high school resume template for recommendation letter

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By submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., write a high school student resume for college applications.

Think resumes are only for job seekers? Think again. A high school student resume gives colleges a snapshot of your accomplishments, extracurriculars, hobbies, and work history. They can also be a useful tool for prepping for a college interview or to give to the teachers who are writing your letters of recommendation .

Not sure how to get started? Follow our tips for crafting a standout resume for college and scholarship applications.

What should go on a high school student resume for college admissions?

Any of the sections below could appear on your resume for college applications. Pick an assortment that works for you!

• Heading with your name, address, and e-mail
• High school information with your graduation date, GPA (weighted), class rank, and SAT/ACT scores
• Academic awards, publications, honors, and other achievements
• Coursework (summer programs, college courses, or other specialized workshops that do not appear on your high school transcript)
• Extracurricular activities
• Community service
• Work experience
• Special skills (e.g. foreign language fluency or HTML expertise)

When should you submit a resume to colleges?

Some colleges and scholarship committees request or recommend that you include a high school resume with your application materials. (But don’t submit a resume if they don’t ask for one—following instructions is a key application strategy.) Bring your resume to college interviews and give copies to your college counselor and teachers so that they can write you the strongest possible recommendation letter.

Tips for Composing Your College Admissions Resume

1. keep it concise..

Pare down the activities you showcase to the most brag-worthy and most representative of you as a candidate. Do colleges need to know that you were on the field hockey team for one semester in Grade 9? Probably not. The standard rule of thumb is to stick to one or two pages.

2. Focus on depth and length of commitment.

When deciding which activities and accomplishments make the cut, keep in mind that colleges would much rather see you excited about one or two key experiences than sporadic involvement in 20 clubs. If having an after-school job limited your ability to participate in clubs or sports, make sure your resume plays up your work responsibilities, training, and on-the-job skills.

Read More: Everything You Need to Know About Applying to College

3. Provide detail whenever possible.

The details are what set a resume apart from a list of extracurriculars on a standard college application. For example, when describing your involvement in the French Club make sure to include:

• school years/hours per week you participated
• specific contributions (e.g. "Organized a successful after-school film series to introduce our community to French cinema and culture" )
• leadership roles (e.g. "Treasurer, Grade 12" )
• unique details that will make you stand out

4. Highlight things you weren’t able to write about in your college essays or short answers.

Use your high school resume to show colleges something new. If your devotion to photography didn’t make it on the application but is a big part of who you are, then showcase your photography cred on your resume.

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5. Formatting is key.

Make your resume easy to scan. Divide information into sections with clear headings, bulleted lists, and a consistent font. Use a system of organization that works for you. (Chronological, by importance of activity, or by time commitment are a few options.) Don’t forget to proofread !

6. Be honest and accurate.

Colleges know how to spot inconsistencies in your high school student resume, and they won’t hesitate to call your counselor to verify information that doesn't seem right. So don't tell them that you have practice for the school play for 30 hours per week—unless drama club is somehow your full-time job!

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16 High School Student Resume Examples Created for 2024

High School Student Resume

• High School Student Resumes by Experience
• High School Student Resumes by Role

High school is one of the best times of your life, but it can also be one of the most difficult when looking for your first or second job. You’ve got to fill out applications, prep for interviews, and write your resume.

Using ChatGPT for resumes  is a cool idea, but can still feel daunting and overwhelming. We’ve all been there, and up until now, there hasn’t been a good resource for high schoolers to help  craft compelling resumes or student cover letters .

We’ve analyzed countless high school resumes to discover  what would get students job interviews in 2024 . While you may want to start with a simple  resume outline , keep reading to find 16 high school resume samples (plus writing tips) that are jam-packed with essential techniques and tricks.

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• If you choose to use a template, make sure you adjust the  resume’s formatting  so that your text is big enough to read with one-inch margins on the side.
• However, you should write your bullet points like you would for a job. Highlight any responsibilities and accomplishments relevant to the job you’re applying for now.
• For example, if you’re looking for a job in sales, emphasize your ability to work in groups and create a good customer experience.

High School Student No Experience Resume

• If you don’t have work history, include projects and volunteer work instead. Treat them like a job and write bullet points according to your responsibilities.
• Make sure you start every bullet point with active verbs, and always double-check for typos. You’ve got this!
• Include your unique skills, your desired position, and the company you hope to work for to make your objective stand out from the rest!

First Job High School Student Resume

• To remedy that problem, add a  skills section on your resume  to give hiring managers an important overview of your strengths.
• To really highlight your abilities, incorporate the same skills in your work experience, too. Demonstrate how you used your skills to better your workplace, and you can’t go wrong!
• Adding stylistic elements like color and different fonts can help you show a bit of your personality (and make your resume more fun to read). 

Experienced High School Student Resume

• Remember, your resume is a highlight reel, so you need to include what’s most important (like your achievements and relevant metrics). 
• You can adjust your layout, font sizes, and margins, but keep it easy to read. 
• Use a bit of color and some fun fonts, provided it still looks professional. You’ve got this!

High School Senior Resume

• This statement must align with the potential employer’s needs, proving you understand the job requirements and have gone the extra mile to address doubts about your capabilities. As for experiences that might have prepared you for the job, workshops and volunteering programs you’ve participated in are prominent candidates.

Out of High School Resume

• Leisure activities range from soccer, hiking, drawing and sketching, robotics, and photography to journalism. But how do they fit in the picture? Well, a penchant for drawing and sketching could reflect creativity and an eye for detail, while journalism stints could hint at strong communication and critical thinking.

High School Graduate Resume

• Right from the first line of the career objective, you can see the candidate’s passion and willingness to work in this field. Notice how Serai’s love for photography is clearly backed by a previous project for a school newspaper.
• These details will be perfect when Serai’s ready for the AI cover letter generator to bring her application to perfection.

High School Student Scholarship Resume

• Your high school student scholarship resume should vividly show your positive contributions to noble causes, such as offering ADLs to seniors, and emphasize your impact on society.

High School Student College Application Resume

• Ensure your high school student college application resume shows your practical and classwork achievements that emphasize your grand vision to make a positive contribution to society.

High School Student for College Resume

• Before hitting “submit,” always  check your resume  for typos and other minor errors. It’s amazing what you can miss during your first few reviews.
• A good GPA can demonstrate, at least in part, your willingness to work hard. We’d recommend including your GPA only if it’s above 3.5, but anything above a 3 is a good average.

High School Student for Customer Service Resume

• Including projects, volunteer work, or club memberships is a great way to add value to your resume.
• Your resume should focus on your abilities and other activities you’ve engaged in that will show your value.
• Read the responsibilities and qualifications to look for key skills and tasks. Then, incorporate some of those skills and responsibilities into your high school student customer service resume.

High School Student Internship Resume

• For example, if the job description lists responsibilities like writing and analyzing data, include “written communication” and “data analysis” in your skills section.
• One easy way to customize your resume is by focusing your  resume skills  on things that apply to the internship. 
• Make sure you keep your resume professional and to the point. You don’t want to include anything too personal about your beliefs, religion, politics, or personal information.
• For example, you can list “volunteering at local church,” but avoid saying “fasting every weekend.” It doesn’t show off relevant skills and is a bit too forward for a resume.

High School Student Office Worker Resume

• Good projects include anything that demonstrates your leadership abilities or desire for knowledge. Senior projects, personal blogs, or even being on a sports team are all good examples to include!
• Add work experience directly under your contact information and name, then add any relevant projects if you’re low on space. 
• While there are plenty of  resume writing tips , your resume should be as unique as you. Don’t get so caught up in what you think you “should” do that your resume is bland and cookie-cutter. 

High School Student Sales Resume

• Numbers demonstrate your value, and they’re useful tools for the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) software that hiring managers use to sort through job applicants.
• Trust us, and incorporate metrics into at least 80% of your bullet points!
• For example, you know that different  resume templates  can change your resume’s appearance, but different templates can also stretch or streamline your content. 
• Mess with multiple templates to see what your content will look like—you may find a template that allows for more room, or one that allows you to highlight your skills better.

High School Student Athlete  Resume

• Think of a time you proved you were the MVP on your team—Did you lead your team to a championship? Perhaps you made the game-winning shot in a crucial, nail-biting game?

