A Good Letter of Recommendation Should Not Provide Colleges With
Personal Experiences and Expert Opinions on Letter of Recommendation
As a long-time educator, I have written countless letters of recommendation for my students. I have also read many letters of recommendation for college and job applications. However, I have noticed a disturbing trend in the letters that are submitted to colleges. Many letters provide information that should not be included, and this can actually hurt the applicant’s chances of acceptance. In this article, I will discuss what a good letter of recommendation should not provide colleges with.
What Should Not Be Included in a Letter of Recommendation?
- Personal information that is not relevant to the application
- Criticism of the applicant
- Unsubstantiated praise
- Generic statements
- Information that is not first-hand
It’s important to keep in mind that a letter of recommendation should provide insight into the applicant’s abilities, achievements, and character. Personal information that does not relate to the application is not useful to the college. Criticism of the applicant can be damaging and can make the letter writer appear unprofessional. Unsubstantiated praise is not helpful to the applicant, and generic statements do not provide any unique information about the applicant. Finally, information that is not first-hand may not be accurate and does not provide insight into the applicant’s abilities.
Survey Results and Data Analysis
A recent survey conducted by the National Association for College Admission Counseling found that 35% of colleges considered letters of recommendation to be considerably important in the admissions process. However, only 16% of colleges considered them essential. This means that while letters of recommendation can help an applicant’s chances of acceptance, they are not the most important factor.
Additionally, a study conducted by the University of California, Berkeley found that letters of recommendation tend to be vague and do not provide much insight into the applicant’s abilities. The study found that letters tended to use generic language and lacked specific examples of the applicant’s work. This reinforces the importance of providing specific, first-hand information in a letter of recommendation.
Expert Quotes and Anecdotes
According to Dr. Susan Graham, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, Letters of recommendation should provide specific and detailed information about the applicant’s abilities and character. They should not simply repeat information that can be found in the application materials.
I have personally found that including anecdotes and specific examples of the applicant’s work can be very helpful in providing insight into their abilities. For example, when I wrote a letter of recommendation for a student who had volunteered at a local hospital, I included a story about how they had gone above and beyond to help a patient. This showed the applicant’s dedication and work ethic, and provided a unique perspective that was not included in their application materials.
FAQs
What should I include in a letter of recommendation?
A good letter of recommendation should include specific, first-hand information about the applicant’s abilities, achievements, and character. It should not include personal information that is not relevant to the application, criticism of the applicant, unsubstantiated praise, generic statements, or information that is not first-hand.
What is the importance of a letter of recommendation in the admissions process?
While letters of recommendation can help an applicant’s chances of acceptance, they are not the most important factor. According to a survey conducted by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, only 16% of colleges considered letters of recommendation to be essential.
What can I do to ensure that my letter of recommendation is effective?
As a letter writer, it’s important to provide specific, first-hand information about the applicant’s abilities and achievements. Including anecdotes and specific examples can be very helpful in providing insight into the applicant’s character. As an applicant, it’s important to choose letter writers who know you well and can provide specific information about your abilities.