Writing a good academic recommendation letter is very important in the process of applying for a job, internships, and in this case, postgraduate studies. Hence, there’s a need to know how to write a good academic recommendation letter.
A good recommendation letter showcases the applicant in positive light that will enhance the acceptability of the applicant into the program or job he or she is applying for. Therefore, it has to be written properly.
This article will explore what an academic recommendation is, who should write it, things to include, and countries best suited for postgraduate studies.
What is An Academic Recommendation Letter?
An academic recommendation letter Is a document that details a student’s academic achievements, character, and goals. It is a type of reference letter that is written when applying for a job, internship, training program, etc.
This letter is what gives the organization/institution an idea of who your student is, the things he/she can and can’t do, what to expect and what value he/she is bringing to the organization. It is a letter that tells the institution if your student’s academic achievements meet up to their requirements.
Who Should Write An Academic Recommendation For Postgraduate Studies?
An academic recommendation letter for postgraduate studies should be written by the applicant’s lecturer or professor. It should be written by someone who knows the applicant’s academic history. It should also be written by a lecturer or professor who is ready to write about the applicant in a positive light.
Therefore, it is important that before you accept to write an academic recommendation letter for your student, you should be sure that you are ready to write only positive things about your student.
Things To Include In An Academic Recommendation Letter
To serve as a form of guide for you when writing the recommendation letter, the following are things to include:
- Address
- Brief Introduction
- Qualifications Outline
- Achievements/Outstanding Performances
- Endorsement
- Contact information
Address: address here talks about both the location and the person to whom it is going. It is, therefore, important that your student provides for you the necessary information about where the school is located and the person who is receiving it.
Brief Introduction: This is where you explain who you are, your profession, and your relationship with the student. It would also help if you indicate how long you have known your student and why you are recommending him/her for the program in postgraduate studies.
Qualifications Outline: your student is to provide for you his/her transcript, any award or recognition he/she has received, extracurricular activities participated in, and even leadership positions held.
Outstanding Performance: also, your student is to provide information on any outstanding academic performance achieved despite daunting situations. This shows his/her resilience in situations.
Endorsement: ‘why he/she is applying for this program’ plays a huge role in the recommendation letter. The information provided is what will be directly linked to how well your student will do in his/her studies and contribute to the growth of the university.
Contact Information: you are to provide your contact information for easy access in case if any extra information about your student is needed.
How To Write A Good Academic Recommendation Letter
As a guide to help you when writing a recommendation letter, follow these steps:
Step 1:
Address and Salutations: Write your address and that of the school you are sending it out to.
If the name of the receiver is known, address the letter to the person directly. Example:
Dear, Mr. Richard,
Step 2:
Letter Title – Write the title of the letter.
Step 3:
Paragraph 1- Introductory paragraph; this is where a brief introduction is made. Explain briefly who you are, what you do, and how you’re related to the candidate you’re recommending.
Step 4:
Paragraph 2 – Having provided the necessary information about yourself, you can go ahead and talk about your candidate’s qualities, qualifications, academic achievements, awards, and any other thing that makes them academically sound.
Note: Paragraph 2 encompasses both an outline of your qualifications and outstanding performance.
Step 5:
Paragraph 3 – State why you think the candidate is a good fit for the program they are going for.
Step 6:
Paragraph 4- Closing paragraph, you can leave your contact for more information.
Step 7: Close the letter with your name and signature
Best Countries For Postgraduate Academic Studies
- Germany
- France
- Canada
- United States of America
- Australia
- China
Recommendation Letter Sample
Name of Lecturer
Location/Address (Name
Contact (Phone and Email)
September 24, 2021
Admission Committee
Name of Department
Name of University
School Address
Dear Admission Committee,
Recommendation for Fasthire Services
I am writing in support of the candidacy of Fasthire Services whom I lectured during her undergraduate studies for your Master’s program.
I first encountered Fasthire when she enrolled for one of my courses (Human Resource Management) during her third year in the university. In this course she demonstrated strong love for learning and earned a “B” grade. In a second teaching encounter during her 4th year, she improved on her previous performance under my tutelage and achieved an “A” for the course. Based on her class-room involvement, and course performances, I would rate Fasthire to be academically sound.
Beyond her academic prowess, she has the ability to think for herself and communicates in a manner that lets her ideas to be understood with ease. Outside the class room she also demonstrated organizational and leadership skills; serving as the xxxxx for a period of 12 months, and also the xxxx. I have no doubt that she has what it takes to achieve top grades in her modules while building strong relationship with colleagues and lecturers.
Conclusively, with over xx (number of years under guidance) years of guiding and mentoring Fasthire, I highly recommend her for the Master’s in xxxxxxx. Kindly let me know if you need any additional information that will aid your decision process.
Sincerely,
Name of Lecturer
Conclusion
A recommendation letter must be written in such a way that makes your student best suited for the program he/she is going for. It should highlight his/her strengths and dim his/her weaknesses and showcase your student in such a way that makes the university look like it’s missing out on a great person if they don’t offer your student the program he/she is applying for.
Before you accept to write a recommendation letter, make sure that you are ready to write only positive things about your student.
Hope you found this article very helpful. For your recommendation letter, you can contact thefasthire services at +2348160625230 or via email through fasthireng@gmail.com for a very good recommendation letter.