High School Student Music Resume

• When you include hobbies like songwriting or your interest in classical music in your high school student music resume , it conveys to your recruiter that you’re super dedicated and passionate about your craft.
• You can also include hobbies that are different, too. For example, if you enjoy experimenting with new recipes from around the world, that can show you’re ready to give new genres a whirl or that you understand that music—while art—is still supposed to be fun and adventuresome.

Related resume guides

• Entry Level

Letter Of Recommendation Examples For High School Students

You may have good grades in your high school which reflect your dedication and hard work towards your career. You may be an active participant in extracurricular activities, but if there is anything that can give you an edge over these documents is the letter of recommendation from your teachers or school. 

This recommendation letter works as a validation of your abilities and strengths from someone who has established a reputation in the field and possesses a deep understanding of you as a student. Instead of going through all your report cards and certificates, the admission officers rely mostly on these letters as these effectively communicate how perfect you’re for their institute.

Having said that, if you’re a student or a teacher looking to know more about it in detail, this post is here for your guidance. To make sure you not only impress the officer but also leave a lasting impression, keep reading until the end of this blog as we explain the format, crucial points to remember along with examples to provide a clear picture of how these points come together to form a persuasive letter of recommendation.

Format of writing a letter of recommendation

Following and considering the format is important as it demonstrates professionalism and helps in maintaining the formal relationship between the sender and the receiver. Being a formal letter, the letter of recommendation also follows almost the same format which is as follows –

Recipient’s Title

College Name 

College Address

Salutation 

Opening lines

Body of the letter

Closing 

This is a common and general format for a letter of recommendation for high school students. However, check with your high school once if there is any variation for the same as some schools may also issue a letter of recommendation in “To whomsoever it may concern” letter format. 

Important factors to consider while writing a letter of recommendation

A letter of recommendation plays a crucial role in helping you get your dream college. It helps the admission officer know you from your actions rather than the grades on the report card. To make sure, your letter of recommendation impresses the concerned person, check out the crucial points that can make a compelling letter. 

• Consider the program you’re applying to: A letter of recommendation showcases your strengths and qualities that resonate with the program you’re applying for. It works on reflecting how efficient you’re for the program and the college. So, before asking for a recommendation letter from your teacher or school, explore the courses well and decide on which one you want to enroll in.
• Detailed recommendation letter: The letter works on convincing the college representative that you’re a strong candidate for the specific program in their college. If the teacher has mentioned any point for you then there must be an example to back up that point. This builds the credibility of the points mentioned and also demonstrates your efforts that you’re actually invested in the particular field.
• Choice of words: Words have a significant impact on the minds of the person reading them. So, make sure your letter has strong and specific words. These words should capture the essence of the strength you’re referring to, communicating the message effectively. For example, instead of writing “She is a good creative writer & storyteller”, you can write “Her great storytelling and persuasive writing abilities help her craft compelling writing pieces.”
• Connection with teachers: If someone is recommending you then he/she must know you well. The level of connection should be such that any statement given by him/her about you is correct because that person knows you for a long time now and understands you and your qualities well like no one else can. 
• Strengths: Do not write any strength or quality just like that. Check and read the details of the program and only talk about the qualities that resonate with the program requirements because that’s what the admission officer is looking for. For example, if it is for engineering and if you’re good at creative writing, still do not mention it. Only talk about the strengths that make you the perfect fit for the program. In order to work on this point, you can also check out self-identity games and activities and know yourself better.

Examples of letters of recommendation for high school students

Given the above guidelines, the examples are shared below to give a better idea of how you can draft the perfect letter of recommendation.

Example 1 :

This letter of recommendation is from the perspective of a math teacher for any student who is looking to pursue his/her career in engineering. Other than the project example, one can easily customize it to their use.

I am pleased to write this recommendation letter for “______” for the program “_____”. I am his/her “_________” teacher. I’ve known him/her for 4 years now and I am genuinely impressed with the person he/she has grown into. From the day he/she joined my class till today, I’ve seen him/her taking every opportunity to learn and grow and making the most of it. 

Throughout the time in math class, I find him/her actively involved in learning and grasping the essence of the concept. What truly sets “______” apart is his/her dedication to understanding the underlying principles and nuances of mathematics and applying them to real-world scenarios. There was an assignment in which every student had to come up with the practical applications of any one of the conic sections in the real world. He/she has not only made the list of the applications of the parabola but also explained it thoroughly with diagrams and the calculations involved. 

Beyond academics, “_____” is a great team player with excellent leadership skills. In every group activity, he/she involves everyone equally, giving each one the opportunity to add valuable input. He/She has a keen eye for detail which makes him/her an excellent observer. This also leads to active participation in the class and drives him/her to understand everything in detail. With this strong observation power, he/she is able to provide his/her valuable feedback to peers, while also embracing the insights about himself/herself, using it to learn and grow.

As his/her math teacher, I have no doubt about his/her capabilities and qualities to thrive in the engineering program at your college. He/She possesses all the necessary qualities to excel not only academically but also will serve as a responsible and valuable community member of your college community. I am confident that he/she will contribute positively and emerge as a successful engineer, making the institute proud and leaving a lasting impression in the field.

I wholeheartedly recommend “______” for this engineering program at “_____”. Thank you for considering his/her application. Please feel free to contact me at “_____” and “_______”, if you require any further information on his/her academic performance or personal details. 

Sincerely, 

Designation

Institute Name

This letter of recommendation is from the perspective of an English language teacher for any student who is looking to pursue his/her career in advanced language courses. Other than the assignment example, one can easily customize it to their use.

I am filled with immense pleasure to write to recommend “______” for admission to your college “______” in the program “_______”. As his/her English language teacher, I’ve witnessed him/her grow academically and personally. I can confidently say that he/she is an exceptional student who possesses the required abilities for a successful college experience.

He/She is an exemplary scholar who is dedicated to language learning which can be easily observed through her actions. I have witnessed how he/she actively seeks additional study material, participates in language clubs, and even volunteers as a language tutor to help his/her peers. Beyond the classroom, he/she has shown exceptional leadership skills as the head of the school’s language club, organizing events that promote cultural and linguistic diversity.

Academically, “_____” has always been the highest scorer in my language class. He/She demonstrates great interest in learning the language which determines the potential for success in any language courses at your esteemed college. Throughout the high school years, he/she has always engaged in thought-provoking discussions in which he/she not only actively adds his/her valuable insights but also listens to what others have to share. 

In addition to this, her writing assignments were a pleasure to my eyes. The way he/she beautifully weaves the words together is something I had not seen until I came across his/her work. His/her curiosity to learn and gain knowledge about literature along with a unique engaging style of storytelling results in a great thesis paper. With a passion for language, he/she has been a valuable contributor to the school magazine by writing prose, poetry, and insightful articles. Being his/her language teacher, I am truly impressed with the person he/she has grown into. 

Having personally observed “____’s” growth and development, I have no doubt that he/she will be a meaningful addition to your college community. He/she possesses a keen observation power, insatiable curiosity to learn along with profound self-awareness which drives his/her passion towards mastering language. I am confident that he/she will prove to be an asset to your college community both academically and socially and being his/her language teacher, I wholeheartedly recommend “_____” for admission to “_____” college in “________” program. 

If you require any further information about “______’s” performance and strengths, please do not hesitate to contact me at “__________” or “_________”. I will be more than happy to share any more details. Thank you for considering his/her application for admission to your esteemed college. 

Wrapping up,

Getting a letter of recommendation from your teachers or school is an important part of your college preparation checklist . This can provide you an edge and help you get admission to your dream program and college.

Along with other preparation, students can also engage in college readiness activities to help them know about the details and make the process easy and less intimidating. So, you’ve made it till here and bang, you’re ready to get yourself a letter of recommendation for your dreams. We wish you all the luck for your future endeavors.

Having a 10+ years of experience in teaching little budding learners, I am now working as a soft skills and IELTS trainers. Having spent my share of time with high schoolers, I understand their fears about the future. At the same time, my experience has helped me foster plenty of strategies that can make their 4 years of high school blissful. Furthermore, I have worked intensely on helping these young adults bloom into successful adults by training them for their dream colleges. Through my blogs, I intend to help parents, educators and students in making these years joyful and prosperous.

