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Letter Of Recommendation for PhD: Sample, Format And How to Write

Updated on 19 july, 2024.

Urvi Agrawal

A letter of recommendation for PhD, or LOR for a PhD is an important document required for admission into PhD programs at foreign institutions if you are planning to study abroad . While scores, transcripts, and other vital documents are mostly factual, the LOR is an independent and objective analysis of applicants.

Many students question me about the number of LORs that need to be submitted. Based on my research about the admission process of various universities, I have realized that most PhD courses usually require two to three recommendations. These provide committees with an overview of the applicant’s core strengths, skills, and accomplishments.

Let’s dive deeper into the recommendation letters for PhD, their format, and samples.

What is the need for letter of recommendation for phd students, whom should you ask for phd lor.

Academic LOR:
Professional LOR:

Introduction:

Conclusion:, lor for phd: guidelines, popular guides to simplify your study abroad journey, sample lor for phd:, important tips to write lor for phd, download country guides (free pdfs).

A letter of recommendation is crucial for PhD students as it provides a comprehensive evaluation of their academic abilities, research potential, and personal qualities from a credible source.

Admissions committees rely on these letters to gain insight into the applicant's previous achievements, work ethic, and suitability for advanced study. Such letters often highlight the student's strengths, accomplishments, and specific examples of their contributions to research projects.

This external validation helps differentiate candidates in a competitive selection process, ensuring that those with the necessary skills, dedication, and intellectual curiosity are chosen for the program.

The vital part of writing a LOR is choosing the right recommender. For a PhD SOP, the recommender should be someone who can endorse your candidacy and provide an unbiased application essay. Since all the other documents are self-prepared, they are likely to be biased. LOR provides an external perspective, which entirely depends on your recommender. It is unique because it is your assessment from an external viewpoint. Your recommender for PhD should be someone who can be described as follows:

One who has a good rapport.

Who understands your personality, achievements, and capabilities.

With whom you have shared your academic and professional experiences and journey

Who is aware of your current research ideas

Who supports your research ideas.

Types of LOR for PhD

International universities offering PhDs require two to three LORs, depending on your academic and professional experience. Two academic LORs are needed, and one professional LOR is required if you have work experience. Basically, the LOR for a PhD is classified into two categories:

Academic LOR:

An Academic letter of recommendation is provided by the professor of your educational institution. Most commonly, you are asked to provide two academic LORs for a PhD at an international university. In such LORs, professors need to highlight the applicant’s capabilities and achievements. It should reflect the recommender’s perspective on you and your research ideas.

Professional LOR:

The applicant’s professional letter of recommendation asks if they have any work experience. Only one professional LOR is needed in that case. It is provided by your immediate supervisor or employer. It should reflect the recommender’s perspective on your professional ability to work within a team.

How to write LOR for PhD

When your recommender is willing to write your LOR for a PhD, you should share your research ideas, achievements, capabilities, objectives, and relevant information. The format of the LOR should consist of the answers to several questions related to your suitability for a PhD. The LOR, whether academic or professional, written by your recommender should sound realistic and authentic. The standard LOR format for PhDs should have the following details:

This part of the LOR should include the details regarding the recommender. It is a brief introduction of the recommender, with their current designation and professional experience mentioned in the LOR. They also need to mention their relationship with and duration of association with the applicant. The details of the recommender’s association and guidance must be mentioned in the LOR.

It includes the details of the applicant’s technical skills, certification, internship work, research ideas, research outcomes, research goals, capabilities, qualities, work experience, presentations, seminars, extracurricular activities, etc. It is quite crucial to add all the relevant information required to consider the applicant’s candidacy and future undertakings.

This last part of the LOR format summarizes the applicant’s desire for the PhD program. The closing part of the LOR essay application includes the recommender’s signature and contact details.

An excellent LOR for PhD highlights at least three attributes of the aspirant – a social attribute and two subject-linked or technical attributes. Here are some notable guidelines:

The LOR should be 1-2 pages long with 5-6 paragraphs.

Recommenders should start the LOR by introducing themselves and the aspirant.

Recommenders should also discuss how and from when they are professionally related to the applicants in the first paragraph.

The following paragraphs should be divided into three segments, each highlighting the aspirant’s particular skill or quality.

Recommenders should emphasize applicant’s analytical abilities, subject knowledge, time management skills, dedication, responsibility, research abilities, etc.

The conclusion will sum up the qualities of the aspirant while ending with a solid recommendation to the university for accepting the application.

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The following sample LOR for a PhD is one of many ways of writing it.

Dear [recipient’s name] or To Whom it May Concern

I am pleased to get the chance to recommend (name of applicant) for the PhD position in (course/study area name) at your institution. I have taught (name of applicant) for the last (tenure in years) in the areas of (subject areas). I will be delighted to witness him/her excelling in this particular field. The topic (title) proposed by him/her is vital for the modern-day scenario and needs extensive research. It will be beneficial for all the industry stakeholders in the (sector name) and also academicians who can access real-time insights on the subject. (Name of applicant) has completed a research project over a period of (duration) on (name of project) under my supervision. I have witnessed his/her work efficiency, critical thinking abilities, and inquisitiveness regarding various findings. He/she also has brilliant communication skills and the ability to mentor and guide peers. (Name) has a down-to-earth nature and respects others while adhering to rules and regulations. His/her independent or group work on research projects and studies has been immensely satisfying. He/she is an analytical thinker and is stimulated by new academic challenges. This trait makes him/her strive for innovative solutions to real-world problems with a strong desire to improve the world around. Hectic timelines, various constraints, tough work conditions, multitasking, and dealing with multiple people along the way, are things that he/she can tackle with ease while delivering work seamlessly. With these positive abilities, he/she will be an asset to any institution. (Name) has improved consistently every year and is a deserving candidate for an opportunity to work in the field of (topic name). I would be delighted if my recommendation helped him/her obtain admission in to (course name). If you have any queries regarding research, academics, or other areas pertaining to (applicant name’s) candidature, please feel free to reach me at the following phone or email address. I am usually available on the phone between Monday and Friday from time to time, i.e.,11 am to 4 pm. Sincerely, (Name of Referee) Designation: Phone Number: Email ID:

The following important tips should be considered while writing an LOR for a PhD:

The selection of the right recommender is crucial. Choose your recommender carefully who meets the specifications mentioned in your PhD application.

Choosing your recommenders with finer academic and professional qualifications is of utmost importance.

Stay in contact with your potential recommenders and maintain good communication with them in advance.

Share your research proposal, goals, and achievements with your recommenders.

Your LORs for a PhD should differ from each other.

Your LOR should showcase your qualities, capabilities, and strengths.

Online recommendation forms should be submitted well before the deadline.

The letter should be realistic and unbiased.

The relationship between the recommender and the applicant should be demonstrated clearly.

All the information stated in the LOR should be genuine, authentic, and accurate. Ensure that no information is false or exaggerated.

A well-crafted Letter of Recommendation is a crucial component of any PhD application, serving as a testament to the candidate's academic abilities, research potential, and character. For recommenders, it's important to provide a balanced, honest, and detailed account of the candidate’s capabilities, tailoring the letter to highlight qualities that are most relevant to the PhD program. For applicants, choosing the right recommenders and ensuring they understand the importance of the letter in the context of a PhD application is key.

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How long is a letter of recommendation for a PhD?

A letter of recommendation for a PhD program is typically one to two pages long. It should be concise yet thorough, offering detailed insights into the candidate’s qualifications, academic achievements, and research potential. The length ensures that the recommender can provide specific examples and anecdotes that highlight the applicant's strengths and suitability for the program while maintaining clarity and focus.

Who should write my PhD letter of recommendation?

A PhD letter of recommendation should be written by someone who knows the applicant well academically and professionally. Ideal recommenders include professors, research supervisors, or professional mentors who have closely observed the applicant’s work, capabilities, and potential. Their credibility and detailed understanding of the applicant's skills and achievements add significant weight to the recommendation.

Can I get a recommendation letter from a PhD student?

A recommendation letter from a PhD student is generally not advisable. Academic institutions prefer letters from established professionals like professors or research supervisors who have more experience and authority in their fields. These individuals can provide a more credible and authoritative assessment of the applicant.

How many LORs are required for a PhD?

The number of letters of recommendation (LORs) required for a PhD application typically ranges from two to four, depending on the program and institution. Most commonly, three letters are requested.

Is there any format for LOR?

Yes, there is a general format for a letter of recommendation (LOR). It typically includes an introduction that states the recommender’s relationship with the applicant, a body that details the applicant’s qualifications, skills, and achievements with specific examples, and a conclusion that summarizes the recommender’s support for the applicant’s admission. It should be formally written, concise, and tailored to the specific program.

How important is a recommendation letter in a PhD application?

A recommendation letter is highly important in a PhD application. It provides a third-party evaluation of the applicant's academic and research abilities, character, and potential for success. These letters help admissions committees gauge the applicant’s fit for the program, complementing other application materials like transcripts and personal statements. Strong, supportive LORs can significantly enhance an applicant’s chances of admission.

Urvi has 3 years of experience as a content writer and marketer. Over years, she has established herself as a study-abroad expert and is adept at crafting compelling and engaging content for students. Self-driven and passionate professional, she likes writing poetry and has authored a poetry book ‘Thoughts of a Wallflower’.

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10 Strong Scholarship Recommendation Letter Examples

Education News

A well-crafted scholarship recommendation letter can make a significant difference in the application process, helping students win the awards they need to pursue their education. In this article, we’ll explore ten strong examples of scholarship recommendation letters that effectively highlight a student’s strengths and achievements.

1. Academic Excellence Letter: This letter praises the student’s exceptional academic accomplishments, such as a high GPA, competitive exam scores, or unique research projects. It may also mention the student’s dedication to their studies and their commitment to continually improving their knowledge and skills.

2. Leadership Letter: This type of letter focuses on the student’s leadership qualities such as initiative, effective communication, and ability to inspire others. It should provide specific examples of how the student has demonstrated these traits in various school or community activities, as well as their potential for continued growth in this area.

3. Character Letter: A character reference letter provides insight into a student’s personal qualities, values, and work ethic. This form of recommendation emphasizes the positive impact they’ve made on their peers, teachers, and community through acts of kindness, integrity, or responsibility.

4. Extracurricular Activities Letter: A strong extracurricular activities letter highlights the student’s involvement and dedication to clubs, sports teams, or other non-academic pursuits. The recommender should emphasize the depth of passion, skill level, and achievements within these activities.

5. Volunteer Experience Letter: A volunteer experience letter reflects upon a student’s commitment to giving back to their community or helping those in need. It should detail specific examples of volunteer work they’ve completed and how it has made a meaningful impact on others.

6. Research Skills Letter: This type of recommendation showcases the student’s research abilities by outlining their experience in conducting research projects or participating in scientific competitions. It should speak to the applicant’s problem-solving skills, creativity, attention to detail, and perseverance.

7. Unique Talent Letter: A unique talent letter focuses on a specific skill or ability that sets the student apart from others, such as artistic, musical, or linguistic talents. The recommender should describe the student’s achievements and dedication to cultivating this talent.

8. Internship or Work Experience Letter: This letter details the student’s experiences within internships or employment, highlighting their professionalism, time management skills, and adaptability to new environments. It should emphasize how these experiences have helped prepare the student for higher education.

9. Overcoming Adversity Letter: An overcoming adversity letter showcases a student’s resilience in dealing with personal challenges while maintaining a strong academic record. The recommender should discuss how the student has navigated through difficult circumstances and come out stronger.

10. Multi-faceted Letter: This comprehensive type of recommendation combines several of the above elements to create a well-rounded portrayal of the candidate. It touches on academics, leadership, character, and extracurricular activities to demonstrate the applicant’s diverse range of strengths.

A strong recommendation letter can help prospective scholars stand out from other applicants and secure much-needed scholarship funds. By following these ten examples as a guide, educators and mentors can craft powerful letters that showcase their students’ potential.

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24 Templates for Writing a Letter of Recommendation for a Scholarship

Watching your high school students get ready to graduate can be an emotional time of year for any teacher, advisor, or family friend. That’s especially true if you’re taking an active role in helping them apply for colleges or scholarships. Getting asked to write letters of recommendation can be equal parts flattering and daunting. Crafting a convincing scholarship application letter requires a unique set of skills as well as insight into a student’s personal character and academic performance. But if you write them well, letters of recommendation can set your student apart from the crowd. To help make your job easier, we compiled this list of 24 templates to help you write reference letters for need-based awards, merit scholarships, and everything in between.

24 Scholarship recommendation letter templates

There’s nothing more formidable than a blank page. That’s where templates come in handy. Most of these templates are specifically for recommendation letters for scholarship programs. However, some of them are more general letters of recommendation for admission, for a job, or an internship program that can be made into scholarship letters with a bit of tweaking. Many of these are editable, printable, or downloadable. That means you can get straight to work adding details that will make your reference letter sing. It’s important not to just copy and paste, however, but use these as a jumping off point. Remember, the best letter of recommendation is the one that’s most personalized to the student. To get you started, here are 24 of our favorite templates for scholarship recommendations.

1. General letter from a teacher

This sample template , which focuses primarily on the student’s academic performance, is a great place to start. It’s useful whenever you need to provide a general letter of recommendation from a teacher, advisor, or other educator. Because this letter also highlights a student’s financial need, it helps build a complete case as to why they deserve a scholarship.

2. General letter with an academic focus

It’s imperative to highlight a student’s academic achievements when writing a letter of recommendation. Many reviewers like to focus on extracurricular activities, leadership skills, or other intangibles. But if your applicant is applying to a top-tier program that prizes academic rigor, this template will be helpful as you set out to write.

3. General letter with a financial focus

Scholarships are important for all types of students , and particularly those with financial needs. This sample scholarship recommendation letter highlights a student’s achievements in the classroom while also touching upon how much the scholarship would mean for them financially. If your applicant has significant financial needs, take a look at this example for inspiration.

4. Short general letter

As Shakespeare wrote, brevity is the soul of wit. For reviewers looking for a more succinct template for their reference letter, this one is perfect . This letter manages to cover all the key components of a strong letter while still keeping things short and sweet.

5. Short general letter with a focus on extracurricular activities

Designed to be written by a student’s coach or P.E. teacher, this letter touches on a few key points without getting too wordy. In it, you’ll address a student’s extracurricular success, community service projects, and future career goals, in addition to financial need. If your letter has a strict word limit, this template could be a great place to start.

6 . Letter for a prestigious award

If your student is applying for a highly-coveted scholarship, this template will help you craft a narrative that will convince even the most discriminating of selection committees. This letter is specifically tailored to a student applying for the Rhodes scholarship, but you can simply swap out “Rhodes” for any other prestigious award.

7. Letter for a prestigious award that also illustrates financial need

Many prestigious awards are need-blind, but some consider financial need in addition to a student’s merit. If you’re recommending a student for a competitive award but also want to touch on financial considerations, this template is for you . It balances a passionate belief in the student with pragmatic analysis of the economic help the scholarship could provide.

8. Letter from a mentor

If you’re writing a letter on behalf of a student you’ve mentored, this template could be a great choice. This letter speaks more broadly to a student’s character and achievements over a longer period of time, versus just highlighting their academic performance over the past year of school.

9. Letter from an employer

Many high school students hold part-time jobs, which can both demonstrate their determination and help them pay for college. If you employ high school students, you might be asked to write reference letters on their behalf. For employers looking to write effective reference letters for their young employees, this is an excellent format to follow.

10. Short letter from an employer

Some scholarship and college applications require a number of recommendation letters and don’t require them to be any specific length. This template demonstrates an effective, effusive letter of recommendation for an employee — and accomplishes all that in two short paragraphs.

11. Letter from a TA or Associate Professor

As a graduate student or associate professor, you might be asked to write on behalf of your students, even if you don’t teach them full-time. This sample scholarship recommendation letter is detailed, insightful, and personal, and could help your students continue their education at your institution.

12. Letter from a personal friend or family member

Some student scholarship programs request letters from personal friends or extended family members who can speak to a student’s character in a more intimate way. For those types of personal recommendations, this is a great template that balances honesty with effusiveness.

13. Letter from a religious leader

For scholarships with a faith component (like this one from the Christian Connector ), you may need a letter of recommendation from a pastor or other religious figure. This sample document provides a helpful framework for writing about a student’s character and religious life. Though it’s not specifically tailored to a scholarship, it can be easily adjusted to suit your needs.

14. Letter for a study abroad scholarship

Studying abroad can be a great way to expand one’s horizons and learn through experience, but it often comes with a high price tag. Fortunately, there are many scholarships for students who hope to supplement their higher education with a semester abroad. If you’re writing a reference letter for this type of award, try this template .

15. Letter for a student-athlete

Coaches have unique insight into a student-athlete’s personality and character. This template is designed with ample space to expand upon your applicant’s work ethic and determination. It can be useful for college application letters as well as letters for student-athlete-specific scholarship programs .

16. Letter for a subject-specific scholarship program

This sample scholarship recommendation letter is designed for a student applying to a math scholarship program. However, this template can be customized to fit any subject-specific scholarship program your students might be applying to. Simply sub in whichever subject for math and find key examples to fit your subject.

17. Letter for a needs-based scholarship

Many scholarship programs are tailored to students who demonstrate need and might be seeking to fill a gap in their financial aid. If this sounds like the type of program you’re recommending a student for, check out this template.

18. Letter to highlight leadership skills

Many scholarship programs seek to award students who have demonstrated an ability to lead their peers. If your applicant is applying for an award like this, this letter should help you speak to a student’s leadership abilities both inside and outside the classroom.

