8+ Sample Recommendation Letter Graduate School Template
A recommendation letter for graduate school is a crucial document that can make or break an application. It provides an opportunity for the recommender to highlight the applicant’s strengths, skills, and achievements, and to express their confidence in the applicant’s ability to succeed in a graduate program. In this article, we will provide 8+ sample recommendation letter graduate school templates to help you get started.
From Doubt to Success: A User’s Story
Sarah had always dreamed of pursuing a master’s degree in environmental science, but she was unsure if she had what it took to get accepted into a top program. She had a strong academic record, but she lacked research experience and had a mediocre GRE score. With the help of a well-crafted recommendation letter, Sarah was able to secure a spot in her top-choice program and is now thriving in her graduate studies.
The recommendation letter had highlighted Sarah’s exceptional analytical skills, her passion for environmental conservation, and her ability to work well in a team. It also emphasized her growth potential and her commitment to making a positive impact in her field. The letter had been written by her academic advisor, who had worked closely with Sarah on several research projects and had witnessed her exceptional work ethic and dedication.
Embracing Your Next Chapter
As you prepare to take the next step in your academic journey, remember that a strong recommendation letter can be the key to unlocking new opportunities. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and don’t underestimate the power of a well-written letter. With the right guidance and support, you can achieve your goals and make your dreams a reality.
Take a deep breath, be confident in your abilities, and let your passion shine through in your application. Remember, this is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter in your life.
Key Considerations Before You Write
- Choose a recommender who knows you well and can speak to your strengths and achievements.
- Provide your recommender with ample time to write and submit the letter.
- Make sure the letter is tailored to the specific graduate program you are applying to.
- Proofread the letter carefully to ensure there are no errors or typos.
- Keep the tone professional and objective, avoiding overly personal or emotional language.
Anatomy of a Professional Letter
- Header (Name, Address): Include your name, title, and institution’s address.
- Date: Include the date the letter is written.
- Recipient’s Details: Address the letter to the specific admissions committee or program director.
- Opening Paragraph: Introduce yourself and establish your relationship with the applicant.
- Main Body: Provide specific examples and anecdotes that demonstrate the applicant’s strengths and achievements.
- Closing Paragraph: Express your confidence in the applicant’s ability to succeed in the program.
- Signature: End with your signature and contact information.
Example 1: Academic Advisor Recommendation
Dr. Jane Smith
Department of Environmental Science
University of California, Berkeley
February 10, 2023
Admissions Committee, Master’s Program in Environmental Science
University of California, Berkeley
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend Sarah Johnson for admission to the Master’s Program in Environmental Science at the University of California, Berkeley. As Sarah’s academic advisor, I have had the pleasure of working with her on several research projects, and I can confidently attest to her exceptional skills and abilities.
Sarah’s academic record is impressive, with a GPA of 3.7 and a strong performance in her environmental science courses. However, what sets her apart is her passion for environmental conservation and her ability to work well in a team.
I strongly believe that Sarah has the potential to make a significant impact in the field of environmental science, and I highly recommend her for admission to your program.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jane Smith
Takeaway: This letter is effective because it highlights Sarah’s exceptional skills and abilities, while also emphasizing her passion for environmental conservation and her ability to work well in a team.
Example 2: Research Supervisor Recommendation
Dr. John Doe
Department of Biology
University of Michigan
March 15, 2023
Admissions Committee, Ph.D. Program in Biology
University of Michigan
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am writing to strongly recommend Emily Chen for admission to the Ph.D. Program in Biology at the University of Michigan. As Emily’s research supervisor, I have had the pleasure of working with her on several projects, and I can confidently attest to her exceptional research skills and abilities.
Emily’s research experience is impressive, with several publications and presentations at national conferences. However, what sets her apart is her exceptional critical thinking skills and her ability to design and execute complex research projects.
I strongly believe that Emily has the potential to make a significant impact in the field of biology, and I highly recommend her for admission to your program.
Sincerely,
Dr. John Doe
Takeaway: This letter is effective because it highlights Emily’s exceptional research skills and abilities, while also emphasizing her critical thinking skills and ability to design and execute complex research projects.
Example 3: Employer Recommendation
Ms. Jane Doe
CEO, Environmental Consulting Firm
New York, NY
April 1, 2023
Admissions Committee, Master’s Program in Environmental Policy
Columbia University
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend Michael Brown for admission to the Master’s Program in Environmental Policy at Columbia University. As Michael’s supervisor at Environmental Consulting Firm, I have had the pleasure of working with him on several projects, and I can confidently attest to his exceptional skills and abilities.
Michael’s work experience is impressive, with several years of experience in environmental consulting. However, what sets him apart is his exceptional leadership skills and his ability to work well in a team.
I strongly believe that Michael has the potential to make a significant impact in the field of environmental policy, and I highly recommend him for admission to your program.
Sincerely,
Ms. Jane Doe
Takeaway: This letter is effective because it highlights Michael’s exceptional leadership skills and ability to work well in a team, while also emphasizing his work experience in environmental consulting.
