How to Write a Letter of Recommendation for Grad School: Examples and Tips

A strong letter of recommendation can make a significant impact on a student’s graduate school application and help them stand out in a competitive pool of grad school admissions. If you’ve been asked to write a graduate school letter of recommendation, it’s important to craft a compelling letter that highlights the student’s strengths, accomplishments, and potential.

Here’s how to effectively write a letter of recommendation for graduate school, along with examples and tips.

Understand the Purpose of the Letter

Before you start writing, make sure you understand the purpose of the recommendation letter and what the graduate school is looking for in applicants. Ask the student for information on the specific program they are applying to, their CV or resume, and any additional materials that can help you tailor the letter.

A good letter of recommendation you need to write for graduate school should:

• Explain how you know the student and the nature of your relationship
• Highlight the student’s academic strengths, intellectual curiosity, and relevant experience
• Provide specific examples and anecdotes that illustrate the student’s qualifications which may include GPA
• Speak to the student’s character, work ethic, and potential to succeed in graduate study
• Demonstrate that you believe the student is a strong fit for the particular graduate program

Follow a Clear Structure

Organize your letter of recommendation into clear paragraphs with a logical flow:

1. Opening: Introduce yourself and explain your relationship with the student should be part of the opening paragraph. 2. Student’s academic strengths: Discuss the student’s academic abilities, intellectual curiosity, and love of learning. Provide concrete examples. 3. Relevant experience: Highlight internships, research projects, publications, and other experiences that have prepared the student for graduate study in their field. 4. Character and personal qualities: Speak to the student’s maturity, work ethic, leadership abilities, interpersonal skills, and any other qualities that will help them succeed. 5. Fit for the program: Explain why you believe the student is a great match for the particular graduate program, based on their interests and goals. 6. Closing: End with an enthusiastic statement of recommendation. Provide your contact information and offer to answer any additional questions.

Provide Specific Examples

One of the most important elements of a compelling recommendation letter is specific examples. Rather than simply saying the student is “hardworking” or “passionate,” provide concrete anecdotes that illustrate these qualities in action.

For example:

• “In my Neural Networks seminar, Jane developed a novel approach for optimizing deep learning models that showed creativity and a strong grasp of advanced concepts. Her work was published in a well-respected AI journal.”
• “John’s senior thesis on sustainable urban planning solutions was one of the most well-researched and innovatively argued papers I’ve seen in my 20 years as a professor. He was able to balance trenchant analysis with compelling real-world examples.”

Tailor the Letter to the Program

Whenever possible, tailor the letter to the specific graduate program the student is applying to. Explain why the student is a great fit for that particular department or area of study. Demonstrate an understanding of the program’s strengths and how the student can contribute to and benefit from it.

For example:

• “I believe Jane would thrive in Purdue’s top-ranked Computer Science graduate program given the department’s expertise in AI and machine learning, which closely align with her research interests and experience.”
• “NYU’s Urban Planning program, with its emphasis on sustainable cities and innovative community-engaged research, is an ideal fit for John’s commitment to using data-driven approaches to tackle urban challenges.”

Use a Professional Tone

Adopt a formal yet warm tone throughout the recommendation letter. Use official letterhead if applicable. Address the letter to a specific person if you have that information (e.g. “Dear Dr. Johnson” or “Dear Graduate Admissions Committee”).

Avoid overly casual language or excessive praise, which can come across as insincere. Aim for a tone that is professional and authoritative yet enthusiastically supportive of the student.

Proofread Carefully

Before sending the letter, proofread it carefully for any typos, spelling mistakes, or grammatical errors. Make sure you have spelled the student’s name and the graduate program’s name correctly. Reading the letter aloud can help you catch awkward phrasing.

Examples of Effective Recommendation Letter Language

Here are some examples of compelling recommendation letter language:

• “I was consistently impressed by the depth of Karen’s scientific understanding and her ability to think critically about complex biological systems. She has the strong research skills and intellectual drive needed to excel in a rigorous graduate program.”
• “As his thesis advisor, I watched Joseph develop into an outstanding scholar and writer with a nuanced understanding of contemporary Latin American literature. He has the creativity, work ethic, and analytical abilities to make valuable contributions to UT Austin’s prestigious doctoral program in Comparative Literature.”
• “Few psychology students have demonstrated Emily’s aptitude for independent research and her deep fascination with the complexities of the brain. Her work in my lab on the neuroscience of attention was some of the most advanced and innovative I have seen from an undergraduate.”
• “Rashid combines a brilliant engineering mind with strong interpersonal skills and leadership abilities. From designing award-winning solar cars on our school’s racing team to serving as a compassionate peer mentor, he has the qualities needed to flourish in Carnegie Mellon’s graduate engineering program and to tackle important problems in his field.”

Final Tips

• Start early: Give yourself enough time to write a thoughtful, well-crafted letter. Rushing may lead to a more generic recommendation.
• Be honest: Only agree to write the letter if you can authentically speak to the student’s qualifications and provide a positive recommendation.
• Keep it concise: Aim for about one single-spaced page. Admissions committees read many recommendation letters, so make every word count.
• Follow instructions: Make sure you follow the graduate program’s guidelines for submitting letters of recommendation, including any deadlines.
• Maintain confidentiality: Unless the student has waived their right to see the letter, they may request to read it per the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Regardless, keep the letter confidential and do not share it publicly.

Writing a strong letter of recommendation for graduate school takes time and effort, but it can make a real difference in helping a student gain admission to their top choice program.

By following these guidelines and crafting a detailed, program-specific letter filled with compelling examples, you can help a talented student take the next step in their academic and professional journey at one of the best graduate schools in their field.