Letter of Recommendation for a Student - What works best?

Just wondering, if a teacher wrote your recommendation letter, what did they focus on or say that seemed to make a difference in your application? Should it be more about my academic achievements, or should they write more about personal qualities and classroom attitude?

A recommendation letter that makes a strong impact tends to focus on the student's personal qualities and habits more than academic achievements. While test scores and grades provide a quantitative measure of academic ability, recommendation letters give schools a qualitative view of the student, helping to paint a more complete picture.

In fact, a well-crafted recommendation letter should ideally cover both the applicant's intellectual abilities/growth as well as personal qualities that show their character. Anecdotes that reflect key traits like resilience, empathy, creativity, and leadership, or instances that highlight the student's unique perspective or thoughtful contributions in class, are often effective.

Your teacher could also discuss how you interact with classmates, handle feedback, or rise to challenges. However, it is important that these testimonials are framed with concrete instances to lend credibility. For example, rather than stating "the student is a good leader," it would be more impactful to share a story of a situation where you demonstrated your leadership skills and the outcome.

Therefore, when asking for a recommendation, choose a teacher who knows you well and can speak not only to your academic prowess but also to your personal growth, character, and participation in class.

This recommendation letter can provide a much-needed personal element to your application, which offers admissions officers insight into not just what you can achieve, but who you are as an individual.