Write A Killer Scholarship Recommendation Letter (w/Example)

Things to Keep in Mind

It is important to ask yourself if you’re able to write the student a meaningful and positive letter. If you feel that you don’t know the student well enough or don’t have enough to share, then your letter may end up hurting their chances to win the scholarship. Don’t hesitate to turn down writing the letter if you feel this way.

If you feel like you don’t know the student well enough, there are a few things you can do. You can ask the student for a copy of his or her resume or set up a meeting with the student to learn about their interests.

Keep in mind that some websites tell students to write the letter of recommendation on their own and ask their recommender to sign it. So, don’t be surprised if your student makes this request. If your student does prefer to write it and have you sign it, remember that you don’t have to sign something that isn’t realistic.

Finally, you should ask the student how to submit the letter. Be sure to follow all the requirements, including correct format, and where and when to send it.

Remember, your goal is to make the student stand out as a top candidate that the scholarship committee would want to invest in. So, make sure that you follow all the instructions to make the student look professional and punctual.

A Sample Scholarship Recommendation Letter

To Whom It May Concern,

It is my great pleasure to recommend Maria for the HENAAC Scholarship. I got to know Maria as her 11th grade AP biology teacher at Mark Twain High School. Maria was also a member of the science club which I am the head of, during her sophomore, junior, and senior year.

From the first day of class, Maria impressed me greatly with her focus and determination. She never hesitated to ask for help when the course material wasn’t clear and would stay after school for additional assistance. She showed great interest in the course and her passion for the field of science is evident.

I was also very impressed by the way she worked with her classmates. Maria got along well with everyone. She is both caring, respectful, and patient. She often sat with other students who needed extra help and explained to them the concepts they didn’t understand.

Maria is enrolled at the University of Michigan and will be starting in the fall of 2021. She plans to major in biology. It is her hopes and dreams to go to medical school following her undergraduate degree.

There is no doubt in my mind that Maria will succeed in whatever she path she chooses to take. She was one of my most motivated students who never succumbed to the pressure of school work and external commitments.  

Maria comes from a family of immigrants and will be the first one in her family to get a college degree. Her parents work very hard to support the family, but finances are a big strain on her family. Maria worked at a coffee shop during all four years of high school as well as babysat to help her parents out. She also helped take care of her brother who is 6 years younger than her.

Maria is very proud of her Hispanic roots. She was a member of the Hispanic club for all four years of high school. She hopes to encourage other Hispanic students to go to college and enter the field of science.

Her hard work and effort will get her very far in life and there is no doubt in my mind that she will succeed. She is very deserving of this scholarship and will greatly contribute to any community that she’s a part of.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at example@email.com.

Sincerely,

Julie Randalls

Sharing is caring ❤️ don’t forget to share this post on Tumblr !