Hey everyone, I'm in the process of gathering letters of recommendation, and I know that some colleges like Dartmouth accept peer recommendations. Can anyone share their experience with getting or writing a peer letter of recommendation? What should I look for in a friend to write one and what topics should they cover in the letter? Thanks in advance!
Hello! It's great to see you exploring different options for letters of recommendation. Peer letters of recommendation can definitely give admissions committees a unique and valuable perspective on your personality, character, and interpersonal relationships. However, they are not required by most colleges, so keep in mind that they should be submitted in addition to the standard recommendation letters from teachers or school counselors.
When selecting a friend to write a peer recommendation, look for someone who knows you well and can provide a different perspective on your strengths and qualities. Ideally, this person should have a strong writing ability and be able to articulate their thoughts clearly. It's also a good idea to choose someone who has worked with you closely in some capacity, whether it be a project, extracurricular, or leadership position, so they have specific examples to draw from.
Topics covered in a peer letter of recommendation should focus on your personal attributes and how you interact with others. Your friend should feel comfortable discussing qualities like your work ethic, sense of responsibility, teamwork abilities, empathy, adaptability, and any other traits that they believe make you a great person to have on campus. They should provide anecdotes or stories to illustrate these points that might not be apparent from other parts of your application.
In terms of structure, a peer letter of recommendation can follow a similar format to teacher or counselor recommendations:
1. An introduction that explains the writer's relationship to you and provides context for their perspective.
2. A discussion of your strengths, qualities, and personal attributes, ideally supported with specific examples or experiences.
3. A conclusion that reiterates the writer's confidence in your ability to succeed in college and make a positive impact on the campus community.
Remember to give your friend ample time to write the letter and offer to answer any questions they might have while writing it. Additionally, be sure to double-check the admissions requirements of each college you're applying to, as some may have specific guidelines regarding peer recommendations.
Best of luck with your college applications, and I hope this has been helpful!
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