Selecting Recommenders

You must select recommenders who you know well and who know you well. The recommender then can write competently about you. Also, when choosing your recommender, you must see that the person writes specifically about you and gives a positive impression. The recommenders must not put generic comments about you in college applications. These will not help you standing out among other applicants. The letter of recommendation must be polite and appreciative.

Theme

The letter of recommendation must provide relevant information including specific details about you and your qualifications. The letter also has to indicate its purpose. You must provide the name of the college you are applying to and its background information to enable the recommender to include that information. Also, it is recommended that your recommendation letter include your GPA, awards, leadership roles, activities, special skills and community service.

Basic Information

The basic information that must be included in your letter of recommendation is:

• Qualifications written in a such a manner that makes you different from the other applicants
• The recommender’s positive and important views about you
• At least three or four qualities that the recommender observed in you and support sentences to reveal how those qualities are your strengths

Addressing the Letter of Recommendation

The person to whom the letter of recommendation should be addressed must be introduced in the beginning of the letter. If you are not aware of the name of the person to whom you need to address the letter of recommendation, you can address it directly to the selection committee.

When submitting the letter of recommendation, do not forget to include an addressed and stamped envelope if the letter of recommendation has to be mailed from the office of the recommender. A letter to be submitted with the college application must be returned to you in a sealed envelope.