sFirst, choose the right people to write you letters of recommendation.

Your letters of recommendation can help you make the cut during college admission and scholarship selection!

  C References should be respected community members.

  C   High profile positions in the community do carry some clout.

  C  The references you choose should know you and be able to give specific details about
  your character, your strengths, your skills, your gifts, and your personality.

  C  References should “fit” the scholarship you are working toward – if you are applying
  for a basketball scholarship, by all means, tap your coach!

  C  Employers and former employers can make great references.

  D  A family member is not an appropriate reference.

sWhat’s next?  The ASK!

  C  Tell the person why you chose him/her to serve as a reference for you.

  C  Be sure to ask the person if s/he is willing to write you a great letter of reference.

  C  Make sure the person has the time to write you a great letter of reference.

  C  Listen for clues - if the person hedges, the letter he or she writes might not be
the most complimentary of you.  You’d rather get a “no” than a bad letter!

sYou got a yes!  Be prepared to follow-up!

  C  Provide a copy of your grades or transcript, your activities, your athletic statistics,
your leadership roles – make it easy for your reference to remember
all your qualities and achievements.

  C  For scholarships, provide a copy of the particular scholarship guidelines for each scholarship.
This helps the person align his or her comments with the purpose of the scholarship.

  C  Provide clear instructions:  Maximum letter length?  Addressed to a specific person?
Deadline?  Does the letter come back to you in a sealed envelope?
Will you pick the letter up?
Should the letter be sent directly to the college or selection committee?

sFollow-up!

  C  Don’t hesitate to remind the person a week before the deadline.

  C  Confirm plans for getting the letter to where it needs to be.

  C  Thank the person for the letter when you get it.
  Then follow-up with a short hand-written note of appreciation.

  Congratulations!  You’ve been asked to write a Reference Letter or Letter of Recommendation for a student.  Letters of Recommendation can be the deciding factor for a scholarship selection panel or a job!  So, you should begin by making a decision: Will you give the student a helpful letter of recommendation?  If yes, skip down to “Get Prepared.”  This is truly a time that if you cannot say something VERY nice, don’t say anything at all.

• Get Prepared:

  C Use school letterhead to add authority to your letter.

  CFormat the letter properly – the school secretary knows the appropriate margins to use
for school letterhead, so ask her if you are unsure.

  CGather materials the student provided: To whom should the letter be addressed?
   Is there a maximum length? Are there written guidelines?
What is the focus of the scholarship?
Did the student provide a transcript or list of activities or leadership roles that

  you want to use to refresh your memory?

• State your qualifications.

  C Why should a letter from you be worthy?

• State your relationship with the student.

  CHow do you know the student?  Personally?  From class?  As a coach?

  In a volunteer situation?

  C How long have your known the student?

• Give the students’ strengths in all known areas.

  C What is your judgment of the student and his/her potential?

  C What are the student’s outstanding character traits, qualities, strengths and skills?  Give examples.

  CTell about the student’s participation in class, in the school as a whole, in the community
(including community service) and the strengths or growth you’ve witnessed through
  that participation.

  C Describe the student in leadership roles.

  C Tell about the student’s general demeanor.

  C What stands out about the student’s personality?

  C Tell about the student’s work ethic and sense of responsibility.

  C How does the student interact with others?

  C How does the student handle adversity?

  C Does the student have special strengths?

• State your recommendation.

  C Summarize why you support the student.  Make the ending of your letter strong and believable.

• Take time to proofread your letter.

  C If there is time, put it aside for a day and then proofread.

• Place the letter in an envelope and seal.

  C You can sign across the seal, but it isn’t always necessary. 

• Follow the directions provided or the process agreed upon with the student.

  C Give the letter to the student or mail to the appropriate address.

• You may decide that you want the student and his/her parents/guardians to know the esteem in which you hold that student.  If so, provide a copy of the letter for the student in a separate envelope.