The Dos and Don’ts of Scholarship Recommendation Letters

Scholarship Recommendation Letters: The Dos and Don’ts

As the adage goes, “no man is an island,” and no student can achieve academic excellence without the support of teachers, mentors, and scholarship committees. One of the critical components that support students through scholarships is the recommendation letter. While students spend much time perfecting their application process, the recommendation letter must also capture their achievements in the most concise and persuasive way possible. Therefore, an excellent recommendation letter requires thoughtful preparation and professionalism to set students apart from the rest of the applicants.

That said, here are the dos and don’ts of scholarship recommendation letters.

Dos:

1. Establish a relationship with the student: A good recommendation letter feels authentic, and to achieve this, a teacher or mentor must show that they know the student well. A brief description of how long the teacher or mentor has known the student, their achievements, and personal character demonstrate the level of familiarity.

2. Focus on the student’s achievements: Scholarship committees are looking for students with exceptional academic and non-academic achievements. The letter should focus on how the student has excelled in their field or subjects and the broader community.

3. Use specific examples: Specific examples help paint a picture of who the student is and how they have achieved excellence in their academics or extracurricular activities. The examples can include the student’s leadership skills, teamwork, critical thinking ability, or how they positively impact the community.

4. Adhere to the format and tone required: Scholarship committees may have specific instructions on how they want the recommendation letters formatted. Before writing the letter, ensure that you understand the format requirements and follow them. Also, keep the tone formal and professional.

Don’ts:

1. Avoid general statements: Scholarship committees receive dozens of recommendation letters, and general statements about the student’s character do not set them apart from the other applicants. Avoid generalized statements like “the student is hardworking,” “they have good leadership skills,” and so on. Be specific and provide evidence to support the statements.

2. Don’t exaggerate the student’s achievements: Writing recommendation letters come with a responsibility to be truthful and objective. Though it is understandable to want to be positive, avoid exaggerating the student’s achievements or making false statements about their character.

3. Avoid using informal language or jargon: When writing a recommendation letter, the teacher or mentor should avoid using informal language or jargon that scholarship committees may not understand. It is essential to use plain language, define any technical terms, or provide context where necessary.

4. Don’t miss the deadline: Finally, missing the deadline for submitting recommendation letters can reflect negatively on the student. Always prioritize the deadline for submitting the letters and submit them in good time to avoid causing unnecessary stress to the student or the committee.

In conclusion, scholarship recommendation letters are a vital tool for students looking to receive financial aid. Writing a recommendation letter is a delicate balance between highlighting the student’s achievements and being truthful and objective. By adhering to the dos and don’ts outlined above, teachers, mentors, and scholarship committees can set students on the path to academic success.