Rather than just another engineering applicant, Stacy is the student who researched sound-absorption to spare her parents from hours of guitar scales. h�bbd```b``�"��d�d-�,����"�`�L���+��3��z0�H2����ǀ�? Annie Chiu is one individual I have worked with who uniquely stands out. She explained her choice as motivated by a desire to put herself in other people's shoes, view the issues from a new perspective, and gain a clearer sense of the issue from all angles. You do not have the time or the material to write a good letter. If you need more information or specific examples, please do not hesitate to contact me at 555-123-4567, or by email at rcunningham@mvunlimited.com. Let's see what Mr. Wiles has to say about Joe. N{<9�;p��qb@_@�ʭ��������sUjB They should also be someone you’ve had a positive working relationship with who can thoughtfully discuss your skills and abilities. 0 So what can teachers and students do to make sure they are sending a strong recommendation letter that will help their chances? In your letter, explain how the student exemplifies the specific criteria of the fellowship at hand. Her advanced skills and passion for the subject make her an ideal fit for your rigorous engineering program. Continue to keep in contact with the attending so that they remember you. Get the latest articles and test prep tips! Use the following recommendation letter template as inspiration when drafting your own: It is my pleasure to strongly recommend [Applicant Name] for [Position With Company or Acceptance to Institution]. Specialty residency advisors continue to be significantly occupied by clinical work and may not be immediately available to respond to questions or arrange meetings. Again, check the. Say "no" to a request for a letter supporting a fellowship application if any of the following is true: Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA He has that combination of a positive attitude and the belief that he can always improve that's rare in a high school student, but so essential to the learning process. Sara is talented at considering the subtleties within literature and the purpose behind authors' works. San Francisco, Calif.: Jossey-Bass; 1993:407-412. She has a keen interest in and talent for physics, math, and scientific inquiry. When I wrote letters of recommendation as an ABD graduate student, the students who requested a letter provided me with a resume, personal statement, and a description of the programs they were applying to. I try to meet with each student before I write the letter. I am [Your Name], a [Your Position] at [Your Institution or Company]. She is driven to understand how things work, whether they be the old computer hard drives in the school library or the forces that hold our universe together. Throughout the year Sara was an active participant in our discussions, and she always supported her peers. She calls her insightful and self-aware with shrewd powers of observation. If COVID-19 has significantly impacted the number of clinical experiences you are able to have in your chosen specialty and you are not certain who to ask for a LOR, consult with the main specialty advisor in your field. The mentor’s letter of recommendation is a significant part of the decision-making process for these awards. When I sit down to write a recommendation letter, the first thing I do is review the research overview that I require all of my students to write. We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. A statement like this is pretty extraordinary and will make an impact in the mind of its readers. Applicants are advised to provide materials to the letter writer about themselves and the award that will provide the information necessary to write the strongest letter possible. Now that you've read these examples of strong teacher recommendation letters, check out these examples of bad ones. Follow the request instructions. Whoever you decide to ask, speak with them first about your request, then send a formal email with more details. He talks about his love of history and how it informs his social activism. As a teacher, it is incredibly fulfilling to witness a student make this kind of academic and personal progress. As both his 10th and 11th grade History teacher, I've had the pleasure of seeing William make profound contributions both in and out of the classroom. In addition to illuminating her intellectual and personal strengths and supporting them with specific examples, Ms. Scribe speaks to Sara's goals for the future. Mr. Jackson also gives insight into William's personal life, explaining how he has a personal connection to his projects and volunteer work as the child of immigrant parents. Finally, the teachers all discuss their students' personal strengths, along with their academic strengths. When we held a class debate about gun laws, Sara opted to speak for the side opposite her own views. As tomorrow's health and science leaders in training, UCSF students embody our passion for advancing the health of our communities. Ms. Randall plugs for Stacy right off the bat with a statement of outstanding ranking: Stacy is one of the most exceptional students she's had in 15 years of teaching. Please also be aware that the National Association of Fellowship Advisors (NAFA) Code of Ethics prohibits students from drafting their own letter of recommendation. The student approaches you in a highly unprofessional manner. Like in the last example, this letter uses strong, specific