19. Letter to highlight extracurricular activities

For scholarship programs related to a specific extracurricular activity or community service area , it’s important to have a letter that focuses on a student’s passion for that subject. This sample letter is customized to a student with a passion for the environment, but it can be personalized to fit any number of extracurricular interests.

20. Letter to highlight an artistic pursuit

Extracurricular activities like visual arts, theater, dance, and music can provide great material for writing about a student. This particular template uses a student’s love of dance to demonstrate her work ethic, care for others, and skill.

21. Letter to highlight a specific academic strength

In this sample letter, the teacher speaks with passion and gives specific examples of how this student outperforms their peers in the realm of literature, English, and creative writing. If you’re writing to highlight a single academic achievement or strength, consider this template a great blueprint.

22. Letter for an honor society program

Most honor society-type organizations prioritize academic achievement among their members, and many offer scholarships to help offset the cost of college tuition. For students seeking this type of award, this letter for a program sponsored by a legal honor society provides helpful insight.

23. Letter for graduate school

Students don’t just need letters of recommendations in their senior year of high school; there are many scholarships geared towards graduate students as well. If you’re recommending a student for a graduate program, try to speak to their undergraduate track record as well as their leadership skills. Graduate schools are often more selective than undergraduate programs, which means recommendations matter a lot . Fortunately, this template should help take some of the pressure off.

24. Letter for a position

Sometimes, scholarships come with work-study jobs or other employment opportunities. (This one from Goldman Sachs and this one from RealtyHop both come with potential job offers.) In these circumstances, it might be helpful to have a teacher or past employer speak about an applicant’s work ethic or ability to succeed in a corporate environment. This template is a great example of how to write this style of letter.

How to write a scholarship letter of recommendation

A good template isn’t the only thing you need to write a memorable scholarship recommendation letter. Below are some steps that anyone — even the busiest teachers — can follow to make the writing process quick, painless, and effective.

Step 1: Start by gathering all the information you need

If you’re writing multiple letters of recommendation, create a cheat sheet. This could be a simple spreadsheet or an online form that you can share when a student asks for a reference letter. This form should gather the student’s relevant personal information, educational priorities, and any other answers you might need before you begin writing. (The CommonApp also has created a “ BragSheet ” to help teachers, if you want to use theirs instead of creating your own.)

If you’re building your own document, make sure it gathers the following information:

The student’s full name
The student’s GPA and standardized test scores
A full list of schools they’re applying to
Whether the scholarship is needs-based or merit-based
A list of the scholarship requirements and eligibility criteria
Confirmation that the student meets all the requirements
A URL to the scholarship website
Why the student thinks they’d be a good fit for the scholarship
A list of the student’s greatest achievements in high school (both inside and outside the classroom)
A list of extracurricular activities, community service hours, and leadership positions held
A copy of their scholarship essay or personal statement
A description of the student’s educational aspirations and/or career goals
The deadline for submission of your letter of recommendation
Instructions for how to submit the letter of recommendation

Step 2: Use a letterhead and add your personal information

Selection committees look for reference letters that are convincing and professional. They should both give insight into a student’s abilities and demonstrate your authority. So, if your school, company, or organization has a letterhead, be sure to use it when printing (or emailing) your letter. At the top of the page, include your full name, title, and contact information, as well as the date.

Step 3: Use the right greeting

Letters of recommendation are formal, businesslike letters, sort of like cover letters written on someone else’s behalf. It’s proper to start these types of correspondences with the salutation “To Whom it May Concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam.” It’s also tradition to use a colon after the greeting instead of a comma.

Step 4: Start with an introduction (1 paragraph)

Your introductory paragraph is the place to acquaint yourself with the selection committee and describe your connection to the student. This is your opportunity to establish your relationship with the student and demonstrate why you’re qualified to speak on their behalf.

What context do you know the student in? If you’ve taught them in English for the past two years and coached them to a state championship in soccer, this is the place to include those details. Be sure to include how long you’ve known the applicant, particularly if you work with them outside of an academic capacity.

The introduction is also a great opportunity to demonstrate that you’ve done your homework on the scholarship — you know the award and can speak to how qualified your applicant is to receive it.

For example, you might write something to demonstrate that you understand how rigorous the selection process is and can assure the selection committee that your student has the academic record they need to be eligible. Additionally, if you have received this award (or a similar scholarship) in your academic career, this could be an excellent place to include that information.

Step 5: Write the body (3-4 paragraphs)

Think of your reference letter as a place to advocate for your applicant’s merit and how deserving they are of the award. The body paragraphs are the meat of your argument. Your task in these paragraphs is to expound on the applicant’s achievements and explain why they’re a deserving candidate. If you can, point out distinct traits, unique abilities, or examples of success to help your student stand out amid the sea of other applicants.

If you’re feeling stuck, try brainstorming some specific examples of times when the applicant demonstrated their creativity, resilience, or leadership skills.

Did the applicant help other students when they struggled with the material?
Did your student persevere in the face of adversity?
Is there a circumstance where they took the initiative to start something new at your school, like a club or a recycling program?

Selection committees want to learn about students who not only have a stellar academic record, but are hard-working and well-rounded, too.

It’s also important to tailor each recommendation letter to the award. As you weigh the scholarship requirements against your recommendation letter, ask yourself: are there any additional comments or insights that might be helpful to include? If the requirements list community service as a defining factor, maybe there are additional comments you could include about your student’s volunteer experience.

All that said, don’t put too much stress on yourself to make the letter perfect. As long as your recommendation is well-written and heartfelt, it will likely help increase the applicant’s chances of being selected for the scholarship.

Step 6: Sign off with your contact information

The conclusion is the place where you’ll wrap up all your praise and make your final argument. Underline your students’ strengths, personal qualities, and what sets them apart. Restate your reasons for endorsing the applicant to the committee and, most importantly, keep it short and sweet. There’s no need to rehash examples you included in your body paragraph. Think of the conclusion as the bite-sized version of the recommendation that allows the committee to walk away with a snapshot of why they should award your student with this scholarship.

At the end of your letter, you’ll also want to include your personal contact information so that the scholarship program or admissions committee can contact you if they have any further questions. Providing your mailing and email addresses should be sufficient.

FAQs about scholarship recommendation letters

Scholarship recommendation letters can vary widely depending on the type of award and its specific requirements. That said, these FAQs provide some helpful answers that apply to most scholarship reference letters.

How long should a scholarship recommendation letter be?

It depends. Typically, reference letters don’t need to be longer than a single page (usually between 300 and 500 words). Most scholarship selection committees will be reading numerous letters, so keeping your letter succinct is usually the best way to go.

However, if a strict word count isn’t stipulated, it’s usually acceptable to go slightly longer than a page if you need. Just make sure you’re using the space to share illustrative anecdotes or relevant examples, and not just repeating the same ideas.

Who can write a letter of recommendation for a scholarship?

The best person to write a scholarship letter is someone who can speak with authority about the student’s performance in some realm, whether that’s academic, athletic, or personal. Some scholarship programs request multiple types of letters, maybe one from a teacher and another from a personal friend. Other programs only accept letters from academic figures — like teachers, administrators, or advisors. For scholarship programs that focus on a particular skill, like athletics or arts, a coach or art teacher might be the best person to write the letter of reference.

What is a scholarship committee looking for in a letter of recommendation ?

This depends on the scholarship program. However, most selection committees are hoping to hear about the student’s academic achievements, personal qualities, strength of character, willingness to work hard, and overall well-roundedness. If there are additional areas of focus, the scholarship website should list these.

What if I don’t feel qualified to write a reference letter for a student?

Just because a student asks you to write a recommendation letter doesn’t mean you’re required to say yes. Recommendation letters can be powerful tools, but only if they come from the right person.

If you can’t speak to a student’s performance and character, it might be better to decline. An impersonal or lukewarm reference letter doesn’t do much to help the applicant’s case, and they’d likely be better off finding an adult who can write about them with conviction. Likewise, if a student asks too close to a deadline or after you’ve already agreed to write for a handful of other students, it’s more than okay to say no.

Should the letter be digital or printed?

It depends. Each scholarship application has different requirements. Some might ask for all scholarship materials to be printed, signed, and mailed directly to the scholarship office, while other programs might require digital submissions. Check the scholarship requirements and decide how to proceed from there.

Help your students find more scholarships

Being asked to write a scholarship letter of reference is an honor. It means your student or employee trusts you and values your perspective. That said, writing reference letters can also be a lot of work. Using a good template can take a lot of the pressure off. It can also help to keep in mind that your letter doesn’t have to be absolutely perfect. The most important thing is to write from the heart; that can win over even the most difficult of selection committees. If you want to help your student or employee find even more scholarships, consider pointing them to a platform like Going Merry. At Going Merry, we curate lists of promising awards specifically tailored to each student. All your student needs to do is sign up, complete a profile, and let us deliver scholarships they’re eligible for. So if you want to help your student find ways to afford the next chapter of their academic career, encourage them to sign up for Going Merry today .

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How to Write Scholarship Recommendation Letter (Tips, Template, Examples)

Academic and professional letters of recommendation are decisive in many admission processes for international study programs and several scholarship calls. That is why I will give you the best advice that has helped me and my clients study and win scholarships abroad.

What is a letter of recommendation for Scholarship?

The letters of recommendation or references in academic processes and scholarships are a document in which a third party describes who he is, explains how he knows you and gives the reasons why he recommends you for the respective study or scholarship program.

In this way, the institution or the scholarship provider seeks a second opinion on what you propose, and thus verify your character and your performance. In other words, the main function of the recommendation letter is to corroborate the information you have given in other documents (such as the CV and the Motivation Letter ) and obtain additional information about your profile.

Who should write Recommendation Letter for Scholarship?

Unlike what is generally believed, letters of recommendation need not be written by “important people” such as the dean of the faculty or the general manager of the company with whom you have worked.

Institutions want letters from people who have had direct contact with you and know your personality and performance firsthand . Therefore, when choosing a reference, it is best to opt for professors, thesis supervisors, bosses or in some cases co-workers.

NOTE: These people may not know how to write a letter, want to make sure they give you what you need and / or don’t have the time to write it. Therefore you will be asked to give them guidance and even in some cases that you write recommendation letter and make them read and sign later. Therefore, you can share and / or take into account the following tips:

Header Tips for Recommendation Letter

Recent date: Avoid delivering letters that you have previously requested for other calls and that are generic.

Title or motive: “Letter of Recommendation” or “Reference”

Targeted specifically to the program / scholarship provider: The letter of recommendation must explicitly state for whom it is demonstrating personalization and importance. That is why it is important to avoid things like: “To whom it may concern.” Some good examples are:

“Colleagues of the Faculty of Economic Sciences …”
“Members of the admissions committee….”
“University of ….”

Content Tips for Recommendation Letter

Your letter of recommendation should contain the following elements:

Reason: The person who recommends you explains the reasons why you are going and explicitly mentions the program to which he is recommending you.

Who he is and how he knows you: The person who recommends you should mention his position, the institution he works with and the relationship he has with you. For example:

“As a teacher of the course of International Relations of the National University …”
“David was my student for the class of…”

Description of the program or work: It is important that the reference contextualizes the reader about the nature of the program or the work performed by the person whom he recommends. And in this way give it the importance it deserves. For example:

“The Mechanical Engineering program requires about 20 hours of study …”
“Teamwork is essential to develop these activities …”
“It’s a position with a lot of responsibility since …”

The reasons why he recommends you: Very related to the previous one, here the person who recommends you describes your personality, academic and / or professional skills that make you the ideal candidate for the program to which you are applying. For example:

“Pepe showed … and good handling of… .. ”
“During the time that Juana worked with me, she stood out for her…. Y ….”
“I recognize Pepe as a person….,…. Y …..”
“Joan managed …”

Recommendation reinforcement: In the final part of the letter the person who recommends you should emphasize that you are the right person for the program you are applying with things like:

“I’m sure Pepe will bring great value to the program of … … and university x”
“I strongly believe that Juana… ..”
“He is also … and …”

For more information and dismissal: It is a good idea that the person who recommends you is open to answer questions by the selection committee and therefore must demonstrate it at the end of the letter with things like:

“For more questions, do not hesitate to contact me”
“I will be willing to solve the questions you may have”

Tips to get very good letters of recommendation for scholarship

Ask for them in time: The people who are going to write your letter of recommendation will most likely have several responsibilities and therefore will need at least 1 month to write your letter of motivation. Keep that time in mind and the application deadline so you can send all the complete documentation on time.

Share your CV and motivation letter to these people: Ideally, the people who are going to write your letter of recommendation know what you have done and your motivation to be part of the program to which you apply. Therefore it is highly recommended that you meet with them to share your experience and plans, or to share documents such as your curriculum vitae and motivation letter.

For academic recommendation letters: If you graduated more than 2 years ago and have not kept in touch with your professors, you must be very careful in the person you choose to serve as a reference and the way you approach him to ask for it.

You can think of teachers with whom you stood out or with whom you had the greatest contact so that when you contact them and tell them that it is you, they can remember you more easily.

I recommend that before asking anything you make some initial contacts to resume the relationship . You can achieve this through an email, a phone call or even a personal visit to update the person in what you have done during the time that has passed, tell them your plans to continue your studies and ask about their opinion.

Formatting Tips for Scholarship Recommendation Letter

It complies with the guidelines that you are asked for: For example, in some cases the institution may ask you that the letter of recommendation be in a previously defined format, that it be written by specific people and / or that it be sent in a sealed envelope. If so, follow those instructions because they are application requirements that, if not met, can mean your immediate disqualification.

Language: If it is for an English program, it is ideal that it be written in that language and that the person serving as a reference can answer questions in that language. However, it is not mandatory that it be handled in this way because you can attach an official translation to your letter of recommendation.

Size: It is recommended that the letter of recommendation be between 1 and maximum 1.5 pages in Times New Roman , Arial or Calibri , size 12 and with normal spacing and margins. This way you make sure it is concrete but descriptive enough.

Letterhead: Ideally, the letter should be written on a letterhead of the institution to which the teacher belongs or the organization where your boss works. This gives the document more formality and therefore more confidence.

Contact information: The letter must clearly include the telephone, postal address and email of the person who recommends you. In this way, the evaluating institution is given the opportunity to contact the person who recommends you to verify the information.

Letter of Recommendation Template

To Whom It May Concern:

It is my pleasure to strongly recommend [Applicant Name] for [position with Company Name or acceptance to Institution Name].

I am [Your Name], a [your position] at [Institution or Company]. I have [number] years of experience working in [your industry or academic focus] and have seen many young professionals come and go. [Applicant Name] is one individual I have worked with who uniquely stands out.

During our time together, [Applicant Name] displayed great talents in [skill, trait, experience, class, etc.]. When we first met, I was immediately impressed with [Applicant’s Name], but during the time we worked together, her understanding of [key topic] grew far more than that of her peers.

[Insert personal story elaborating on key skills, trait, experience].

It’s not just her technical skills that impress me, however. [Applicant Name] was a joy to work with because of her amazingly positive attitude and [positive trait]. Her [positive trait] and [positive trait] were also necessary and valued not just by myself, but by her peers, who often relied on her to get the job done.

I am absolutely confident that [Applicant Name] would be a great fit for your [Institution/Company]. Not only will she bring the kind of skills and experiences you’re looking for in an applicant, but she will also quickly become an asset and help your [Institution/Company] grow in any way she can.

If you need more information or specific examples, please do not hesitate to contact me at [contact information]. As a recommendation letter likely only provides a snapshot of her talents and achievements, I would be happy to further elaborate on my time working with her.

Sincerely, [Your Name, Company, and Title]

Recommendation Letter Example

March 17, 2021

College Scholars Program

University of Tennessee 123 Business Rd. Business City, NY 54321

It is with much enthusiasm that I recommend Joe Bloom for inclusion in the College Scholars Program at the University of Tennessee.

I was Joe’s instructor for multiple English classes during his four years at Morristown-Hamblen High School, including AP English his junior year. In our classes, Joe displayed a level of creativity, wit, and analytical thought that is quite rare among high school students.

His writing and research skills are truly phenomenal – for his major essay project in AP English, he researched and wrote a remarkable study of visual imagery in the works of Edgar Allan Poe.

Joe’s wide-ranging intellect is such that he would be bored by most freshman- and sophomore-level Liberal Arts courses. He is ready to assume and excel in upper division classwork, and possesses the self-motivation to successfully create and execute an independent course of honors study.

Joe’s academic strengths are complemented by his demonstrated leadership skills – he was our band’s drum major for two years and served as Vice President of the Student Council and Editor of our high school yearbook. He is also very active in his church and in the Sierra Student Coalition.

Please let me know if I can provide any more information to strengthen Joe’s candidacy for the College Scholars Program.

He has a very special spark, and I trust he will go far in making our world a better place.

Jane Evans (signature hard copy letter)

Grades 6-12
School Leaders

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10 Strong Scholarship Recommendation Letter Examples

Help make college more affordable for your students.

Paying for college takes a lot of planning. Tuition costs rise every year and graduates are buckling under the weight of debt from loans. For some, the expense of higher education is prohibitive, with many talented students being forced to cut their dreams short. Scholarships can make getting a degree more affordable. Students qualify based on academic performance, special interests, or financial needs. If you’ve been asked to help with the process, we’ve got you covered! Here’s a list of sample recommendation letters for scholarship applications that best meet your students’ needs.

