Letter of Recommendation Template: How to Create One?

Hey guys! I'm about to request a letter of recommendation from one of my teachers but I'd like to provide them with a template or outline to make things easier for them. Any advice on what I should include or how to format it? Any examples would be great as well. Thanks!

Hey there! Providing a template or outline can indeed make the process easier for your teacher and ensure that your letter of recommendation highlights the qualities you want colleges to see. Here's a general outline you can use as a starting point, but feel free to customize it based on your relationship with your teacher and your specific achievements:

1. Introduction

- Briefly introduce the recommender (teacher) and their relationship to you (subject taught, for how long, any extracurricular activities they supervised, etc.)

- State the purpose of the letter (to recommend you to the college you are applying for)

2. Academic and Intellectual Qualities

- Discuss your performance in the classroom, or how you contributed to discussions

- Mention your intellectual curiosity, problem-solving skills, critical thinking abilities, or creativity

- Include any notable projects, presentations, or essays that demonstrate your skills in the particular subject

3. Personal Qualities

- Describe your personal traits, such as work ethic, resilience, motivation, or empathy

- Share specific examples of you demonstrating these traits inside or outside the classroom

4. Extracurricular Involvement and Leadership

- Describe your participation in clubs, sports, community service, or other extracurricular activities

- Focus on any leadership roles you've had or instances where you displayed teamwork or collaboration skills

5. Conclusion

- Summarize why you're an excellent candidate for the college, highlighting key points from the letter

- End with a strong statement of recommendation and provide contact information for the recommender if an admissions officer has any questions

Remember to ask your teacher well in advance of any deadlines and provide them with any specific requirements or prompts that the college may have for the letter of recommendation. It's important to leave room for their personal insights and anecdotes, so be sure to mention that the template is just a guide and they can adjust it as they see fit. Good luck with your college applications!