WRITING LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Faculty and staff are regularly asked to write letters of recommendation. Listed below are some of the things which both you and students need to know as you prepare to write a letter of recommendation. The student should have asked you personally if you are able and willing to write a positive letter of recommendation for him/her. Feel free to request a resume or ask the student to clarify what point(s) in particular she/he would like you to discuss. It is okay to say no to the request if you do not know the student ell or cannot write a positive letter of recommendation. INTRODUCTION Begin with when and how you became acquainted with the student. (Ex: I am delighted to write this letter of recommendation for , whom I have know for years, as a student and a friend.) Mention specific classes, organizations or other associations you have had with the student. BODY Discuss what you feel are the strengths of the student in relation to work and/or graduate school, depending upon why the student has requested that you write a letter for him/her. Give specific examples to illustrate the skills. (Ex: has demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills. She/he wrote three research papers for my class and scored consistently in the upper 95%.) You can also mention such things as the student’s level of motivation, how well he/she works with people and/or in teams. Consider personal characteristics such as dependability, enthusiasm, creativity, etc. In addition, consider intangible skills such as problem solving, logical thinking, quick learner. Also consider technical skills or knowledge such as computer hardware/software, math, engineering, etc. CLOSING Make your recommendation. (Ex: I highly recommend ___________ for __________ position. Of all the students I have taught over the year, __________ is in the top 5% of students. Or: I give __________ my highest recommendation. You would look a long time before finding anyone as good as ____________.) Let them know that you can be contacted for further information. (Ex: For further information, please call me at _____________. I would be delighted to provide additional information.) General Tips Make sure you discuss with the student what the position or graduate program is about. Let the students know what you are willing to say about him/her so there will be no surprises. It is best to focus on the positive qualities and skills rather than on negative ones, as this is when lawsuits occur. If you cannot write a positive letter of recommendation, tell the student making the request and suggest they ask someone else.
REMINDER You are liable for the comments you make whether or not the student has retained or waived his/her constitutional right of access to the file. For more information, contact: Fort Lewis College - Career Services Office 1000 Rim Drive Durango, CO 81301 Phone: (970) 247-7562 FAX: (970) 247-7653 http://cso.fortlewis.edu