Letters of Recommendation: Ten Essential Tips for Recommenders
Asking someone to write you a letter of recommendation can feel awkward – you’re essentially requesting that a busy professor, supervisor, or mentor take time out of their schedule to advocate for you and your future. It’s a big ask. But here’s the good news: you can make it much easier for your recommender to say “yes” and craft a strong letter, simply by giving them the right tools.
If you’ve been asked to write a recommendation for an applicant, this post will help you write a letter that is personal, specific, and compelling, without having to guess what the admissions committee wants. And if you’re an applicant, you can share this post with your recommenders to assist them in helping you succeed.
1. Review the applicant’s personal statement and resume.
Before beginning to write your recommendation, ask the applicant for their personal statement and resume, as well as details about the programs they’re applying to. Your letter should align with (not duplicate or contradict) the narrative they’ve crafted in the rest of their application.
2. Clarify your relationship to the applicant.
Briefly explain how you know the applicant and in what capacity. Admissions officers want to understand the context of your observations.
“Amanda was a summer analyst on my investment banking team at Capital & Co., where I served as her direct supervisor for the duration of the ten-week program. In this role, I observed her strong analytical skills, professional maturity, and ability to contribute meaningfully under pressure in a fast-paced client-facing environment.”
3. Establish your credibility by offering specific context.
Provide a frame of reference that conveys your experience and credibility.
“Over the past five years, I’ve mentored more than 200 interns through our firm’s summer analyst program.”
“At Big Bank Corp, I’ve supervised 50 interns and managed onboarding for more than 300 recent graduates in my training role.”
4. Highlight two or three of the applicant’s key qualities.
Focus on a few standout attributes that are relevant to the applicant’s goals and future field. Be authentic, and choose qualities you can back up with examples (see tip #5).
“Ryan’s combination of intellectual curiosity, emotional intelligence, and written communication skills makes him a rare talent among his peers.”
5. Use concrete examples to illustrate those qualities.
Don’t just tell the adcom that the applicant is great – show them that this is the case. Share specific anecdotes or scenarios that demonstrate the traits you’ve highlighted.
“When I was finalizing a journal article, Justin volunteered thoughtful feedback after reviewing a draft, and his analytical insights significantly improved the final version.”
“Jane’s research on Middle East policy formed the backbone of a policy brief our PAC submitted to our Congressman. That brief was later cited in a Congressional funding proposal.”
6. Quantify the applicant’s achievements whenever possible.
Admissions readers appreciate comparative or measurable evaluations. Place the applicant in context relative to their peers, if appropriate.
“Among the 150 students I’ve taught in advanced economics, Ryan ranks in the top 5% for both performance and intellectual engagement.”
“He is the most skilled young analyst I’ve mentored in my ten years as team lead.”
7. Avoid vague praise and overused phrases.
Generalities such as “hardworking” and “team player” don’t add much value. The more specific and personalized your letter, the more it will resonate with the admissions readers.
8. Address challenges with care and balance.
If appropriate, you can include some mild criticism of the applicant, but frame it constructively. Refer to it as a strength in disguise or a trait they’re actively working on improving.
“At times, his quiet demeanor can make him easy to overlook in group settings, but he consistently contributes thoughtful insights when given space to speak.”
“Occasionally, her determination crosses into stubbornness, but she’s learning to balance persistence with flexibility.”
9. Speak to their potential.
Your endorsement should reflect confidence in the applicant’s ability to thrive in their intended field or program.
“With her sharp analytical mind and deep sense of social responsibility, Amanda will excel in any public policy graduate program.”
“I have no doubt that Justin will be a valuable contributor to your MBA class and a thoughtful leader in the financial sector.”
10. Close your letter with a strong, personalized recommendation.
Make your endorsement clear and unambiguous.
“I highly recommend Ryan for your master’s program in data science. He is one of the most capable and intellectually curious students I’ve worked with in my career.”
Kara Keenan Sweeney has more than 15 years of experience in MBA admissions at Columbia Business School, INSEAD, The Lauder Institute’s joint degree MA/MBA program with Wharton, and the MA/JD program with Penn Law at the University of Pennsylvania. She has guided, coached, and counseled thousands of MBA, EMBA, and joint-degree applicants and directed dozens of Wharton Team Based Discussion interviews both online and in person. Most recently, Kara worked at McKinsey & Company as a senior recruiter, helping select and hire MBAs and other graduate students. In addition to MBA and EMBA program candidates, Kara enjoys working with applicants to joint-degree, MPP, MPA, and LLM programs. Want Kara to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!
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