How To Write Scholarship Recommendation Letters

If you’ve been asked to write a recommendation letter for your student’s scholarship, you might feel overwhelmed. You want to help your student, but you’re worried your letter won’t be good enough. In the end, you can only do your best, so lead with your heart and consider the following suggestions:

Use letterhead and add your personal information (full name, title, school name, etc.) in the top left corner.
Fill the whole page (at least 300 words) with an introduction, two or three paragraphs, and a conclusion.
In the first paragraph, introduce your student, specify the scholarship for which they are applying, and share details about the nature and length of your relationship.
In the body paragraphs, describe the ways your student is suitable and deserving of the scholarship.
In your final section, pull everything together and emphasize your student’s strengths as well as the reasons why you are endorsing them.

Here’s a quick video on how to craft an effective scholarship recommendation letter:

Don’t feel you can honestly provide a positive recommendation? Gently decline their request for a letter. Avoid putting yourself in a position where you will have to be insincere. You don’t want to write something negative because it could cost the student an opportunity to earn a scholarship.

Sample Recommendation Letters for Scholarship Applications

1. general scholarship recommendation letter.

This is a great sample scholarship letter if you’re trying to offer a rounded view of a student’s performance in high school. You’ll include information about your experience with them as well as your thoughts on their potential success in a higher-education setting.

2. Sample Rhodes Scholarship letter

If your student is a candidate for a prestigious award such as the Rhodes Scholarship, this sample scholarship letter will give you an idea of what to share with the selection committee. With these types of recommendation letters, you want to provide as much praise and positive information as possible.

3. Scholarship letter for math students

There are many great scholarship opportunities for strong math students. This sample recommendation letter outlines how to share not only your student’s math talents but the other traits that make them a good candidate as well.

4. Leadership scholarship sample letter

This helpful scholarship recommendation letter offers an example for highlighting leadership skills. Back up your endorsement by sharing specific situations as well as participation in any committees, programs, and events where your student excelled.

5. Scholarship letter for international studies

Does your student plan to go abroad? If so, review this sample for writing a strong letter of recommendation for this specific type of scholarship. Be sure to include evidence as to why you believe your student is well rounded and exceptional.

6. Environmentalist scholarship letter

Has one of your students decided to pursue a degree in environmental sciences and wildlife? If so, this scholarship recommendation letter is a good example because it concisely highlights their strengths and shares why they would make a good candidate.

7. Scholarship letter for students who need financial assistance

No one should miss out on a college education because they can’t afford to pay. You can help them overcome this barrier! This excellent sample letter of recommendation shows the details to include for scholarships based on financial need.

8. Scholarship recommendation letter for STEM students

There are many scholarships for students who plan to pursue a career in STEM fields. If you’ve been asked to write a letter of recommendation for this type of scholarship, this sample will give you a good idea of what to include.

9. Greek society scholarship letter sample

Fraternities and sororities can be a great source of financial support for college and university students. Review this sample recommendation letter for scholarship applications for Greek society candidates.

10. Personal endorsement for scholarships

This sample recommendation letter for a scholarship application is best when you can’t vouch for the prospective student’s academic performance but want to share information about their personal character and how it relates to the scholarship program.

Do you have a great sample recommendation letter for scholarship applications? Please share it in the comments below!

Plus, check out the ultimate guide to college scholarships, want more articles like this be sure to subscribe to our newsletters ..

Help your students cover the high cost of tuition. Choose a sample recommendation letter for scholarship applications from this list!

Tips for Writing a College Recommendation Letter

Tips for Writing a Genuine and Powerful College Recommendation Letter

Your words can make a big difference. Continue Reading

Writing Recommendation Letters Online

FRONT MATTER

Sample Graduate School Recommendation Letters

The three sample recommendation letters that follow, which you can download by clicking on the link below, are effective because they detail what makes the students stand out as exceptional and because they paint individual pictures of each student. Note how these excerpts, excerpted from each of the three letters, individualize and humanize the student:

“I have been especially impressed by Janet’s determination and sparkle.” “I enthusiastically supported her application for the student position on the Mythic University Board of Trustees for the same reasons. She was the runner-up for that distinguished post, and Mythic University lost out on a true leader. But I believe her time is yet to come.” “In short, John is both scholarly and culturally entrenched, ambitious but not pretentious, self-deprecating yet confident, forthright but unassuming, delightfully irreverent yet appropriately respectful—a complex and whole human being.”

In addition, the writers of these three letters take advantage of many of the rhetorical strategies discussed in Chapters 3 and 4 of this manual: enhancing their own credibility, narrative technique, anecdotal evidence, recommending by citing others, and using active verbs and transitions.

Finally, a late paragraph in the last letter, at the prompting of the graduate scholarship application, even provides a few criticisms of the student. Because these criticisms are offered even-handedly and efficiently, I would argue that the letter has even more ethos, and it is noteworthy that the student still landed the desired scholarship.

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Stanford Online

A guide to letters of recommendation for graduate school applications.

Woman reading a letter of recommendation

Embarking on a journey toward higher education is an exciting yet overwhelming endeavor, and the path to graduate school is no exception.

As you gather the necessary materials for your application, one critical component can be particularly complex: letters of recommendation. These letters provide insight into your academic and professional capabilities, offering admissions committees a glimpse into your potential as a graduate student, but how can you impact this important part of your application? In this guide, we'll explore how to approach this aspect of your application, using Stanford University's recommendations and insights from the Graduate Admissions website .

How Many Letters of Recommendation Do You Need?

Requirements vary considerably across different types of graduate level educational programs. Nearly all master’s degree programs, including all of Stanford’s programs, require letters of recommendation, however graduate certificate programs often do not. If you choose to pursue a graduate certificate at Stanford, letters of recommendation are not required with your application. If you're determining whether to pursue a graduate certificate or master’s degree through Stanford Online, you may find this comparison tool helpful .

Most master’s degree programs, including MS programs through Stanford , require three letters of recommendation. However, it's essential to verify the specific guidelines set by your target institution and program. Once you know the number of letters that are required, it's a good strategy to have additional recommenders in mind. For every letter you need, aim to identify at least two individuals who could provide strong endorsements on your behalf. This precautionary approach ensures that you have a backup plan in case one of your intended recommenders is unable to fulfill your request.

Who Should Write Your Letters Of Recommendation?

Securing strong letters of recommendation begins with choosing the right individuals to vouch for your abilities. Stanford advises that your recommenders be academic or professional references who know you well and can most accurately assess your potential for graduate study. Ideally, at least one of these letters should come from a university professor familiar with your academic work.

Consider individuals who have worked closely with you and can attest to your skills, achievements, and potential. The goal is to select people who can provide detailed and authentic insights into your capabilities, whether it's a professor whose course you excelled in, a supervisor from an internship, or a professional colleague.

What Makes a Good Letter of Recommendation?

Recommendation letters are a window into your character and potential.Stanford's guidelines shed light on what these letters should encompass. Recommenders are asked to respond to specific questions, such as the level of your abilities in comparison to other students, the number of years they've evaluated people in your peer group, and your standing in terms of academic performance.

The recommendation letter prompt encourages recommenders to provide candid assessments of your qualifications,including your potential for advanced study, analytical thinking capabilities, and ability to express ideas clearly. Descriptions of significant achievements, personal qualities, and character traits relevant to your scholarly pursuits are highly valuable.

How Should You Ask Someone to Write You a Letter of Recommendation?

Even after you’ve identified people who you think would be good choices for recommenders, it can be intimidating to ask them! We’ve put together some tips to aid you in this process:

Plan Ahead and Communicate Timely Start the process well in advance to give your recommenders ample time to write a thoughtful letter. It's courteous to reach out at least two months prior to the application deadline. But if you're especially eager to get started, you can reach out as early as six months ahead of time. Reaching out early demonstrates your respect for your recommender's time and allows them to allocate sufficient time to craft a compelling letter.
Initiate a Personalized Conversation When approaching someone for a recommendation, make it a personalized interaction. Reach out in-person, if possible, or schedule a phone or video call with them. If the person is very busy you may be most successful with a well-composed email. When you reach out, express your gratitude for their guidance and mentorship, and explain your intention to apply for graduate school.
Provide Them with Context and Information In your request, offer context about the program you are applying to, the field of study, and specific details that might be relevant. This information will help your recommender tailor their letter to align with the expectations of the program and highlight the qualities that are most important for admission.
Make the Request Explicit Clearly state that you are requesting a letter of recommendation. Politely ask if they would be willing to support your application by writing a strong letter on your behalf. Be direct, yet respectful, in your approach.
Offer Resources and Materials To facilitate the process for your recommender, provide essential information such as your resume, transcripts, personal statement, and any relevant assignments or projects you've worked on together. This will give them the necessary material to craft a well-informed and accurate letter. Be sure to also share the information you have about the process. For example, if you’re applying to Stanford, each of your recommenders are also asked to fill out an additional form of questions. Stanford also provides a general prompt for the letter which would be helpful for you to share. However the exact prompt displayed to the recommender may differ depending on the graduate program you select.
Follow Up and Stay Engaged Once your recommender agrees to write the letter, stay engaged and responsive. Offer any additional information they might need, answer their questions promptly, and provide periodic updates on your application progress. A thankyou note after the letter is submitted is a thoughtful gesture.
Express Your Gratitude Throughout your request, convey your sincere appreciation for their assistance. Recognize that writing a recommendation letter takes time and effort, and express your gratitude for their willingness to contribute to your academic journey.

How do you submit your letters of recommendation once they are complete?

This part of the process depends entirely on the program and institution for which you are applying, check with the information specific to your program.

At Stanford, recommenders must register on the online application system. Timeliness is crucial, so aim to complete this step as early as possible to ensure that the letters are received by the application deadline. Stanford's system will generate personalized links for your recommenders to submit their recommendations online.

After your recommenders have submitted their letters, you'll receive email notifications confirming their completion. The application system allows you to manage your recommenders on the same page where you registered them. This includes sending reminder emails and making changes, if necessary.

How Can Ethical Integrity Be Maintained?

It's important to emphasize that you must respect ethical guidelines throughout this process. You should not draft, write, translate, or submit your own reference. Stanford University's application terms explicitly state that the letters of recommendation must be authored solely by your recommenders. Informing your recommenders about this policy is your responsibility to ensure the integrity of your application.

In summary, letters of recommendation play an integral role in your graduate school application, providing valuable insights into your potential as a student and future scholar. By selecting the right recommenders, registering them early, guiding them with prompts and being prepared with your examples and materials, you can ensure that your application showcases your strengths and capabilities in the best light possible. As you embark on this next chapter of your academic journey, remember that your recommenders are your allies, championing your cause as you strive to reach new heights in your field of study.

We hope you found this letters of recommendation guide useful as you’re applying to grad school, please know that following the advice in this article does not guarantee your admission to any program.

Best of luck!

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How to Write a Good Scholarship Letter of Recommendation (3 Sample Letters)

Table of Contents

If you look at our list of Chegg scholarships for college students, most sponsors ask applicants to submit a scholarship letter of recommendation. In fact, why does this document matter? And, how do you come up with a good one?

In fact, a scholarship letter of recommendation helps round out your students’ profiles. Furthermore, it provides insight into what they are like as a student and person from the perspective of someone who has worked closely with them during their high school career.

Besides, the letter speaks to their academic strengths and interests, their personal qualities, their role in their school community, and their potential direction in the future. Whether you talk about it explicitly or not, a positive letter also suggests their ability to get along with their teachers and others in your school.

Below, you’ll find some of the industry’s best tricks on how you should craft a good scholarship letter of recommendation.

How to Write a Good Scholarship Letter of Recommendation

If you need to write a letter of recommendation for a student, follow this guide to understand what to include and how to structure the letter:

1. Ask the Student for Academic Information

First, request a list of your student’s academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, and GPA. Also, inquire about the scholarship program to which they are applying. This information will assist you in customizing the letter to the program they are applying for.

Keep in mind that you aim to be an advocate for your student and to encourage and celebrate their achievements.

Also, you can talk with the student and learn more about why he/she is applying, what he/she wants to accomplish, and what he/she hopes to benefit from the experience. In your scholarship letter of recommendation, you may express your thoughts on this detail.

2. Address Your Letter Accordingly

In fact, correctly addressing the letter ensures that it reaches the intended recipient and also makes the advice seem more tailored to the reader. Hence, you may want to inquire with the student about the person to whom the letter should be sent. Also, make sure to ask about their position in the application process as well.

On the other hand, if your student does not have a particular person to whom you can deliver the message, you may also send your suggestion to the human resources department of a sponsor.

Keep the letter generic if your student is applying for several scholarships. Still, aim to highlight their relevant qualities. You may use this information to highlight the student’s accomplishments in a specific area. Next, provide an example of one of the student’s outstanding projects or awards.

3. Introduce Yourself and Your Qualifications

Your authority as the student’s teacher provides the sponsor with valuable insight into the applicant. As a result, you must state who you are and how you are eligible to speak on behalf of the student at the start of your letter.

Furthermore, you must include your job title, as well as the subject or course you taught the student. Alternatively, you may specify your position as the organizer of a club or extracurricular activity in which the student participated, particularly if you’ve never had them in class before.

4. Include Details about Your Academic Relationship with the Student

Next, continue your introduction by describing how long and in what capacity you’ve known the student. This item may be a direct extension of your job title, indicating your role in the academic career of the student.

Besides, you can talk about your first observations of the student and how you’ve seen him/her develop into the well-rounded student he/she is now. For this purpose, consider expressing your impressions of the student in terms of how they amazed or pleased you in class, on assignments, and in other academic settings.

5. Highlight the Student’s Qualifications with Examples

Many organizations are on the lookout for people who can help them develop and change. As a result, think about who will be reading your letter of recommendation. Then, provide examples and details of how the student will support the business or organization.

Additionally, demonstrate their future success by mentioning their contributions to your school. You can draw your examples from their resume or academic information, including items such as:

Academic excellence, such as improved or maintained grades
Competitions, awards, and recognitions
Individual or group projects
Leadership roles, such as captain of a team or president of a club
Presentations and public speaking opportunities
Volunteering

6. Conclude Your Letter

Finally, end your letter by restating your support for the student’s credentials. In addition, you can also offer to stay available if the reader has any further questions about your recommendation or experience with the student.

Also, have a few ways for them to contact you, such as a phone number where you can be reached and your email address. In fact, this final move will demonstrate to the sponsor that you are confident in the student’s abilities. Additionally, it shows that you support him/her for the scholarship program, which will affect their decision to choose him/her.

A Structure of Good Letter of Recommendation

Each scholarship letter of recommendation you write will be personalized to the specific student you’re writing about, but many of these letters follow a similar template. Here’s everything that you should include in your scholarship letter of recommendation:

1. Introduction

As with recommendations for college, you should begin by stating who you’re recommending, how you know him/her and in what contexts, and what makes you qualified to give your assessment.

If you’ve known the student in different contexts, like as both his/her teacher and club advisor or coach, then you should say so. Further, this shows that you know him/her well and have seen how he/she interacts and performs in different roles and environments.

2. Body of the Letter: Why the Student Deserves the Scholarship

Once your introduction incorporates these elements – a strong statement of support and an explanation of who you are and how you know the student – then you can move into your assessment. Hence, you should highlight the student’s primary strengths, again, making sure to tailor your evaluation to the specific scholarship.

If the scholarship is focusing on academic achievement, then a statement of high ranking from an established teacher could go a long way. For starters, stating that the student is one of the top three you’ve taught in twenty years or the best student in his/her class suggests that he/she is an outstanding applicant who will likely continue to excel in college.

Ultimately, you want to make the student stand out as a motivated individual. Therefore, the scholarship donors would want to invest in. For instance, you may emphasize his/her:

Unique commitment,

Next, show them how his/her contributions in high school predict his/her continued pursuits in college.

Finally, show them that the student deserves the scholarship and that you have no doubt he/she will put it to good use.

3. Your Contact Information and Signature

At the end of your letter, you can give your contact information and invite the scholarship committee to get in touch with any further questions. Ultimately, if you’ve provided a complete, glowing picture of the student, then they should have all the information they need. On the other hand, you can get inspiration from the following three samples of recommendation letters. This works effectively if you’re running out of fresh ideas.

3 Examples of Scholarship Letter of Recommendation

Lincoln scholarship sample letter.

William Shakespeare Poetry Scholarship Sample Letter

Night Owl Scholarship with Phi Delta Phi Sample Letter

List of 13 Chegg Scholarships for College Students

List of wvu scholarships at west virginia university.

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5 Best Letter of Recommendation Templates for PhD Students

Letter of Recommendation Templates for PhD Students 01

Are you a PhD student looking for a high-quality letter of recommendation template? Look no further! In this article, we will provide you with examples of tried and true letter of recommendation templates that you can use or edit as needed.

One of the most important parts of any PhD program is the recommendation letter. It can make or break your chance of getting into a program, securing funding, or landing a job. However, writing a solid letter of recommendation can be an arduous task that requires a considerable amount of time and effort. That’s where our letter of recommendation templates come in – they have been carefully crafted to help make the process a lot easier for you.

Whether you need a template for a professor, employer, or advisor, we have got you covered. With our templates, you can be sure that your recommendation letters will be professional, accurate, and persuasive. So why wait? Check out our letter of recommendation templates for PhD students today and take the first step towards success!

The Best Structure for Letter of Recommendation Template for PhD Students

Writing a letter of recommendation for a PhD student can be a daunting task, but don’t worry–with the right structure and language, you can create a glowing recommendation that will showcase the student’s talents and qualifications.

First things first, make sure to address the letter to the appropriate person or group, whether it be a university, scholarship committee, or potential employer. It’s also important to state your relationship to the student, whether you’re their professor, mentor, or colleague.

