Letters of Recommendation: Examples

Letters of recommendation - three words that often stress both students and faculty. Requesting a letter of recommendation is daunting, but most students don't consider the challenge that professors face in writing letters of recommendation. So what does it take to write a letter of recommendation? An effective letter of recommendation discusses the student in detail and provides evidence to support statements. Unfortunately there are many ways to write a poor letter of recommendation.

Each student is different. Each application is different. There is no universal letter of recommendation. Every situation is different and certainly you will write different letters for all of your students. Samples, however, help. Letter writers (and students) may find these sample letters of recommendation helpful:

Sample Letter from a Professor
This example is written by a professor.

An Effective Letter of RecommendationAn explanation of what goes into an effective recommendation letter coupled a brief letter.

A Poor Letter of Recommendation
An example of what not to do when writing a recommendation letter as well as an explanation of why it is inappropriate.

Sample Recommendation Letter from an Employer
Frequently graduate applicants request recommendation letters from current employers. Here's an example of what you might write if you are in the position of writing on behalf of an employee.

Sample Recommendation Letter by a Professor
An example of a basic letter written by an instructor.

Recommendation Letter by a Professor (3)
Sample recommendation letter illustrating what might be included in a letter of recommendation.