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In most cases, recommendation letters are a standard requirement for the college admissions process. Admissions officers use these letters to better understand the applicant’s promising qualities and characteristics that a transcript may not fully demonstrate. But do you know how a strong letter of recommendation sounds? What makes it memorable? What should—and shouldn’t—be included? Whether you need to write a recommendation letter for a student or are college-bound yourself, the following sample recommendation letters for students will help you better define how a winning letter should sound.

Why Read Sample College Recommendation Letters?

When you submit a strong letter, it in a large and competitive applicant pool. Likewise, when you write a strong letter of recommendation for a student, it can seriously elevate their application. In both cases, it’s helpful to review examples. Here’s why:

If you’re a student:

As you solicit letters of recommendation from your teachers, it’s best practice to provide them with a few specific details or examples that you’d like them to highlight. These details should be related to your performance in that teacher’s classroom. As such, reading examples of strong college recommendation letters can help you understand what type of details to ask your teacher to highlight. These include:

• Specific, quantifiable accomplishments, such as a high (or greatly improved) end-of-semester grade
• Stand-out performance on a project, paper, lab report, etc.
• Contributions to classroom ethos
• Significant obstacles overcome

If you’re a teacher:

Preparing to write letters of recommendation for your students? It’s helpful to understand what will stand out to an admissions committee as well as how to put information together so that you’re making the best possible case for a student. You’ll want to prioritize:

• Specific accomplishments that demonstrate the student’s academic strengths
• Statements that place the student’s performance in context—such as how they compare to their classmates or to other students you’ve taught—particularly if they are among the most exceptional
• Any characteristics/qualities that set the student apart as a leader and role model in the classroom

Let’s take a look at two sample recommendation letters for college—one excellent example letter and one example letter that could use improvement. As you read, imagine these letters have just come across your desk for students with similar grades and test scores. Think about whether or not they would stand out to you!

Sample College Recommendation Letter: Excellent Example

Dear Admissions Committee,

I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation for James Scott, who was a student in my AP English Literature class last year. During that time, he distinguished himself as one of the most intellectually curious and driven individuals I’ve had the opportunity to teach.

As a result of his consistent effort and engagement, James earned the highest final grade in our class—a remarkable 98%. In particular, James stands out for his critical thinking skills and analytical depth, often displaying a level of insight that I rarely see among high school students. He regularly approached
assignments from original angles and made meaningful connections between literature and broader societal issues, exemplified most aptly by his unique final project—a podcast exploring the treatment of criminals in literature. James also stands out for his sophisticated writing style and skills. During our 1:1 writing conferences, James was particularly interested in honing his use of language, and his consistent desire to push himself enabled me to introduce him to a number of complex, college-level syntactical concepts.

In addition to spearheading many provocative class discussions, including a memorably spirited and productive debate on religion and politics in The Handmaid’s Tale, which led to many students choosing to examine systems of oppression in our weekly class blog (linked here), James also organized and led popular weekly study sessions ahead of our exams. This created a collaborative environment that benefited the entire class. His ability to engage deeply with complex literary ideas and foster discussion among his peers is a testament to both his mastery of the material and his eagerness as a learner.

James is the kind of student who constantly strives for personal excellence while elevating those around him. He is intellectually engaged, highly motivated, and unafraid to tackle complex ideas with nuance, maturity, and respect for differing viewpoints. I recommend him to you with the highest confidence. I have no doubt that he will thrive in a rigorous and dynamic academic environment.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions.

Best,

Donna Rae Peterson
English Teacher & Department Head
Fields High School

Imagine you have the opportunity to invite James into the undergraduate program. Does he sound like a promising candidate?

Why it Works

Obviously, Mrs. Peterson holds James in high regard. One way she demonstrates how much she appreciates James’s contributions is by using specific examples. Instead of simply stating that James is “intellectually curious” or a “talented writer”—phrases that might ring hollow if left unsupported—Mrs. Peterson makes sure to describe specific projects, papers, and individual interactions that showcase her observations.

Mrs. Peterson also highlights skills that will help James succeed in his future educational goals—in particular, his ability to effectively communicate and engage with others. No matter his major, James sounds like the type of student who will strive to foster an environment that brings out the best in his peers. When building a class, colleges look for students who will enhance their social and academic communities, so Mrs. Peterson is wise to highlight attributes that paint James as such a student.

Finally, Mrs. Peterson’s recommendation rings true because she recalls James’s accomplishments using genuinely enthusiastic language. Her assertions that James displays a level of insight that she “rarely” sees among high school students—and her overall level of confidence in his abilities—doesn’t feel forced or manufactured. On the contrary, it’s clear that Mrs. Peterson has appreciated having James as a student and is eager to see him take the next steps in his journey.

Sample College Recommendation Letter: Work in Progress

Let’s take a look at one final sample letter of recommendation for college. This one is for Wendy, a high school senior who is interested in studying English literature. Like our first letter, it was also written by an English teacher—but carries a very different tone:

Dear Admissions Committee,

Wendy was my student in English class her freshman year. She is a very thoughtful student who enjoys reading and writing. I always saw her nose in a book. I remember that her essays were perceptive, and she integrated quotes from her research well. Further, I believe she will succeed at studying literature. For that reason, Wendy has my recommendation.

Wendy enjoys reading nonfiction. I remember she liked to learn about different historical eras, as several of her essays covered earlier time periods. She reads every day and takes diligent notes on what she reads. Wendy always scored highly on her reading comprehension examination.

Because of these reasons, I believe Wendy will be a good fit for your school. She is a dedicated student. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

Mr. Riley
English Instructor
Fields High School

Why It Doesn’t Work

In this sample recommendation letter for college, Wendy’s qualities and accomplishments are vague and generic. Of course, an admissions committee would assume that any student interested in studying English literature enjoys reading and writing. But what makes Wendy a unique candidate? Mr. Riley does note that Wendy is “perceptive” and “thoughtful,” but doesn’t provide specific examples, such as especially stand-out essays or projects, or Wendy’s contributions to the classroom dynamic. He also shares that Wendy always scored “highly” on her reading comprehension exams, but without context or specifics, it’s unclear how impressive that is.

It is also unclear how authentic the relationship is between Mr. Riley and Wendy. Since Mr. Riley had Wendy in class during her freshman year, it’s been at least two years since he saw her on a regular basis. In most cases, teachers from freshman—and even sophomore—year are not able to speak to your recent accomplishments and qualities in the same way that a junior year teacher will be able to do.

Finally, the letter is too short. Generally, it is a good rule of thumb to write at least three full paragraphs. Mr. Riley’s sentences are clipped and vague, and the letter cuts off abruptly. This style suggests that perhaps Mr. Riley does not remember Wendy very well, is rushing, or both. Either way, this letter isn’t doing Wendy any favors. It’s generally positive, so it won’t hurt her, but it won’t help her, either.

Sample Recommendation Letter for Student – Final Thoughts

After reviewing each sample recommendation letter for college, it should be clear that, above all, admissions officers seek specificity. The more detailed and thorough the examples of a student’s admirable qualities, accomplishments, and potential contributions, the better.