A letter of recommendation is a document that is written by a teacher or mentor and highlights a student’s character traits to aid them in their application process. When a student applies for college, he or she will need at least one or two LOR which will help them enter an academic program or university. For that students need to spend time with their academic teacher who will write them a letter. Admissions officers are looking for all positive traits of an applicant’s LOR such as qualifications, including their skills, strengths, goals, and accomplishments

Noted below is advice on how to write a persuasive LOR for a student.

Describe yourself in a few lines

Your introduction as the student’s teacher matters a lot as it offers the admissions board a trustworthy and valued opinion about the candidate. It’s one of the essential parts of the letter. Not much, but describe yourself in some 4-5 lines about your qualification, profession such as the subject you teach or a specific course, and how you’re qualified to speak on the student’s behalf. You can also mention your role as the coordinator of a club or extracurricular activity the student was an active member of, only if you’ve never had them in class.

Mention details about your relationship with the student

Keep on writing your introduction by discussing the student’s capacity and how long you both have known each other. This can be an elaborate extension of your job title, directly mentioning your role in the student’s academic career. Also, describe your first impressions of the student and how watched them evolve into a well-rounded student. Describe your perspective about the student in terms of how excellent they were in their academics or how they impressed you in the classroom, on their assignments, and in other academic settings.

Focus on that particular University

Collect all required information about the university or ask the student for information on the university or institution where he or she is applying. Focus on the student’s skills and extra-curricular activities that will relate to their ability to get achievements at that particular university. Even if it is a more general letter, ask the student about the types of schools they’re going to apply to. The letter you craft for a student attending community college will be different than the one you’d draft for someone who aims to get admission to a state or private university.

Highlight student’s non-scholastic activities

Many universities often look for students they believe can contribute to the improvement of the organization. The admission officers may want to know about how the student can achieve and represent their university at different levels. They are curious to know if a student can be active with their studies and are likely to join clubs and organizations and assist their peers with other activities. Consider the person who is reading your LOR, and include examples and information about how the student will benefit the university or organization.

Show all the excellent contributions they have made to your school or college. Illustrate their potential and how they will also help their university succeed them as well. Draw examples from their resume or academic information, including items such as:

• Sports
• Clubs
• Volunteering
• Competitions, awards, and recognitions
• Individual or group projects
• Presentations and oratory opportunities
• Leadership roles, and responsibilities
• Academic excellence, like consistent or improved grades

Collect information

Ask the student for a copy of his or her resume, to write better about the student’s experience in their achievements. You might also consider meeting with them in person, to get a better knowledge of their interests.

Include specific examples

Provide specific examples in the LOR about ways in which the person has demonstrated various skills and qualities. Try to think of examples from when he or she was in your class and how he/she surprised or impressed you with their academic studies.

Stay positive

State why you think this student is a strong candidate for the university. You might mention something like you “recommend this individual without reservation.” Emphasize this, especially at the beginning and end of the letter. After all, you aim to help the student stand out.

Avoid clichés

There are many common clichés on student’s LOR, which include vague phrases like “hard worker” and “diligent student.” Make sure to avoid these clichés, and back up any statement with specific evidence as these are some unnecessary phrases and create some negative impact on the reader. And all you want is for the student to stand out.

Conclude the letter

Restate your support towards the student’s qualifications and achievements and end the letter. Also, mention remaining available if the reader has more questions about your recommendation letter and experience with the student. Share your contact information at the end of the LOR. If incase they are any further queries, provide a way for the university to contact you. Include both your, phone number and email address, at the end of the letter.

Follow the submission guidelines

Ask the student to know how to submit the letter. Make sure they follow every requirement, especially about where to send it and when, as well as the format. Send the letter before the submission deadline so that there will be no question of not having your letter arrive on time.