Next, start off by providing a brief overview of the student’s accomplishments and qualifications, including their field of study and any notable research or publications. From there, delve into specific examples of the student’s intellectual abilities and work ethic. This could include analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and perseverance in the face of challenges.

It’s also important to address the student’s personal characteristics, such as their leadership qualities, teamwork skills, and communication abilities. Providing anecdotes of times when the student went above and beyond in their academic or professional pursuits can be particularly impactful.

Finally, wrap up the letter with a strong endorsement of the student’s potential for future success, including any specific recommendations for opportunities or programs they would excel in. Reiterate your confidence in the student’s abilities and emphasize how their strengths and qualities make them an asset to any academic or professional community.

Remember, the best recommendation letters are specific, detailed, and personal. Use concrete examples to illustrate the student’s strengths and don’t be afraid to inject some personality and enthusiasm into your writing. With these tips and a solid structure, you’ll be well on your way to crafting an outstanding letter of recommendation for your favorite PhD student.

[Your name]

Letter of Recommendation Templates for PhD Students

Letter of recommendation for phd program admission.

Dear Admissions Committee,

I am writing to enthusiastically recommend [Student Name] for the PhD program in [Field]. I had the privilege of working with [him/her] as [his/her] research advisor for [duration]. During that time, I observed [his/her] passion for [field of study]. [He/She] possesses the intellectual curiosity, work ethic, and analytical skills necessary for success in the program.

Moreover, [Student Name] demonstrates excellent communication skills and consistently engages in constructive discussions with [his/her] peers and advisors. [He/She] is a quick learner and adapts well to new challenges, which will serve [him/her] well in the highly competitive and rigorous PhD program. I believe [Student Name] has the potential to make significant contributions to the field and I strongly recommend [him/her] for admission to the program.

[Your Name]

Letter of Recommendation for PhD Scholarship

Dear Scholarship Committee,

I am writing to endorse [Student Name] for the [Name of Scholarship] for [Field] PhD studies. In my capacity as [his/her] mentor and research advisor, I have been impressed with [his/her] dedication to [field of study] and [his/her] ability to excel academically despite facing various challenges.

[Student Name] has demonstrated exceptional potential in [areas of interest]. [His/Her] research work has already resulted in several publications in leading journals, which speaks to [his/her] intellectual rigor and analytical skills. [He/She] is also actively involved in various extracurricular activities related to [field of study], such as [Name of Club], where [he/she] has demonstrated leadership and teamwork.

I strongly believe that [Student Name] is an ideal fit for the [Name of Scholarship] based on [his/her] achievements and potential. [He/She] will not only benefit from the financial support but will also make significant contributions to the scholarship and [field of study].

Yours sincerely,

Letter of Recommendation for PhD Job Application

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing this letter to recommend [Student Name] for the position of [Job Title] at your organization. I had the pleasure of working with [him/her] as [his/her] supervisor during [duration] at [Company/Organization]. [He/She] was a valuable asset to our team, demonstrating impressive intellectual and analytical skills.

[Student Name] has an outstanding academic record and has already published several research papers in leading journals. Moreover, [he/she] has honed exceptional communication skills and has presented [his/her] work at various conferences. [He/She] has also demonstrated leadership skills, both in academic and extracurricular settings. [His/Her] experience in [specific skills related to job] and [related experience] also make [him/her] a perfect candidate for the position.

Based on [his/her] achievements and potential, I strongly recommend [Student Name] for the position. [He/She] will undoubtedly exceed your expectations and make significant contributions to your organization.

Letter of Recommendation for PhD Internship

Dear Internship Coordinator,

I am writing this letter to recommend [Student Name] for the PhD Internship Program at your organization. I had the pleasure of working with [him/her] as [his/her] research advisor for [duration]. During that time, [he/she] demonstrated exceptional research skills and a keen interest in [specific field of study related to internship].

[Student Name] has already published several research papers in leading journals and has presented [his/her] work at various conferences. [He/She] has also demonstrated strong leadership and teamwork skills, as evidenced by [specific example]. [His/Her] exceptional communication skills also make [him/her] a great fit for the internship, where [he/she] will likely collaborate with a diverse group of people.

Based on [his/her] research achievements and potential, I strongly recommend [Student Name] for the internship program. [He/She] is an excellent candidate who will no doubt make significant contributions to your organization. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.

Letter of Recommendation for PhD Fellowship

Dear Fellowship Committee,

I am writing to enthusiastically recommend [Student Name] for the [Name of Fellowship] for [Field] PhD studies. I worked with [him/her] as [his/her] research advisor for [duration], during which I observed [his/her] exceptional research skills and intellectual curiosity.

[Student Name] has already published several research papers in leading journals and has presented [his/her] work at various conferences. [He/She] has also actively engaged in various extracurricular activities related to [field of study], such as [Name of Club/Community], where [he/she] has demonstrated leadership and teamwork. Overall, [he/she] is a dedicated and passionate researcher with a unique perspective and approach to [field of study].

I strongly believe that [Student Name] is an exemplary fit for the [Name of Fellowship] based on [his/her] achievements and potential. [He/She] will not only benefit from the financial support but will also make significant contributions to the fellowship and [field of study].

Letter of Recommendation for PhD Research Proposal

Dear Research Committee,

I am writing to endorse [Student Name]’s proposed research project for [duration] in [field of study]. [He/She] has approached me with [his/her] ideas and I have been thoroughly impressed with [his/her] creativity, vision, and rigor in designing the proposal.

[Student Name] is an outstanding researcher with significant experience in [related skills/expertise]. [He/She] is highly motivated and passionate about [field of study], demonstrated by [relevant examples]. Moreover, [he/she] has excellent communication and leadership skills, which will undoubtedly be useful in working with other researchers and stakeholders.

Based on [his/her] research achievements and proposed project, I strongly recommend [Student Name] for the research program. [He/She] is an excellent candidate who will no doubt make significant contributions to the project and advance knowledge in [field of study]. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.

Best regards,

Tips for Writing a Letter of Recommendation Template for PhD Students

Writing a letter of recommendation for a PhD student can be a challenging task. As a recommender, it’s essential to ensure that your letter truly represents the student’s abilities, potential, and achievements. To help you create an effective letter of recommendation, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Get to know the student: Before you start writing the letter, take some time to learn more about the student. Understand their research, their academic achievements, and their aspirations. This will help you write a more personalized and impactful letter.
Focus on achievements: When writing your letter, highlight the student’s achievements and the impact of their research. This will demonstrate their value and potential to the admissions committee or potential employer.
Provide examples: Use specific examples to illustrate your points. This will help the reader understand the student’s strengths and accomplishments. It’s also a good idea to include examples of challenges the student faced and how they overcame them.
Be honest: Don’t exaggerate the student’s accomplishments or abilities. Be honest and provide a balanced view of their strengths and weaknesses. Admissions committees and employers value letters that are transparent and authentic.
Be concise: Keep your letter brief and to the point. You don’t want to overwhelm the reader with unnecessary details. Focus on the most significant accomplishments and areas of strength.
Use a professional format: Use a professional format for your letter, starting with a formal greeting and closing. Address the letter to the appropriate person, and include the student’s name and program details.
Proofread: Before submitting your letter, make sure to proofread it carefully. Correct any errors in spelling, grammar, or punctuation, and ensure that the letter is structured well and easy to read.
End with a strong recommendation: End your letter with a strong recommendation for the student. Be confident in your endorsement, and close by offering to provide further information or support if needed.

Writing a letter of recommendation for a PhD student requires careful attention to detail and a clear understanding of the student’s strengths and potential. By following these tips, you can create a compelling letter that highlights the student’s achievements and positions them as a strong candidate for their desired program or career path. Remember, honesty, specificity, and professionalism are key elements of an effective letter of recommendation.

Well, there you have it, folks! A letter of recommendation template for PhD students! I hope this has been helpful in alleviating some of the stress associated with asking for letters of recommendation. Remember to personalize the template with your own unique accomplishments and achievements. Be creative, and don’t be afraid to show your personality through your writing. And always, always, always show gratitude to those who have taken the time to write a letter for you. Thank you for reading and be sure to visit us again for more useful tips and tricks. Wishing you all the best on your academic journey!

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WTO / Letters and Emails / Recommendation / Recommendation Letter for Scholarship [Free Templates]

Recommendation Letter for Scholarship [Free Templates]

According to Jessica Marinaccio, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid at Columbia University, scholarship recommendations or reference letters are important to the admission process and to a student getting a scholarship.

A letter of recommendation for a scholarship , also known as a scholarship reference letter, contains information concerning a particular student’s achievements, character traits, and qualities that match the criteria of a chosen scholarship.

The recommender, in this case, must be an adult who is familiar with the student, like a teacher, professor, or even a counselor.

The recommender should always be aware of the scholarship requirements before writing this letter. It must fulfill these requirements specifically; they should match the terms of reference of the award.

As the recommender, being aware of the guidelines of the scholarship will make it easier to write it properly to help the student qualify for the scholarship

Free Templates

Benefits of Scholarship Recommendation Letter

There are benefits to including it in scholarship applications. It will help to accomplish various things when included in a student’s scholarship application. The purpose of using it is discussed as follows:

Acts as a strong endorsement for a student

This letter acts as a reinforcing tool for the student by showing that the recommender approves of the student getting the scholarship.

Also, it addresses the student’s future intentions in a confident manner, which proves how “worthy” they are for the scholarship. It helps to bring a student’s résumé to life and shows that they are so focused that there are people willing to help them achieve their dream by helping them qualify for the scholarship.

Serves as evidence of a student’s commitment and goals

A student might be aiming to study engineering, literary studies, or medicine. They might also be looking for a way to further their athletic prowess. Therefore, this letter will act as evidence of a student’s commitment and goals; hence, increasing their chance of getting the scholarship to achieve either their academic or athletic commitment.

Attests to the student’s eligibility for the scholarship

Since such letters are customized to fit the award of a specific scholarship, it helps to corroborate why the student deserves the scholarship. The letter highlights the merits or the needs that the students may have that make them qualified for the scholarship.

For instance, if a student is looking for a scholarship based on their financial needs; then, this letter can indicate how the student can still work well and achieve their dreams even with limited resources.

Prewriting Consideration

There are tips and considerations that a recommender should keep in mind before agreeing to write it for a scholarship. Here are some of the prewriting considerations:

Either ready or not

As a recommender, one must consider their ability to construct a powerful letter for the student. This can only be achieved if they know the student well. If this is not the case, failure to write the letter genuinely might hurt the student and even cost them the scholarship. The letter might come off as uninformed, not confident, and not enthusiastic.

Have the complete information

The recommender should find out these details from the student. The scholarship could be awarded to those students who can overcome challenges, those who have great academics, those with excellent athletic merits, or students in a particular field of study. The student can provide this information in an interview or alongside their résumé.

The recommender will also be able to learn more about the student’s experiences for a better-crafted letter. With this information, the recommender can write a powerful letter of recommendation that follows the terms of reference of the award.

Check the guidelines

With these scholarship guidelines in mind, the recommender can correctly validate the student for the scholarship by providing the correct examples.

For instance, if the scholarship awards a student with technology studies, the recommender can write about the student’s innovation in technology.

Have the story to be told in mind

A powerful reference letter for a scholarship is one that tells a story about the candidate. The narration of the student’s strengths and other important experiences will help them stand a chance at getting the scholarship. The things, challenges, and obstacles that have shaped the student

Writing a Scholarship Recommendation Letter

It should be about one page long. Here is how to write it:

The letterhead is written at the top-left corner of the page. It should contain the following details: date (when the writing happened), the recommender’s full name, the recommender’s title, the school name, street address, and information on the city, state & zip code.

Body paragraphs

A recommender must have two to three body paragraphs that highlight the student’s abilities and vouch for their eligibility when it comes to the scholarship.

Introduction

The introduction paragraph should be brief and precise. It should be about two to three sentences long. It should introduce the applicant, state the chosen scholarship that they are applying for, and describe the nature of the relationship between the recommender and the student.

To Whom It May Concern or Dear Admissions Committee:

I am writing this letter to recommend {Applicant’s Name} for the {Name of the Scholarship Program}. As his professor (nature of the relationship), I have worked closely with {Name of Applicant} for about 6 years (length of the relationship). I believe that he is a remarkable and promising student whom I can comfortably recommend for these scholarship to pursue his dream of studying medicine.

Experience with student

This body paragraph is the most important in the letter. The committee dealing with awarding scholarships will be interested in knowing how the student works with others. That means that this kind of information is essential and should be added to the letter. The recommender can highlight some meaningful events that happened concerning the student.

The experience the recommender has with the student helps the committee understand them better.

I believe that (Name of Applicant) deserves the scholarship program since she is a dedicated leader who is very passionate about bringing change to the community. Last year, she planned and hosted a Talent Show to help raise money for students who have cancer.

Student’s potential

As the recommender, there is a need to mention and describe the potential of the student so as to help them achieve the scholarship. The recommender should list the student’s potential in terms of their academic performance and strengths.

A recommender can highlight these potentials in a way that shows how the student still succeeds even when dealing with challenges. Information about the student’s potential will make the committee see that the recommender actually believes in the student.

In her senior year, (Name of Applicant) produced an amazing thesis paper in biology that helped her get an excellent score. Overall, she has always maintained an A-average grade, which distinguishes her from her fellow students. She is always committed and willing to learn and this makes her an exemplary student.

In the conclusion part of the letter, the recommender should highlight the student’s qualities once more and endorse them for the scholarship in an enthusiastic manner. It should show the confidence they have in the candidate and their hope that the student will receive the scholarship.

The conclusion is written in about two to four sentences.

{Name of Candidate} is an ideal candidate for the {Name of Scholarship Program}. He is diligent and disciplined and he deserves the chance to pursue medicine and this dream will be realized if you accept him into your scholarship program.

Provide contact information

After the conclusion paragraph, the recommender should leave an invitation for the recipient of the letter to reach them in case of any required information. Therefore, they should leave their contact information including their phone number or email address.

The recommender can choose to include only one of the two.

In case of any queries or more information, please do not hesitate to reach me on (phone number) or (email address).

End properly

As the recommender, there is a need to end the letter properly. It is an official letter, so, here are some examples of the best letter closings: sincerely, yours truly, best regards and regards. The recommender should also include their signature and their name. They can also add their title after their name

Regards, (Name of Recommender)

Template Scholarship Reference Letter

[Your Name]

[Your Title/Position]

[Your Institution/Organization]

[Your Institution/Organization Address]

[City, State, Zip Code]

[Your Email Address]

[Your Phone Number]

[Recipient’s Name or Scholarship Committee’s Name]

[Title/Position, if known]

[Institution/Organization Offering the Scholarship]

[Address of the Institution/Organization]

Dear [Recipient’s Name or Scholarship Committee],

Introduction:

I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend [Student’s Full Name] for the [Name of the Scholarship]. As [Your Relationship to the Student—e.g., “their high school English teacher for the past two years” or “the coordinator of their volunteer program”], I have had the pleasure of witnessing [Student’s First Name]’s remarkable growth and dedication both academically and personally.

Academic Achievements and Intellectual Qualities:

[Student’s First Name] has consistently demonstrated a thirst for knowledge and a commitment to academic excellence. Notably, [he/she/they] achieved [mention any significant academic achievements, honors, or awards].

[His/Her/Their] ability to grasp complex concepts, combined with a relentless pursuit of academic challenges, sets [him/her/them] apart. For instance, [provide a specific example of an academic project or achievement].

Leadership and Extracurricular Involvement:

Beyond the classroom, [Student’s First Name] has shown exceptional leadership qualities [mention specific leadership roles or initiatives the student has undertaken].

[He/She/They] has been actively involved in [mention extracurricular activities, clubs, sports, or community service], demonstrating a well-rounded character and a commitment to making a positive impact.

Character and Personal Qualities:

One of the most admirable qualities of [Student’s First Name] is [his/her/their] [mention key personal qualities, such as integrity, compassion, resilience, etc.]. [Provide a specific example that illustrates these qualities, such as a challenge the student overcame or a contribution to the community].

In conclusion, I am confident that [Student’s First Name] is an outstanding candidate for the [Name of the Scholarship]. [His/Her/Their] exceptional academic record, leadership skills, and personal integrity make [him/her/them] highly deserving of this opportunity. I strongly endorse [his/her/their] application and believe that [he/she/they] will not only benefit immensely from this scholarship but will also contribute significantly to [mention the field of study, community, or institution associated with the scholarship].

Thank you for considering [Student’s First Name]’s application. I am eager to see the contributions [he/she/they] will undoubtedly make in [his/her/their] academic and professional journey. Should you require any further information or insights, please do not hesitate to contact me.

[Your Contact Information]

Sample Letter of Recommendation

Dear Scholarship Selection Committee,

I am writing to enthusiastically recommend Lily Carter for the Global Leaders in Sustainability Scholarship. As Lily’s academic advisor and thesis supervisor during her undergraduate studies in Environmental Science at the University of Green Valley, I have had the privilege of observing her intellectual growth, academic commitment, and leadership potential over the past four years.

Lily has consistently demonstrated exceptional academic prowess, maintaining a place at the top 5% of her class throughout her undergraduate career. Her keen interest in sustainable development led her to undertake a challenging thesis project on “Innovative Approaches to Plastic Waste Management,” which received commendation for its thorough research and practical implications. Lily’s ability to analyze complex environmental issues and propose feasible solutions exemplifies her readiness for advanced studies.

