course hero when writing recommendation letters you should

by Jerel Moen Sr. 5 min read

What should I expect from my recommender letters?

Those reading the letters should get the sense that the recommender was excited to write about you and inspired to help you on your path to college. Your recommender can rave about you while having the stories and examples to back up their praise.

Can a letter of recommendation be too short?

On a similar note, a short letter, like less than a page, could suggest that the recommender doesn't know a student too well or doesn't have much to say in her favor. Some students ask a principal, department head, or even someone famous or in goverment to provide them with a letter of recommendation.

Do you need letters of recommendation when applying to college?

Applying to college is a complex process that requires a lot of thought, energy, and planning. Now that you have a strong sense of who to ask for letters of recommendation, you can approach the rest of your application with the same awareness.

Why are Rec letters of recommendation so bad?

The reason that they're bad is usually that they're mediocre, generic, and don't add anything special to your story. One major pitfall for letters of rec is that they simply repeat a student's resume. If a letter states your grades, activities, and honors, then it's basically a reiteration of the rest of your application.

How many graduate applications are you receiving this cycle?

It's pretty well known that last cycle (for 2021-22 admission) the number of applications to graduate programs rose significantly from previous years at most institutions. This was probably due to pandemic-related unemployment among other things.

What to do about authorship issues with an advisor?

TL;DR: Advisor wants to make his new first-year grad student lead on my honors student's thesis that is being submitted to a top-tier journal in our field. He has added first-years to papers nonchalantly in the past but always as later authors.

Do grad programs ever make exceptions for students failing comp exams multiple times?

Hi. I am currently in a stats master's program that requires passing a comprehensive exam. I am scheduled to take the exam this fall for the first time (the exam is offered once a semester.)

How much is the typical stipend for PhD students?

Looking for ballpark estimates. Does it depend on the field? School? Etc. Thank you.

Should I become a professor?

So I'm considering going back to get my PhD and teach but I'm hoping to get some perspective from people who've already gone down this path.

What do schools want to see in a letter of recommendation?

Schools typically want to see letters of recommendation from teachers of core subjects, like English, math, science, and history. If you're applying for a certain major, then it's a good idea to get a recommendation from a relevant teacher.

What is the quality of a poor recommendation letter?

Another quality of poor recommendations is that they don't provide specific anecdotes or examples.

What do admissions officers want?

Admissions officers want to get a holistic sense of what kind of person would arrive at their campus and how she would contribute in and out of the classroom. The best recommendations highlight your key characteristics and demonstrate those traits through specific anecdotes and observations.

What does it mean to say "one of the top three students I've ever taught in my career"?

A phrase like, "one of the top three students I've ever taught in my career" can be a powerful statement, especially if it comes from a teacher who has taught for twenty years at your school.

What is a letter of rec?

One major pitfall for letters of rec is that they simply repeat a student's resume. If a letter states your grades, activities, and honors, then it's basically a reiteration of the rest of your application. As discussed above, a letter should shed light on your character and personality.

Can a recommendation letter be critical?

Generally speaking, no recommendation letter is going to be outrightly critical or accusatory. If a teacher, counselor, or other person doesn't feel qualified or able to provide you with a letter, then she should respectfully decline and/or suggest someone who might be in a better position to help you.

Should admissions officers have a sense of your profile?

For the most part, admissions officers should have a sense of your school profile. If this is the case, you might consider adding a supplemental recommendation. It's also a good idea to share information with your recommenders so they can more thoroughly personalize your recommendation.

image