What makes a stellar recommendation letter for students?

Okay, I've got to ask, what goes into a really solid recommendation letter for us students? Like, what kind of specifics should be mentioned? How personal should it be? Any examples you guys could share would be amazing, my stress levels are through the roof here and I need all the help I can get.

Absolutely! One of the keys to a solid recommendation letter is its specificity. It should go beyond merely saying "this student is great" and provide detailed examples to back up that assertion. It could discuss specific instances where you demonstrated leadership, overcame adversity, or showed a deep commitment to an interest or cause.

A strong letter also confirms and gives context to your other parts of your application. If you're involved in the drama club and have it listed as a main extracurricular, a teacher who has seen you perform or direct, discussing your dedication, creativity, and leadership in that context, would be very helpful.

Of course, it should highlight your academic prowess, especially in a subject relevant to the teacher writing the letter, but it should also delve into personal characteristics like resilience, creativity, teamwork, or compassion.

How personal should the letter be? It depends on your relationship with the recommender. A teacher who has only taught you in a large classroom setting might not have as many personal anecdotes to share as a coach or club mentor, and that's okay. The letter should definitely be professional, but anecdotes and stories that highlight your personal characteristics are also welcome - especially if they tie back to your intellectual curiosity, leadership, or problem-solving abilities.

To illustrate, consider a letter from a Biology teacher about a student who comes in after school to discuss new research articles they've discovered, led a project dissecting an owl pellet that won a school award, and is also known among classmates for helping them understand complex concepts. It conveys the student's academic prowess in Biology, their self-driven intellectual curiosity, their leadership, and their commitment to help others, all through specific examples.

Remember, every recommendation letter will be different, as they ought to reflect the unique relationship between the student and the recommender. Hopefully, this provides some clarity to your question!