Characteristics of a Poor Letter of Recommendation
Is neutral. Glowing letters of recommendation are the norm. A neutral letter is the kiss of death to a student's application. If you can't write glowingly positive letter, don't agree to write on a student's behalf because your letter will hurt more than help.
Has errors, such as typos and grammar mistakes. Errors suggest carelessness. How good a student is this if you're not willing to run his or her letter through a spell-check?
Discusses weaknesses without discussing strengths. If a student has an important weakness, you ca mention it, but remember to discuss many many strengths to balance it out.
Provides no examples or data to support statements. Why should the reader believe that a student is meticulous, for example, if you haven't given an example to explain how?
5. Shows that the letter writer has little experience and contact with the student. Don't write letters for students you don't know. They will not be helpful letters.
Is not based on relevant academic or applied experiences A letter for a student that you have had no academic or supervisor experience with will not help his or her application. Don't write for students who are friends or family members.
Is late. Sometimes incomplete applications are tossed after the deadline. Even the most fantastic letter will be of no help then.
A Sample Poor Letter of Recommendation:
Dear Admissions Committee:
It is my pleasure to write on behalf of Lethargic Student, who has applied for admission at XY University. I am Lethargic's advisor and have known her for nearly four years, since she was a freshman. In Fall, Lethargic will be a senior. She has had a variety of courses in psychological development clinical psychology, and research methods that will aid her progress as a social work student. She has performed very well in her course work, as evidenced by her 2.94 GPA. I’ve been very impressed with Lethargic because she is a very hard worker, intelligent, and compassionate.
In closing, I recommend Lethargic Student for admission to XY University. She’s bright, motivated, and has strength of character. If you would like to learn more about Lethargic, please feel free to contact me at (xxx) xxx-xxxx or email xxx@xxx.edu
An effective letter of recommendation:
Explains how you know the student. What is the context for your evaluation? Was the student in your class, an advisee, a research assistant?
Evaluates the student within your area of knowledge Within the context in which you know the student, how did he or she perform How effective a research assistant is he or she?
Evaluates the student's academic capacity. This is easy if the student was in your class. What if the student is not? You can refer to his or her transcript, but only very briefly as the committee will have a copy Don't waste space talking about objective material they already have. Talk about your experience with the student. If a research assistant you should have some grasp on his or her academic competence. If an advisee, refer briefly to your discussions and provide clear examples that illustrate academic potential If you have little as academic contact with the student, then make a broad evaluative statement and use evidence from another area to support. For example, I expect Stu Dent to be a meticulous student, as he keeps very careful and accurate records as the Biology Club Treasurer
Evaluates the student's motivation. Graduate study entails more than academic skills. It's a long haul that takes a great deal of perseverance.
Evaluates the student's maturity and psychological competence
Is the student mature enough to accept the responsibility and manage the inevitable criticisms and even failures that will accompany graduate study.
Discusses the student's strengths. What are his or her most positive attributes? Provide examples to illustrate.
Is detailed. One of the most important things you can do in improving the effectiveness f your letter is to make it as detailed as possible. Don't just tell them abut the student, show them. Don't just say that the student can understand complex topics or work well with others, provide detailed examples that illustrate your point.
Is honest. Remember that although you want student to get in to graduate school, it is your name that is on the line. If the student really isn't a good fit for graduate study and you recommend him anyway, the faculty at that school potentially could remember and in the future take your letters less seriously. All in all, a good letter is highly positive and detailed. Remember that a neutral letter will not help your student Recommendation letters, in general, are very positive. Because of that, neutral letters are viewed as negative letters. If you can't writing a glowing letter of recommendation, then the most honest thing that you can do for your student is to tell him or her and decline their request to write a letter.