language, calling Stacy a perceptive and sharp person who has the confidence and good humor to take intellectual risks. An honest recommendation provides the recipient with a personalized account of your experiences with the applicant. If you need more information or specific examples, please do not hesitate to contact me at [Contact Information]. She graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University and scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT. Setting goals can help you gain both short and long term achievements. Give the letter writer a polite way to decline your request if they don’t feel they can write a very strong letter for you. He was a pleasure to have in class, and his positive attitude and belief in himself, even in the face of difficulty, is an immensely admirable asset. Many programs require that one of the letters be a Department/Chair letter from the corresponding department on campus. This list can remind both you and the letter writer about key clinical experiences you shared. She connects Stacy's love of music with her passion for physics by talking about the frequency-dependent sound absorption project. Her [Positive Trait] and [Positive Trait] were also necessary and valued not just by myself, but by her peers, who often relied on her to get the job done. [Applicant Name] is one individual I have worked with who uniquely stands out. This is a thorough, glowing recommendation for a student that Ms. Scribe clearly knows well. Consider asking former managers, colleagues, teachers, clients or vendors for a letter of recommendation. While the students featured in the first three examples were top of their class or demonstrated leadership in the school, Joe isn't a top achiever in the traditional sense. Ideally, an applicant's letters will provide a comprehensive picture of his or her qualities and achievements rather than repeating the same points over and over. 144 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[]/Index[128 35]/Info 127 0 R/Length 88/Prev 289757/Root 129 0 R/Size 163/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream This letter would be a boon to Sara's application, especially if she's applying to study writing or English. William believes passionately in social progress and working for the common good. What does Mr. Wiles focus on to recommend Joe? Download it for free now: hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(360031, '688715d6-bf92-47d7-8526-4c53d1f5fe7d', {}); hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(360031, '03a85984-6dfd-4a19-93c8-5f46091f5e2b', {}); Rebecca graduated with her Master's in Adolescent Counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. SAMPLE OF A STRONG LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FOR ERAS December 15, 2005 Dear Program Director: It is with great enthusiasm that I submit this letter of recommendation on behalf of (AMCAS ID#: XXXXXX). It focuses on the student's performance in class and his volunteer work outside the classroom. He's played all through high school and is one of the team's most valuable players. At some point, you may need to ask someone to write a recommendation letter for you. Address the letter, “Dear Program Director”, Include the student’s AAMC ID number somewhere on the letter, Ensure you have spelled the name of the applicant correctly throughout the letter, Sign the letter, either by signing a printed copy and scanning, or adding an image of your signature to the letter, Put the letter on official letterhead. These are valued by programs because they represent your peak and recent clinical performance. The fact that she knows Sara well and is committed to helping her application succeed with a thoughtful letter further adds weight to her assessment. Recommendations can carry weight in a job candidate's application, so it's important to write an effective letter of support. This letter would be both impressive and memorable to admissions officers considering William for admission to their school. During our time together, [Applicant Name] displayed great talents in [Skill, Trait, Experience, Class, etc.]. Her caring nature and personality allow her to work well with others in a team setting, as she always respects others' opinions even when they differ from her own. Remember: a longer recommendation letter is NOT necessarily a better recommendation. 162 0 obj <>stream Her final project in class was especially impressive, an investigation of frequency-dependent sound absorption, an idea that she said was sparked by not wanting to bother her parents with her hours of guitar practice at home. Many programs will not consider non-waived letters. As you can tell from these examples, recommendations can communicate a great deal about a student. Employee performance affects company-wide success. This letter, by virtue of its wording, length, and specificity, shows that Ms. Scribe took the time and effort to recommend Sara thoughtfully and with conviction. The student should provide you with the address to which to send the recommendation. Do you know relevant strengths and skills you can personally elaborate on? If you have supervised the applicant in research or other activities, explain the significance of the work and the nature of the student's contributions. endstream endobj 129 0 obj <>/Metadata 8 0 R/Pages 126 0 R/StructTreeRoot 15 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 130 0 obj <>/MediaBox[0 0 612 792]/Parent 126 0 