and make positive predictions about the future.
What is a strong recommendation?
A Strong recommendation means that the workgroup believes that the benefits of the recommended approach clearly exceed the harms (or that the harms clearly exceed the benefits in the case of a strong negative recommendation), and that the quality of the supporting evidence is excellent/good (grade I or II).
What are good phrases to use in a reference?
Phrases: am honored to support him as a candidate am pleased to provide a reference for am delighted to be called upon am happy to recommend am pleased to comment on can offer only the highest recommendation for first became acquainted with first came to my attention when has worked directly under my supervision has ...
What strengths should be included in a letter of recommendation?
Make detailed reference to specific projects or activities in which the student participated, or specific work that was produced. You should discuss some or all of the following: Intellectual ability (overall intelligence, analytical skills, creativity, academic record, retention of information)
What not to say in a letter of recommendation?
- 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.
Who is the best person to write a letter of recommendation?
This could be a teacher, a coach, a mentor, someone from your faith community, a boss, someone who you have volunteered with, etc. Pro Tip: Ask someone who has known you for a long time or who has seen you work hard at school, a job, or an extra-curricular activity.
How are letters of recommendation verified?
They may use a personal email address to submit the letter of recommendation but upon acceptance, there will be a verification process to verify that the recommender that submitted your letter is authentic. This information would include additional email address, phone number, current employment information, etc.