Beyond her academic achievements, Lily has exemplified remarkable leadership qualities. She founded the Green Innovators Club at our university, a student-led organization that has successfully implemented several campus-wide recycling programs and sustainability workshops. Her ability to inspire and mobilize her peers towards collective action speaks volumes about her leadership skills and her commitment to environmental advocacy.

Lily’s resilience, empathy, and integrity stand out. She has volunteered with local environmental NGOs, contributing over 200 hours to community clean-up projects and environmental education initiatives. Her compassion and dedication to making a tangible difference in the community are commendable. Lily approaches challenges with a positive attitude and a problem-solving mindset, qualities that will serve her well in graduate studies and beyond.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Lily Carter for the Global Leaders in Sustainability Scholarship. Her academic excellence, leadership experience, and unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability make her an ideal candidate for this opportunity. I am confident that Lily will excel in her master’s studies and continue to make significant contributions to the field of environmental science.

Thank you for considering Lily’s application. I am eager to see the impact she will undoubtedly make as a leader in sustainability. Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Dr. Alice Johnson

Associate Professor of Environmental Science

University of Green Valley

[email protected]

555-987-1234

Dos and Don’ts of a Recommendation Letter

When writing this letter, there are aspects that should not be included in it:

Avoid using mediocre compliments

The recommender should use enthusiastic praise when writing this document. They should avoid using lukewarm and unenthusiastic praise by writing the letter using powerful and intentional words. They should keep in mind that using clichés is also not wise when writing such a letter.

The use of vague language and common adjectives like hardworking, good, etc. do not add any impact to the letter. Basic and mediocre adjectives should also be avoided when writing this letter to help the student.

If the recommender needs to address the academic merits of the student in question, then:

She is an above-average student.
She is an exceptional and exemplary student.

The recommender should avoid going into too many details about the student. Details about the club they were in at school or every single grade they achieved make the praise for the student unenthusiastic. The way the compliments are written should demonstrate how much the student deserves the scholarship.

Add descriptive reasons

When it comes to providing reasons as to why the student deserves the scholarship, listing the student’s qualities is not enough. The recommender should give descriptive reasons along with listing the qualities. Adding a powerful story about the student will also go a long way in helping the student secure the scholarship.

A letter will become more memorable if the recommender uses descriptive adjectives or abstract words with examples.

Priscilla is a caring and compassionate student.
Priscilla is a caring and compassionate student since she voluntarily started a mental health awareness program at the school to help those affected by the issue.

Avoid Generic sentences

As the recommender, one might be tempted to use this reference letter across the different universities or colleges that a student might be applying to for the scholarship. However, this would not be appropriate or helpful for the student. A proper reference should be written according to the stipulations of the scholarship. This way, the customized letter increases the chances of the student getting the scholarship.

He is good and hardworking.
He is an insightful and diligent student.

Who Should Write a Scholarship Recommendation Letter

It should come from non-academic individuals or your professors who can write about the contributions you are making to society outside of the classroom. Your professors will be able to comment on your future goals, academic contributions, and research experience that they supervised. For students applying for scholarships to programs that cover graduate school funding, the professors can speak to their preparedness and suitability for the selected programs. It is usually advised that you select the professors who know you the best, particularly those whom you have engaged with severally.

Letters of recommendation should not be from family members or close friends.

If you decide to choose a non-academic individual to write you the letter, make sure that you select someone who is directly related to the contributions you have made outside of the classroom. For instance, if you have been volunteering at a non-profit organization, it would be best to ask the director/supervisor of the organization to write it provided that they can make first-hand comments concerning your contributions. Other non-academic individuals who are usually accepted to write it include religious leaders, athletic coaches, etc.

A scholarship recommendation or reference letter is used to paint a positive picture of a candidate who is applying for a scholarship. Many people are always applying for scholarships and having this letter for a scholarship can help increase one’s chances of getting it. The recommender should have all the details needed, that is, the student’s information and what the scholarship is all about for them to write a powerful letter of recommendation.

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Reference Letters

Scholarship Reference / Recommendation Letters

A scholarship reference letter is a document that highlights the academic history, character, and career goals of a student applying for a study program. This document is used to provide insight into the capabilities of the student expanding on their performance and is used as a stamp of integrity for their application.

Here are some sample letters to help you.

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Reference Letter for Scholarship from Mentor

Challenges Faced by Users

Students are faced with challenges when coming up with scholarship reference letters . One such difficulty is who to ask for a recommendation letter? Most people feel comfortable asking their family members to write their letters of reference. However, as much as it looks like a good idea college admission officers don’t want to hear from parties that will only speak positive things about you.
Another challenge which users experience when writing reference letters is scant information about the student. Users writing scholarship reference letters should be made aware of the guidelines and specifications of the scholarship so that they match the student’s attributes to it. Students should ensure that they furnish the users with information on the type of scholarship.

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How to Get the Best Letter of Recommendation for Scholarships

Letters of Recommendation

Scholarships are competitive. They represent an investment in you as a student and your commitment to pursuing your goals in college. Donors want to make sure you're putting their money where your mouth is, so to speak.

In order to earn a scholarship, applicants should give committees a clear sense of who they are, what their plans are, and how motivated they are to achieve them. Letters of recommendation for scholarships can go a long way toward testifying to a student's past achievements and potential for future success.

Let's take a more in depth look at what purpose recommendation letters serve in the scholarship application process.

What's the Purpose of Recommendation Letters for Scholarships?

Scholarships are often awarded to a specific type of student with specific goals. They might be merit-based and awarded for achievement in science, writing, or math. Others support a special talent in athletics, music, or art. Whatever the focus, most scholarships are looking for something distinct.

Letters of recommendation can go a long way toward reinforcing a student's unique story and testifying to her special talent or commitment . If the scholarship committee is looking for the next great violinist at Carnegie Hall, then the recommendation can speak to the student's singular commitment to daily violin practice and her moving solo concerts at school. Letters of rec can both validate and add further dimension to the story a student is telling the scholarship committee.

Recommendation letters also show that the student has teachers, counselors, or other people in her life who are excited to advocate for her. Glowing reference letters show that others believe in her past and future accomplishments. They also hint that a student will be similarly successful at connecting with professors at college and making the most out of the opportunities that are available in and out of the classroom.

Finally, strong reference letters help a student come to life as a 3-dimensional person in the eyes of a scholarship committee. While students may have similar resumes, recommendations can help differentiate students and illuminate their unique character and personality. While resumes list what a student has done in the past few years, recommendation letters describe how a student conducts herself and what passions and motivations drive her actions.

The best person to communicate all this knows the student well and has the writing skills and time to handcraft an eloquent statement of support. If you're a student applying for a scholarship, how can you choose the right person(s) to take on this important task?

Choose wisely.

Choosing Your Recommender

First and foremost, you have to know the requirements of the scholarship . Do they want to see recommendations from a teacher? A counselor? A friend? Do they want one recommendation, two, or three?

The type of scholarship will also help determine who you ask. To win a scholarship for achievement in science, you'd most likely want to ask your biology, chemistry, or physics teacher. If it's a baseball scholarship, then Biology Department Head Mr. Wilson singing praises of your lab skills might not get you too far.

Besides these more obvious considerations, you should be thoughtful about who you've connected with and who knows you well enough to provide deep insight into your character and personality. Junior year teachers are often a good choice , because they had you in class recently and for an entire year. Freshman and sophomore year teachers may be reaching too far back into the past, and senior year teachers probably don't know you well enough yet.

Some students ask a department head or even the principal. These letters can go a long way if the administrator knows you well , as it shows you stood out among all the students in the school. If it's a generic or distant letter though, then it won't be that effective, even coming from the principal or other administrator.

Besides supporting you and having a strong relationship with you, the best letter writers are skilled and experienced at writing recommendations. Often your school counselor will have good advice as to which teachers are good choices. You might also hear through word of mouth, or consider how many years of experience a teacher has.

Depending on your relationship with the teacher, you might share guides on how to write strong recommendation letters or a sample letter of recommendation for scholarship with them. You can gauge how this would be interpreted, whether it would be seen as a helpful gesture or unintentionally cause offense. Here you can do a little detective work, figure out who has the skill and time to craft an effective letter, and who might be open to suggestions or feedback.

Once you've figured out who you want to ask to recommend you for the scholarship, how can you go about asking them?

Might I have a moment of your time?

How to Request Letters of Recommendation for Scholarships

Since a letter of recommendation for scholarship takes time and thought to craft, you should ask for it at least a month before the scholarship deadline. It's definitely advisable to ask in person. Asking face to face communicates respect and maturity, plus it allows you to have a discussion about your application and any questions your recommender might have.

If you're asking a teacher, it's a good idea to set up a time to meet during a break period or after school. You should also bring your completed "brag sheet" in hand, which I'll discuss in more detail below. When you meet with your teacher, you can make your request direct and to the point. She's probably well used to receiving requests for letters of recommendation, whether they're for college or scholarship applications. You could say something like the following, customized to your specific scholarship and teacher:

I'm applying to the X Scholarship to support my plans for college next year. I really enjoyed your class and learned a ton from you. I'd be flattered if you could provide me with a strong letter of recommendation for my application.

From here, pay attention to your teacher's reaction. If she seems busy, hesitant, or otherwise not into it, you might want to ask someone else. A lukewarm letter won't boost your application; in fact, it could actually hurt it. Make sure your recommender is happy to write you a letter without reservation. Otherwise, thank her and ask somebody else.

A lot of teachers, especially experienced ones, are familiar with the various colleges that their students apply to over the years and can customize their rec letters to each school. Since there are so many scholarships out there, though, they might not know the ins and outs of the one you're hoping to win. This information, along with a "brag sheet," is useful to discuss when you make your request.

Information to Give Your Recommender

Of course, the necessary information is the logistics: how to submit, what forms to fill out, and what deadlines to meet. Make sure to tell your recommender exactly how and where to send their letters of recommendation and by what date. Then you can share more about the scholarship itself and why you feel you deserve it.

To help your recommender customize your letter to your scholarship, tell her all about what the scholarship is for and what kind of students it's looking to reward. You can also share the rest of your application, so your recommender can complement your story. If you're focusing in on your passion for coding and building websites, then your computer science teacher can talk all about the site you designed in her class.

In addition to your application, you could provide a "brag sheet" like many students do for college recs. You might call this something else in your school, but for the purposes of this article I'll stick with brag sheet. The brag sheet is more than a resume. It goes beyond listing your grades, clubs, and activities and provides s pace for you to reflect on your goals and passions. You can share significant experiences that shaped your values and sense of who you are, along with tough obstacles you had to overcome in your life. Your parents may also give input on this.

Sharing these reflections not only helps remind your recommender of what you've accomplished in high school, it also helps reveal deep things about yourself that she may not have known about yet. By learning what's important to you and what lessons you take from your experiences, your recommender can gain even further insight into who you are. All of this is a recipe for a powerful and moving letter of recommendation in support of your scholarship application.

Sharing so much about yourself can feel uncomfortable to a lot of students, and requires a certain amount of vulnerability and courage. Don't feel like you have to talk about anything you'd rather keep private. At the same time, sharing your stories could help you connect more meaningfully with your recommender and lead to an insightful, dynamic recommendation letter in your favor.

Your recommender may even share her letter with you for feedback, though this is completely up to her. Recommendation letters are generally kept confidential in the academic world.

Once you've made your request and shared all the important details, what are the next steps you should take in this process?

Unlike the Penrose Stairs , these next steps are possible and recommended.

After giving your recommender at least a month's notice, if not more, I recommend following up with her about a week before your deadline. You can ask her if she has any other questions about the scholarship and thank her again for providing you with a reference.

Once she's submitted her part, and you've completed all the other parts of the scholarship application to the best of your ability, make sure to send a thank you note . Also let her know how it all ends up, hopefully with a letter of congratulations from the scholarship committee!

Ultimately, your instincts about who should recommend you will take you a long way. Additionally, these are the most important points to remember about getting a letter of recommendation for scholarship.

Key Points to Remember

These are the most important takeaways for requesting letters of recommendation for scholarships.

Ask a qualified person (experienced teacher, counselor, supervisor, etc) who knows you well and is happy to provide you with a strong and thoughtful endorsement.
Discuss all the important details with your recommender, like the requirements of the scholarships and the themes of your application.
Take the time to reflect on and share your thoughts about your own motivations, goals, and the significant experiences that have shaped you in your life.
Send your recommender a friendly reminder about a week before your deadline, and be careful to get everything completed thoroughly and on time.
Send a thank you note (or fruit basket, cookies, Groupon for paintball lessons...whatever seems most fitting).

All parts of your scholarship application are important, including your recommendation letters! As long as you're careful about who you choose, your letters of recommendation can go far toward strengthening your application and impressing the scholarship committee.

What's Next?

Do you also need letters of recommendation for college? Is the process of asking for a letter for college any different than asking for one for scholarships? Find out here, with our complete guide to requesting recommendation letters for college.

Are you applying to a selective institution, like an Ivy League school? Learn how to make your application stand out among the pool of qualified applicants with this Harvard alum and admissions expert's guide to getting into Harvard or the Ivy League.

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Rebecca graduated with her Master's in Adolescent Counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has years of teaching and college counseling experience and is passionate about helping students achieve their goals and improve their well-being. She graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University and scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT.

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How to Write a Good Letter of Recommendation for Students (10 PDF Sample Examples)

Published: 26 Jan 2022 Study Abroad 6,888 views

Are you on a search on how to write a good letter of recommendation for students?

One of your students or mentee probably needs an academic reference letter as a key requirement for an application, and you need the help of a sample recommendation letter for students to answer this call. Worry not! In this article, we provide steps and examples to help and guide you through the process.

Drafting out a recommendation letter for students from a professor or mentor is important when a student applies to a university, for masters, scholarship or even a job. By writing this letter, you should try as much as possible to provide a character witness to the recipient on the student’s behalf, because writing a positive reference letter for a student can ensure they stand out from other applicants.

If you need to write a good recommendation letter for scholarship application, a letter of recommendation for masters, or even a recommendation letter for PhD students from a professor or academic mentor, then this article is for you.

Article Guide:

What is a student recommendation letter?

How to construct a letter of recommendation for a student

What you should not include in a student recommendation letter

Formatting for a student recommendation letter

Example of recommendation letter for students

Sample reference letters for students (download pdf)

Recommendation letter for masters scholarship

Recommendation letter from professor

Recommendation letter from a mentor

Recommendation letter from an employer

Recommendation letter from a teacher

Recommendation letter from a friend

Recommendation letter from a church

Recommendation letter for medical students

Recommendation letter for PhD student from professor

Letter of recommendation for nursing students

Related: How to Write a Good CV for Students - Resume Examples for Students (PDF)

What is a student recommendation letter.

A letter of recommendation for students is a formal document that highlights a student’s character traits, behavior and their work ethic, and also provides information as regards the qualification, experience, skills and achievements of the student to help them in their application process.

This document may be a key requirement for a student applying to study elsewhere for an academic program, or even a career. Someone who has spent time with them in an academic or professional setting often writes a reference letter for a student applying to a university. It is expected that the person who writes the reference letter is well acquainted with the selection criteria of the University as well.

Specifically, the referee has to ensure that the requirements and the expected qualifications of the university matches those of the student, and the letter should be constructed with the aim of persuading the committee that the student is a qualified candidate for the program.

How to Construct a Letter of Recommendation for a Student

If you need help with constructing and writing a reference letter for a student, follow this guide to understand what to include and how to structure the letter:

Get the required academic information you need from the student

The first step to take when writing a recommendation letter for your student is to ask the student for a list of academic achievements, their GPA, and extracurricular activities. You should as well ask for information about the university or job they’re applying to, and even ask for their personal statement to help you further understand their interests and properly direct the letter to the program they are applying to.

Properly address your letter

Addressing your letter appropriately ensures it gets to the right person and can make your recommendation seem more personalized for the reader. You should also ask your student whom the letter should be addressed to. If your student does not have a specific person to address the letter to, you can address your recommendation to a company’s human resources department or a university’s admissions office.

Introduce yourself and your qualifications

When writing a reference letter for a student, you should identify who you are and how you’re qualified to speak on the student’s behalf. Your credibility as the student’s lecturer or professor offers an admissions board or employer a valued opinion about the candidate.

Specify your academic relationship with the student

After introducing yourself and your qualification, discuss how you got to know the student, and how long you’ve known the student for. This item can be an extension of your job title, directly identifying your role in the student’s academic career. Describing your first impression of the student and how you’ve watched them develop into the well-rounded student they are, can also be an added advantage. Consider phrasing your perspective of the student in terms of how they surprised or impressed you in the classroom, on their assignments and in other academic settings.

Highlight the student’s strengths and qualifications with examples

Pointing out the qualities of a student is one of the key ingredients for writing a good letter of recommendation for scholarship, masters or PhD application because many recruiting or admissions board in universities and companies often look for candidates they believe can contribute to and improve their organization. Consider who is reading your letter, and include examples and information about how the student will benefit the university or company by illustrating their potential success or by including the contributions they made to your school.

You can conclude your reference letter by offering to remain available should the reader have more questions about your recommendation and experience with the student. You can also include your contact information such as a phone number and your email address. This final step can show that you have confidence in the student’s abilities and fully endorse them for the program.

Closing remarks

End your letter with a formal letter closing and your name and title. If you are mailing a printed letter, include your signature underneath your typed name:

Signature (for hard copy letter)

Read: Student CV Template

What you should not include in a student recommendation letter.

You should be mindful of some common errors people make when writing a character reference letter for scholarship or masters application for a student. Here are 5 things you should not include in your reference letter.

