Guidelines for wrinting recommencation letter:

Usually, recommendation letters have to be written on specially designed sheets of paper that
come as part of your application form. In some cases, letters on letterhead will be accepted, if for
some reasons, you can’t use those special pieces of paper. Read carefully what has been written
in the application booklet about such situations. Fill in the fields at the beginning at the form that
ask for your name, department, etc. Take the forms to a professor who knows you and is familiar
with your skills or activity. Try to make sure the professor is aware of who you are, what your
interests are and understands what you are applying for.
Sometimes, a busy professor will suggest more or less directly that you produce a first draft of
the text that he or she will correct and sign. In some cases, this is the only way you can get a
letter that differs from the standard text every student gets from that professor.
A recommendation letter ideally starts by stating the name of the professor who writes the letter
and his/her title, together with the name of the student for whom the letter is written. The
professor should also state since when has s/he known the students: year, class or other activity.
It should in any case be clear that the professor had the opportunity to get to know the student
well and assess his/her capabilities.
The assessment of the student’s capabilities should be made from a multiple point of view over
the next 3-4 paragraphs. From a professional point of view, it should give account of the
student’s knowledge, interests and capabilities, activities and results, work capacity, etc.
Personally, it should assess the student’s personal characteristics, character, social skills, his or
her relations with the students and professors. Same as in other application documents, the
direction should be from facts/experience to qualifications, and from those, to value judgments.
Particularly those skills relevant for the desired program should be outlined throughout the paper.
The final paragraph should provide an overall assessment of the student’s potential to fulfill the
requirements of the program, even though partial judgments can and should be provided in the
body of the letter.
Most recommendation forms contain a certain number of fields, the multiple-choice kind,
where the professor has to assess, by checking cells, your abilities. Make sure those fields are
checked and insert the text in the place left for additional remarks. We strongly suggest that you
do not leave blank that portion of the form, but use it instead as a self-standing recommendation
letter.

Sample Recommendation letters - Mechanical Engineering

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
I know the applicant Ms.ROHINI YERRAM, for the last three years of her Under Graduate
course work. I taught her Strength Of Materials-I, Dynamics Of Machines, Design Of Machine
Elements-II, Advanced Strength Of Materials & Finite Element Method, and guided him in
Machine Drawing-II Lab and CAD & CAM Lab. I have found her to be attentive and
industrious. Her remarkable grasp of fundamentals and her ability to analyze and solve problems
are praiseworthy. she is good at Mechanical packages like Auto Cad and Catia and has enough
Mathematical skills.
In his final year of UG course work, she presented five National Level Technical Papers with
in the state and out of the state in four different universities in the fields of Nano-Technology,
Robotics, CAD/CAM and Pollution Control and organized one Symposium in our college in the
rank of a student coordinator. she also participated in Two-Day workshops entitled “Finite
Element Analysis” and “Entrepreneurship and Awareness Programme”. This approach of
participating in the technical events indirectly shows her interest towards research field.
On the whole, I would like to rank her top 1% in my subjects and strongly recommend her for
admission into Masters Program of your Esteemed University to explore new frontiers. I wish
her all success.

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
I am writing to you in support of YERRAM ROHINI and her desire to attend your
university for the mechanical engineering program. Though many students ask me to make this
request on their behalf, I only recommend students whom I feel are well-suited for the program
of their choice. Ms.Rohini is one of those students and therefore, I highly recommend that she
be given the opportunity to attend your university. she has consistently shown such a strong
desire to learn that I simply could not turn down her request for recommendation.
I have taught her “THEORY OF MACHINES” and “MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS” subjects.
Her performance in those classes was excellent. Sh e is a bright and intelligent and her insightful
approach towards the subject is splendid. With is diligence and brightness, she finished her
assignments in time. Sh e joined our institute through the statewide competitive examination for
admission to engineering programs.
Apart from academics Ms Y.Rohini is the most popular student I have known in this
college. This I attribute to her for excellent communication skills, enchanting leadership
qualities and the way she organizes the technical meets and other extra curricular activities.
As a teacher I would rate him among top 1% of 60 students and strongly convinced that Ms
Y. Rohini is sufficiently prepared for her proposed stud and that she will make significant
contribution to your program. So I strongly recommend her to pursue in masters degree in
mechanical engineering at your university. I wish her all the best.

