Examples of recommendation letters

Sample 1: Letter of recommendation for medical school applicant

To the Admissions Committee of [insert school here] School of Medicine,

I’m elated to recommend [student name] for admission to your medical program. I’ve had the privilege of being [student name]’s professor and lab PI for the past three years. As their mentor, I can personally attest to [student name]’s exceptional critical thinking skills, deep sense of empathy, and passion for medicine. 

I met [student name] in the fall 2021 semester of my Cellular Metabolism and Human Disease class. Even as a young sophomore, [student name] demonstrated a scientific curiosity and inquiry about the material. They often stayed after class to ask thoughtful questions and visited me during office hours to engage in lively discussion. [insert specific memorable example here]. At the end of the semester, [student name] achieved the highest score amongst their peers. When it came time for them to find a research project, I was more than delighted to invite them to join my lab. 

During [student name]’s time in my lab, they showed a drive to expand their knowledge of living systems. They helped me and my investigation of [insert research project and description here]. Their reports were always timely, accurate, and invaluable. [Insert any specific/memorable examples here]. I believe [student name]’s hunger to learn, work ethic, and concern for the wellbeing of others will serve them incredibly well in life and make them well-prepared for a career in medicine. 

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend [student name] for admission to your medical program. They are an exceptional student with a brilliant mind, but more importantly, a compassionate heart. I have no doubt that they will not only thrive in your program, but also go on to become an outstanding physician who will make a positive impact on countless lives. 

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I would be more than happy to provide any additional context or details that may provide further clarity around how exceptional of a candidate [student name] is. 

Sincerely, 

[Your name]
[Your title]
[University name]

Sample 2: Letter of recommendation for coworker or colleague

Dear [if possible, hiring manager name; otherwise, insert company name, department, or team],

It is my pleasure to recommend [your connection’s name] for the [insert role] role. As [connection name]’s former teammate, I had the privilege of working closely with them for several years and can attest to their [relevant skills to the role].‍

During their time on my team, [connection name] consistently [something your connection did that demonstrates one of the aforementioned relevant skills]. Their ability to [do the thing you just mentioned] significantly contributed to the success of [insert project type here] and delivered measurable results. [Insert a sentence here about success with metrics you achieved together.]

[Connection name] is [characteristic that feels relevant to the role]. [Insert a sentence here about the quality of your connection’s work as a result of that characteristic.]‍

Beyond their skillset, [connection name] is a [something that is good to be in a professional environment, such as a team player or awesome communicator]. [Insert sentence with detail that demonstrates that.] Their [characteristic or trait your connection has] makes them an invaluable asset to any team. 

I’m confident that [connection name]’s skills and experience make them an excellent fit for the [insert position title] role at [company]. [Insert a sentence that shares something personal about the candidate on why they might be a good fit, such as a passion or hobby]. 

I wholeheartedly recommend [connection name] for this position and have no doubt they will exceed your expectations. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Sincerely, ‍

[Your name]

Sample 3: Letter of recommendation for college or university

To the admissions committee at [institution name], 

I’m honored to recommend [student name] for admission to [institution name]. As [student name]’s [how you know the student] for [how long you have known the student], I have witnessed firsthand their [insert 3 positive characteristics you know this student to have].

[3-5 sentences about how the student demonstrated the first positive characteristic. Use concrete examples, such as stories, memories, and observations that illustrate the student’s character. How does the student face failure or success? Describe their curiosity, sense of learning, work ethic, and other traits you may have observed.]

[3-5 sentences about how the student demonstrated the second positive characteristic. What is the student like outside the academic setting? How do they interact with their peers? What ties do they have to the community? What will you remember about the student?]

[3-5 sentences about how the student demonstrated the third positive characteristic. How would you describe their world view? What does the student value?]

In summary, I give [student name] my highest recommendation for admission to [academic institution]. I believe they will thrive in even the most challenging academic environments and contribute to the campus community in countless positive ways. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for [student name], and I invite [academic institution] to be part of fostering their potential.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Best regards,‍

[Your name]

How to write a letter of recommendation

What you need to write a recommendation letter

Before you start writing, make sure you have all the necessary information, including:

• The purpose of the letter (college application, job, scholarship etc.) 
• Specific information about what the applicant is applying for, such as if the program is known for a particular accomplishment, specializations, etc. 
• Any specific accomplishments or qualities you should highlight
• The applicant’s resume or CV

You could also request an initial document with these details that will allow you to paraphrase or edit into your version of the letter. 

What should a recommendation letter include

• Your relationship with the applicant: how do you know the person in question, how did you meet, and how long have you known them? This establishes credibility and qualifies you to speak to their abilities.
• 2-3 positive qualities you can speak to: Do you have any specific examples or memories that demonstrate these traits? Your letter and recommendation should be unique to the applicant.
• Specific details about the opportunity: Can you share anything that helps portray the applicant as an even better fit for what they’re applying to? 
• How this opportunity will help the applicant achieve their goals: What do you want for the applicant, and how will this opportunity help? 

How to write a good recommendation letter that stands out

• Describe the impact of the applicant. If you worked on something together, what would it have been like if you didn’t have the applicant around? What specific recommendations and contributions did the applicant offer that you believe changed the outcome? 
• Don’t be afraid to mention a person’s limitations or weaknesses. Talk about how the applicant overcame a previous obstacle. If relevant, you can talk about how the applicant is currently working on bettering themselves and the progress you’ve personally witnessed. 
• Assess the applicant across your experience. How will you remember the applicant? How do they compare with their peers now or over the years?

How to use Type to write a recommendation letter

Here’s how to go from our template to a polished letter of recommendation in just a few clicks. 

1. Open up Type, click “New Document,” and select the “Letter of recommendation” template from the gallery.
2. Under “knowledge sources,” you can also include a link to the relevant job description, academic program, or whatever else the individual is applying for. This will give the writing AI a little more specific information to work with to produce the initial draft. 
3. Hit “Generate,” and watch as Type’s writing AI pumps out a custom recommendation letter for you in seconds.
4. Polish the letter with our Rewrite brushes. You can shorten the letter, enhance readability, and more.
5. Make sure to add personalized touches. If you need some ideas on where to start, you can brainstorm with Type Chat, a chatbot that lives right next to your document. 
6. When you’re done, you can ask Type to look over your work for any grammar or spelling mistakes. The last thing you want in a professional letter is to look or sound unprofessional.
7. When you’re done, you can export your letter from Type in either a PDF or DOC file. Perfect for emailing or uploading way ahead of the last minute. 

What is a recommendation letter?

A letter of recommendation is a written endorsement that vouches for an individual’s skills, character, and achievements. It provides a third-party perspective on why someone would be a strong candidate for an opportunity, such as a job, college admission, scholarship, or award.

How to format a recommendation letter

How long should a recommendation letter be?

The length of a recommendation letter can vary depending on the purpose and the writer's relationship with the candidate. In general, aim for one to two pages, or approximately 300-500 words. 

How to start a letter of recommendation

The opening paragraph should state your support for the candidate. Address the recipient, by name if possible. Then introduce yourself and establish your relationship to the candidate, specifying how long you’ve known them and in what capacity.

How to end a letter of recommendation

The closing paragraph of your recommendation letter should reinforce your support for the candidate. Reiterate your endorsement, express your confidence in their ability to excel in what they’re pursuing. Lastly, invite the reader to contact you if they have any questions. Finally, close with a professional sign-off, such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards.”