Rewriting student's resume

A recommendation letter should simply describe the character, values, motivation and future goals of the student, rather than repeating the contents of the student's CV.

Vague impressions

A generalized recommendation letter leaves much to be desired. You may be tempted to describe the person with vague adjectives such as tenacious, hardworking and optimistic. But these adjectives would fall on deaf ears if there are not supported by examples.

Backhanded compliments

While honest and constructive criticism may be appropriate in certain circumstances, some selection committees prefers when reference letters covers potential areas of growth and development. Limited page and word counts should be spent highlighting the student’s suitability for the opportunity.

Too much emphasis

When writing a reference letter for your student it is advisable to make them look confident and smart, but humble and loyal at the same time. While it feels good to blow your trumpet, focus on human values such as honesty, kindness or hard work. It would make a greater impact on the person you are presenting.

Don't send the letter without proofreading

Proofreading is as important as composing a letter. So don't neglect it. Minor errors can tarnish the impression that the letter is supposed to give. Keep in mind that formatting and avoidance of grammatical blunders are also included.

Formatting for a Student Recommendation Letter

Just like every other formal letter, writing a student recommendation letter means that it has to be formatted professionally. Formatting your reference letter will ensure that your letter becomes unique and pleasing to read.

The letter of recommendation format for students should:

Fill an entire page

Contain 300 - 500 words

Entail a letterhead, an introduction, two paragraphs and conclusion

Adopt a font size of 12 - 14

Employ Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri fonts

Have Receiver's address to the left side

Begin with a courteous greeting such as Sir/ Madam Or

Use "To Whom it may Concern " if not sure who receives it

Example of Recommendation Letter for Students

Below is a reference letter example for students, which can also be a sample recommendation letter for graduate students that you can use as a guide to write a recommendation letter for a student:

Prof. Joe Barnabas,

42, Springfield Avenue,

Ontario, Canada,

2nd January, 2022

To The Admissions Team,

University of Munich,

Reference Letter in Respect of Grace Nicholas

It is my pleasure to write to recommend Grace Nicholas who has applied for an admission to study for a Master’s program in International Health Management at your institution.

I have known Grace for about four years now. She was my undergraduate student at the Department of Sociology, Ontario State University, where she graduated with a Second Class Upper Division degree in 2021. She was also my project student and was committed and dedicated to her duties.

Grace is a hardworking, diligent, brilliant and dedicated student. She is also capable of establishing camaraderie and rapport with people of all age groups and has excellent written and verbal communication skills.

A Master’s program in International Health Management will help Grace achieve some of the set objectives of her future career endeavors.

I strongly recommend her for admission at your institution. For further information, kindly contact me at [email protected]

Yours Sincerely,

Prof. J. Barnabas

Sample Reference Letters for Students (download pdf)

It might interest you to know that writing the best recommendation letter for scholarship application, recommendation letter for master's scholarship or recommendation letter for postgraduate studies have samples which you can download in pdf formats for future references.

Here are some sample request for letter of recommendation for students depending on your role in the person's life.

Recommendation Letter for Masters Scholarship

Download sample student recommendation letter for masters (pdf)

Recommendation Letter from Professor

Download sample student recommendation letter from professor (pdf)

Recommendation Letter from a mentor

Download sample student recommendation letter from a mentor (pdf)

Recommendation Letter from an Employer

Download sample student recommendation letter from employer (pdf)

Recommendation Letter from a Teacher

Download sample student recommendation letter from a teacher (pdf)

Recommendation Letter from a Friend

Download sample student recommendation letter from a friend (pdf)

Recommendation Letter From a Church

Download sample student recommendation letter from church (pdf)

Recommendation Letter for Medical Students

Download sample recommendation letter for medical students (pdf)

Recommendation Letter for PhD Student from Professor

Download sample recommendation letter for PhD student

Letter of Recommendation for Nursing Students

Download sample recommendation letter for nursing students

Read also: Top 70 F1 Visa Interview Questions And Answers (PDF for Download)

Following the letter of recommendation format for students, examples and the student reference letter pdf samples provided in this article, you should be able to use this as a guide to navigate the way you compose your letter, in order to endorse your student to stand a chance of qualifying for their application to any organization.

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14 Letter of Recommendation for Scholarship Samples With Tips

The college journey starts way before stepping foot on campus — mainly due to the staggering tuition rates.

Due to this, many students are turning to scholarships to fund their higher education and avoid diving headfirst into academic debt.

In addition to financial status and educational achievements, students are often advised to submit a scholarship recommendation letter that vouches for their eligibility.

Obviously, a well-written recommendation letter matters and can make all the difference. So, if one of your students or someone you know has asked you to craft a recommendation letter for a scholarship, you’ve come to the right place.

We’ll provide samples covering various circumstances that will kickstart your inspiration and give you some splendid ideas.

Now, without further delay — let’s jump in.

Table of Contents

Letter of recommendation for scholarship samples

A scholarship recommendation letter can go a long way in helping a student achieve their educational goals.

But, how do you go about writing one?

Of course, you should be honest and highlight the student’s positive qualities. However, before anything else, you should consider the type of scholarship they’re applying for .

After all, a letter of recommendation for a student applying to study Biology will be different from the one you’d write for a student looking to get into the Applied Arts program.

To give you a solid starting point and clear up any confusion, we’ll analyze 14 samples you can customize to suit your needs. These are:

A general scholarship recommendation letter,
A recommendation letter by a family member or friend,
A Rhodes Scholarship recommendation letter,
A Marshall Scholarship recommendation letter,
A scholarship sample letter highlighting artistic capabilities,
A leadership letter of recommendation,
A recommendation letter sample by a school principal,
A law school scholarship letter,
A scholarship letter for studying abroad,
A scholarship letter for financial aid,
A recommendation letter for STEM students,
A scholarship recommendation from a teacher,
A scholarship recommendation from an employer, and
An athletic scholarship letter from a coach.

Remember to tailor the templates so that they align with the scholarship applicant’s unique situation and capabilities.

#1 General scholarship recommendation letter

This type of letter focuses primarily on a person’s academic performance . The below sample may benefit teachers, mentors, advisors, and educators looking for a place to start.

“ Dear Mr. John Walters, I’m writing this letter to recommend Anna Jones for the Crown Lake scholarship. I was her English teacher during the 11th grade and can vouch for her drive and commitment. During her time in my classes, Anna showed an impressive thirst for knowledge, which — I have no doubt — will help her achieve academic excellence at a college level. As an educator, it is always an honor to teach such motivated students and aid them in discovering their full potential. I am proud to have been one of Anna’s teachers and believe that she would make an exemplary representative of Crown Lake University . Anna’s receptiveness to feedback has allowed her to continuously surpass expectations, which is reflected in her grade point average. Besides witnessing Anna’s academic achievements, I’m also impressed by her long-term educational goals and I believe this scholarship would greatly alleviate the financial strain she may face in their pursuit. Thus, I wholeheartedly urge you to consider Miss Anna Jones for the scholarship, as I have met few students who would make more deserving candidates. Feel free to reach out should you have any questions about Miss Jones or require additional information. Best regards, Tim Edwards [Address] [Phone Number] [Email] ”

⬇️ Click here to download and customize the General scholarship recommendation letter template

#2 Recommendation letter by a family member or friend

Family members and close friends can submit recommendation letters to give more insight into someone’s character.

However, personal recommendation letters can often veer into biased territory. So, take a look at our template to see how to balance enthusiasm and honesty.

“ Dear Mrs. Jemima Lawson, I am writing to formally recommend Naomi Sloan as a deserving candidate for the Lift & Inspire scholarship at Quinton University. During the 15 years I’ve known Miss Sloan, I’ve been continuously impressed by her commitment to learning and desire to improve her community. Thus, I can think of no one else who could better represent your university as a recipient of this scholarship. As her classmate and friend, I’ve had the privilege of watching Miss Sloan grow into an individual who values education and strives to uplift others so that everyone can become the best version of themselves. The values behind this scholarship program are the ones I recognize in Miss Sloan, and I am sure she will prove herself to be a worthy scholarship recipient. If you have any other questions or wish to gain more information, don’t hesitate to contact me. You can reach me at [Phone Number] or [Email Address]. Kind regards, Timothy Grant ”

⬇️ Click here to download and customize the Recommendation letter by a family member or friend template

#3 Rhodes Scholarship recommendation letter

The Rhodes Scholarship allows students from the US to pursue graduate studies at the University of Oxford.

Compelling recommendations for a Rhodes Scholarship underscore:

Leadership potential ,
Concrete examples that indicate how the candidate will progress in their studies and future career , and
Favorable characteristics without succumbing to implicit bias .

Here’s an example demonstrating how such a recommendation can look in practice.

“ Dear Mr. Hugh Warrant, I am happy to recommend Jennifer Song for the Rhodes Scholarship. Although I’ve only had the pleasure of teaching her on 3 of my undergraduate courses, I’ve worked with her on several research projects directly tied to my department. Most notably, I’ve witnessed the time and effort Miss Song has invested as the Vice President of the Student Council to optimize the college’s community work and impact. Moreover, she has gone to great lengths to involve more high schoolers in the annual Science Fair held on campus. As a result, more students have started inquiring about upcoming events, curious how they can help — all thanks to Miss Song’s extraordinary contributions. With a grade point average of 4.0, Miss Song has demonstrated impressive dedication to her studies, but I am most in awe of her time management skills. Alongside respecting all coursework and tight deadlines, she has managed to publish 2 research papers in the college’s scientific journal and excelled at her part-time job. Miss Song’s extracurricular activities [volunteering at relief shelters, organizing fundraisers, etc.] and interest in using her research to find optimal solutions to real-life problems are qualities that will undoubtedly make her an exemplary Rhodes scholar. I could not be more enthusiastic about this recommendation and implore you to contact me regarding any additional information. Best wishes, Dr. Andrea Jefferson ”

⬇️ Click here to download and customize the Rhodes Scholarship recommendation letter template

#4 Marshall Scholarship recommendation letter

The Marshall Scholarship, another program that supports American students applying for a graduate degree in the UK, boasts strict eligibility criteria. Thus, your recommendation letter should focus on the candidate’s:

Academic results and flexibility ,
Leadership capabilities , and
Ability to represent both the US and the UK in the best possible light .

Given these requirements, a sample like the one below could help sway the minds of the selection committee.

“ To the Marshall Scholarship Committee: I am thrilled to recommend Mr. Tom Anderson, a senior in the Political Science program at Jordan Springs University for the prestigious Marshall Scholarship. The PolSci program at our college encompasses various courses notorious for their workload, and many students choose to extend their time here by 1-2 years to meet all the requirements. However, that isn’t the case with Mr. Anderson. Besides staying on top of their studies, he has taken additional courses each semester, often exceeding the regular credit limit — a testament to his motivation and excellence. His multidisciplinary strategy has produced several detailed research papers on the use of language in public spaces, focusing extensively on the impact rhetoric can have on marginalized communities. Mr. Anderson’s calm and friendly demeanor has solidified his reputation as a reliable team player. Moreover, he’s always ready to use available resources to fund community-centered initiatives. For instance, Mr. Anderson was the one who crafted the proposal letter for establishing the Alliance of International Students, a student-governed body seeking to amplify the voices of international scholars at our institution. In conclusion, I’m happy to recommend Mr. Tom Anderson for the Marshall Scholarship. His academic excellence and leadership qualities make him an ideal candidate. Sincerely, Lorna Cox ”

⬇️ Click here to download and customize the Marshall Scholarship recommendation letter template

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Rhodes and Marshall scholars should also be well-versed in cross-cultural communication, as they’ll likely collaborate with people with diverse backgrounds. To learn more about the subject, check out the following blog posts:

How to Perfect Cross-Cultural Communication at the Workplace
Cultural Intelligence: Working Confidently in Cross-Cultural Environments

#5 Scholarship sample letter highlighting artistic capabilities

Artistic pursuits can provide an excellent avenue to describe a person’s:

Character,
Passion, and
Work ethic.

Our scholarship recommendation letter sample will show you how to highlight skills you think are transferable to the candidate’s future career.

” Dear Mr. Jacob White, I am Jason Green, the lead dance teacher and founder of Green Dance Academy, and I am writing this letter of recommendation in support of one of our most talented dancers, Michael Wu. When Michael first entered my studio, he showed great promise. However, his determination and technical abilities have surpassed all of my expectations. Building on his natural talent, Michael came to each new class with renewed motivation and discipline, quickly mastering even the most demanding routines. After dancing competitively for 7 years and securing high placement in several national-level championships, Michael became a dancing instructor at the studio. I’ve seen firsthand how selfless his teaching approach is. No matter how long it takes a student to master a routine, Michael will patiently go through the steps with them, encouraging them not to give up. Despite his achievements, Michael is humble and takes any opportunity he can to learn from his peers. He has made it his priority to give back as much as possible to the community, and his kindness and maturity make him a wonderful team player. I am grateful to have had the privilege of following along on Michael Wu’s journey and believe this scholarship will help him further hone his craft and pursue his dreams. Respectfully, Jason Green Dance Teacher Green Dance Studio [Phone Number] ”

⬇️ Click here to download and customize the Scholarship sample letter highlighting artistic capabilities template

#6 Leadership letter of recommendation

As you may have noticed, one of the main aspects a letter of recommendation for scholarships revolves around is leadership potential .

Consequently, many programs reward students who can inspire peers and advocate for relevant causes.

To see how to center your recommendation around leadership ability, you can check out the following template.

“ Dear Selection Committee, I am thrilled to recommend Brenda Hollis for the Grey Rock Scholarship. As a Math teacher at Blue River High School, I’ve had the opportunity to work together with Miss Hollis on several programs and have been astonished by her diligence every time. When I think of the word “leadership,” one of the first people who come to mind is Miss Hollis. For instance, she showed exemplary leadership potential when the school ran into trouble this past semester while organizing the Young Entrepreneurs Fair due to a lack of personnel. Miss Hollis stepped up and recruited more students to ensure we could organize the event on time. Also, she reached out to a local community college, which agreed to collaborate with us in supporting young people with business aspirations. Thanks to this agreement, the college will continue to form a committee of undergraduates every year who will assist our seniors in crafting compelling business plans. Without Miss Holliss, we couldn’t have hoped for such a fruitful outcome. As Miss Hollis embodies a maturity and reliability rare in students of that age, I reiterate my recommendation for this scholarship. She has contributed immensely to our high school community and will undoubtedly continue to exceed expectations, regardless of the university she chooses to attend. Sincerely, Jennie Anthony Blue River High School [Email] [Phone Number] ”

⬇️ Click here to download and customize the Leadership letter of recommendation template

Leadership can take many forms, so different types of leaders exhibit different characteristics. To learn more about the most common leadership styles and see which types could work best for you, head to this in-depth blog post:

12 Leadership Styles Explained: Learn How to Find Yours

#7 Recommendation letter sample by a school principal

Given their influential positions, school principals are ideal candidates to craft a letter of recommendation for a scholarship.

Their recommendations hold a lot of weight since principals can provide insight into a candidate’s various capabilities. As a result, the following recommendation template emphasizes:

Academic excellence ,
Leadership qualities , and
Future goals .

“ To Mrs. Greta Flower, I am Jamie Lee, the principal of Dover City public school in Dover City. It is with great pleasure that I’m writing to recommend Miss Josephina Laine, one of our finest students, for the Rise Above Scholarship program at Dover University. I have known Miss Laine for the past 7 years, ever since she enrolled in our school. Since her first day, she has consistently ranked in the top 1% of her class and sought ways to improve her academic performance. Alongside her studies, Miss Laine has participated in numerous extracurricular events, with a pronounced interest in organizing charity and humanitarian events. In addition to her academic efforts, Miss Laine took part in several county-level sports competitions, where she represented the school with respect, pride, and dignity. Given her spotless track record, I can confidently state that Josephina Laine will thrive at Dover University as a recipient of the Rise Above scholarship. Should you have any other questions, I am available Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Jamie Lee Principal Dover City Public School [Phone Number] ”

⬇️ Click here to download and customize the Recommendation letter sample by a school principal template

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Chances are that after writing many scholarship recommendation letters during your career, you might want to pen a retirement letter to inform your coworkers of your retirement plans. You can find several helpful examples and tips in this detailed blog post:

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#8 Law school scholarship letter

For anyone planning on heading into law school, it’s a good idea to have a professor or supervisor write a reference letter for a scholarship.

Besides mentioning leadership skills , the letter should also discuss attributes that exemplify the candidate’s entrepreneurial mindset .

“ Dear Mrs. Lara Dean, My name is Oscar Reid, and I have worked alongside Emma Cohen at the Archival Department of Clear Mount Community College while she completed her internship. I’m writing to recommend Miss Cohen for the Legal Path Scholarship, as few people I’ve met have exhibited this level of integrity, dedication, and maturity. Miss Cohen’s eagerness to learn and motivation often led me to believe I was working with someone well out of college. What’s more, her attention to detail was extraordinary — whether it was a minor correction or an intricate topic, Miss Cohen carefully inspected the issue to make sure she had a clear idea of each detail. Besides these qualities, Miss Cohen possesses other skills that are essential for success in the field of law. She knows how to manage their time and workload effectively and has a systematic work approach necessary for such a demanding profession. Additionally, she is very articulate and has excellent editing and proofreading skills. Not only is Miss Cohen a responsible and highly educated person, but she also has every quality necessary to thrive in law school. Emma Cohen has proven she is a hard worker and critical thinker adept at tackling numerous problems. I am sure that this scholarship will help her reach greatness in her legal career. If you have any other inquiries, you can contact me, and I’ll gladly provide more information about Miss Cohen. Best regards, Oscar Reid Head of Archival Department Clear Mount Community College ”

⬇️ Click here to download and customize the Law school scholarship letter template

#9 Scholarship letter for studying abroad

When writing a recommendation for a student wishing to study abroad, it’s essential to mention the qualities that will help them adapt to their new environment .

