5 Secrets to Get an Outstanding Letter of Recommendation

As someone who has written 100+ letters of recommendation (and read 20x that), I know exactly how powerful a well-written letter is to someone’s application for their next degree.

My favorite letters to write are for people who genuinely deserve them.

A letter of recommendation can be an opportunity for a past faculty member to substantially thank a student for being great in the classroom, or for a supervisor to appreciate an employee for making the organization a better place. 

This objective support can be the deciding factor for whether you are accepted.

Interestingly enough, the best letters of recommendation basically write themselves when the candidate is an exceptional human.

Once you’ve decided to apply to graduate school, do these well in advance of requesting a letter of recommendation to guarantee you’ll receive one that sings your praises 🎶

1. Act with integrity

2. Be an outstanding contributor

3. Be kind 

4. Build community

5. Stand up for injustice

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1. Act with integrity

How to do this: express gratitude, be responsible, treat others with respect, be reliable and help others (BetterUp)

People with questionable behaviors and motives stand out. In a bad way.

As a recommender, I’m keenly aware of whose modus operandi is to cut corners or cut people down to get what they want in life. I don’t want to be a part of propelling those types of people into graduate school or leadership roles in society.

On the flip side, I’m happy to support those with a strong moral compass and whose behaviors give me hope for society. Most recommenders feel the same way.

2. Be an outstanding contributor

(This is not to be confused with being the most vocal contributor, fellow extroverts).

How to do this:  When in class or on a team, be intentional with your research and contributions toward a common goal. Instructors and supervisors notice who lifts up the team during a project.

Why is this important?

When these people write a letter of recommendation, they’ll speak to your ability to succeed in class AND as a benefit to your cohort.

Admissions committees are building an incoming class of the best and the brightest, and are also looking for candidates who are team players.

3. Be kind

How to do this: Be the person who asks how others are doing, holds doors, and gives encouragement.

Kind people focus on giving and not getting. (In turn, they’re great candidates to get that strong letter of recommendation).

Early in my career, I wrote letters of recommendation for people who were not the kindest to others. It wasn’t fun, and the letters probably reflected my lack of enthusiasm.

Depending on the relationship with your recommender, you may see them infrequently or on a consistent basis.

Regardless of the frequency or context, if you’re a kind person to them and others, they will notice and remember.

4. Build community

How to do this: Be the catalyst for connections and conversations.

Continuing from being kind, community builders are the type of people that potential recommenders want to see succeed.

Maybe you’re the person who invites others to an event. Or maybe you start an organization around a need in the community or office.

I love writing recommendation letters for community builders. It’s a sure sign that they will maximize their next degree to help others.

5. Stand up for injustice

How to do this: Make it clear what you stand for and how you are contributing to a more just society.

Two of my favorite recommendation letters I’ve ever written were for students who came to me and said they were going back to school so they could dismantle injustice from the system itself.

(cue Jersey Shore first pumps)

Whether they intended to tackle ableism, classism, homophobia, racism, sexism or anything in between, as a recommender I am here for all of it.

Bonus: When someone writes about this in their personal statement, I make sure to echo similar sentiments in my recommendation letter to emphasize to admissions committees that they are dedicated to working toward equity.

The moral of this story is that good people are the most qualified for outstanding letters of recommendation. 

If there is someone who you plan to ask for a letter one day, make sure they see you in action or that you schedule time to meet and share more about yourself.

When it’s time to ask for that letter, it will be an enthusiastic yes and an even stronger letter that admissions committees will be thrilled to read.

Read next: If you’re preparing to write a personal statement, make sure you have a plan to request transcripts and to track your applications.

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