WRITING A LETTER OF

RECOMMENDATIONFor yourself!

TO START:

Make a written list of 10 positive things about you that the people who know you best and your teachers would agree with.

Think about personal characteristics, classroom and on the job attributes (good things about you!) It could include: attendance, attitude, willingness to go the extra mile, etc.

GROUP THINK!

Brainstorm! Work in 3 groups to: 1. List possible accomplishments in activities, volunteering, employment, etc.

2. List desirable characteristics and accomplishments in the classroom

3. List personal characteristics a school would want in a potential student

Work in groups for 15 minutes (5 minutes per topic) before reporting back to the large group.

ACTIVITIES, VOLUNTEERING, EMPLOYMENT National Honors Society

Athletic awards, Captain, lettering, MVP, hustle, scholarships

Student of the month

Link Crew

ASB

Clubs: BSU, Key Club, Anime

Volunteering, schools, PAWS, hospitals

Jazz Band, extra music

Youth groups, Young Life

Employee of the Month

Promotions: independent work

Presidential volunteering award

CLASSROOM ACCOMPLISHMENTS High grades

Attendance

Shows leadership

Teamwork

Interest and actively engaged

Honors/AP classes

Helpful

Generous of spirit

Consistency

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS Well-rounded

Hard-working

Improvement

Intelligent

Involved

Motivated

Determined

Impactful in community

What do you think an admittance counselor would think about you, as a person and as a potential candidate for their school after he/she reads a letter with these positive comments?

You are going to write the letter yourself, looking at your own strengths and the truth!   Use the list you just made.

FORMATTING THE LETTER

DATE AND SALUTATION

Start with today’s date written out completely:

September 23, 2014

Then include a greeting with a specific addressee:

To the admissions committee at Western Washington University,

To whom it may concern,

Reminder: all paragraphs start far left (no indention)

FIRST PARAGRAPHOF LETTER OF RECOMMENDATIONStart with an opener (choose one of the below options):It is with pleasure I write this letter of recommendation for__________.

I am happy to write this letter of recommendation for ____________.

As a teacher for ________ at Lynnwood High School, it is my pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for _________________.

As an English teacher, I work closely with many students. I consider ______________ to be one of the most studious and responsible members of my class.

FIRST PARAGRAPHOF LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

Then follow the opener with how long and in what capacity you have known the person. Consider the following examples and make your own based on “ I have known ______________ for three years as his teacher and

Varsity Wrestling coach. “I have had the pleasure of working with ____________ as her English

teacher in both her Honors English 10 class and English 12.”

SECOND & THIRD PARAGRAPHS:SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES INSIDE THE CLASSROOM: (Body paragraph #2)

Great attendance

Positive attitude

Going above and beyond expectations

Work is done in a timely, neat manner

OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM (JOB OR ACTIVITIES body paragraph #3)

Always willing to step up to a leadership role

Team player

Can always be counted on

Volunteers for extra projects

Commendable integrity/honesty

Great reviews from his/her supervisors

FOURTH PARAGRAPH

The fourth paragraph is reiterating the recommendation and how to contact the teacher in case of questions. For example,

Again, I want to say how much I believe __________________ would be an asset to your university. Feel free to contact me with any questions about this exceptional student.

SIGN OFF WITH:

Sincerely,

(Leave space for signature)

Name of Teacher

Name of organization

Position or title

~WRITE IN 3RD PERSON! ~USE ELEVATED VOCABULARY~WRITE AS THOUGH YOU ARE A TEACHER WRITING ABOUT A STUDENT~ BE TRUTHFUL! IF ACADEMICS AREN’T YOUR STRONG POINT, THEN TALK ABOUT WHAT IS! SOCIALLY GIFTED, VOLUNTEER MINDED, ETC.

IF YOU NEED ADDITIONAL IDEAS OR HELP… Go to this web site for additional ideas. 

http://www.thecollegehelper.com/college-recommendation-letter-samples