How to Write a Letter of Recommendation - Samples & Tips

A letter of recommendation is a formal document written by someone who can vouch for an applicant’s qualifications, skills, and character. It is commonly required for: 

• University admissions (undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD). 

• Job applications and internships. 

• Scholarship and fellowship applications. 

• Professional certifications and training programs. 

Think of it as an endorsement. While a CV lists your achievements and a cover letter highlights your motivation, a recommendation letter provides an external validation of your abilities. 

Recommendation letters come in different forms depending on the context. Here are the most common types: 

• Academic Recommendation – Written by professors or academic advisors for students applying to universities or scholarships. These highlight academic strengths, intellectual ability, and research potential. 

• Employment Recommendation – Written by managers, employers, or HR representatives to support job or internship applications. These emphasise workplace performance, leadership, and teamwork. 

• Scholarship/Fellowship Recommendation – Endorses a student’s academic promise, leadership, and extracurricular involvement for awards such as Fulbright, Chevening, or DAAD. 

• Character/Personal Recommendation – Written by mentors, community leaders, or non-professional contacts to emphasise personal integrity, reliability, or moral standing. 

• LinkedIn Recommendation – A shorter, digital version, often written to enhance a professional’s visibility online. 

Writing a strong recommendation letter requires structure, clarity, and sincerity. Here’s how to do it: 

1. Understand the Purpose 
   State the purpose of the letter clearly; whether it's for university admission, an internship, or a scholarship, and tailor the tone and content to that specific purpose. 

2. Gather Information About the Applicant 
   Ask the applicant for their CV, cover letter, or statement of purpose. This will help you highlight achievements that align with the application requirements. 

3. Use a Professional Format 
   Write in MS Word or PDF. Use a formal opening, such as “Dear Admissions Committee” or “Dear Hiring Manager.” Keep it 1–2 pages. 

4. Start with Your Relationship 
   Introduce yourself, your position, and how long you’ve known the applicant. For example: 
   “As a Professor of Economics at [University], I have had the privilege of teaching [Applicant’s name] for three years.” 

5. Highlight Key Strengths and Achievements 
   Focus on academic performance, leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and/or other relevant skills. Provide specific examples instead of vague ones. Instead of writing “John is hardworking,” say: 
   “John led a research team of 8 students and produced a paper that was later presented at an international conference.” 

6. Show Impact and Potential 
   Link achievements to future success. For example: “John’s ability to lead research projects suggests he will thrive in the [university’s name] rigorous PhD program.” 

7. Conclude with a Strong Ending 
   End with a confident statement like: “I wholeheartedly recommend Sarah for the Scholarship without reservation.” 

8. Provide Contact Information 
   Offer to be contacted for follow-up. This adds credibility. 

A strong recommendation letter should: 

• Be specific rather than generic. Focus on real achievements, not clichés. 

• Use measurable achievements when possible (e.g., led a team of 10, increased sales by 20%). 

• Balance a professional tone with warmth, striking a balance between being personal and formal. 

• Tailor content to opportunity (university vs. company vs. scholarship). 

• Keep it clear, concise, and error-free (tools like Grammarly can help). 

To ensure your letter of recommendation is effective, sounds authentic and has a stronger impact, avoid these common pitfalls. They can make your LOR sound unoriginal and weaken its overall impact: 

• Writing is too vague or generic. 

• Copy-pasting the same letter for different applications. 

• Using overly casual or informal language. 

• Focusing only on personality without highlighting achievements. 

• Exceeding two pages. 

• Submitting without proofreading. 

To help you visualise a strong LOR, here are three templates to help you get started. These examples will give you a clear idea of the structure, tone, and content needed for an effective recommendation letter.

Academic Recommendation Sample 

[Your Name]   

[Your Position]   

[University Name]   

[Contact Information]   

Dear Admissions Committee,   

I am writing to strongly recommend [Student’s Name] for admission into [Program/University]. As [Your Role] at [University], I have had the pleasure of teaching and mentoring [Student] for [X years].   

[Student] has consistently demonstrated outstanding academic performance, intellectual curiosity, and leadership. For example, [specific example].   

I am confident that [Student] will excel in [University/Program], just as they have in my class. I fully endorse their application.   

Sincerely,   

[Your Name]

Employment Recommendation Sample 

[Your Name]   

[Job Title]   

[Company Name]   

Dear Hiring Manager,   

It is my pleasure to recommend [Employee’s Name] for the [Position] role at [Company]. I supervised [Employee] for [X years] at [Company] and was consistently impressed by their professionalism, creativity, and teamwork.   

[Employee] successfully [specific achievement], which significantly impacted our team’s results.   

I believe [Employee] will bring the same level of excellence to [Company] and highly recommend them.   

Best regards,   

[Your Name]

Scholarship Recommendation Sample 

Dear Scholarship Committee,   

I am honoured to recommend [Student’s Name] for the [Chevening/Fulbright/DAAD] Scholarship. As [Professor/Mentor], I have witnessed [Student]’s commitment to academic excellence, leadership, and community service.   

Their ability to [specific achievement] makes them an ideal candidate for this opportunity.   

I strongly endorse [Student’s Name], and I am confident they will contribute greatly to the program.   

Sincerely,   

[Your Name]   

If you’re a student preparing your university application, you don’t have to go through the process alone. Book a free session with an IDP counsellor today and get expert guidance on securing a strong LOR, applying to top universities, and standing out in your applications. 

1. How do I write a recommendation letter? 
Start by introducing yourself and your relationship with the applicant. Highlight their key skills, achievements, and character traits, and provide specific examples that support their application. Conclude with a strong endorsement and your contact details.  

2. What is a good example of a letter of recommendation? 
A strong example includes a clear introduction, specific achievements, and confident closing. For instance, a professor at a university might recommend a student by citing their top ranking in class and their leadership in research projects.  

3. What is a letter of recommendation for students? 
This is an academic reference written by professors, academic advisors, or mentors to support a student’s application for universities, scholarships, or internships. It emphasises academic performance, intellectual ability, and personal qualities.  

4. What should be included in a letter of recommendation? 
A strong LOR should include: 

• Your relationship with the applicant. 

• Specific examples of their achievements. 

• Relevant skills and qualities. 

• Endorsement for the role, university, or scholarship. 

• Your contact information for follow-up.