R/Resources<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI]>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> endobj 131 0 obj <>stream That way students and teachers can work together to produce an insightful, enthusiastic, and specific letter of recommendation to send to colleges. I taught Stacy in my 11th grade honors physics class and advised her in Robotics Club. This next example also comes from a teacher who's extremely impressed with his student. Ms. Scribe took the time to choose her words carefully, and that effort paid off with a strong letter that captures Sara's special qualities. Aside from the student’s application essays, the letter of recommendation is the most influential part of the application. Throughout the year, Sara demonstrated this openness to and empathy for the opinions, feelings, and perspectives of others, along with shrewd powers of observation, all qualities that makes her outstanding as a student of literature and burgeoning writer. Whether you are writing a letter of recommendation for students or working professionals, your letter should have a similar structure. The first example recommends Sara, a senior who loves to write and read poetry. For students who are applying in a specialty field that also requires a Prelim-Medicine internship application: Please contact the Medicine Prelim advisor early in Career Launch, as this advisor will need to write you a department letter. She points out that she is talented at writing, poetry specifically, and that she is committed to continuing to improve as a writer in her future. William has a great capacity to draw connections between past and present and to ground his understanding of current issues in the context of historical events. ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, Is the ACT easier than the SAT? How to Write a Letter of Recommendation (With Examples), 15 Tips for Writing a Great Letter of Recommendation, Letter of Recommendation Formats (With Templates and Examples). F�Ẩ��Q����7D�Qc�sC8Qq�[� �( Joe would not describe himself as a math person. Use the following recommendation letter template as inspiration when drafting your own: If you have any questions, please contact me at thethingstheycarried@gmail.com. Stacy is a perceptive, sharp, quick individual with a high aptitude for math and science. Maps & Directions / Contact Us / Accessibility Comment on the student's application for this particular fellowship and support the main claims the student makes in his or her application. Drafting a medical school letter of recommendation for yourself. You can't recall much about a student beyond his or her presence in your class and his or her recorded grade. Cast the student in a unique light, discussing one or two qualities or experiences that make this student especially appropriate for the fellowship. Have any questions about this article or other topics? At UCSF, our learners approach health care challenges with critical thinking and a spirit of inquiry. It’s important to consider whether or not you can provide a quality recommendation letter before accepting a request. If you are writing multiple letters for the same candidates, check your final copies to make sure the letter references correspond to the fellowship. SAT® is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. Our Office of Continuing Education offers educational opportunities for physicians, nurses, physician assistants, dentists, and health care professionals to improve their practices through a comprehensive selection of continuing education activities. Related: 15 Tips for Writing a Great Letter of Recommendation. %PDF-1.5 %���� You might also send them the template that’s included below. Stacy's endless curiosity, combined with her willingness to take risks, leads me to believe there will be no limit to her growth and achievements in college and beyond. She is one of the most exceptional students I have encountered in my 15 years of teaching. Always waive your right to see the letter. She gives the example of the debate on gun laws to illustrate Sara's openness to many different points of view. For example, "Dear Fulbright Committee." (e.g., “I know you’re very busy…”). You cannot be emphatically positive in support of a student. Not only will she bring the kind of skills and experiences you’re looking for in an applicant, but she will also quickly become an asset and help L&Q International grow in any way she can. Sara consistently seeks out constructive feedback so she can improve her writing skills, which is a rare and impressive quality in a high school student. She doesn't merely say Sara is a good writer. g&�-� Y��4$�30�} 0 F� : I am not surprised to find out she is now ranked at the top of an extraordinarily capable class of seniors. Tips for Writing Strong Letters of Recommendation Important: If you cannot write a supportive letter of recommendation (e.g., if you did not work with the student very long or did not have a good experience), please let the student know that he/she should request a letter from someone else. ��zތ��E�?o�g���/���8Y?�&�{�nݯ6���5�9:JJ9��7~F�G-�43^��n�-�� what kind of letter she should get for the Ivy League. Indeed is not a career or legal advisor and does not guarantee job interviews or offers. 