A great recommendation letter for student brings an application to life, adding both personality and context to academic records. A strong letter succeeds in showcasing qualities like leadership, creativity, and resilience. These letters do not happen by chance; they’re built through meaningful collaboration between the student and their recommender.
For many students, the prospect of asking for a recommendation is a daunting one, and often they lack clarity about the impression they hope to make on the reader. On the other hand, many recommenders may be eager to support their student, but lack the specific details needed to write something strong. With the right preparation and communication, this initial request can yield a crafted letter that reflects the student’s journey and potential.
In this article, we explore why recommendation letters matter, how students and mentors can collaborate effectively to create them, and how platforms like Nova Scholar help build the kind of relationships that lead to impactful recommendations.
Why Recommendation Letters Still Matter
Whilst grades and test scores reflect academic achievement, they are unable to paint a picture of who a student is as a person. Recommendation letters play an important role in filling this contextual gap. They offer insight into a student’s character, motivations, and how they work – both as individual academics and in group settings.
These letters are often used by college admissions officers to answer questions such as the following:
- Does the student show initiative and leadership?
- How does the student contribute to classroom discussions and team projects?
- Has this student shown personal growth, creativity, or resilience?
According to the University of California, Berkeley, “letters of recommendation can help provide additional academic and personal context”. Berkeley encourages students to choose recommenders who can speak to core values such as “leadership, persistence in the face of challenges, cross-cultural engagement, and originality.”
A Student’s Guide to Securing a Great Recommendation
The student’s role in the letter is so much more than the request. When students are active in the writing process and provide clear guidance to their mentor, they facilitate a letter that is not only supportive but also specific and meaningful.
1. Ask early and politely
Reach out at least four weeks before the deadline. Ask respectfully if the person feels comfortable writing a recommendation on your behalf. Be sure to include the exact due date and how the letter should be submitted, whether that be through a portal, via email, or in printed form.
2. Share a thoughtful brag sheet
Create a short document that highlights key information. Include:
- Academic and extracurricular accomplishments
- Memorable projects or achievements
- Strengths and skills you’ve developed
- Your college or career goals
- Why you’re applying to this program and what excites you about it
3. Provide further helpful materials
Attach your résumé, transcript, and college essay or personal statement. These materials help the recommender connect your past experiences with your future direction.
4. Offer to meet up with your recommender
If you would feel comfortable doing so, offer to meet your recommender in person or organise a phone call; a short conversation can help give them a clearer sense of what you are seeking from your letter, and it also reminds them of your character to better inform their writing.
5. Make the process as easy as possible for your recommender
Writing a thoughtful recommendation letter takes time and insight. While most recommenders genuinely want to support their students, they often juggle many requests alongside their teaching or work responsibilities. Make their job as easy as possible. Be clear about the purpose of your letter and the important deadlines, answer any questions they may have promptly and succinctly. By supporting your recommender this way, you’re not just being polite: you’re setting both of you up for success. A strong letter is a shared effort!
6. Show your gratitude
Always follow up with a sincere thank-you note. A handwritten message or thoughtful email shows that you value their time and effort.
A Recommender’s Guide to Making a Student Shine
A great recommendation letter does more than list traits. It paints a clear picture of the student by sharing real experiences and insights. The strongest letters feel personal, specific, and aligned with the student’s goals.
· Use specific examples
Instead of using vague phrases, a strong letter should tell a story. Rather than stating that “Emma is a hard worker,” a recommendation should paint a picture which allows the reader to reach the conclusion herself: “Emma took the lead during the science project by organizing the team, guiding the research, and presenting the final findings with clarity and confidence.” Details like this humanize the student and make it more likely the reader will remember them.
· Focus on character and growth
Admissions teams want to know how a student grows over time; it is important to mention how they respond to feedback or show persistence when things get tough. Did the student cope well with unhelpful teammates? Did they put in the extra hours and turn a low grade around?
· Connect to the student’s goals
It is important to be both specific and selective when discussing a student’s strengths. If a student is applying to an art school, talk about their creativity. If they’re pursuing engineering, highlight their problem-solving mindset. Show how their strengths align with what they’re aiming for.
· Be honest and supportive
A recommendation doesn’t need to be exaggerated to be powerful. Write with sincerity. End the letter with a confident statement about the student’s potential and what makes them a great fit for the program or role.
Nova Scholar: Where Great Recommendations are Born
Nova Scholar, founded by Stanford researchers, is a program that connects high school students with mentors from top universities through project-based learning. By allowing students to forge genuine and sustained academic partnerships, the program creates the optimum environment for powerful recommendation letters.
How Nova Scholar leads to strong recommendations:
- Students and mentors work together closely over a substantial time period
- Projects are challenging, collaborative and academically profound
- Mentors gain firsthand insight into a student’s critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving and teamworking
Mentors write great letters because they speak from direct experience. With specific examples of a student’s strengths and growth at their fingertips, they aren’t relying on vague impressions. These letters stand out because they are rooted in authentic mentorship and real accomplishments. For students, one of the most reliable ways to secure a strong recommendation is by building relationships through meaningful academic experiences, such as those facilitated by Nova Scholar and similar programs.
Checklist: From Request to Impact
For students:
- Ask early and politely
- Choose someone who knows you well
- Share a brag sheet, resume, and essay if available
- Offer a conversation
- Provide clear deadlines and instructions
- Follow up and say thank you
For recommenders:
- Include real examples
- Focus on strengths and growth
- Connect qualities to the student’s goals
- Be honest and specific
- Close with a strong statement of support
Conclusion: Letters That Tell a Story
A recommendation letter is a chance to tell a student’s story through the eyes of someone who knows their potential. When students prepare carefully and recommenders write thoughtfully, the letter becomes a meaningful part of the application process. Programs like Nova Scholar allow for impactful student-mentor connections through research and collaboration. As students learn and the academic relationship strengthens, mentors become uniquely positioned to tell student stories with insight and care. If you’re looking to grow academically and connect with expert mentors, explore Nova Scholar.