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How to make a resume for college recommendation letters.

A college recommendation letter can be a deciding factor between two applicants. Providing a copy of your resume to the people who will be writing college recommendation letters for you can be very helpful. Even people who have known you for a long time may not be familiar with all of your achievements. A resume can remind that person of your education background, work and internship experiences, skills, interests and various accomplishments. Incorporating details from your resume into their recommendation letter will make it appear that they know you better than they do.

Gather information about your grades, volunteer opportunities, work background, sports awards and leadership accomplishments. All of this information will prove helpful to the individual writing your college recommendation letter. The letter-writer should attest to how well-rounded you might be.Your resume provides relevant information so the letter will be focused on your qualifications.

Select a resume template in Microsoft Word. On the "File" menu, click the "New" button. In the "New Document" task panel under "Templates," click on the "Templates on Office Online" button and then select a resume. The template will help provide the resume's necessary information in a logical, easy to read sequence. This will allow the individual writing your college recommendation letter to more easily view your qualifications.

Include your personal information. Write your name, address, phone number and email address on the top of the first page of the resume. Personal information such as marital status, age, religion and political affiliation should not be included.

List your educational background, with the most recent education first. Include the name and location of your school, major fields of study, your cumulative GPA and expected graduation date.

List any academic awards and achievements you have earned, such as honor roll and National Honor Society. Include any academic achievements that deserve recognition, which will provide the writer with more information for your college recommendation letter. List any extracurricular activities such as high school sports, clubs and leadership activities. Describe activities that show a pattern of interest that are relevant to college. An effective letter will focus on the qualities that set you apart from other applicants. Colleges are interested in academics but also want well-rounded students.

List your employment history, with the most recent jobs and internships listed first. Include your positions, employers, the dates you worked and a brief summary of your responsibilities. This information will help the writer reflect on your work ethic. Your employment history might also justify any poor academic performance if you were limited in your study time. Knowing this could help the writer address any underlying reasons why you previously struggled academically but will excel in college.

List your skills, abilities and interests. Include your technical and computer skills and any proficiency in a foreign language. An aptitude for a foreign language could reflect on your ability to excel in college. A personalized recommendation letter holds more value than one written by an individual who barely knows the person he's recommending.

• Have a teacher, friend or family member review your resume carefully before you distribute it.

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Aubrey Warshaw has experience working in federal, state and local levels of government. He has a Master of Public Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in political science. Warshaw's written work includes policy briefs for a 9-12 institution, letters to constituents and various reports involving policy issues such as education and poverty.

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The Admissions Strategist

Brag sheet: everything you need to know (template included).

So, what is a brag sheet? Why is it so important?

Completing your college applications is a big step for any high school student. You’ve spent hours poring over every section.

You’ve written and rewritten the perfect personal essay .

You are finally ready to finish the application and get it to the admissions committee.

But before you can count the application as complete, you may have to get letters of recommendation from adults who can speak to your abilities, character, and work ethic.

What can you do to help your teachers, coaches, and mentors showcase your very best talents?

This is where a brag sheet is so helpful, both for the recommender and you.

Why are recommendation letters important?

As the applicant, you will highlight the best qualities in your application—your top grades , teamwork as a 4-year athlete, and all of the community service that you’ve completed.

It’s only natural that you say great things when you are trying to sell yourself to an admissions committee. After all, if you don’t think that you are a great applicant, why should they?

But colleges want to know that you are providing an honest assessment of your abilities.

• This is why recommendation letters can help them better understand where you shine.
• They provide a personal view of who you are beyond just the standard metrics (grades, test scores, list of activities ) that the rest of the application includes .

When you submit your application to a college admissions board, they review the paperwork and decide if you are a good fit for the school.

• Letters of recommendation give people the chance to “speak” on your behalf.

Letters from recommenders can also provide another perspective on a challenge you may have faced and overcome.

• A teacher who saw you come in for extra tutoring to improve after a bad test can talk about your work ethic.
• A coach who worked with you to get back on the court after an injury can tell an admissions committee about your grit.

These are all things you will want to highlight, especially if there is a section on your application that doesn’t truly demonstrate your abilities, such as a dip in grades or performance.

What do colleges look for in a recommendation letter?

Letters of recommendation are pretty standard in the c ollege application process and almost all schools ask for them.

Click above to watch a video about Brag Sheets.

Most ask for 2 or 3 letters of recommendation written by people who know you well. There are a few things that schools look for across the board.

• Personal stories and insight: A letter of recommendation is the perfect place for your application to get more personal .

In the other sections, you provide your grades , test scores, and a good picture of you are as a student .

But the recommendation letter (in addition to your personal essay) is where you can show who you are as a person.

A great letter of recommendation goes beyond just listing your good qualities or achievements. It gets more into your personality and passions.

• Written by someone who knows you: The most important thing to remember when considering whom to ask for a letter of recommendation is to choose someone who knows you.

Recommendations are personal accounts of who you are—your character, personality, dreams, and goals . If your recommender doesn’t know these things, they won’t be able to write a very good letter about you.

You may have a distant connection to a famous or prestigious person in the field you want to study, but that doesn’t mean that they will make a good recommender.

You are better off getting a letter of recommendation from a teacher or coach that you have worked with and can write genuinely about your abilities.

• Specific examples : A letter of recommendation that goes on and on about how great and talented you are only does half the job.

A great letter of recommendation should include specific examples of your greatness and talents.

Writing an anecdote about how you gave up your Saturday mornings all school year to tutor kids in the grade below you paints a more vivid picture than just saying that you help other students.

This is another reason why people who know you and can provide those specific examples should write recommendation letters.

• In-line with the school’s mission: It’s helpful to do a little bit of research into the mission of the college that you want to attend.

Do they have a particular focus on community service?

If so, getting a letter of recommendation from a teacher who saw you study hard all semester is good, but providing one from the leader of a mission trip that you participated in may do a better job of showing how you are a good fit for this particular school .

• A cohesive picture of you as an applicant: Consider what goals you have stated in the rest of your application.

If you aspire to be a great novelist, including a recommendation letter from an English teacher who has become your mentor highlights the steps you have taken to pursue that goal.

If you want to work to preserve endangered species as a scientist , ask the volunteer coordinator that you worked with to write your letter.

Whatever your goals are, your recommenders can be great people to write about what you are currently doing to pursue them and how you will continue to do so as a college student.

They are usually professionals working in that field as well; getting their vote of confidence in your ability to join them in that field can go a long way.

Get personalized advice!

How do brag sheets help recommendation letters  .

Brag sheets act as summaries for recommenders.

Like all of us, recommenders are busy people.

• They may be writing letters for multiple students during application season.
• You can help them craft the very best recommendation possible by providing them with the relevant details.

Brag sheets are not substitutes for letters of recommendation.

• Rather, they serve as a reminder for recommenders on what you have accomplished, what your goals are, and how you have worked or studied with them in the past.

Some schools have started asking for brag sheets, similar to a job asking for a resume .

You should make sure that your brag sheet looks professional and puts your best foot forward.

• Much of the information on your brag sheet will be included in other parts of your application, so take the extra step to make sure that it is accurate and up-to-date.

This helps both your recommenders and any schools to which you submit it as part of your application.

What should I put in a brag sheet?  

Each student’s brag sheet will be unique to them, but there are a few things that are helpful for everyone to include.

• Your name and contact information
• Your school information (name, expected graduation date)
• Your standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, PSAT, etc.)
• Academic clubs
• Sports teams
• Extracurricular clubs
• Out-of-school clubs (this is especially important if your recommender is connected with your school and may not see your community-based activities)
• Leadership roles you have held
• Work experience and when
• Any awards you have won (academic, athletic, etc.)
• Your goals for the future as it relates to your college applications
• Additional notes or insights that may help them understand more about you

How is a brag sheet formatted? How do I make it look nice?  

A brag sheet should look professional and neat.

There is rarely a specific format required, but it should be easy to read and understand. A few helpful tips include:

• Check your brag sheet for spelling and grammar errors. Nothing says “don’t pick me” like misspelling a simple word (or worse, your own name!).

Run your brag sheet through a spell check program and have another person take a look to make sure it all makes sense.

• Use a simple font and size. Size 12 Times New Roman is the most widely-used font for resumes, curriculum vitaes, and brag sheets.

