Formatting a Letter of Recommendation on Official Letterhead

Hey everyone! I'm in the process of obtaining letters of recommendation from my teachers. However, I'm not sure about the formatting. Do teachers typically write these on their school's official letterhead? Are there any requirements for formatting that I should be aware of?

Hey! Yes, it's pretty standard for teachers to write letters of recommendation on their school's official letterhead. This gives the letter a professional touch and also verifies its authenticity. That said, some teachers may choose to use a plain document, and that's okay too.

As for formatting requirements, guidelines can vary across institutions, so be sure to check the specific requirements stated by the colleges you're applying to. However, there are some general tips to keep in mind:

1. The letter should ideally be one to two pages long.

2. It should include a salutation ("Dear Admissions Committee" or "To whom it may concern") followed by the body of the letter.

3. The text should be neatly spaced, with paragraphs separated by a line for easy readability.

4. Your teacher may want to include their contact information (name, title, email, and phone number) either at the top (with the letterhead) or at the bottom of the letter, as well as the date the letter was written.

5. It's a good idea to have the letter signed to confirm its authenticity.

If your teachers are not sure about formatting, you can kindly and discreetly remind them about the official letterhead and other guidelines. Ultimately, it's the content of the letter and the teacher's endorsement that will make the most significant impact on your application, but adhering to formatting guidelines can certainly help with a professional presentation. Good luck!