What Is a Letter of Recommendation?

Definition: A letter of recommendation is required by graduate schools, internship programs, some volunteer work, and jobs. It is a letter recommending you for the position, written by someone who has knowledge of your skills and competencies and has an advisory or supervisory role. A good letter discusses your qualities and characteristics, using examples from your history to support its claims. Most letters of recommendation for graduate study are written by faculty who have had direct contact with the applicant.