How To Write a Recommendation Letter for Students

If you are a teacher/mentor and probably you are reading this, then there is no other desire than your students standing out in the world of academics which has become highly competitive. 

But the fact is not every teacher gets the opportunity to work with their students to help them reach the top level.

Because they are unable to provide a student’s abilities and accomplishments in the best possible way through words. As C.S. Lewis put it,

“You can make anything by writing”.

Not only writing, but great writing.

Here is the question for you?

Have you ever had the task of writing a recommendation letter for your students?

But the pressure was there and you didn’t want to write like everyone else does.

Because most of the recommendation letters are either too boring, too generic, and too ordinary.

You do want your students to succeed — they may be applying to their dream college, going for a once-in-a-lifetime scholarship or trying to get an internship so they can work towards their future.

But when you sit down to write, doubt sets in: Will I be enough? Will my words be enough?

So, in this guide, you will be taken through the entire process of writing an unforgettable letter for your students, with real life examples and stories to make them part of your life.

This will in the long run help you to save time and also ensure that your letters are not only personalized but also engaging.

Definition & Purpose

The recommendation letter is not just a formality or a required step for a student’s application.

It is a personal endorsement that can either make or break a student’s application.

It is from a professor, or college teacher, to recommend their students for a certain study program or internship.

St. John’s University director Amber J. says that these letters “give the admission committee additional insight into a candidate’s character, work ethic and academic drive.”

For instance, a university admissions officer reviewing numerous applications.

It’s not solely focused on high GPAs or exam results; they aim to learn about the applicant’s character, work ethic, and the contributions the applicant will make to the campus community.

When Are Recommendation Letters Needed?

Recommendation letters are usually needed in various cases:

• College Admissions: Because universities are flooded with applications from students with the best GPAs and test scores, a well written recommendation letter can show the real person, their curiosity, and potential to make a mark on campus.

• Scholarship Applications: A recommendation letter is used by scholarship committees to determine a candidate’s suitability for the award.

• Internships: Employers aren’t just looking for skills, they are looking for mindset. A recommendation letter that speaks to a student’s problem solving abilities or work ethic can make them the standout candidate.

• Study Abroad Programs: These programs seek students who can excel in new environments, and a recommendation letter can identify relevant personal qualities.

Who Should Write a Recommendation Letter?

Where most people screw up, it’s not just about who you know, it’s about who knows
you.

• Teachers or Professors: It’s best for academic recommendations for students.

• Supervisors or Mentors: These are ideal for internships and jobs..

• Community Leaders or Coaches: Perfect for sharing extracurricular achievements.

Pro Tip: A good recommendation letter comes from someone who can give specific examples of a student’s abilities or character. 

You’re not the right person to write the letter if you can’t think of noteworthy anecdotes about the student.

How to Write a Recommendation Letter for a Student: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Gather Necessary Information

Before you even type “Dear [Recipient’s Name],” get the basics right:

• Who is the letter for?
• What is the purpose (college, scholarship, internship, etc.)?
• Are there specific guidelines or points to cover?

Ask the student for a resume, transcript, and a list of their accomplishments or projects.

The more context you have, the easier it’ll be to write something meaningful.

Step 2: Understand the Purpose

Why does this letter matter? A recommendation for an Ivy League college will look different from one for a summer internship. You need to adjust your tone and content accordingly.

According to UC Berkeley’s Career Center, the tone and content of a recommendation should align with the program’s specific requirements.

Step 3: Start with a Strong Hook/Intro.

Hook the reader immediately.

• Bad: “I am writing to recommend [Student’s Name].”
• Better: “When I first met [Student’s Name], they had just taken on the challenge of [specific achievement]. What struck me immediately was their determination to…”

Make it personal and engaging. Show, don’t just tell.

Step 4: Mention Key Qualities and Achievements

This is where you bring the student to life. Share stories that illustrate their strengths.

• Instead of saying, “They are hardworking,” write, “I watched [Student’s Name] spend countless late nights perfecting their [project or assignment], even when others gave up.”

Think: What makes this student different from everyone else? It’s all about writing true stories.

Step 5: Customize the Letter

You can customize your recommendation based on:

• The student’s goals
• The recipient’s expectations
• The position he/she is applying for.

Mention specifics like the name of the scholarship, program, or position.

Step 6: Conclude with a Strong Endorsement

End with confidence.

• Weak: “I think [Student’s Name] would be a good fit.”
• Strong: “I have no doubt that [Student’s Name] will excel in [specific role/program] and continue to make us all proud.”

Step 7: Proofread and Edit

A typo in a recommendation letter is like showing up to an interview in mismatched shoes—no matter how great the content is, the mistake steals the spotlight.

Proofread twice, then ask someone else to read it. 

And, if you want to paraphrase some of the sentences, you can use our AI paraphraser to make it more effective.

What to Include in a Recommendation Letter

Basic Structure

• Introduction: You can introduce yourself and your relationship to the student. For example,
  “I’ve had the pleasure of teaching many bright students in my 15 years as a high school English teacher.”
  
• Body: You can also mention the student’s qualities and achievements with specific examples, e.g,
  “When I met and observed him, [Name]not only took the initiative to organize the team but also brought innovative ideas.”
  
• Conclusion: You can give the student your full support and offer to provide more details.

You can also check the structure here from Toggl Hire.

Personalization

No two recommendation letters should look alike. Why? Because no two students are the same. 

Use personal anecdotes and specific details that showcase the student’s individuality.

Admissions officers and scholarship committees read hundreds of recommendation letters.

A personalized touch makes yours stand out.

Tips for Writing a Recommendation Letter

1. Be Specific: Vague praise doesn’t help anyone.
2. Keep It Concise: Aim for 300–500 words.
3. Use a Positive Tone: Even if there are areas for improvement, focus on strengths.

Cindy Jennings, Senior Associate Director at BerkelyHaas, also shared some valuable tips for writing recommendation letters.

Tools to Help Write a Recommendation Letter

If you’re feeling stuck, these tools can save you time:

• AI Paraphraser: Sometimes, your first draft just doesn’t capture the tone or flow you’re looking for. An AI paraphraser can help rephrase sentences to make them clearer, more engaging, or more formal—whatever the occasion calls for. Some popular examples are Quilbolt, Undetectable AI, etc.

• Word Counter: A recommendation letter that’s too short can come across as insincere, while one that’s too long might lose the reader’s attention. A word counter helps you keep the perfect balance—typically between 300–500 words for most recommendation letters. You can use Word Counter to count your words.

• AI Essay Writer: Stuck staring at a blank page? An AI essay writer can give you a head start by generating a polished draft based on your input.  You can use an essay writer by Undetectable AI to fasten your process.

Discover how our AI Detector and Humanizer work in the widget below!

Examples of Recommendation Letters

Academic Recommendation

Here’s an example for an academic letter:

You can download the template from here.

Scholarship Recommendation

You can download the template here.

Internship Recommendation

You can download the template here.

FAQs

Conclusion

Writing a recommendation letter for a student is an opportunity to truly impact their life, not just a chore. 

You may make your letter stand out from the crowd by following these guidelines, adding personal anecdotes, and personalizing it.

Because when you write, you blend facts and emotions to produce a suggestion that leaves the reader with the impression that “We want this person as a student.”

Therefore, write a letter that people will remember.

And if you need a little help getting started or refining your message, Undetectable AI can assist you in crafting letters that are both impactful and authentically human.