OK. You’ve written a dynamite personal statement and filled out the

　　applications.

　　You’re coping with school, work, research, volunteer commitments, and

　　applications when all of a sudden you get an unexpected curve ball. One of

　　your recommenders says. "I really want to help you get into grad school.

　　Why don’t you write the letter of rec, and I’ll sign it. That way it will

　　emphasize exactly what you think is most important."

　　You of course graciously acknowledge the recommender’s good intentions and

　　thank him

　　or her for the outstanding idea. Inwardly you panic, curse, and think, "I

　　can’t write

　　one more word. When am I going to find the time to do it? And what on earth

　　am I supposed

　　to say?"

　　Relax. I’ll tell you what a recommender should say. In fact, you can pass

　　these tips

　　on to your recommenders in case they don’t know what to say and don’t ask

　　you to say it.

　　10 Tips for Recommenders

　　Review a copy of the applicant’s personal statement or application essays

　　so that

　　your letter of recommendation can dovetail with--not conflict with or

　　duplicate--the rest of the application.

　　Ask the applicant to supply you with additional information like a résumé.

　　Describe your qualifications for comparing the applicant to other

　　applicants.

　　I have been teaching for twenty years and have advised approximately 450

　　students on

　　independent research projects over the last five years.

　　I have personally supervised ten interns every summer for the last five

　　years plus

　　worked with over two hundred college graduates in my capacity as trainer

　　for Big Bank Corp.

　　Discuss how well you know the applicant.

　　I was able to get to know Mr. Doe because he made it a point to attend two

　　of my

　　sections every week when only one was required.

　　Ms. Smith reported directly to me for two years prior to her well-deserved

　　promotion

　　to the position of Assistant Campaign Manager

　　Choose two to three qualities that you observed in the applicant.

　　Jane has a rare blend of top writing and interpersonal skills.

　　The combination of tenacity, analytical abilities, and good communications

　　skills

　　found in Mr. Doe is truly unique.

　　In discussing those qualities, support your statements with specific

　　instances in

　　which he or she demonstrated those attributes. Be as concrete and detailed

　　as possible

　　He is the only student I ever had who came to all my office hours as part

　　of a

　　relentless, and ultimately successful, drive to master political theory. He

　　was one of just ten percent in the class to receive an A.

　　Because of Jane’s writing skills, I didn’t hesitate to ask her to write a

　　report

　　which was used by our PAC as the basis for a major policy statement.

　　Congressman X

　　eventually used the statement, based on Jane’s sophisticated 20-page

　　analysis of Middle East politics, in lobbying for increased funding.

　　Try to quantify the student’s strengths or rank him or her vis a vis other

　　applicants that you have observed.

　　He was in the top 10% of his class.

　　She has the best analytical skills of any person her age that I have ever

　　supervised.

　　Avoid generalities and platitudes.

　　Include some mild criticism, typically the flip-side of a strength.

　　The only fault I have encountered in him is his retiring nature. His

　　modesty

　　sometimes hides a young man of remarkable strength and broad interests.

　　Occasionally, her fortitude and persistence can turn into stubbornness, but

　　usually

　　her good nature and level-headedness prevail.

　　Discuss the applicant’s potential in his or her chosen field.

　　I enthusiastically recommend Mr. Doe to your graduate school. This well-

　　rounded

　　student will be a fine social worker.

　　With her exceptional leadership, writing, and research skills, Ms. Smith

　　will be an

　　outstanding professor and a credit to the graduate school she attends