Take a look at the following sample recommendation letter to see which information to include.

“ To the Aspire Scholarship Selection Committee: I am writing this recommendation letter on behalf of Juan Soto, an International Relations student here at Anders University. He is among the most exceptional undergraduate students I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and I fully support his application for this scholarship. As Mr. Soto’s supervisor for his final thesis, I’ve seen firsthand the time, effort, and dedication he pours into their work. This past semester, Mr. Soto was among the handful of students who attended the Politics in Literature seminar. Although I assigned some complex reading material, he rose to the occasion and always came in with insightful questions, which sparked deep discussions in the group. Moreover, he gladly volunteered to lead the conversations in a productive manner, which helped other students who were unsure how to approach the readings. What I’ve taken away from these meetings is that Mr. Soto has a firm grasp of his studies and has no problem breaking up complex theoretical frameworks into digestible units. At this institution, he has demonstrated a keen interest in international studies. His published research papers delve deep into international relations and discourse and reflect his empathetic and analytical approach. The staff members at my department praise his calm demeanor and resilient nature, which have undoubtedly significantly contributed to his success at this school. As one of our top students with an interest in political theory and international relations, Mr. Soto has my complete support in applying for this scholarship. For any further questions, you can reach out to me via phone or email, and I’ll gladly provide more information. Best wishes, Linus Thompson Political Theory Professor Anders University [Email] [Phone Number] ”

⬇️ Click here to download and customize the Scholarship letter for studying abroad template

#10 Scholarship letter for financial aid

Financial needs can be a determining factor for a student’s eligibility for college, especially given the rising cost of higher education .

You can go over our sample recommendation letter to find out what details to mention regarding students hoping to secure financial aid.

“ To the Wood College Scholarship Committee: As Macey Grey’s 10th-grade English teacher, I wholeheartedly recommend her for the Wood college scholarship. Despite a challenging start, Miss Grey is the first in her family to pursue college — an extraordinary achievement. This scholarship will significantly contribute to her educational aspirations. In early classes, Miss Grey was initially reserved, which was a stark difference to the profound understanding demonstrated in written exams. Over time, she began participating, impressing peers with mature observations. When faced with challenges, she stayed in the library, resolving issues and turning obstacles into growth opportunities — a quality admired by the teaching staff at Lincoln High School. Apart from stellar academics, Miss Grey thrived in track and field at the national level, displaying resilience she also transferred to her studies. In conclusion, Macey Grey is a remarkable student, consistently excelling inside and outside the classroom. I am confident she will exhibit the same level of intelligence and determination in her college journey. Feel free to contact me for further inquiries. Sincerely, Lauren Kane [Email] [Phone Number] ”

⬇️ Click here to download and customize the Scholarship letter for financial aid template

#11 Recommendation letter for STEM students

Students who want to pursue a career in STEM can apply to many programs to support their aspirations.

Given the competitiveness during the scholarship selection process, a recommendation letter from a science teacher can push the odds in their student’s favor.

Our scholarship recommendation letter example focuses on describing achievements in the 4 relevant fields:

Technology ,
Engineering , and
Mathematics .

“ Dear Mr. George Thomas, I am Alexis Barrett, and I’m writing to you to recommend Rowan Bray, one of my most accomplished students, for the Emerson College STEM scholarship. I am confident that Mr. Bray— if given a chance to attend Emerson College — would make the university proud. I’ve been a Physics teacher at Rovina High School for 12 years. During this time, I’ve encountered many promising students, and Mr. Bray is definitely one of them. He has a deep-rooted respect for and an impressive understanding of Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry. His goal has always been to continue his education in one of these fields and positively contribute to science. Moreover, Mr. Bray has achieved admirable results at the Rovina Math Championship, which, I believe, makes him an ideal candidate for this prestigious scholarship. This scholarship would allow Mr. Bray to continue developing as a young scientist — a dream I hope he will achieve at Emerson College. If you have any other questions, do reach out, and I’ll do my best to provide additional information. Sincerely, Alexis Barret Math Teacher Rovina High School [Phone Number] ”

⬇️ Click here to download and customize the Recommendation letter for STEM students template

#12 Scholarship recommendation from a teacher

From checking homework to after-class tutoring, teachers spend a lot of time with their students.

So, they can provide an in-depth look into a student’s:

Personality ,
Extracurricular activities , and
Involvement with the community .

You can read our sample recommendation letter to see how you can package this information.

“ To Mr. Joshua Hill, I, Isabelle Gill, a Biology teacher at Cooper Hill High School, am writing this letter to recommend one of my top-performing students for the reputable Flint University scholarship. Laura Lynch has my full support, and her academic achievements align perfectly with the aim of this prestigious scholarship program. During my 15-year career as a Biology teacher, I have crossed paths with many bright students who have gone on to accomplish amazing things. Miss Lynch is — without a doubt — one of the most dedicated and ambitious students I’ve taught. Not only has her grade point average consistently ranked in the top percentile of our school, but she has gone out of her way to broaden her knowledge by enrolling in various tutoring programs. Thus, receiving this scholarship would greatly help Miss Lynch widen her understanding of Bilogy and Chemistry, and allow her to improve even further. I hope you will consider Lauren Lynch for the award. I can think of few students who match her intelligence, responsibility, and maturity. For any other inquiries, please contact me via email or phone. Kind regards, Isabelle Gill Biology Teacher Cooper Hill High School [Phone Number] [Email Address ]”

⬇️ Click here to download and customize the Scholarship recommendation from a teacher template

#13 Scholarship recommendation from an employer

Besides teachers and supervisors, employers and managers can also write compelling scholarship recommendation letters.

To strike the right tone, it’s important to highlight the candidates’:

Work ethic ,
Plans for the future , and
Leadership traits .

Our recommendation sample touches on these points.

“ Dear Mr. Brandon Leigh, My name is Landon Harlowe, and I am a senior manager at Accounting Solutions. I am writing to recommend Lawrence Saunders, who was part of my team during his internship and subsequent employment at Accounting Solutions, for the Take Initiative Scholarship program. During his time at Accounting Solutions, Mr. Saunders was a quick learner and very proactive. His suggestions led to the implementation of several practices that, to this day, optimize our day-to-day processes and procedures. Moreover, his contributions helped the team tackle many challenges while maintaining the desired standard of work. Mr. Saunders used his time at the company to expand his knowledge, and I am sure he will continue in the same direction should he receive this scholarship. If you want to learn more about Lawrence Saunders and why he’d be an excellent fit for this program, feel free to reach out. Best regards, Landon Harlowe Senior Manager Accounting Solutions [Phone Number] [Email Address] ”

⬇️ Click here to download and customize the Scholarship recommendation from an employer template

In addition to a student asking you to write a letter of recommendation for a scholarship, a coworker might implore you to craft a job recommendation for them. To make sure the recommendation lands how you want it, check out this comprehensive blog post:

How to Write a Job Recommendation Letter: Steps, Examples, and a Template

#14 Athletic scholarship letter from a coach

Getting an athletic scholarship can sometimes be competitive, so having a recommendation letter from a coach can help level the playing field.

Like the following recommendation letter template, your letter should underscore the candidate’s sportsmanship and perseverance .

“ Dear Mr. Matt Schofield, As Brad Klein’s American football coach, I am delighted at the opportunity to craft this scholarship recommendation letter. When Mr. Klein first joined the team, I was not sure how his athletic performance would progress. However, his unrelenting hard work and drive quickly proved to be unmatched. After making the junior varsity roster, Mr. Klein zeroed in on making the starting team. This seemed unlikely to happen at the time — we already had a solid starting team. But, it wasn’t long until all of the coaches warmed up to Mr. Klein. After all, it’s not every day that you get a player who is so open to receiving constructive criticism and puts the team’s interest above all else. What stands out about Mr. Klein is his honesty and discipline. He has achieved astonishing results both on and off the field, and his grade point average has never faltered, even during periods when we would increase the frequency of our training sessions. Brad Klein is an admirable student looking forward to furthering his education. His work ethic and integrity will bring honor to any higher education institution he attends. For more information about Mr. Klein, feel free to contact me. Sincerely, Charles Proud PE Teacher & Coach Baxter High School [Phone Number] ”

⬇️ Click here to download and customize the Athletic scholarship letter from a coach template

How to write a scholarship recommendation letter

When writing a scholarship recommendation letter, remember to :

Address the eligibility criteria and describe how the applicant meets them ,
Highlight the applicant’s positive qualities ,
Mention specific anecdotes to flesh out the applicant’s milestones , and
Follow the program’s guidelines about the length and format of the letter .

But, even when you’re aware of the above pointers, you might still scratch your head when wondering how to write a letter of recommendation for a scholarship.

For this reason, our contributors have agreed to share their expertise and provide you with additional tips.

Tip #1: Avoid criticism but highlight growth

Getting accepted or rejected from college can have a long-term impact on a student’s future, so the recommendation letter shouldn’t focus on their weaknesses.

It’s much better to use the opportunity to highlight growth rather than shortcomings , advises Lynne Fuller , a college counselor and founder of College Flight Path:

“ Share how someone has grown throughout a project, year, event, or experience. It is wise to mention how that development supported your efforts but also how incredible it was to witness the way it transformed the candidate. Remember to use action words that aptly describe the candidate’s efforts, like curiosity, dedication, foresight, and introspection. ”

Broaching the candidate’s weaknesses is also a no-go for Josef Durand , an admissions counselor at Quad Education Group:

” The recommendee trusts you with their future, so why would you want to say anything negative about them?

Even a lukewarm recommendation letter can cost a student their dream school or program! ”

Tip #2: Research what the program is looking for

Another thing you should do is tailor your letter so that its contents hit all the points the scholarship committee is looking for .

According to Eric Eng , a private college admissions consultant and founder of AdmissionSight, the recommendation should be a sincere endorsement that doesn’t go off-topic:

“ Understand the student’s qualities, accomplishments, and aspirations that align with the scholarship. Tailor the letter to the specific scholarship, highlighting how the student can contribute to, and benefit from, the scholarship. ”

Moreover, Dr. Natalie Morse , a PhD consultant and founder of For the Love of Grad , emphasizes that customizing the letter of recommendation has a significant impact on the selection committee’s final decision:

“ If the writer can tailor the letter of recommendation to the specific scholarship and use keywords or attributes that that scholarship is looking for, that helps the committee know that they have found the right person. ”

Most scholarship programs have a dedicated webpage outlining their requirements. So, you can research the criteria and see which examples to mention in your scholarship recommendation letter.

Tip #3: Be specific

To avoid sounding generic when praising a scholarship applicant, you should be specific about their impact and performance , shares Morse:

“ If you want to write a really good letter of recommendation, you need to be effusive and quantify their impact.

For example: ‘This person was easily within the top 1% of students I have had in the last 20 years and went above and beyond to complete assignments and seek new knowledge. ‘ The committees need to know that this person is outstanding and really worth investing in . ”

In Eng’s opinion, being genuine and specific is crucial.

“ Present concrete examples of the student’s accomplishments — it helps portray a vivid, credible picture of their capabilities.

Also, use a story or an incident to highlight the student’s character and achievements.

However, you should avoid clichés and generic praises — they could dilute the impact of your recommendation. Never exaggerate the student’s abilities or accomplishments, as it may come across as insincere or untrustworthy. ”

Tip #4: Proofread the recommendation letter

Spelling mistakes can drastically downgrade an otherwise exceptional scholarship recommendation.

Although mishaps happen, a few errors that slip through the cracks can leave a negative impression on the selection committee.

Eng reiterates this sentiment, stressing the importance of accuracy in scholarship recommendation letters:

“ Misspelling the student’s name or getting their details wrong is an absolute no-no — double-check everything for accuracy. ”

To ensure all the details are in order, you could ask a colleague to take a look at the letter and provide feedback .

Beyond templates — keep all your documents and communication in one place with Pumble

When a current or past student asks a teacher for a scholarship recommendation letter, the task involves far more than simply putting pen to paper.

The teacher often has to email other colleagues and sift through paperwork to track student records and test scores.

But, what if you’ve misplaced the files and your coworker has no idea what you’re looking for?

With Pumble — a team communication and collaboration platform — this is a non-issue.

Pumble can significantly enhance the education process , and teachers can set up dedicated channels for students’:

Discussion groups,
Virtual office hours, or
Group projects.

As an excellent email alternative , Pumble is perfect for sharing documents, so you don’t have to worry about losing reports in your overflowing inbox.

Not only is the platform easy to use and highly customizable, but you can take advantage of voice and video calls to make sure you’re always on top of your workload.

Are you curious to see how you can improve communication and collaboration with a Pumble workspace?

References:

(2023) Why college is getting more expensive | CNN business . Available at: https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/16/investing/curious-consumer-college-cost/index.html
Brownstein, M. (2019) Implicit bias , Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy . Available at: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/implicit-bias/
Hahn, A. (2023) 2023 student loan debt statistics: Average student loan debt , Forbes . Available at: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/student-loans/average-student-loan-debt-statistics/

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Letter Templates

Recommendation Letter for Scholarship (10 Best Examples)

Everyone knows the importance of applying for scholarships. In essence, scholarships offer a great way to pay for our student’s education. They represent free money, hence making it easier for the student to study without necessarily applying for loans. Usually, there exist several scholarships available not only for high schoolers but for college and university students. However, due to their competitiveness, a student should do everything possible to win these scholarships.

Among the most crucial things to do is to get a ‘recommendation letter for scholarship’ from their teachers, counsels, administration staff, and other important people within the student’s life.

A ‘recommendation letter for scholarship’ refers to a letter that provides information about a student’s character, qualities, and achievements so as to meet the criteria needed for a scholarship.

The letter is often written either by the teacher, the counselor any other administrator within the students learning institution. Before writing the ‘recommendation letter for scholarship’, the author should familiarize themselves with the scholarship requirement so as to craft the letter as per the terms. The author should also inquire whether the student is engaged in any extracurricular activities or has received any awards before. No matter what type of scholarship recommendation letter you are writing, it’s always important that you write the best letter possible to help your student attain it. This will make them get a quality education with a reduced financial burden.

Before You Write a Recommendation Letter

When a student requests you to write a scholarship recommendation letters for them, it’s important that you spare some time for it. Writing this kind of letter comes with a big responsibility. You want to make sure the ‘recommendation letter for scholarship’ is a winner. At the same time, you don’t want to disappoint your student. So then, what should you do?

Know the purpose of the scholarship

Experts will tell you that you need to know what exactly the scholarship is for. Is it an international or a local scholarship? Is it for minority students who are pursuing a technological program or degree courses? In simple terms, taking some time to discuss with your student is the only way to understand the scholarship’s purpose.

Additionally, since the Recommendation Letter for Scholarship carries a lot of weight, it’s important that you include genuine and factual information. Again, while interviewing the student, make sure you get your facts right. Note that the recipient will solely depend on your words to decide whether or not to issue the scholarship. For any reason, if they detect unrealistic information, they will easily deny the scholarship allocation.

The other thing you can do is to have a look at the scholarship guidelines, demands, and expectations. Once you are aware of the requirements, you can then easily validate your student’s qualifications.

Finally, you can think of the student’s strengths, qualities, and abilities. If you are not familiar with the student, you can request them to share it with you. Having this information at hand-make your work easy and efficient.

What are the Parts of a Recommendation Letter for Scholarship’?

Essentially, all letters of recommendation will come with different requirements. Therefore, you need to fully read the application to see what things they want you to cover. However, the following are some common parts you are will find in a Recommendation Letter for Scholarship.

Following the formal letter format , at the very top left of the Recommendation Letter for Scholarship should be the letterhead. As an author, make sure you mention the following information”.

The date of writing
Institution name
Official address
City, state, and zip code
Contact information

Introduction paragraph

Once you are done with the letterhead, it’s now time to write the introduction. Here, you will introduce yourself and then the student whom you are recommending. Be sure to include their brief description and your relationship with them. Preferably, this paragraph should be brief, concise, and direct to the point.

Body paragraph

In this paragraph, the writer will acknowledge the student and give reasons why they believe the student needs the scholarship. As the author, you can back this reason by mentioning how bright and determined the student is by enlisting a few of his skills. Also, don’t forget to include their grades and other relevant academic performance in chronological order. This will be a turning point towards allocating the student the scholarship.

Moreover, the author should also provide concrete examples to support their assessment of the student. Plus, they should strongly express the financial need of the student.

After the body paragraphs have been thoroughly dealt with, you need to conclude the ‘recommendation letter for scholarship’ in a formal manner. But first, you can emphasize the student’s endorsement . Then, you can leave an invitation to contact you either by email or phone call. Then you can conclude the Recommendation Letter for Scholarship by appending your signature.

Related: College Student Cover Letter

Recommendation Letter for Scholarship Sample

1st Sept 20XX

Maria Jones Le Grande High School 20 Oxford Street Any Town, LA, 10300

Dear Sir/Madam,

It is my great pleasure to write this letter in support of John Stewart’s application for the Lincoln Scholarship. I got to know john one year ago as his 11th-grade mathematics teacher. John was also a dedicated member of the math’s club, which gained lots of fo reputation in the entire zone. His focus and dedication to learning always impressed me. John’s ability to tackle some of the most challenging arithmetic was impressive. Besides, he never hesitated to seek help whenever he missed a concept.