4 Amazing Recommendation Letter Samples for Students, Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score, how to write an outstanding recommendation letter for your students. Joe is a trustworthy, reliable, good-humored student and friend who supports others in and out of the classroom. Sincerely,Robert CunninghamRegional ManagerMountain View Unlimited. Read more: Asking for a Letter of Recommendation. Stacy sounds like a special student, and she chose her recommender well. ���wg'�͚��'W����fʜ]Na.iI�q^��T����U3c� v�nK�CV���sk��k6�%���Ӳ�RK�S��w�@��_���ِ��~�����KM�CU�H�Gi��/���g�����Ra_�ȡMWC�p� The best person to write a letter varies by field—please see the, Know your clinical or research skills best. Teachers should incorporate all these features into their letters, and students should help provide them with the raw material to write about. Most residency programs require 3 (or 4) letters of recommendation (not including your MSPE). If you're asked to write one, it's important to include details that build a strong case for the applicant. My first experience with Annie’s adaptability came not long after she was hired. Consider the following before you accept a request for a recommendation: Can you provide positive feedback about this individual? We will continue to post their updates. Not only will she bring the kind of skills and experiences you’re looking for in an applicant, but she will also quickly become an asset and help your [Institution/Company] grow in any way she can. If you do not have time to prepare a special letter of recommendation for a student, you should decline to write the letter. Ever the history scholar, he did plenty of research to back up his ideas. [Applicant Name] was a joy to work with because of her amazingly positive attitude and [Positive Trait]. URFM is dedicated to helping mentors to write the strongest recommendations possible. In sophomore year, William noticed that the college planning seminars students attended included little information for first generation or immigrant students. Use the description to decide what you should include from their resume and your personal experiences working with them. Ask below and we'll reply! Know your clinical or research skills best; Offer to write one; Can write a strong letter ; The strongest letters are often written by attendings who know your clinical skills from a specialty-specific sub-internship. I highly recommend her for admission to your undergraduate program. The strongest letters of recommendation take time and thought to craft. A wonderful Luce recommendation that reads "John is a most deserving candidate for a Starr" does not go over well. Beyond the evaluation, Ms. Randall gives specific examples of Stacy's academic and personal strengths. By recruiting the top faculty members, students, residents, and staff nationwide, UCSF — a community of the best and the brightest — sustains its reputation for excellence in education, discovery, and clinical care. When I agree to write a letter of recommendation (LOR), it is a commitment to recommend the student. Ms. Randall is clearly as much of a fan of Stacy as she is of Mileva Marić. Read all about how to write an outstanding recommendation letter for your students, along with what not to include. Please see their specific sections on the. This letter is a strong vote of support for Stacy's application to an engineering program. She's been a strong leader in Robotics Club, eager to share her knowledge with others and learn new skills. Select the "more info" link to keep up with the latest from Penn State about the global coronavirus outbreak. She clearly impressed her English teacher and, in return, got a memorable, complimentary letter of recommendation for her college application. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? Mr. Jackson expresses his enthusiastic recommendation while illuminating William's love of learning and strength of character. He never retreats to a simple answer or explanation, but is comfortable dealing with ambiguity. These are valued by programs because they represent your peak and recent clinical performance. Mr. JacksonHistory TeacherMartin Luther King, Jr. High School. Be direct about the request. If you do not have letterhead, be sure to include your current contact information, Letter writers, or their designees, must upload letters in PDF format via the ERAS Portal. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools. Some departments also write a department letter – if so, the department letter counts toward the 4 letter maximum that ERAS allows. Ms. Scribe also supports her characterization of Sara with examples. Phone: 401-863-1000 endstream endobj 132 0 obj <>stream URFM is dedicated to helping mentors to write the strongest recommendations possible. Since they rarely meet the student in person, the recommendation letters, along with the student's own personal essay, play a huge role in illuminating her intellectual and personal qualities. Address letters to the person who chairs the fellowship committee if you have that information; otherwise, address the committee as a whole. We can help. Please be sure to keep copies of your letters. Do you know the three types of learning styles? Customizing a general recommendation letter according to these popular situations could help you better support the applicant in their career development. Her cheerful nature and openness to feedback means she's always learning and growing as a learner, an impressive strength that will continue to serve her well in college and beyond. Last year, we had one client who sent data in Excel that needed extensive cleanup. Include Key Content Please don't hesitate to