If you need to differentiate certain headings, simply bold or indent to create that distinction. Cutesy fonts and big or small sizes should be avoided. The same goes for colored text and pictures.

• Aim for one page. It is a general rule of thumb to keep professional summaries of your experience to one page.

Even professionals with decades of experience highlight only what can fit on a single page. Why? Because more than that can be hard to read and those reading it may worry that you are simply padding your resume with experiences that aren’t actually relevant to who you are.

Include the most important things that highlight your experience, abilities, personality, and goals.

If they need more information, they can reach out using the contact information you included on the top.

• Your school may have a specific format for brag sheets.

Check with your guidance counselor’s office to see if they have any standard format that teachers and coaches at your school are used to seeing.

You can also use this template to provide the basic information needed for a recommendation letter.

When should I write a brag sheet?  

You should start your brag sheet as soon as possible.

• Once you start participating in activities or winning awards, keep all of this information in a binder or folder.

This will keep you from forgetting the details of the experience and make your brag sheet more specific.

• Relevant information and accomplishments help recommenders include this information in their letters, which paints a clearer picture of you to an admissions committee. Everyone benefits!

Keep in mind that a brag sheet is an ever-changing document.

You will need to update it as you add clubs, awards, work experience, and other things to your life. It helps to sit down periodically to make any changes needed.

This can prevent you from having to perform a major rewrite when it comes time to send the document out.

What else should I give to a recommender?  

It should be a given, but always ask your potential recommenders if they would be willing to write your letter of recommendation before you provide their information on your application.

• This is best done in person and conveys respect for them.
• It also gives them the opportunity to gracefully decline if they don’t feel they have the time or insight to write the letter that you need.
• You should ask recommenders well in advance of any deadlines so that they have time to actually write a great letter.

I always recommend that you provide the admissions guidelines for the schools to which you are applying to anyone involved in crafting your application.

This includes those individuals writing your letters of recommendation.

• Chances are if you have a strong history with them and they have agreed to write your recommendation letter, they want to help you reach your goals.
• They will appreciate all of the information that you can provide.
• If the school is looking for something in particular, such as your leadership potential, ask your recommender to include an example of when you were a great leader.
• You can also share the school’s mission to help them better understand what they value in a potential student and what should be highlighted in their letter about you.

Recommenders also appreciate knowing the logistical details of the letter-writing process.

• Will they be sent an electronic link?
• Will they need to send their letter to the university directly? (If so, provide the correct mailing address on a stamped envelope.)
• Will they need to upload it to an electronic portal?
• When is the letter due?

All of these details will help them know exactly what is expected of them as a recommender and when.

Brag Sheet Template

We’ve created a brag sheet template for you. Feel free to adjust the categories, make them longer, or add spaces.

Here are the files that you can download:

Brag Sheet Template Doc

Brag Sheet Template PDF

You can also look at the image below!

Expert Advice on Brag Sheets

We asked experts what they think a brag sheet should include. Over time, we’ll add more advice below.

Timothy Schauer, associate professor of business at Sweet Briar College, says you should include this in your brag sheet:

When demonstrating skills and accomplishments, mention things that can demonstrate actual results. For example, if you worked at the pool as a lifeguard, what did you accomplish that is quantifiable? – Increased the number of safety training sessions by 25% – Decreased emergency events from eight to three – Taught 16 youth to swim, a 40% increase over last year

Conclusion: Brag Sheet

A letter of recommendation is an important part of your overall college applications. It is also one of the few pieces that you do not provide.

Brag sheets can be a great way for you as the applicant to make things easy and straightforward for your recommenders.

A comprehensive and accurate brag sheet can help a recommender craft a letter that shows who you are as a person, is specific and relevant to what you want to do, and will help you get into the school of your dreams.

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How to Write a Letter of Recommendation [With Tips & Template]

Every now and then, applying for a position will require that you also submit a letter of recommendation. 

Or, maybe, a coworker will ask you to write a recommendation letter for their new job application.

If you're not certain how to go about it, don't worry - nothing about recommendation letters needs to be complicated. Especially once you learn the nitty-gritty of the topic. 

This is exactly what this article is here to teach you!

What is a Recommendation Letter?

What should a letter of recommendation include.

• How to Write a Letter of Recommendation

3 Types of Recommendation Letters

• How to Ask For a Recommendation Letter
• Recommendation Letter Template

A letter of recommendation is a formal document confirming and recommending a person’s work, skills, or academic performance and potential. 

Typically, a recommendation letter is required for: 

• University admissions
• Fellowships or internship positions
• Job applications
• Volunteering opportunities

You should ideally write a recommendation for someone whose abilities and work ethic you are familiar with - for example, a colleague, student you taught, your employee, or someone you supervised at work.

Similarly, if you’re the one asking for a recommendation letter, you should ask someone who can attest to your professional or academic abilities. 

The types of recommendation letters are:

• Academic recommendation letters.
• Employment recommendation letters.
• Character recommendation letters.

Here’s what each type of recommendation letter is about:

#1. Academic Recommendation Letters

Academic recommendation letters are typically required to be submitted by students during the admission processes of graduate and undergraduate schools. 

Generally, each prospective student is requested to submit up to three references, which can be written by any education professional familiar with the candidate’s academic background. 

Academic reference letters include:

• Recommendation letter for undergraduate/graduate school
• Recommendation letter for a scholarship
• Recommendation letter for a fellowship program

#2. Employment recommendation letters 

This type makes up the most popular type of recommendation letter.

Sometimes, employers can ask you to submit up to 3 recommendation letters as part of your job application.

More often, though, a recruiter might ask you for recommendation letters if they already like your resume and want to learn more about you. 

Employment recommendation letters are written by former - or current - coworkers, employers, or supervisors.

If you can choose, pick someone with more years of experience than you. After all, the more senior they are, the more weight their recommendation carries.

Employment recommendations include: 

• Recommendation letter for a coworker
• Recommendation letter for a (former) employee

#3. Character recommendation letters

Character recommendation letters, also known as personal references, are used to describe an individual’s personality by someone who knows them well, including close friends, coworkers, or employers. 

Personal references serve many purposes, the primary ones being court cases dealing with criminal issues such as drunk driving offenses, or legal situations such as child adoption procedures. 

It is not uncommon, however, to have a potential landlord or even immigration officials ask for a personal reference. 

Personal references include: 

• Recommendation letter for a friend
• Recommendation letter for a tenant
• Recommendation letter for a patient

Recommendation letters follow a particular format and layout that make writing them significantly easier. 

In this section, we’ll cover how to do each the right way, starting with:

Letter of Recommendation Format

A letter of recommendation includes the following sections: 

• The salutation ; if you are addressing someone whose name you know or writing a personal recommendation letter, the salutation can be addressed to “Dear Mr./Mrs./Dr. Smith.” Otherwise, you may use the generic “to whom it may concern.”
• The introduction , which first and foremost includes your statement of recommendation (i.e. “ it is my pleasure to recommend… ”). It is common to also briefly state who you are and what your expertise is.
• The overview, or a description of the applicant’s top skills, attributes, and strengths.
• A personal story describing more of the applicant’s skills and qualifications.
• The closing statement , or the final call for action, is where you encourage the recruiter to contact you if additional information is needed.
• The signature , where you repeat your name and include your full contact information.

Letter of Recommendation Layout 

When it comes to the layout of the recommendation letter, all you need to do is follow some basic formatting rules. Here are the most important ones: 

#1. One page length. This rule applies to resumes too, but it’s even more essential for the recommendation letter. Recruiters go through hundreds of them, so chances are they appreciate concise, to-the-point letters that don’t waste their time. And besides, a good recommendation letter doesn’t have to be an essay to get the recruiter ‘hooked’ - especially if you follow the above format. 

#2. Single-spaced lining, with space between paragraphs . This also keeps your reference letter within the limit by shortening the text. 

#3. Traditional font. Don’t go for something too creative - pick a classic that works. We recommend Times New Roman, Calibri, Arial, Ubuntu, Roboto or Overpass.

#4. 1” margins on all sides . This creates enough white space around the margins and makes the letter easy to read. Additionally, the text should be aligned to the left - although this is a standard alignment for most documents.    

