In need of letter of recommendation examples!

Hi there, my teachers asked me to give them an idea of what to include in their letters of recommendation for my college apps. Anyone have any shining examples or key points that they should focus on? My gratitude in advance!

Sure, here are the key points teachers should focus on in their letters of recommendation.

1. Student Performance: They should start by describing in detail how you excelled academically in their class. For example, "In the Honors Chemistry class that I taught, [Your Name] consistently demonstrated a strong understanding of complex concepts and was one of the top performers in the class."

2. Characteristics and Skills: They should talk about the qualities and skills you exhibited. For an example, "Apart from being intellectually curious, [Your Name] is also a compassionate, reliable, and diligent individual who puts significant effort into everything they undertake."

3. Insight Beyond Grades: Teachers should also speak about things that grades can't illustrate. For instance, "Even when [Your Name] didn't do as well in an exam, they exhibited resilience by working even harder to improve."

4. Behavior and Interactions: The dynamics between you, your classmates, and the teacher should also be touched upon: "Throughout the course, [Your Name] maintained a cooperative attitude with classmates during group projects and always contributed positively to class discussions."

5. Relevant Anecdotes: Illustrations or anecdotes that exemplify your character traits are effective. An example: "I recall when we had a particularly difficult project, [Your Name] took the initiative to organize study group sessions which greatly benefited the class."

6. Growth and Development: The evolution of your skills or behavior over time should be highlighted: "[Your Name]'s analytical skills and grasp of scientific concepts have grown significantly since they first walked into my classroom."

Finally, they should conclude with an assertive recommendation that emphasizes why you're a strong fit for college: "Based on [Your Name]'s consistent high performance, adaptability, and dedication, I believe they will thrive in a college environment and make valuable contributions to it."

It's essential for them to pick a mix of traits and experiences that showcase who you are holistically, not just as a student. They should aim for specific examples and concrete outcomes whenever possible, while avoiding overly general or generic language. All the best with your college applications!