Recommendation letter for university example?

Hey guys, I'm in the process of asking some of my teachers for recommendation letters for my college applications. I want to give them a general idea of what to include in their letters. Does anyone know of a good example of a recommendation letter that I could share with them? Thanks!

Hey there! It's great that you want to help your teachers write strong recommendation letters for you. While I can't provide a specific example here, I can give you some pointers on what makes a strong recommendation letter so your teachers can create an effective one customized to you.

A good recommendation letter should:

1. Personalize the introduction: The letter should begin with a brief introduction of the teacher, their subject, and how long they have known you.

2. Provide context: The letter needs to give context on the class, the curriculum, and any other relevant information that would help the admissions officers understand your performance.

3. Highlight strengths: This is the most crucial part. The letter should focus on your academic and personal strengths, both in the context of the classroom and any related extracurricular activities. Specifics are key! For example, if your teacher saw you excel in research projects, they should mention the topic, your approach, and how your work stood out.

4. Use anecdotes: A strong letter will share anecdotes or experiences that illustrate your strengths. It could be about how you collaborated on a group project, overcame challenges in the subject, or displayed a strong work ethic.

5. Compare to peers: When possible, the teacher could compare you to your classmates or past students to emphasize what makes you exceptional. For example, they might say you're within the top 5% of students they’ve taught in their career.

6. Address weaknesses (if applicable): If there is a weakness that might be apparent in your application (e.g., a lower grade in a subject due to extenuating circumstances), the letter could briefly and tactfully address it and highlight your resilience or growth in spite of the challenge.

7. Conclude confidently: The letter should wrap up by confidently reiterating the teacher's support for your application and their belief in your potential.

Remember, it's important your teachers discuss elements that are unique to you and your experience, so it's better to avoid using generic templates, which can be quite limiting. Encourage your teachers to share their own perspective and thoughts, as that's ultimately what colleges want to read!

Good luck with your applications!