City College students regularly excel in national scholarship competitions, winning highly selective awards Fulbright, Goldwater, Truman, NSF and other awards. These successes are due in no small part to the generous support of faculty and other mentors like you. We thank you in advance for your willingness to devote time and care to writing letters of recommendation for our candidates.
A strong letter of recommendation can make an important contribution to a student's chances for success. Below are a few guidelines for writing effective recommendations. Some program websites also provide specific details for what they seek in recommendations.
If you have any questions about preparing your letter, please feel free to contact Jennifer Lutton, National Scholarships Director, at
jlutton@ccny.cuny.edu
.
- Review selection criteria for the scholarship. Applicants should provide you with these. Knowing what the scholarship is looking for will help you understand how to present the applicant. For example, Truman looks for students committed to public service; Goldwater seeks students devoted to scientific research; Udall looks for students dedicated to environmental issues; Rhodes looks for all-around excellence at the highest levels.
- Letters should make the student come alive. Because many top scholarship competitions interview finalists, recommendation letters should make the selection committee want to meet the candidate in person. Drawing on specific examples, show what makes the student a special person to have in class, in the lab, or at an internship or volunteer setting. Discuss the applicant's papers, projects, activities, and conversations to help them stand out in the reader’s mind.
- Describe any unusual or outstanding quality or ability you think makes the student well-qualified for the scholarship. All applicants have strong academic records and accomplishments. Highlight what makes your candidate different. Be specific about their potential to succeed in graduate study and/or their chosen profession. Discuss how the candidate demonstrates exceptional critical abilities, originality, intellectual curiosity, and capacity for leadership in their field.
- Avoid repeating highlights from the candidate's resume. The most effective letters provide information, personal experiences, and anecdotes that build on details and reveal qualities not evident in resumes.
- If for any reason you feel unable to write a strongly supportive letter, it is best for the candidate if you gently decline.
Last Updated: 06/27/2023 12:35