#5. 10-12pt font size . This is the font size range that makes the document easy to read. Adjusting the font size is another good way to keep your recommendation letter within the length limit.

Recommendation letters usually follow similar layout rules as resumes. Learn more about font size and style from our article on the best resume font, size, and format . 

Recommendation Letter Template 

Struggling to write a recommendation letter? 

Just follow our tried-and-tested template! 

To whom it may concern: 

[Recommend the referee for the position they are applying for.]

[Briefly introduce yourself and state your position/ job title , as well as your work experience .]

[Tell how you know the referee and describe their top skills, qualifications, and strengths.]

[Share a personal story with the referee where you highlight their strong points and key achievements .]

[Add a few more of the applicant’s skills and positive traits, preferably fitting the job description.]

[Show your availability to provide additional information for the referee if needed.]

Best Regards

[Your full signature and contact information]

How to Ask for a Recommendation Letter 

Need to ask someone for a recommendation letter? Here’s what you need to know.

The go-to person for your recommendation letter will depend on the type of reference you’ll need. 

For example, if you need an employment recommendation letter , your top choices should involve people who are familiar with your work ethic and professional abilities, but with whom you’ve also had a positive professional relationship. For example:

• Your team lead
• Department head
• CEO of the company
• Direct manager
• A coworker you’ve worked with together on a project

If you are a recent graduate with little work experience, you can ask a mentor or college professor to write you a professional reference. 

In case you need an academic recommendation letter , consider asking a professor with whom you’ve worked closely and can positively attest to your academic potential and achievements.

Your thesis advisor, for example, would make a good choice to ask for an academic reference. If you never wrote a Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis, any professor who knows you as more than just a face in a sea of students should do the trick. 

Finally, keep the following in mind when the time comes to ask for a recommendation letter: 

• Whoever you end up asking, talk to them about it in advance . Then, follow up with a formal email that should contain all reference-related information, such as the submission details and deadline. The email can also include a description of what you’re currently doing (professionally, academically, or independently), what qualifies you for the position, and some relevant skills, achievements, or noteworthy facts.
• If you’re asking for a professional recommendation letter, make sure to also include your resume and the job description in the follow-up email. This way, the person writing the letter will know more about you and your new position and will be able to write a more relevant recommendation by tailoring your skills to the job, or by mentioning some of your (relevant) achievements.
• Notify the contacts you’ll be asking - considering that in most cases recruiters ask for up to three recommendation letters - at least two weeks in advance. This will give them enough time to prepare and write a good recommendation letter. This is especially important for academic references because professors are usually writing several recommendation letters simultaneously.
• Consider attaching a recommendation letter template such as the one provided in this article to your email. The template will considerably ease or guide them through the process of writing the letter.
• Follow up by sending thank you notes to everyone who writes you a recommendation letter. Sending a letter of appreciation is a courtesy act that will let them know you are grateful for the time and effort they took to recommend you positively.

If you’re also looking to update your resume or create one, head over to our guide on how to write a resume in 2024 !

5 Tips on How to Write a Letter of Recommendation

There’s more to writing a recommendation letter than just following the layout instructions or sticking to the format.

We’re referring to content quality, which happens to be the trickiest part of the process. 

In this section, we’ll teach you how to write a recommendation letter that will impress the recruiter and help your referee!

Tip #1. Write an Attention-Grabbing Introduction  

First things first - the introduction.

This is where you need to grab the reader’s attention and get them interested in reading the recommendation letter. 

How to go about it? Before formally (and briefly) introducing yourself, aim to write an attention-grabbing recommendation statement, instead of a generic one the recruiter probably knows by heart already. 

Let’s explain this more practically: 

Dear Mr. Smith, 

I am pleased to recommend Sarah McKay for the Communications Assistant position.

Nothing wrong with this introduction at first glance, right? It’s a standard way of opening a recommendation letter after all. 

Well that’s exactly what’s wrong with it - it’s way too common. No, this probably won’t get your application disqualified, but it won’t impress the recruiter either.

Want yours to strike the right note? Try something like this instead:

Dear Mr. Smith,

I am sincerely glad to be the one recommending Sarah McKay for the Communications Assistant position.

This recommendation statement is not significantly different from the previous one, except for one thing: it gives the reference letter a head start by implying that recommending Sarah is an honor. And that’s more likely to get the recruiter’s attention - or, at least, curiosity. 

In case you’re struggling to come up with an attention-grabbing introduction, simply mention one of the following points, and you’re good to go: 

• A little-known fact about the candidate. 
• Your general consideration of the candidate’s qualities.
• A remarkable achievement or award the candidate might have won.  

Tip #2. Establish a Meaningful Relationship With the Candidate 

All recommendation letters explain what the relationship with the referee is before listing their skills and qualifications. 

To make the recommendation more meaningful, you should show the recruiter you are just the right person to attest to the candidate’s abilities. And that’s not something you can convey by simply stating how you know them. Take the following example:   

I have taught Jake Political Science for four years. 

Does this example tell the recruiter how you know the applicant? Sure, it does. 

But it does so in a boring way and without establishing a convincing relationship with them. For all the recruiter knows, Jake is just one out of a thousand students you’ve taught over the years.

It has been a pleasure for me to teach Jake for four years and guide him through his remarkable Bachelor’s thesis in Conflict Resolution.

Notice the difference? This example specifies the writer is Jake’s thesis advisor, which makes the recommendation all the more meaningful. 

Tip #3. Tailor Your Recommendation to the Application 

Want to put in the extra effort and make sure your referee truly stands out?

Tailor the recommendation letter to the job / university program they’re applying for.

Tailoring your letter to the candidate’s application is easiest when you’re recommending someone for employment (you can just check the job requirements), but it works for any type of recommendation (incl. academic). All you need to do is match the referee’s skills and strengths to whatever they’re applying for. 

Let’s assume, for example, that you’re recommending a co-worker for a marketing manager position.

Some of the job requirements are: 

• +5 years of professional experience in marketing
• Experience developing marketing campaigns 
• Excellent communication skills 
• Project-management and multi-tasking skills 

To tailor your recommendation to the job requirements, all you need to do is mention them as your referee’s best qualities. For example: 

Even after seven years working together, Ema’s skillful way of effectively communicating with clients and co-workers alike doesn’t cease to amaze me. It only comes second to her multi-tasking abilities, which I’ve witnessed throughout the many marketing campaigns we have developed and managed. 

As you can see, there’s not much to it. 

All you need to do is check the job requirements, pick several skills and qualifications, and make them part of your referee’s top skills, strengths, or personality traits.  

Tip #4. List the Candidate’s Achievements 

Mentioning some of the candidate’s achievements is another great way to help your referee really stand out.

After all, skills, strengths, and character traits are awesome, but they can also come across as meaningless if you can’t back them up with facts. 

What do we mean by this?

Let us explain:

Here’s how a typical personal story in a recommendation letter looks like:

I came to truly appreciate Eric’s work ethic, passion, and attention to detail the first time I assigned him to do a report on child trafficking. Eric was respectful of journalistic ethics but also willing to chase the story relentlessly, believing in its value and importance. 

Sure, this is a perfectly acceptable personal story. 

However, it doesn’t do much more than just list the referee’s skills, traits, and work experience through a subjective lens. 

What we’re saying is, it doesn’t really sell the candidate.

Now, let’s compare it to the following:

Eric’s ability to chase after difficult stories first became apparent when I assigned him a report about child trafficking. Despite the challenging topic, Eric not only pulled through but achieved more than expected by a) identifying a trafficking ring that put more than 50 minors into forced begging, b) interviewing 10 of the older minors and managing to bring that trafficking network down once the reportage went public and c) increasing the TV Channel’s ratings by 40% in 3 weeks. 

By mentioning those achievements, your account of the candidate’s experiences is a lot more “factual,” as well as impressive for the recruiter.

Not sure which achievements to include? Check out these 101+ achievements to list on your resum e !

