Recommendation letters are an age-old practice dating back to antiquity. In Greco-Roman times, travelers used letters to vouch for their trustworthiness while others adopted them for business purposes. Fast forward to today, and our students need recommendation letters for everything from scholarship opportunities to graduate school. During a recent CTL workshop, Director Karen Huxtable and Assistant Director Salena Brody shared some contemporary tips for this enduring tradition.
Set clear expectations on deadlines and prerequisites with students. Explicitly state minimum grade requirements and other criteria you need in order to write the letter. Perhaps you only write letters for students who have completed one of your courses, or you need a minimum amount of advance notice. If you have to say no, be honest and suggest alternatives for students to consider.
Create an intake form that students can use to provide you with relevant facts, such as schools/programs with deadlines and formats, statement of purpose, and a list of extracurricular activities, among other things. Providing a link where students can upload their resumes and/or unofficial transcripts can also be helpful. Here are some examples to get you started:
Set aside time on your calendar specifically for this purpose so you can focus and get it done faster. In the age of AI, tools like ChatGPT can help get you started. Remember, though, that you should never share students’ personal information online.
The first paragraph is your chance to introduce the student by name as well as the purpose behind the recommendation. Here, you can emphasize your familiarity with the student, including the context of your interactions and specific details about their academic engagements. Moving on to the second paragraph, provide a comprehensive assessment, positioning the student within the context of their peers. Evaluate the skills they’ve demonstrated, emphasizing any improvements over time. Finally, the third paragraph can delve into the student’s personal qualities, their involvement in campus and community activities, and any irregularities within their academic record. Be sure to communicate with the student about which personal details you are free to disclose.
You’ll find the PowerPoint from the Letter of Recommendation workshop in the CTL resource site in eLearning.