A well-written recommendation letter (LOR) can boost a student’s chances of getting into a medical program. Writing it aims to provide an unbiased outside perspective of the applicant’s academic performance. As a result, it’s important to learn how to write a well-structured and formatted one. Here’s a post to teach you how to write a recommendation to build a strong case for the student.
Write It With a Particular Position in Mind
When you’re tasked with writing a recommendation for a student, ensure it fits the requirements specified in that particular program or position. For example, students send recommendations when applying for a medical program and in some undergraduate and graduate healthcare courses.
Start by reading the description of the healthcare program that the students want to get into. Next, check to ensure they are applying for a master’s or a doctoral program. Finally, if it’s in an internship position, check out the roles they will take on or the job description.
Then write down a student’s skills and experience that match what the organization is looking for. Finally, tailor the recommendation to that specific program or school where the student hopes to get an acceptance letter.
Know What the Admission Board Looks For
When reading recommendations for students applying to graduate programs, the admission officer wants to know the unique abilities and qualities that the individual has. This can include leadership skills, how the student has overcome struggles, and lessons learned. They also want to determine if the individual is professional and a team player.
Overall, the board wants to determine if the applicant is an excellent fit for that program. They also want to ensure that the student will thrive in that environment if given admission. So when writing, keep in mind that the LOR should add value to the student’s application in terms of relevancy to the course they are applying to. If you’re unsure which information to include, reading samples from a reputable letter of recommendation service is a great start.
Know Which Details to Include
A well-written LOR will briefly explain your relationship with the student. For example, are you a professor or tutor who has worked closely with the student? The ideal person to write the letter should be someone that can offer a detailed look into who the student is as a person, their skills, academic achievements, and accomplishments.
Your writing should demonstrate a more profound knowledge, professionalism, and understanding of the course the student is applying to. The LOR should also contain an in-depth assessment of the student’s abilities, skills, and interests. Abilities, including those displayed outside the classroom, such as voluntary work, should also be mentioned.
Use a Resume and Statement of Purpose
To make your writing process easier, ask the student to provide a copy of the program they want to enroll in and their resume. You can also request a statement of purpose. The SOP is helpful in writing a LOR for a student since it will highlight future plans, which will help add unique details that increase the chances of admission to graduate school. This article provides more insight into the importance of SOP.
Besides, both a curriculum vitae/resume and SOP can give you more insight into the qualities, characteristics, and capabilities of the student you want to recommend. Collecting information is also essential because it ensures you write a favorable letter for the student.
Back up What You’re Saying With Examples
The reader, who can be an admission committee or officer, doesn’t personally know much about the student. So it’s up to you to convince them that what you’re saying is true. How do you do that? Using examples to prove that the student has the skills you’re talking about.
Introduce Yourself and the Student
For your words to impact positively, the officer needs to know who you are. So using a few sentences, introduce yourself and state how you’re qualified to recommend the student. Then, take a step further and summarize the reasons for recommending the student. This includes why they are qualified.
Use the first paragraph to give the student’s name and what they want to pursue. Furthermore, highlight qualities that make the student suitable for that academic program or position. The body paragraph should have specific examples that prove the student has the qualities you say they have. Conclude by offering your contact information.
Use the Appropriate Format
Keep the LOR within one page. Pack the paragraphs using factual information that favorably presents the student and write them professionally, formally, yet in an approachable tone. Use a font style and size that makes the letter’s contents easy to comprehend.