Additionally, I was impressed by the way he collaboratively worked with his classmates. John believed in teamwork. And this is something I witnessed during group discussions. Other than that, he is respectful, honest, caring, and gets along with people well. At some point, he was willing to help fellow students who needed assistance.

Currently, John has a vision of joining Oxford University to further his studies in applied mathematics. As his former teacher, I have strong confidence he will succeed with flying colors. John comes from a humble family who has consistently offered him support. However, as he plans to encounter his next learning phase, things can get a bit south. The financial amount associated with his enrollment at the university could put lots of strain on his family. My worry is that this can shutter down his ambitions and dreams.

Over the four years of his high schooling, John has worked as a shop attendant to support his parents’ meager income. But this didn’t prevent him from scoring highly in his academics. Overall, I can say that John is a first-grade student.

His hard work and effort will get him whenever he wants to achieve. Therefore, I can confidently say that he is well-deserving of this scholarship more than ever. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you have any other questions or concerns.

Sincerely Maria Jones

Free Templates

Following are free ‘recommendation letter for scholarship’ samples that are editable and can be customized as per needs:

Letter of Recommendation for Scholarship from Student

Given the crucial roles that scholarships play in education and also given their highly competitive nature, no chances ought to be taken while applying for them. That’s why a look and indeed the utilization of such sample ‘recommendation letter for scholarship’ are by all means necessary.

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30+ Letters of Recommendation for Scholarship – PDF, DOC

Whether it’s from an employer or a master’s professor, a scholarship application letters is a big help for students. Whether it’s funded by the community, a pastor, supervisor/coach, or another family member, financial aid can be difficult for parents to come by, which is why scholarship grants are often pursued by students. In the lifetime of your career as an educator and even beyond, you will receive very many requests from one student or the other to have you write for them a letter of recommendation for scholarship. It is good to accept such tasks most of the time, although writing a College Recommendation Letters bursary can be tedious sometimes. However, doing so in the face of certain circumstances may work negatively for both the student and you.

Student Scholarship Recommendation Letter Template

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Recommendation Letter for Scholarship from Employer

Recommendation Letter for Scholarship from Family Friend

How to Write a Letter of Recommendation for Scholarship?

Make sure to mention how you know the person.
The evaluation and skills of the person that you discuss in the letter should be by the requirements of the scholarship.
When talking about the talents of the person, citing some letter examples would be a great idea.

Community Recommendation Letter for Student Scholarship

Academic Recommendation Letter Template for Scholarship

Parent Scholarship Recommendation Letter Template

Sample Recommendation Letter for the Rhodes Scholarship

Sample Recommendation Letter for Scholarship From Family Friend

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Mitchell Scholarship Recommendation Letter from Professor

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Recommendation Letter for Scholarship from Masters Example

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Turkey Scholarship Recommendation Letter PDF Format

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Letter of Recommendation for Scholarship from Boss

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Chevening scholarship recommendation letter template from family member.

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Recommendation Letter for Scholarship from Teacher

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Coach Recommendation Letter for Student Scholarship

Pastor Recommendation Letter for PhD Scholarship

Letter of Recommendation for College Scholarship

Scholarship Recommendation Letter For a Guidance Counselor

Medical Grant Scholarship Reference Letter

Scholarship Letter of Recommendation Request Form

School of Nursing Scholarship Letter of Recommendation

High School Letter of Recommendation for Scholarship

Personal Letter of Recommendation for Scholarship

Financial Aid Scholarship Application Letter of Recommendation

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Music Scholarship Audition Letter of Recommendation

Letter of Recommendation for Teacher Scholarship Program

Supervisor Letter of Recommendation for Scholarship Format

Letter of Recommendation for Leadership Scholarship

Do you need a Letter of Recommendation for Scholarships?

Types of letters of recommendation.

Academic Recommendation Letter: This comes in handy for a student who might be trying to secure admission into a prestigious college or an elite course.
Employment Recommendation Letter: This letter can be designed using Colleague Recommendation Letter Templates and proves beneficial for a person who might be trying to find a new job or gain a promotion.
Scholarship Recommendation Letter : This comes in handy for a person who is trying to gain a scholarship for higher studies.
Character Recommendation Letter: This letter is usually used by people looking for accommodation or adoption of a child.

What should be included in a Letter of Recommendation for College Scholarship?

Details of the student
Your experience of working with him
The student’s potential
His skills and talents cited with examples
Why do you think he deserves the scholarship

Tips for Writing Recommendation Letter for Students’ Scholarship

Do away with the standard opening of “To whomsoever it May Concern”. Instead, address the person directly.
Instead of claiming about the skills of the student include facts that reiterate your claims.
The letter should neither be too long nor too short.
Break the content into smaller paragraphs.
Do not forget to proofread the letter and correct all the errors before mailing it to the person concerned.
Recommend a student for a scholarship
Highlight the student’s strengths and skills
Recommend why the student is eligible for the scholarship
Gain admission into a prestigious university or a good course

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Department of Geography

How to apply to our resident graduate program

Our graduate program is focused on specialization and independent scholarship built on a foundation of geographic knowledge and training. Admission to our program is competitive. We look for outstanding students who have strong recommendation letters and research goals that intersect with the scholarship of our faculty members.

Prospective graduate students are encouraged to reach out to faculty members with whom they might be interested in working to begin a conversation about potential research projects. It’s best for you to do this before submitting your application. You will need to identify and explain areas of specialization that you want to pursue in the personal statement you include with your application materials.

Who Should Apply? We welcome applications from students who would like to join our department’s commitment to resilient and just solutions for the future of our planet and its people. While many of our graduate students have an academic background in geography, we encourage applications from students who may not already have a geography degree. For example, we have admitted graduate students with backgrounds in ecology, social science, meteorology, economics, women’s studies, computer science, public policy, and many other allied disciplines. We are looking for outstanding students who are passionate about bridging the subfields of geography to develop innovative and creative social, environmental, and spatial solutions. Our department’s research is connected by grand challenges to sustain landscapes and livelihoods, respond to the climate crisis, and make data science spatial. Application Process and Required Materials

All applicants to graduate programs at Penn State must meet basic academic eligibility (verification you have earned a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent) and English language requirements. For international student applicants, you may be required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores indicating English proficiency. Please visit the Graduate School for current guidance on these requirements.

In addition, the Department of Geography requires the following elements in your completed application:

Three Letters of Reference: You need to provide contact details for three references who have agreed to write you a letter of recommendation. They will be notified automatically by the application system and provided with instructions on how to submit their letter about you to us.
Personal Statement: You need to write a two to three-page narrative in which you highlight your interests, achievements, and research goals. Emphasis should be placed on describing the potential research projects you would like to initiate at Penn State. We want to know why you’re choosing Penn State Geography in particular—and if you have certain academic advisors in mind, tell us how you think you would collaborate with those faculty members. There is no particular “best” format for a personal statement, but we like this writing guide from our colleagues in Wisconsin for ways to shape your writing.
Résumé or CV: We recommend you include a Résumé or CV that describes your experience and education. This is also a place where you might provide a link to a portfolio you maintain online.
Test Scores: GRE scores are not required and should not be submitted. The admissions committee will not use GRE scores in evaluating your application. Please note that the graduate school bulletin information will be updated soon to reflect this change.

Completing your Application

We have prepared an application guide to help you navigate each step on the official Graduate School application site.

Application Fee

The Graduate School requires the payment of a $65 USD non-refundable Application Fee for all applicants.

If paying this fee represents a significant burden to your finances and you are a member of an underrepresented group, please let us know . We will do our best to cover this fee for applicants from underrepresented groups. A limited number of application fee waivers will be supported by the department budget each year.

Application Review Process and Decisions

All complete applications that are submitted on or before the application deadline are reviewed by the graduate program admissions committee, made up of faculty spanning the major subfields of geography. This committee works together to review and evaluate all applications, and after developing an overall ranking for the applicant pool, potential advisors listed on the application are brought in to provide additional feedback on top overall candidates.

Available funding for research and teaching assistantships sets a general limit on the overall size of each incoming class, and within that incoming class, the department seeks to ensure that a range of geographic interests are represented and that externally funded research projects are properly supported.

Admissions decisions are made following a faculty meeting early in the new calendar year to review and discuss all applicants. Admissions offers are sent to students thereafter. The chair of the graduate admissions committee makes offers to top overall candidates, and in the event that some candidates indicate they are accepting offers elsewhere, the chair will continue moving through the pool to make offers to subsequent candidates.

Offers for admission must receive a response by April 15. We appreciate it if we receive a response as soon as possible, however.

Graduate Admissions Timeline

If you have questions about applying to our graduate programs, please contact us at [email protected] or give us a call at 814-865-3434.

Selection Process Watch the video FAQ: How selective is the application process? Personal Statement

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Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for PhD Students with Sample: Need
A student recommendation letter for a PhD will typically be between one to two pages. The document of recommendation letter for PhD student should be well differentiated into 5-6 paragraphs. The LOR for PhD should begin with an introductory paragraph about the recommender and his/her association with the applicant.
Best Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for PhD with Sample & Format
If you need a LOR for Ph.D., here is everything that you need to know including guidelines and a useful sample. A well-crafted Letter of Recommendation is a crucial component of any PhD application, serving as a testament to the candidate's academic abilities, research potential, and character. It provides the admissions committee with valuable insights from a third-party perspective, often ...
10 Strong Scholarship Recommendation Letter Examples
1. Academic Excellence Letter: This letter praises the student's exceptional academic accomplishments, such as a high GPA, competitive exam scores, or unique research projects. It may also mention the student's dedication to their studies and their commitment to continually improving their knowledge and skills. 2.
Top 10 Letter of Recommendation Templates for PhD Applicants
Recommendation for PhD in Computer Science. Dear Admissions Committee, It is my pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for John Doe, who is applying for a PhD program in Computer Science. John was my student for two courses in computer programming, and he consistently demonstrated his passion for the subject and his ability to grasp ...
PDF Sample letter of recommendation
Sample letter of recommendation. It is my pleasure to recommend Jane Doe for admission to [name of program] at [name of university]. I am a fifth-year Ph.D. student at the University of California, Berkeley. I came to know Jane when I was her Graduate Student Instructor for Philosophy 111: Ethical Relativism, taught by Professor John Smith.
24 Templates for Writing a Letter of Recommendation for a Scholarship
It's important not to just copy and paste, however, but use these as a jumping off point. Remember, the best letter of recommendation is the one that's most personalized to the student. To get you started, here are 24 of our favorite templates for scholarship recommendations. 1. General letter from a teacher.
How to Write Scholarship Recommendation Letter (Tips, Template
Title or motive: "Letter of Recommendation" or "Reference" Targeted specifically to the program / scholarship provider: The letter of recommendation must explicitly state for whom it is demonstrating personalization and importance. That is why it is important to avoid things like: "To whom it may concern."
Sample Recommendation Letters for Scholarship Applications
1. General scholarship recommendation letter. This is a great sample scholarship letter if you're trying to offer a rounded view of a student's performance in high school. You'll include information about your experience with them as well as your thoughts on their potential success in a higher-education setting. 2.
Sample Graduate School Recommendation Letters
Finally, a late paragraph in the last letter, at the prompting of the graduate scholarship application, even provides a few criticisms of the student. Because these criticisms are offered even-handedly and efficiently, I would argue that the letter has even more ethos, and it is noteworthy that the student still landed the desired scholarship ...
How To Write A Good Recommendation Letter For Scholarship Application
It could be a recommendation letter for phd scholarship. The letter is written by someone of greater authority. The letter is written by someone of greater authority. It could be the candidate's teacher, lawyer, mentor, pastor or parent.
Letters of Recommendation for Grad School I Stanford Online
The recommendation letter prompt encourages recommenders to provide candid assessments of your qualifications,including your potential for advanced study, analytical thinking capabilities, and ability to express ideas clearly. Descriptions of significant achievements, personal qualities, and character traits relevant to your scholarly pursuits ...
How to Write a Good Scholarship Letter of Recommendation (3 Sample Letters)
A Structure of Good Letter of Recommendation. 1. Introduction. 2. Body of the Letter: Why the Student Deserves the Scholarship. 3. Your Contact Information and Signature. 3 Examples of Scholarship Letter of Recommendation. Lincoln Scholarship Sample Letter.
How To Write a Scholarship Recommendation Letter in 7 Steps
Here are some steps that you can follow to write a scholarship recommendation letter for a student: 1. Review the scholarship requirements. Different scholarships may prioritize different types of candidates. For example, an academic or merit scholarship may place a high value on academic achievement and rigor.
5 Best Letter of Recommendation Templates for PhD Students
Letter of Recommendation for PhD Scholarship. Dear Scholarship Committee, I am writing to endorse [Student Name] for the [Name of Scholarship] for [Field] PhD studies. In my capacity as [his/her] mentor and research advisor, I have been impressed with [his/her] dedication to [field of study] and [his/her] ability to excel academically despite ...
Recommendation Letter for Scholarship Template
Updated July 21, 2023. Or use ContractsCounsel to hire an attorney!. A recommendation letter for scholarship provides information regarding the character, qualities, and achievements of a candidate to fulfill the basic criteria of a chosen scholarship. The author (usually a teacher or counselor) will need to thoroughly familiarize themselves with the scholarship's requirements in order to ...
How to Write a Strong Recommendation Letter for Your Student's Scholarship
Here's everything that you should include in your recommendation letter: A salutation. An introduction that explains your relationship to the student. The body of the letter where you explain the reason (s) for why you believe the student deserves the scholarship. A summary where you reiterate your main points.
Recommendation Letter for Scholarship [Free Templates]
A letter of recommendation for a scholarship, also known as a scholarship reference letter, contains information concerning a particular student's achievements, character traits, and qualities that match the criteria of a chosen scholarship. The recommender, in this case, must be an adult who is familiar with the student, like a teacher ...
Scholarship Reference / Recommendation Letter
A recommendation letter for scholarship from professor is also referred to as academic letter. It is usually given by the dean or professors or any other person who is well acquainted with the educational qualification and aspirations of the student. This letter has to address the student's aptitude for the program they are applying.
How to Get the Best Letter of Recommendation for Scholarships
Key Points to Remember. These are the most important takeaways for requesting letters of recommendation for scholarships. Ask a qualified person (experienced teacher, counselor, supervisor, etc) who knows you well and is happy to provide you with a strong and thoughtful endorsement.
How to Write a Good Letter of Recommendation for Students (10 PDF
Rewriting student's resume. A recommendation letter should simply describe the character, values, motivation and future goals of the student, rather than repeating the contents of the student's CV. Vague impressions. A generalized recommendation letter leaves much to be desired.
Letter of Recommendation for Scholarship: Samples & Tips
Table of Contents. Letter of recommendation for scholarship samples. #1 General scholarship recommendation letter. #2 Recommendation letter by a family member or friend. #3 Rhodes Scholarship recommendation letter. #4 Marshall Scholarship recommendation letter. #5 Scholarship sample letter highlighting artistic capabilities.
Recommendation Letter for Scholarship (10 Best Examples)
Recommendation Letter for Scholarship Sample. 1st Sept 20XX. Maria Jones. Le Grande High School. 20 Oxford Street. Any Town, LA, 10300. Dear Sir/Madam, It is my great pleasure to write this letter in support of John Stewart's application for the Lincoln Scholarship.
30+ Letters of Recommendation for Scholarship
DOC. Size: 7.3 KB. Download Now. If a fellow student in your University is looking forward to applying for the Rhodes Scholarship, you can issue a letter of recommendation for him/her by customizing the Sample Recommendation Letter for the Rhodes Scholarship. You may also see School Recommendation Letter Templates.
How to apply to our resident graduate program
Our graduate program is focused on specialization and independent scholarship built on a foundation of geographic knowledge and training. Admission to our program is competitive. We look for outstanding students who have strong recommendation letters and research goals that intersect with the scholarship of our faculty members.
Financial Support and Awards
Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarship: September 26, 2018: Students submit the application form and two letters of reference to the Grad Program Admin. If FGSR already has your official transcripts on file, you do not need to submit them to the department. If you want to double check, you can contact Graduate Awards at 492-9460.

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Letter Of Recommendation for PhD: Sample, Format And How to Write

Urvi Agrawal

Table of Contents

Introduction:

Types of LOR for PhD

Academic LOR:

Professional LOR:

How to write LOR for PhD

Fully Funded Master's Guide

Exams To Study Abroad

Free Guide On MBA

Packing List For Students

How To Choose Your Major ?

Study in the USA

Study in the Canada

Study in the Germany

Study in the Australia

Study in the UK

How long is a letter of recommendation for a PhD?

Who should write my PhD letter of recommendation?

Can I get a recommendation letter from a PhD student?

How many LORs are required for a PhD?

Is there any format for LOR?

How important is a recommendation letter in a PhD application?

Exams to Study Abroad

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10 Strong Scholarship Recommendation Letter Examples

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24 Templates for Writing a Letter of Recommendation for a Scholarship

24 Scholarship recommendation letter templates

1. General letter from a teacher

2. General letter with an academic focus

3. General letter with a financial focus

4. Short general letter

5. Short general letter with a focus on extracurricular activities

6 . Letter for a prestigious award

7. Letter for a prestigious award that also illustrates financial need

8. Letter from a mentor

9. Letter from an employer

10. Short letter from an employer

11. Letter from a TA or Associate Professor

12. Letter from a personal friend or family member

13. Letter from a religious leader

14. Letter for a study abroad scholarship

15. Letter for a student-athlete

16. Letter for a subject-specific scholarship program

17. Letter for a needs-based scholarship