I was just sitting down to write the first1 reference letter that I have ever written and realized that I have never read a reference letter and have little idea of what should go into one. This particular letter is for a graduate student applying for a fellowship. Short post, but any suggestions?
Maybe I should start tweeting.
1 This is actually the third reference letter I’ve written, but the first was to be read by a close friend in the math department and the second was to be read by me.
My basic guideline: Be as positive as I can while still being truthful.
i.e If I can’t honestly say the student was one of the best in the class then I’ll say he/she was one of the most hardworking, or asked the toughest questions, or had the most creative answers – whatever seems truthful.
I usually ask them to draft the letter and give it to me to edit. It helps avoid procrastination and sometimes brings up information I didn’t know about.
I found Mike Ernst‘s advice page on writing recommendation letters useful.
You should know this page…
http://www.cs.brown.edu/~sk/Memos/Grad-School-Recos/
The feed reader is not working.
Thanks for the pointers. Letters written. New skill attempted.