Tip #5. Polish Up Your Recommendation Letter

Finally, here’s 5 more simple tips to get your recommendation letter ready:

• Maintain positive rhetoric . At no point throughout your reference letter should the recruiter sense a hint of doubt regarding the applicant’s skills and qualifications.
• Don’t overdo the positivity. Extremes are never good - which means being overly positive might also come across as a bit suspicious or weird (even if everything you're saying is true). 
• Follow the submission instructions . A bunch of employers, but also educational institutions, will provide instructions on how to submit the recommendation letter. We recommend you ask the candidate to double-check them and give you a heads up, because if you submit the recommendation letter wrong, the candidate might lose their chance.
• Use a business tone . Even when you’re being creative, your writing tone should maintain a business tone - polite, and as formal as possible.
• Mind your grammar and spelling . This is another tip that goes for all things application-related. You won’t compromise the referee’s chances with a typo, but your recommendation won’t matter much either if it’s filled with simple grammar/spelling mistakes. Run your letter through a grammar and spell-check app once you’re finished with it, just to be on the safe side of things.

Recommendation Letter FAQ

Still have some questions on how to write a letter of recommendation?

Find your answers below!

1. What is a professional letter of recommendation?

A professional letter of recommendation - also called an employment recommendation letter - refers to an official document that is typically required when you apply for a job and which describes the applicant’s professional skills, experiences, and qualifications. 

Professional letters of recommendation are typically written by current or previous employers or supervisors. A coworker can also write you a professional letter of recommendation, but it’s not as optimal as a coworker is not really an authority figure (and might just be a friend doing you a favor instead of being honest).

2. What should be written in a letter of recommendation?

Letters of recommendation generally follow the following format: 

• A formal salutation
• An introduction (which includes a recommendation statement and your professional title)
• An overview of some of the applicant’s skills, strengths, or qualifications, which you can tailor to the application
• A personal story where you can mention some of the applicant’s achievements
• A closing statement and call for action
• A signature , with your contact information

3. Who should I ask for a letter of recommendation?

If you’re asking for an academic letter of recommendation, you can ask:

• Current or former professors
• Academic mentors
• Thesis advisors

If you’re asking for a professional recommendation letter, though, you can ask:

• Current or former employers
• A supervisor or professional mentor
• Former professors
• Experienced coworkers

4. How do you start a recommendation paragraph?

To keep the recruiter reading your recommendation letter interested, you should start with an attention-grabbing introduction - specifically, an interesting recommendation statement. 

This statement is the opening sentence of the letter and it should optimally express your conviction to recommend the applicant in a non-generic way. 

If you’re struggling with coming up with something creative, just start with one of the following:

• A little-known or impressive fact about the candidate
• Your general consideration of the candidate’s qualities
• A remarkable achievement, or an award the candidate might have won

5. How do you end a letter of recommendation?

A letter of recommendation concludes with a call to action or a request towards the recruiter   showing your availability and willingness to provide additional information if needed. After mentioning that you remain available to discuss the candidate’s qualifications, you may finalize the letter with your signature - your name, title, and company.

Key Takeaways 

And that’s a wrap! We hope this article will make the process of writing a recommendation letter easier for you. 

Let’s go over some of the main points we covered: 

• A letter of recommendation is a formal letter confirming and recommending a person’s work, skills, or academic performance and potential.
• Recommendation letters follow a particular format and layout. The format typically consists of 1) the letterhead and full contact information, 2) a salutation, 3) an introduction, 4) an overview, 5) a personal story, 6) a closing sentence and 7) your signature.
• The three types of recommendation letters are employment, academic, and character recommendation letters.
• Who to ask for a recommendation letter depends on the type of reference you need. As a rule of thumb, pick someone who knows your skills and strengths well and whom you’ve had a positive experience (professional or academic) with.

Related Articles

• How to List References on a Resume [w/ Examples]
• How to Address a Cover Letter in 2023
• Motivation Letter Writing Guide + Examples for 2023

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Letter of Recommendation Samples for Students

How To Request a Recommendation Letter

How to write a recommendation letter, what to include in a recommendation letter for a student, how to use letter examples and templates, student recommendation letter example, character / personal recommendation letters, character reference letter example, how to create a reference list, frequently asked questions (faqs).

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Students may need a letter of recommendation to land a job, secure an internship, or earn a spot in a competitive academic program. But to make a good impression on the recipient, a letter of recommendation must be more than just an enthusiastic endorsement—it must follow a specific format.

Whether you are a student who needs a letter of recommendation for an application or a reference writer, here’s how to format your letter and what to include in the document. Plus, you’ll find a few samples to help guide your writing.

Key Takeaways

• Students can request recommendation letters from teachers, professors, and employers.
• Character references provide an endorsement of a student’s positive personal qualities, such as their work ethic, dependability, and enthusiasm.
• When requesting a recommendation letter, offer to provide a copy of your CV and a job description or program overview.

When you request a letter of recommendation (sometimes also called a letter of reference), be sure to remind potential letter writers how they know you and give them information on why you need the letter (for example, tell them the types of job you will be applying for).

You might also provide the person with your most up-to-date resume or CV. These details will make it easier for them to write a personalized and targeted reference letter.

You should also provide all the information the person needs regarding how to submit the letter, what to include (if there are any requirements) and when it is due.

When writing a reference letter , be sure to explain how you know the student, and describe some of the qualities that make him or her a good candidate for the job or school. Use specific examples to demonstrate how the person has shown those qualities.

Focus on the specific job or school the person is applying for. Try to include qualities and examples that will help them get that position or get into that school.

Feel free to ask the person for whom you are writing the letter for more information. You might ask to see the job listing, their resume, or a list of their related coursework.

Contact Information If you’re writing a formal printed letter, include your contact information, as well as the recipient’s information, at the top of the letter.

Greeting If you are writing a personal recommendation letter, include a salutation to start your letter (Dear Dr. Smith, or Dear Ms. Jones, for example).

Paragraph 1: Introduction Explain why you're writing and how you are connected to the person you are recommending, including how you know them, and for how long.

Paragraph 2/3: Why You're Writing Share information on the person you are writing about, including why they are qualified and what they have to offer. It's fine to include more than one paragraph to provide details of the student's academic and work performance. Including examples of how they have excelled is a good way to show how the person is qualified.

Paragraph 4: Summary Write a brief summary of why you are recommending the person. Mention that you "highly recommend" the person or that you "recommend without reservation" or something similar.

Paragraph 5: Conclusion Offer to share more information and let the reader know how to contact you (phone, email, etc.) for a follow-up conversation.

Letter Closing End your letter with a formal letter closing and your name and title. If you are mailing a printed letter, include your signature underneath your typed name: 

Signature (for hard copy letter)

If you’re sending an email, include your contact information in your signature. 

It is a good idea to review recommendation letter examples and templates before you write a recommendation letter or a request for a letter. They can help you decide what kind of content you should include in your document.

A letter template also helps you with the layout of your letter, such as how many paragraphs to include, and how to sign the letter. Templates also show you what elements you need to include in your letter, such as your contact information.

While recommendation letter examples, templates, and guidelines are a great starting point, always tailor a letter to fit the particular situation

Download the recommendation letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

The Balance

Recommendation Letter Example (Text Version)

Brian Smith 123 Main Street Anytown, CA 12345 555-555-5555 brian.smith@collegemail.edu

March 9, 2021

Emma Johnson Owner Café Bistro 72 Dock Street Pacifica, Oregon 97233

Dear Ms. Johnson,

Daniel Williams worked as a server and manager at Central College’s student café under my supervision for seven semesters, beginning in Spring 2019.

Over that time, I was consistently impressed with his customer service and people management skills, as well as his dedication and good humor. I've often said that if I could clone Daniel, I'd never have to worry about staffing problems again. He's a truly gifted server, fast on his feet, and able to remember complicated orders without using an order pad.

He’s also an innovator. Thanks to his suggestions, we revamped the café menu last year to focus on the most popular dishes and dropped some expensive, time-consuming menu items. The result was a 10% increase in profits.

Our customers love him. More than one has suggested that Daniel become a “super senior,” so that he can stay with us next year. Alas, he’s graduating on schedule, with highest honors and a boatload of references to attest to his skill, hard work, and talent. I’m honored to be one of them.

I enthusiastically recommend Daniel for the position of server/manager in your café. If you have any specific questions about Daniel’s experience and skills, I’m happy to help. Please call me at 555-555-5555.

Brian Smith

Student Coordinator

Central College Café

A character reference is a recommendation written by someone who can attest to one’s character. These letters may be needed for people applying to join an association or purchase property.