contact me at milevamaricfanclub@gmail.com if you have any questions. Always thinking about how institutions can better serve people, William spoke with counselors and ESL teachers about his ideas to better support all students. You can use their resume to get a full understanding of their experiences and achievements. However, this recommendation is still a strong one, even if it says he struggled in the teacher's class. Annie was a joy to work with because of her amazingly positive attitude and eagerness to stick tightly to deadlines. She publishes her poetry in our school's literary magazine, as well as in online magazines. His advice and an actual template are posted below. The purpose of a recommendation letter is to validate what the employer has learned about the applicant and provide additional positive details about their performance or habits. You should review the job description to understand what the employer is looking for in a candidate. Want to build the best possible college application, with the strongest recommendations? It’s important to consult the career advising website and/or meet with the specialty advisor near the beginning of Career Launch to clarify if a department letter is needed, and who will write this department letter. This letter reveals that William is a thoughtful, motivated individual who connects his own experiences with his learning and desire to contribute to his community. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points, How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer, Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests. During our time together, Annie displayed great talents in technical applications, such as ArcGIS, R coding, Python and several other data visualization tools. A letter of recommendation for PhD aspirants is an important part of the admission documents. Important Note: Are you looking for job recommendation letters? How important are recommendation letters in a college application? ʹt�C��T/I������iK�i�3mh�m��1��˛լ[��U�/�ݾ=�6�~r�lv��5`dڝߚAEJ��6M%��r�S�/7_��}�yِmI L�1KJ��%�� K�K�12�02z��z!F^�"5m��[N�j�,�������#��fL��8��������ֱFMp ! If I cannot be positive, then I tell the student that he/she would be better served by having someone else write the letter. In your letter, explain how the student exemplifies the specific criteria of the fellowship at hand. Here’s a specific example of what a completed letter may look like for a job applicant using the above framework: It is my pleasure to strongly recommend Annie Chiu for a position as a data analyst for L&Q International. If you're a student, examples of great letters of recommendation can help you understand how to get strong letters yourself from your teachers. Specific examples and stories are key for backing up the assessment. Stacy's personal strengths are as impressive as her intellectual accomplishments. She was our only student teacher to be met with much deserved applause at the end of her lesson. Ms. RandallPhysics TeacherMarie Curie High School. I am certain that Sara is going to continue to do great and creative things in her future. Then we'll break down exactly why these letters of recommendation are effective. The role of the mentor’s letter of recommendation is a significant part of the decision-making process for these awards. If you do contact faculty during this time, we ask that you acknowledge how busy they are, and that you don’t expect an immediate response. UCSF is an institution of higher learning where tomorrow’s leaders in the life sciences, health care and health policy receive high-quality education and training. The strongest letters are often written by attendings who know your clinical skills from a specialty-specific sub-internship. While recommenders may or may not share their letters with students, there should still be open, two-way communication when the student makes her request. He helped collect resources and design a college planning curriculum for immigrant and undocumented students to enhance their college access. This next example is similarly enthusiastic and detailed. Mr. Wiles was extremely impressed with Joe's attitude, effort, and growth mindset, which he demonstrated throughout the year and inspired in his fellow classmates. Save this for yourself. It’s not just her technical skills that impress me, however. At that time, Annie’s experience with Excel was limited, but she worked extra hours to learn how to properly clean up data in Excel through the use of functions. Where so many others have given up, Joe took on this class as a welcome challenge. Outside of the classroom, Sara is dedicated to her literary pursuits, especially to poetry. Mr. Jackson's letter makes William sound like a pretty amazing student and person. Sara is truly a stand-out individual who will impress everyone she meets. 1st Ed. Plus, they make a letter more interesting and memorable. It’s not just her technical skills that impress me, however. Unlike general purpose letters of recommendation filed with dossier services, letters for fellowship applications need to be tailored to the fellowships for which the student is applying. Writing Letters of Recommendation. (e.g., “I’m asking if you can write me a strong letter of support”). Then we'll break down exactly why these letters of recommendation are effective. Stacy is just the kind of driven, engaging, and curious student that helped make our classroom a lively environment and safe place to take intellectual risks.