Example 4: Academic Mentor Recommendation
Dr. Maria Rodriguez
Department of Psychology
University of Chicago
May 1, 2023
Admissions Committee, Ph.D. Program in Psychology
University of Chicago
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am writing to strongly recommend David Lee for admission to the Ph.D. Program in Psychology at the University of Chicago. As David’s academic mentor, I have had the pleasure of working with him on several research projects, and I can confidently attest to his exceptional research skills and abilities.
David’s academic record is impressive, with a GPA of 3.9 and a strong performance in his psychology courses. However, what sets him apart is his exceptional critical thinking skills and his ability to design and execute complex research projects.
I strongly believe that David has the potential to make a significant impact in the field of psychology, and I highly recommend him for admission to your program.
Sincerely,
Dr. Maria Rodriguez
Takeaway: This letter is effective because it highlights David’s exceptional critical thinking skills and ability to design and execute complex research projects, while also emphasizing his academic record and research experience.
Example 5: Professor Recommendation
Dr. John Smith
Department of Computer Science
Stanford University
June 1, 2023
Admissions Committee, Master’s Program in Computer Science
Stanford University
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend Rachel Kim for admission to the Master’s Program in Computer Science at Stanford University. As Rachel’s professor, I have had the pleasure of teaching her in several courses, and I can confidently attest to her exceptional skills and abilities.
Rachel’s academic record is impressive, with a GPA of 3.8 and a strong performance in her computer science courses. However, what sets her apart is her exceptional problem-solving skills and her ability to work well in a team.
I strongly believe that Rachel has the potential to make a significant impact in the field of computer science, and I highly recommend her for admission to your program.
Sincerely,
Dr. John Smith
Takeaway: This letter is effective because it highlights Rachel’s exceptional problem-solving skills and ability to work well in a team, while also emphasizing her academic record and performance in computer science courses.
Example 6: Research Collaborator Recommendation
Dr. Jane Doe
Department of Biology
University of California, San Diego
July 1, 2023
Admissions Committee, Ph.D. Program in Biology
University of California, San Diego
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am writing to strongly recommend Kevin White for admission to the Ph.D. Program in Biology at the University of California, San Diego. As Kevin’s research collaborator, I have had the pleasure of working with him on several projects, and I can confidently attest to his exceptional research skills and abilities.
Kevin’s research experience is impressive, with several publications and presentations at national conferences. However, what sets him apart is his exceptional critical thinking skills and his ability to design and execute complex research projects.
I strongly believe that Kevin has the potential to make a significant impact in the field of biology, and I highly recommend him for admission to your program.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jane Doe
Takeaway: This letter is effective because it highlights Kevin’s exceptional critical thinking skills and ability to design and execute complex research projects, while also emphasizing his research experience and publications.
Example 7: Teaching Assistant Recommendation
Ms. Emily Chen
Department of Economics
University of Michigan
August 1, 2023
Admissions Committee, Master’s Program in Economics
University of Michigan
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend James Lee for admission to the Master’s Program in Economics at the University of Michigan. As James’s teaching assistant, I have had the pleasure of working with him on several courses, and I can confidently attest to his exceptional teaching skills and abilities.
James’s academic record is impressive, with a GPA of 3.7 and a strong performance in his economics courses. However, what sets him apart is his exceptional communication skills and his ability to explain complex economic concepts in a clear and concise manner.
I strongly believe that James has the potential to make a significant impact in the field of economics, and I highly recommend him for admission to your program.
Sincerely,
Ms. Emily Chen
Takeaway: This letter is effective because it highlights James’s exceptional communication skills and ability to explain complex economic concepts, while also emphasizing his academic record and teaching experience.
Example 8: Community Leader Recommendation
Mr. David Brown
Executive Director, Community Non-Profit Organization
New York, NY
September 1, 2023
Admissions Committee, Master’s Program in Public Policy
Columbia University
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am writing to strongly recommend Sophia Patel for admission to the Master’s Program in Public Policy at Columbia University. As Sophia’s community leader, I have had the pleasure of working with her on several projects, and I can confidently attest to her exceptional leadership skills and abilities.
Sophia’s community service experience is impressive, with several years of experience working with non-profit organizations. However, what sets her apart is her exceptional ability to bring people together and inspire positive change in her community.
I strongly believe that Sophia has the potential to make a significant impact in the field of public policy, and I highly recommend her for admission to your program.
Sincerely,
Mr. David Brown
Takeaway: This letter is effective because it highlights Sophia’s exceptional leadership skills and ability to bring people together, while also emphasizing her community service experience and commitment to positive change.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a well-crafted recommendation letter can make a significant difference in a graduate school application. By highlighting the applicant’s strengths, skills, and achievements, a recommender can provide valuable insights that can help the admissions committee make a more informed decision. We hope that these sample recommendation letter graduate school templates have provided you with a helpful starting point for your own application.