They can be used as an alternative to a professional reference for someone who doesn't have work experience, and they may also be required for jobs that require a high level of trustworthiness.

Who To Ask for a Character Reference

If you have limited work experience (or worry you will get a negative reference from your former employer), you might ask someone to write you a character reference. This might help balance out a negative employer reference.

Consider asking a friend, neighbor, volunteer or club leader, colleague, or other people who may never have employed you, but can speak to who you are as a person.

What To Include in a Character Reference

If you are asked to write a character reference, focus on the person’s character traits and abilities. You can provide examples from personal interactions with that individual.

Download the character reference letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Character Reference Letter Example (Text Version)

Jane Lee 330 Chestnut Street Kerry Springs, Massachusetts 01006

February 3, 2023

Sandra Gomez Program Director Kids at Play, Inc. Centertown, New Hampshire 03225

Dear Ms. Gomez,

Before I had the pleasure of working with Liz Dwyer on our neighborhood cleanup committee, I was her next-door neighbor for 10 years. It didn’t surprise me at all when she was the youngest person to show up for our initial organizational meeting or when she volunteered to take notes and spearheaded the playground project. 

Liz is a very special young person, the kind that gives you hope for the future. It’s not just that she’s organized and dependable, although she is. It’s that she has passion, drive, and a deep optimism for what’s possible. I’ve seen firsthand how she uses that optimism to inspire others and help them see the possibilities in an empty lot or rundown corner. 

I’ve also been impressed with Liz’s growth as an artist. Since she started at Eastern College, her talent has grown. She has used her new skills to improve our neighborhood, rallying the local kids to help her make a mosaic wall for the new playground. 

I know she would be a bright light in your arts program, inspiring and guiding the kids in your care just as she has the kids on our block. I enthusiastically recommend her for the job. Please feel free to reach out to me at jane.lee@email.com or (413)555-6078 with any questions. 

Best regards,

Jane Lee Director, Chestnut Street Block Association

A reference list is a page with a list of your references and their contact information. Send this letter as part of your job application if it is requested. Employers who ask for a reference list might call or email the people on that list and ask them for more information about you.

When creating your reference list, be sure to first ask permission from each person on your list. Not only is this polite, but this will give each person time to prepare a response for the employer. Make sure you provide all the necessary contact information for each person.

What should a student’s letter of recommendation include?

A letter of recommendation for a student should describe their positive qualities, including their academic achievements, interpersonal skills, work ethic, and character. To be effective, the letter should focus on skills and qualifications that are most valuable in the job or program for which the student is applying. 

How long should a recommendation letter be?

A recommendation letter should be at least a few paragraphs long, typically a page or two in length. It should contain specifics that illustrate why the subject is a good candidate for the job or position they’re seeking. The recommender should unreservedly endorse the subject of the letter. 

Georgetown University Center for Research and Fellowships. " Do's and Don'ts of Writing Recommendation Letters ."

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, what should i give to a teacher writing my recommendation letter.

Letters of Recommendation

A substantial bribe. Just kidding. You should give your teacher recommenders something much more valuable for writing effective letters of recommendation: your input.

Sharing your ideas will assist your teacher in writing you an insightful and specific letter. This guide will discuss what materials you should produce, and why your "recommender's packet" can go a long way toward making your final letter outstanding.

To start, let’s review why recommendations are important to your application. If you understand what admissions officers look for, then you can make sure that your materials are useful and relevant. With this in mind, let's consider what purpose rec letters serve in the admission process.

Why Do Colleges Require Recommendation Letters?

Many four-year colleges require one or two recommendation letters from your teachers and school counselor. The main reason for this requirement is to get to know you better. Colleges aren’t just looking at your grades and SAT scores. They’re seeking to learn about you in a holistic sense - how you interact with your teachers and peers, how you approach the learning process, and what motivates and excites you, to give a few examples.

Teachers can speak to both your intellectual and personal qualities , as well as to the role you play in the classroom on a day to day basis. Simply having an enthusiastic recommendation shows that you made a positive impression and maintained a good relationship with your teachers. If you made a splash at high school, you’re likely to work well with your peers and professors at college and contribute on campus too.

Because of all the information and support they can communicate, recommendation letters play a very important role in the college application review process. Given their weight in the admissions decision, what makes some letters stand out while others blend into the background?

What Goes Into a Good Letter of Recommendation?

As I mentioned above, you should share your ideas and information with your teacher recommenders, who can refer to your packet when they sit down to write your letter. However, you want to make sure your materials are useful. Without knowing what makes some letters good and others bad , you’d have a hard time knowing what kind of info to share.

So, in a nutshell, a good letter of rec is insightful, personal, and enthusiastic. While your teacher should talk about your intellectual abilities and attitude towards learning, she should also speak to personal qualities , like empathy, creativity, or leadership skills.

Just as importantly, she should be specific and demonstrative. By this, I mean that she should describe particular instances where you demonstrated your strengths . In a sense, her anecdotes can prove that her descriptions of you are accurate.

On the flip side, a bad letter may sound lukewarm and generic . It may sidestep talking about your personal qualities and instead only list data, like grades and test scores. An ineffective letter would also be unspecific and lack examples, making it effectively impersonal, even vague.

Based on these elements of a good letter, you can put together a “recommender’s packet” that will be useful to your letter writers. You can provide the type of information - your academic interests and goals, your personal strengths and values, and memorable anecdotes from class - that your teacher can incorporate to make her letter stand out.

Generally, this recommenders' packet will be provided for you by your guidance office. If it’s not for some reason, you would still be well served to put it together yourself. Read on to learn more about what kind of info should go into this packet!

What Information Should You Provide for Your Recommenders?

Once you ask you teacher for a letter and she agrees, you should share the following materials:

• Practical information , like to what schools she should send her rec letter, how to submit, and your deadlines.
• What you plan to study at college (if you know).
• What strengths, passions, of qualities you would like her to highlight in her letter.
• Special projects or memories from class that were significant to you.
• Your resume .
• Your brag sheet (this document is especially important, which I’ll describe in more detail below).

The first few points on this list shouldn’t take too long to record, but other components, like your resume and brag sheet, may require 15 or more hours of work. Let’s break down each component in more detail so you know what it is, why it’s important, and how you can prepare.

Share the bare necessities, the simple bare necessities...

Practical Information - Where, What, and When

Perhaps it goes without saying that you have to give your recommenders the bare necessities: a list of colleges to which she should send her letter, instructions on how to submit, and, of course, your deadlines.

Some teachers may upload their letters to your school's online application, others to the Common Application, and still others to the e-docs software, Naviance. Let your teacher know what method she'll be using.

What You Need to Do

Ideally, you have your list of colleges and deadlines on hand when you make your request. If you’re asking especially early - maybe you’re asking your beloved 10th grade English teacher at the end of the year - then you can follow up with this information later.

Remember that your teacher may have many letters to write, along with everything else she’s up to - so write everything down. That way she can refer to this information when she sits down to write your letter.

Share all your deadlines , and send a reminder about a week before if you see that she hasn’t submitted her letter yet. Once she does submit, make sure to send a thank you note for her help in getting into college.

Once you've shared the essential info, think about your special skills and interests. Also, please never try this at home.

What Skills and Interests You’d Like Highlighted

Maybe you’re asking your English teacher because you plan to study creative writing, and you’d love her to speak to your writing abilities. Perhaps you’re asking your Physics teacher so she can talk about your innovative contributions to the Robotics Club she supervises.

Depending on your comfort level and relationship with your teacher, you wouldn’t be crossing a line if you explicitly stated what skills, qualities, or goals you’d like her to highlight in your letter.

As mentioned above, the most effective recommendation letters speak to your intellectual and personal qualities. By sharing your ideas, you could ensure that your teacher includes your academic and personal strengths.

I’m not suggesting that you tell your recommender how to write her letter. You could keep what you say short and sweet , something like, “I’d really love if you could include my skill / interest / talent in (fill in the blank here).”

Make sure that the skill, interest, or talent you mention is appropriate for a rec letter . A passion for a subject, insightful comments in class, or a willingness to take on special projects would be worth mentioning. Your daredevil balancing stunts in tall places may be less relevant. 

This small amount of input could actually help provide your teacher with a theme around which to focus her letter.

