What does a good recommendation letter look like?

Hello everyone, just a bit stressed out here. I need to ask a couple teachers for recommendation letters and I want to give them some guidance on what a strong recommendation looks like. Could anyone share any tips or examples?

Absolutely, happy to provide some insight. A strong letter of recommendation is one that speaks to your academic abilities, character, and potential for future success in college. It should be personalized, detailed, and genuinely positive.

The recommender usually begins by identifying themselves, their relationship to you, and the context in which they know you—whether it's in the classroom, as an adviser for a club, or some other capacity. It's important for the reader to understand the perspective the recommender is writing from.

A good recommendation letter is also event-driven. That means it doesn't just say that you are a good student or a team player; it provides examples or stories that demonstrate these qualities. For instance, if your teacher is testifying to your leadership skills, they might recount a specific situation where you exhibited noteworthy leadership, like spearheading a group project or a charity event.

The letter should reflect your unique qualities. It's not as effective to hear you're a "dedicated, hardworking student," because that phrase could apply to many students. Instead, it's more compelling to hear that you're always the first one to show up at the laboratory to start your work, or that you voluntarily tutor your classmates in a difficult subject.

Additionally, a strong recommendation letter should discuss your intellectual curiosity, creativity, dedication, resilience, or other qualities that colleges look for in their students. A teacher could mention how you tend to delve deeper during class discussions, seeking to understand concepts at a granular level, or how you treat setbacks as opportunities for learning, rather than mere disappointments.

Finally, it's important for the recommendation letter to be enthusiastic. The reader should feel that the recommender is truly confident in your potential and is strongly endorsing your application.

Bear in mind that your recommenders may already know how to write effective letters, so ensure you approach the matter respectfully. Rather than providing unsolicited advice, you might want to ask your teacher if they'd like any particular information from you to help them compose the letter.