Sample college recommendation (undergraduate)

To Whom It May Concern:
I am very pleased to recommend Martha Holden for admission to your university program.
As her guidance counselor for three years I have watched this young woman develop both
academically and personally into a mature individual ready in every way for her college
years.
Martha is bright, energetic, compassionate and genuinely well rounded. Her grades have
been consistently above average in all of her courses, and she has actively participated in a
diverse assortment of extracurricular activities ranging from track and field and chorus to
the school yearbook and our drama club.
Martha has also spent considerable time outside the school involved in the community. This
has included work with Meals on Wheels and volunteering 10 hours a week at one of our
area's shelters for battered and abused women.
They think so much of her at the shelter they have offered her a paid internship for next
summer. Previously, this internship had never been awarded to anyone before the end of
their college sophomore year. Despite all the preparations that will be required for going off
to college next fall, Martha told me she is absolutely thrilled about this opportunity and feels
it will enhance her university studies.
Unlike many students who are not sure which field to pursue, Martha has made clear to us
all that her goal is to do Social Work. To this end she has worked tirelessly in our pilot
program for mentoring Special Education students mainstreamed into our school.
In closing, let me take a moment to recount an incident which I believe speaks volumes
about the superior nature of this candidate. Two years ago I was returning from lunch to my
office when I saw ahead of me in the hallway 90 pound Martha, arms stretched out between
two 180+ pound students, one a Special Ed student and the other a school bully. Other
students were standing by motionless or laughing while Martha showed the leadership and
courage to immediately put an end to the embarrassing fight that had erupted.
It is clear to me as I hope it is to you that this young woman, Martha Holden, is an
exceptional candidate, one that would contribute greatly to any program. I wholeheartedly
recommend her and wish her the very best in all future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Jean Atkins
Senior Counselor
Alexander Hamilton High School

Date]

[Full Name]
[Title]
[School Name]
[Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]

Dear [Mr./Ms. Last Name]:

I am writing to you in support of [Mr./Ms. Full Name] and [his/her] desire to attend
[University Name] for the [Program Title] program. Though many students ask me to make
this request on their behalf, I only recommend students whom I feel are well-suited for the
program of their choice. [Mr./Ms. Last Name] is one of those students and therefore, I
highly recommend that [he/she] be given the opportunity to attend your university.

As [Professor’s Title] of [Professor’s Department] at [University Name], I work with many

students who have substantial knowledge of [Subject]. Each year I notice that only a few
outstanding students offer a unique perspective and really embrace their learning of the
subject matter. [Mr./Ms. Last Name] has consistently shown such a strong desire to learn
that I simply could not turn down [his/her] request for recommendation.

I first met [Mr./Ms. Last Name] in my [Course Title] course during the [Season and Year]
semester. Compared to the class average of [Class Average], [Mr./Ms. Last Name] earned a
[Grade] in the class. [Mr./Ms. Last Name] was evaluated on [explain basis for grades, e.g.,
exams, papers, etc.], in which [he/she] performed exceptionally well.

Though [Mr./Ms. Last Name] has consistently exceeded in all areas of [his/her] coursework,
the best example of [his/her] intelligence shone through a [paper/presentation/project/etc.]
on [work’s title]. The work clearly showed [his/her] ability to deliver a clear, concise and
well-thought presentation with a new perspective by demonstrating [embellish here].

[Mr./Ms. Last Name] continues to impress me with [his/her] knowledge, skill and dedication
to [his/her] work. I’m sure you will find [him/her] to be a student whose talents will only
shine further through your graduate program. It is my hope that you will accept [his/her]
admission to your university. Feel free to contact me if you require further information.

Sincerely,

[Professor’s Name]
[Professor’s Title]
[University]

Dear Dr. Smith,

Thank you for taking the time to to write on my behalf as I apply to graduate school. I know
that recommendation letters take a great deal of time, energy, and effort, and I appreciate
your support throughout this process. I will keep you updated about my progress in
applying to graduate school. Thank you for sharing in the process and writing on my behalf.

Sincerely,

Sally Student