Letter of Recommendation

4) Strong vocabulary
It isa good idea to use non-hackneyed and convincing words when describing a student. Analytical, inquisitive, masterful, creative, adult, empathetic, leader, motivated, ambitious – all these are good words to describe a student. On the otherнhand, the words “hardworking” and “smart” may seem cliched.

5) What is the student's position in your eyes?
How does he compare to other guys in your entire career? It will be easier for the admissions committee to imagine the potential of a student and decide whether they are suitable for the most prestigious university inthe United States if the recommender writesan approval of their level.
"Elena, without any doubt, proved to be the most talented and motivated student to whom I taughta lot of lessons in 20 years of my career as a teacher"
"Andrey is one of my three best Russian language students in my 20 years of work"

Of course, you should only write this if the student deserves it. ЕIf a student can only be described as "Above average" or "Trying a little harder than the average student," such statements can hurt them, because universities with thousands of candidates want to have the best students. If his abilities do not allow you to put him above others, do not mention his "rank". However, the importance of asserting a student's exclusivity or specialness cannot be overemphasized – it will be memorable for the admissions committee, especially universitiesThe Ivy League.

Finally, at the end of your letter, tell us who you see the student as in the future? What kind of student will he be at the university? The admissions committee wants to gather students, each of whom has his own special talent. By talking about your student's future role, you will show the university who they are looking for.
Here is an example of a good letter in the opinion of the admissions committee of one of the top universities:
It is a great pleasure for me to recommend David to Columbia University. He is one of the most exceptional students I have met in my 20-year teaching career. I taught David math in the 10th grade, and he was one of my best students in a very capable group that consisted mostly of 11th graders. He is completely immersed in his work, demonstrating perseverance and dedication and often going beyond the usual class assignments.
David is interested, however, in computer science. He formed a set of skills in algebra and arithmetic, and implemented them in other areas. David's work in this field was so original and significant that he published an article and gave several lectures to professionals in other parts of the country. This is a phenomenal achievement for anyone, especially a young person from rural Arkansas. It is also important to note that both last year and this year, David taught my 10th grade programming for 2 weeks. He took full responsibility as a teacher, preparing lectures, assignments, and tests with great care and reflection.
David's personal qualities are as amazing as his intellectual achievements. Being an unusually kind, sensitive and intelligent boy, he lived in a difficult family situation for several years. He gives emotional support to his mother in her battle with cancer, not allowing the situation to undermine his success and achievements. He has exhausted everything we can offer him in a small community, and his demonstrated maturity leads me to believe that he is capable of going to university a year earlier than he plans. I sincerely hope that you can offer him a place in his first year at Columbia University.
Commission revocation: Excellent! The email is filled with comments from someone who clearly knows the student well. We clearly learn not only about David's intellectual potential, but also about his emotional maturity. His sincere love for computer science is reflected in the teacher's description. We also learn that they go beyond the academic boundaries in their community and create opportunities for themselves – a quality especially important for a candidate applying a year early.




When writing a letter of recommendation, remember that your task is to distinguish the student from the rest as a special and amazing candidate, highlight both intellectual and personal qualities, and give the commission a holistic view of the person who will come to the university campus next year (if they are lucky).