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Applying to college is often quite a competitive process. With thousands of applicants having strong profiles both domestically and internationally, it can be tough to stand out. Strong recommendation letters can often help set candidates with similar grades apart as they provide a vetted reference of an applicant's character and potential to succeed academically.
Whether you are a teacher who has been asked to write a recommendation letter or if you are a student looking to see how recommendation letters may be structured, this post is for you. Read on to see an example of a recommendation letter that highlights the student's strengths. For this example, let's say the student is applying to a chemical engineering program at college and this reference letter has been written by their high school chemistry teacher.
Common App Recommendation Letter Example
To Whom It May Concern,
I am pleased to be writing this letter in support of Student X's application to your institute. I have had the pleasure of knowing Student X over the past 3 years, serving both as their IB chemistry teacher as well as their research supervisor throughout their Extended Essay journey. Observing Student X's skills over this timeframe leads me to confidently believe that they will be an asset to the chemistry community at XYZ College, as I have witnessed firsthand the intellectual curiosity, drive, and exceptional research abilities that make Student X an outstanding candidate for your Chemical Engineering program.
Student X stood out from the rest of the class due to their commitment to high-quality work and desire to go above and beyond what was taught in class. On many days I found student X staying for a few minutes beyond class time to chat with me regarding various themes in chemistry. Student X and I also engaged in deep conversations regarding future pathways in chemistry and how they could combine their passion for chemistry with their knowledge of mathematics, leading them to identify their interest in pursuing chemical engineering at college.
Student X has consistently demonstrated an exceptional understanding of chemistry throughout their studies right from their sophomore year at high school when we first met. Their ability to grasp complex concepts and apply them in both theoretical and practical settings is commendable. Throughout their years at high school, Student X stood out as one of the top students, consistently earning high marks on assignments and tests. Student X has a natural aptitude for analytical thinking and problem-solving which are essential qualities for any aspiring chemical engineer and would greatly help them succeed in Chemical Engineering.
In addition to the above, what truly distinguishes Student X is their resilience and passion for innovation. This became evident to me while supervising them during their Extended Essay journey, where they researched the topic of synthesizing and testing the strength and durability of bioplastic polymers, thus showcasing their passion for chemical engineering and materials science. Student X was highly independent in the research process and was able to successfully overcome challenges with innovative solutions, thus showing their resilience and critical-thinking skills. They demonstrated excellent research skills, from designing and conducting experiments to critically analyzing data and drawing insightful conclusions. The vast research facilities at your institute would greatly help Student X develop their research skills and contribute to the creation of knowledge in the scientific community.
Beyond academics, Student X can work well within a team and demonstrates strong leadership qualities. During group projects, they were always willing to take on a leadership role, encouraging their peers to collaborate effectively and ensuring that all voices were heard. Their communication skills – both written and oral – are exceptional and they present their ideas with clarity and confidence.
I am confident that Student X will excel in your Chemical Engineering program. Their strong academic foundation in chemistry along with their research experience and intellectual drive makes them an ideal candidate for pursuing a career in their intended field, and I highly recommend Student X for admission to your college.
Sincerely,
[Name of Teacher]
ABC High School
Analysis of the Letter
Paragraph 1: This is good as it outlines the recommender's relationship to the student (teacher and EE supervisor), which provides credibility to the recommendation letter. The teacher also confirms that the student is a good candidate for the chemical engineering program at college based on observing their chemistry performance throughout high school. This shows that the candidate will be successful at college based on their past performance.
Paragraph 2: This is good as it outlines Student X's passion for the subject (eg: staying after class to chat), and the reason behind the student wanting to pursue chemical engineering due to their combined interests in mathematics and chemistry.
Paragraph 3: This is good as the teacher explains the student's aptitude for chemistry and their consistency in achieving high marks throughout high school. This shows admissions committees that the student is highly motivated and likely to continue performing well academically even at college.
Paragraph 4: This paragraph is good as it highlights the student's research strengths and connects them to future pathways at college. The teacher also mentions the student's EE research topic which is based on materials science and chemical engineering which are related to the student's intended major at college.
Paragraph 5: This paragraph is good as it highlights some of the student's other strengths such as teamwork, leadership, and communication skills that are very important to have at college.
Paragraph 6: This paragraph is good as it wraps up the main points stated in the body of the letter and once again recommends the student for admission to the college of their choice.
We hope this post has given you a good idea of what a recommendation letter should look like. Good luck with everything!
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