When someone asks you to write a graduate school letter of recommendation, it demonstrates that they value your opinion, trust you and believe in your writing skills.
But as flattering as it is to be asked, there is also some pressure associated with crafting an effective and convincing letter of recommendation. After all, the applicant is counting on you to influence the admissions board and highlight their accomplishments, strengths and skill sets.
The good news is, writing a graduate school letter of recommendation is more intuitive than you think. Below, we’ve rounded up all the tips you need to write the perfect letter for anyone in your sphere.
Getting into a master’s program takes more than just good grades Admissions committees want to see evidence that you have the skills and mindset to thrive in graduate-level academics
That’s where recommendation letters come in. A glowing reference provides outside confirmation of your abilities from someone who knows you well professionally.
But what exactly makes a compelling reference letter for a master’s program? Read on for tips to guide your recommenders
1. Highlight a Range of Achievements
A strong reference letter covers abilities across multiple areas, not just coursework. Your recommender should mention skills like:
-
Research – Did you assist a professor with a major study or conduct your own research?
-
Communication – Can you present ideas clearly through writing and speaking?
-
Leadership – Have you spearheaded group projects or mentored other students?
-
Perseverance – Did you overcome obstacles to complete a big project or pass a tough class?
-
Initiative – Do you go above and beyond basic requirements to deepen your learning?
Covering diverse strengths shows you have the well-rounded toolkit to excel in a master’s program.
2. Include Examples and Anecdotes
Don’t just list skills – provide illustrations. A recommender could say:
-
“Sally stepped up as team lead for our capstone project. She created a schedule to keep us on track and coordinated everyone’s efforts.”
-
“John consistently arrived to my 7am class wide awake and engaged. His insightful questions pushed the whole class to think deeper.”
Specific stories make achievements vivid and memorable for admissions committees.
3. Demonstrate Growth
Programs want candidates who are constantly improving. The letter could note:
-
“Jane struggled at first with college-level writing assignments, but she applied feedback and was producing A-grade papers by sophomore year.”
-
“Bob was shy about speaking up in his first semester. But after joining the debate club, he developed confidence addressing crowds.”
Documenting a student’s progress shows their potential to grow further in a master’s program.
4. Focus on Graduate-Ready Traits
A master’s program requires next-level academic abilities like:
- Self-direction
- Time management
- Critical thinking
- Collaborating
The letter should highlight times you demonstrated these traits. For example:
-* “Even with a packed schedule, Sarah always submitted lab writeups on time and completed all steps with care.”*
Draw clear connections between your strengths and master’s-ready skills.
5. Address Any Red Flags
If you had a blip in your academics, the letter can preemptively address it.
-* “While Sam’s grades slipped one term due to a family issue, he quickly rebounded and finished strong.”*
Don’t let past problems derail your application.
6. Speak to Your Maturity
Programs want candidates who carry themselves professionally. Illustrate maturity by noting how you:
- Handled leadership roles
- Navigated workplaces
- Balanced outside responsibilities
-* “As club treasurer, Alex managed a 5-figure budget with precision and transparency.”*
-* “During her internships, Emma communicated proactively with colleagues and supervisors.”*
Maturity indicators help programs picture you thriving in class and beyond.
7. Emphasize Passion
A major reason students pursue a master’s is passion for the field. Capture this in your letter:
-* “Mariah’s eyes lit up whenever we covered new topics in neurobiology. She exploredextra articles and studies in her free time.”*
Passion ensures you’ll make the most of everything a master’s program offers.
8. Provide Context on the Relationship
Admissions committees weigh references more heavily when the recommender knows you well. Be sure letters include:
- Length of the relationship
- Frequency of interactions
- Variety of settings you met in
-* “As Sara’s undergraduate advisor for 2 years, I met with her weekly and collaborated on research projects.”*
That context gets your recommender’s praise to carry more weight.
9. Speak to Your Work Ethic
Programs value students who work hard and give 100%. Make sure the letter touches on your:
- Study habits
- Class participation
- Dedication to quality work
-* “No matter how complex the assignment, Emma took the time to produce excellent work.”*
Strong work ethic indicates you’ll excel despite a master’s program’s demands.
10. Sound Genuine and Enthusiastic
Write the letter so it sounds authentic and enthusiastic.
Do:
-
Use vivid language like “thrilled” or “impressed”
-
Vary sentence structure to sound natural
-
Share personal stories and up-close observations
Avoid:
-
Overly formal or stiff language
-
Making it a laundry list of achievements
-
Keeping it vague when specifics would strengthen it
Authentic praise has more influence than detached, generic praise.
Help Your Recommender Help You
To get a reference letter that hits all the right notes, provide your recommender plenty of lead time. Give them specific examples of achievements they could include so they can write confidently.
Also, let them know about the school’s values so they can emphasize your most relevant strengths. Reviewing drafts together can also help shape an A+ letter.
With these tips, your letters will help admissions committees recognize your full potential for master’s-level success. Use them when requesting references, and you’ll have a valuable edge in the competitive applicant pool.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Writing a Letter of Recommendation for Grad School
Once you’ve decided to accept and write the letter of recommendation, take a moment to consider some key questions before you begin crafting your statement.
- What is your relationship like with this person?
- What do you think of their work you’ve seen? How would you describe it?
- What are significant memories you have with them?
- What qualities or strengths does this person have?
- What would you specifically want somebody to know about this person?
- What value would this person bring to this grad school program, and how would they thrive in the field after the program?
What to Ask From Someone Before Writing a Letter of Recommendation
Of course, there is some student information you’ll want to obtain before starting your recommendation. To ensure you’re addressing all the right points and representing them in the best light possible, make sure you ask them the below questions.
The basics. First off, you should find out where this letter is going, to whom it should be addressed, what the deadlines are and how they’d like you to submit it (mail, email, etc.).
Why they want to go to this program and why they are drawn to this school. It’s important to know the motivation behind their graduate school studies: Is it for the love of learning? To get a better job? To switch fields altogether? This will help inform what you write in the letter. Similarly, it’s good to know why a specific school is calling them as well.
Any strengths or qualities they want highlighted. Each person will have different qualities they want you to discuss in their letter of recommendation. If the strengths they mention are ones you agree with and seem relevant to the degree program, definitely include them. You should also ask about what achievements they’ve made that will help them stand out from the crowd of applicants.
Their resume. No one can memorize a person’s entire job and education history. A resume can help remind you of special projects and exemplary work they’ve accomplished in the past, which you can then emphasize in your letter.
Elements of a strong recommendation letter
FAQ
What makes a strong letter of recommendation for grad school?
What do grad schools look for in recommendation letters?
What is a reference letter for a master’s program?
A reference letter for a master’s program is an endorsement on behalf of a person applying for a graduate school program. The letter usually relates your relationship to the person and has a positive tone. The letter might include your academic, professional and personal observations regarding the individual.
How do you write a letter of recommendation for a Master’s?
An “academic reference letter” is often given directly to you by the referee, and you can keep it for future use. Such a letter is normally addressed as “To Whom it may Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam.” This is why the letter of recommendation for Master’s is most often required by universities.
Do you need a reference letter for a master’s degree?
For example, if you are applying for a Master’s in a tech-related subject, it is more valuable to have a reference letter from your supervisor in a tech company rather than a reference letter from an employer where you worked in customer service, for instance. How to write a letter of recommendation?
How many letters of recommendation do you need for a master’s degree?
Most master’s degree programs, including MS programs through Stanford, require three letters of recommendation. However, it’s essential to verify the specific guidelines set by your target institution and program. Once you know the number of letters that are required, it’s a good strategy to have additional recommenders in mind.
