Great Letters Of Recommendation For Students - In 3 Steps
As a college professor, one of our frequent duties is to give letters of recommendations to deserving students. During the semester I always tell my students that I only give letter or recommendations to those who receive the grade of B+ or higher. This caveat has served me well over the years; first, I don't want everyone asking for a recommendation and taking up my valuable time, and second, I don't want to be insincere.
Most of the recommendations fall into three categories: the student is applying for an internship, for a job, or for transfer to a senior college. Naturally, my recommendation will be tailored to the specific purpose. My outline contains three sections (roman numerals).
I. State how you got to know the student and first impressions:
Mr. Victor Cheng was my student in my Principles of Accounting I class at Drury Maritime College in the past spring 2009 semester. From the first day of classes I was very much impressed with Victor's passion for learning and deep desire to excel. As he explained to me later, he was very much interested in becoming a business administrator, and was eager to do well.
II. State in what way the student excels: (a) in the English language (b) in the course in which he was your student (c) Personal traits.
(a) During my twenty six years of classroom experience, I have met many worthy students, but Victor Cheng glows as an outstanding scholar-student. Although he was still in the English Program at Maritime, he applied himself to learn not only our American English language, but also the language of business, becoming soon the leader of the class with a class participation seldom seen even in Native American students.
(b) Victor has a first rate mind and I am convinced that he is ready to meet the challenges of any rewarding internship or job in accounting. Since Accounting is a demanding professional course, I am very strict with my students and I challenge them to their maximum potential. As the semester progresses I assign tougher problems for optional independent work. Victor was always prompt, punctual, precise, and thorough with those projects. Never for a moment was I disappointed in his homework, projects, or exams; as a result I assigned him the grade of 'A' for the semester.
(c) Besides his intellectual qualifications, Victor is a very personable individual. He is neat in his appearance, with a great smile, and a fine sense of humor. Another quality that Victor displayed was his unselfishness. In that, he freely gave his time to students who needed tutoring with the projects I assigned; that to me, is the sign of a born teacher.
III. State a parting thought as to what can be expected of him in the future:
Not only do I think Victor is a fine scholar, but also a wonderful young man who will bring great credit to any institution he is associated with, and from whom we can expect great things. I say all this with great sincerity.
Most of the recommendations fall into three categories: the student is applying for an internship, for a job, or for transfer to a senior college. Naturally, my recommendation will be tailored to the specific purpose. My outline contains three sections (roman numerals).
I. State how you got to know the student and first impressions:
Mr. Victor Cheng was my student in my Principles of Accounting I class at Drury Maritime College in the past spring 2009 semester. From the first day of classes I was very much impressed with Victor's passion for learning and deep desire to excel. As he explained to me later, he was very much interested in becoming a business administrator, and was eager to do well.
II. State in what way the student excels: (a) in the English language (b) in the course in which he was your student (c) Personal traits.
(a) During my twenty six years of classroom experience, I have met many worthy students, but Victor Cheng glows as an outstanding scholar-student. Although he was still in the English Program at Maritime, he applied himself to learn not only our American English language, but also the language of business, becoming soon the leader of the class with a class participation seldom seen even in Native American students.
(b) Victor has a first rate mind and I am convinced that he is ready to meet the challenges of any rewarding internship or job in accounting. Since Accounting is a demanding professional course, I am very strict with my students and I challenge them to their maximum potential. As the semester progresses I assign tougher problems for optional independent work. Victor was always prompt, punctual, precise, and thorough with those projects. Never for a moment was I disappointed in his homework, projects, or exams; as a result I assigned him the grade of 'A' for the semester.
(c) Besides his intellectual qualifications, Victor is a very personable individual. He is neat in his appearance, with a great smile, and a fine sense of humor. Another quality that Victor displayed was his unselfishness. In that, he freely gave his time to students who needed tutoring with the projects I assigned; that to me, is the sign of a born teacher.
III. State a parting thought as to what can be expected of him in the future:
Not only do I think Victor is a fine scholar, but also a wonderful young man who will bring great credit to any institution he is associated with, and from whom we can expect great things. I say all this with great sincerity.