Writing a peer recommendation?

Hey friends, I've been asked to write a letter of recommendation for a close friend of mine. How do I go about doing that? What aspects should I focus on and is there a specific format I should follow?

Hi there! Writing a peer recommendation can be both an exciting and daunting task. The key is to highlight your friend's strengths, personality traits, and significant experiences that showcase their ability to succeed in college. Here are a few tips to help you write an effective peer recommendation:

1. Start with an introduction: Begin the letter by introducing yourself and your relationship with your friend. Explain how long you've known them and in what capacity (e.g., classmates, teammates, etc.).

2. Focus on specific qualities and attributes: Choose two or three attributes that you feel best represent your friend and their potential to succeed in college. These could be academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, leadership, teamwork, or character traits. Make sure to provide specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate these qualities.

3. Be genuine and personal: Since you know your friend well, this is your chance to show the college something about them that might not be evident in the rest of their application. Feel free to share personal stories or memories that evidence your friend's positive qualities. This adds authenticity to the letter, making it more engaging and powerful.

4. Keep a positive tone: Highlight your friend's strengths and how they overcome challenges, but remember to maintain a positive tone throughout the letter. Your main focus should be on their achievements, potential, and what they can bring to the college community.

5. Be concise: Aim for a one to two-page recommendation letter. Colleges receive numerous recommendation letters, so keeping it concise ensures that your message is clear and easy to comprehend.

6. Conclude with a strong endorsement: Close the letter by restating your belief in your friend's potential and provide a strong endorsement for their admission to the college. You could also mention how you believe they will contribute to and benefit from the college community.

7. Proofread the letter: Make sure to proofread your recommendation letter for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors before submitting it. This will ensure that it looks polished and professional.

Finally, there's no specific format for a peer recommendation letter, but you can follow the general structure of:

- Introduction

- Attributes and specific examples

- Personal story or memory (optional)

- Conclusion with a strong endorsement

Good luck with your letter! Remember to be genuine, personal, and focused on the qualities that make your friend a strong candidate for the college.