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Tips Beasiswa
Writing College Recommendation Letter
Sally Wood, collegeview.com
Many college and scholarship applications require
recommendation letters. Some specify the
recommenders—teachers, employers, or personal
acquaintances; others simply indicate the number of
recommendations required. Selection committees want to
know as much as possible about you. They have objective
information—grades, classes, and test scores. They have
your application form, r鳵m鬠and essay(s). They also want
to know how others see you.
Select recommenders who know you well and who can write
competently. Well-meaning friends may write glowing
comments, but poor grammar and unprofessional
appearances make negative impressions. Choose
recommenders who will write specific statements about
you—not remarks that could apply to any student. Generic
comments reflect little about you and do not help you
stand out among the applicants.
Solicit college recommendation letters politely and
appreciatively. Allow your recommender plenty of time;
requesting a recommendation at the last minute is
inconsiderate. People who write the best recommendations
are usually very busy. You don't want one written by
someone who feels hurried or is irritated with you.
Provide relevant information so the letter of
recommendation will be specifically about you and your
qualifications. Indicate the purpose of the
recommendation letter. If it is to accompany your
college application, provide the college's name and
background information so the recommender can discuss
how you are an appropriate candidate. If it is for a
scholarship, provide a copy of the application or a
description of the scholarship and the sponsoring
organization's mission. Supply a copy of your r鳵m頬isting
your GPA, activities, leadership roles, awards,
community service, employment experience, and special
skills.
Indicate the person to whom a recommendation letter
should be addressed. If you don't know the name, the
letter may begin “Dear Selection Committee.” Offer an
addressed, stamped envelope with each request. If the
recommendation must be mailed in an official envelope
from the recommender's institution, supply a postage
stamp. A letter that is to be submitted with the
application should be returned to you in a sealed
envelope.
Many applications allow you to waive the right to see
recommendations. Despite your legal right to see
referrals, committees are impressed by those written
with no concerns about the applicant's reaction. Select
your recommender(s) carefully, and you'll have no reason
to worry; most will say if they aren't comfortable
writing a college recommendation letter or don't believe
they can write positive statements about you.
Have your recommenders save their letters if you're
applying to several colleges or for several
scholarships. Although each college recommendation
letter should be tailored to the application at hand,
the original passage contains basically what the
recommender wants to share about you. Revising an
original recommendation is more convenient than writing
a new one.
Thank your recommender—preferably in writing!
Surprisingly, few students express their appreciation
for recommendations. Expressing your gratitude is
appropriate and advisable. If you weren't appreciative
the first time, the recommender may be reluctant to help
you when you ask for another college recommendation
letter. If you receive the acceptance or the award,
thank the recommender again, for contributing to your
success.
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