Let your teacher know what you learned from her class.

What You Learned and Accomplished In Class

Similarly, you might remind your teacher about a memorable project you worked on or lesson that was especially meaningful from class. If you had any notable achievements or important moments, you could describe them to your teacher.

Since the best rec letters use specific examples , your input could be a useful reminder. Maybe you worked on a special research project or excelled in a debate. Perhaps reading A Brave New World changed your perspective on life. Maybe your teacher’s class helped you discover you want to be a World History major.

Whatever you took away from her class, it could be useful to share. Your input could help make her letter even more specific. If nothing else, your teacher will appreciate hearing that her class made an impact on your thinking.

Before requesting your recommendation, list out your reasons for asking this teacher. Think about any stand out projects or instances where you went beyond requirements. Consider times that you contributed to a discussion, or perhaps had a thought-provoking conversation you had with your teacher. 

Write these moments down, and share them with your teacher when you make your request. As with above, you don't want to come off like you're writing the letter for your teacher.

You could say something short and to the point , like, “I learned a ton from your class and was hoping you could provide me with a recommendation for college. One of my favorite projects was…”

Since teacher recommendation letters provide a micro-view of you as a student - they got to know you on a day to day basis - they should include specifics from your class performance. Your teacher should have examples in mind, but it shouldn’t hurt for you to share your own memories too!

Your Resume

All students should include a resume in their recommender’s packet. Your teacher will mainly write about you in the context she knew you - as a student in her class. However, it’s also helpful for her to know what other responsibilities you balanced and what other activities you’re interested in, especially if they connect to her subject. For instance, maybe your Physics teacher will see that you pursued your passion for mechanical engineering for three years in Robotics Club. 

As described above, your teacher shouldn’t repeat your whole resume and fill your letter with data. However, it is useful for them to have context and learn more about what you’ve been up to in high school. Your resume, therefore, is an essential document to give your recommenders to help them write your letter.

People style their resumes based on personal taste, but the best ones include certain key elements: a summary of skills, a list of activities and work experiences with brief descriptions, and any awards or achievements. You want to include your dates of involvement , and you may state an objective at the top.

You should check out some samples and choose the format that works best for your experiences. Apart from providing a resume, you should be prepared to talk about what you learned from your experiences , especially as any relate to your teacher’s class or your academic goals for college.

Even if your teacher doesn’t sit down to speak with you about it, you may provide these reflections in written form in your brag sheet. That way you can communicate not just what you did in high school, but what each experience meant to you.

Your Brag Sheet

Finally, we get to the brag sheet, perhaps the most significant part of your packet. Your guidance department should provide you with this document, and its questions may vary from school to school. Whatever version you use, it should include prompts that ask you to think about your experiences, identity, and goals.

Rather than giving quick, cliche answers, you should try to dig deep. Even if it feels vulnerable, being honest and revealing is the best way to communicate something real, important, and authentic. Ideally, your recommender already knows you well, but your brag sheet should help her get to know you even better.

Some prompts may include:

• Describe your family. How have your parents influenced you? What qualities of theirs do you admire?
• What three adjectives would you use to describe yourself? What adjectives would your teachers use? Your parents? Give specific examples or stories of a time you exemplified each one of these qualities.
• Discuss an academic interest or passion.
• Describe an involvement that’s had a significant impact on you.
• How do you spend your free time?
• What have you learned about yourself since the time you started high school? How have you changed or grown?
• Describe a significant challenge or obstacle you’ve had to overcome. How did you do so, and what did you learn from it?
• Describe an experience that changed your thinking or perspective on an issue.

Depending on your school, your brag sheet may be more or less thorough (or may not exist at all). If you feel you have more to share, you could add your own questions and answers. Besides adding more info, what else can you do to make your brag sheet as useful and telling as it can be?

As you can see, the questions on a brag sheet are quite personal. They’re tough to answer immediately. Instead, they call for some serious introspection and self-awareness. Don’t worry if your first reaction is to go blank. It takes some time to reflect on these questions and come up with answers that feel genuine and meaningful.

One way to dig deeper might be to sit with a question and jot down any ideas that come to mind. For instance, let’s say you’re trying to describe an involvement that’s important to you. You might write down your participation in track team. Then you should ask yourself a simple question: why?

Maybe track team has enhanced your confidence. Again, ask yourself, Why? Maybe you’re continuously breaking your personal records and showing yourself that you can redefine your sense of limitations.

You can keep asking yourself "why" to get to something that resonates with you - maybe your achievements in running have spread into other areas in your life by showing that if you endure discomfort in the moment, you can break through to a new level that you didn’t know was possible.

Then again, another student might value track team because of the friendships she made there. Maybe she felt a strong sense of belonging with her track team, and this connectedness showed her that she can adapt to any new social situation.

If you keep asking yourself why and defining your reasons, then your answer may look very different - and much more revealing - than where you started. Two students may write about their involvement in track, but they may value the experience for very different reasons. And this says something different about who they are and what's important to them.  

Your brag sheet will help your teacher write an insightful letter that reveals your character, personality, and values. They may also include significant circumstances in your family or personal background , if you're comfortable sharing them. All of this insight will help admissions officers get to know you on a deeper level . 

Your letters should give admissions committees a fuller sense of who you are as a student and person . By giving this same well-rounded sense to your teachers, you will give them all the materials they need - along with the relationship they’ve already established with you - to write a personal and effective letter of recommendation.

Key Points: What to Prepare and Why

The most important takeaway you should gain from this guide is that you can play an active and influential role in getting strong recommendation letters . Of course, the foundation of your letters is how you performed in class over the year and got to know your teachers. Beyond this, though, you can prepare thoughtful information that will help your teacher write a specific, personalized, and revealing letter.

Thinking about and producing your materials should take a few weeks of planning. You should expect to spend about 15 hours or more on creating and proofreading your resume and brag sheet.

You shouldn’t scribble off fast answers to your brag sheet prompts; instead, take the time to sit with these questions and dig deeply , continually challenging yourself to get to the root of your answers by asking, “Why?” as in the example above. Your responses will not only jog your teacher’s memory and teach her new things about you, but they will also show her how much effort and planning you’re putting into your college applications.

Hopefully, you’ve asked a teacher who supports you and knows you well. By putting in the effort to share your ideas, resume, and brag sheet, you can be confident you’ve done everything in your power to acquire an excellent letter of recommendation.

What's Next?

In addition to teacher recommendations, most colleges want to see an evaluation from your school counselor. To learn about how your counselor rec differs from your teacher recs, check out these examples of strong letters . For letters you don't want from your counselor, read these four examples.

You may be surprised to learn how much influence you can have on your recommendation letters. Along similar lines, you also want to be strategic about how you present your extracurricular activities on your college applications . Check out this full guide on how to write about extracurriculars in the most impressive way.

For more on the ins and outs of applying to college, check out this full step by step guide! It goes over everything from choosing your high school classes to brainstorming personal ideas. It's also available in snazzy infographic form!

Rebecca graduated with her Master's in Adolescent Counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has years of teaching and college counseling experience and is passionate about helping students achieve their goals and improve their well-being. She graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University and scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT.

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Free High School Recommendation Letter

Free Download this High School Recommendation Letter Design in Word, Google Docs, PDF, Apple Pages, Outlook Format. Easily Editable, Printable, Downloadable.

Help a young friend or family member get a job through the use of the Free High School Recommendation Letter template. This is a top notch document that also comes free to download and is quite easy to edit. Print this at home or through commercial methods.

HIGH SCHOOL RECOMMENDATION LETTER FOR SUMMER JOB

Dear [RECIPIENT NAME],

Greetings of the day!!

I understand that [NAME] has applied for a part time job as a [POSITION] at your company for the upcoming summer vacation. As the teacher of [NAME] i can put it on record with certainty that [HE/SHE] is known to be a hard working individual, is always punctual and overall has a great attitude. I have been impressed with [HIS/HER] time management skills. [NAME] is a thorough team player and gets along well with his team members.

I strongly recommend [HIM/HER] for the [POSITION] at your company. I can be reached at [YOUR PHONE NUMBER] or by email at [YOUR EMAIL ID], should require any additional details. I will be gladly provide it.

[YOUR SIGNATURE]

[YOUR NAME]

No  template.net  attribution required

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