Writing an Effective Scholarship Recommendation Letter (Guide, Template, Examples)

Recommendation letters play a pivotal role in various admission processes for international study programs and numerous scholarship applications. Here, I’ll share the best advice based on my experience, helping both myself and my clients secure study opportunities and scholarships abroad.

Understanding the Scholarship Recommendation Letter

A recommendation letter is a document where a third party describes their relationship with you, explains how they know you, and provides reasons why they recommend you for a particular study or scholarship program. It serves as a second opinion, validating your character and performance. Essentially, it corroborates the information presented in other documents, such as your CV and motivation letter, offering additional insights into your profile.

Choosing the Right Recommender

Contrary to popular belief, recommendation letters don’t necessarily have to come from high-profile individuals like deans or CEOs. Institutions prefer letters from those who’ve had direct contact with you, understanding your personality and performance firsthand. Professors, thesis supervisors, bosses, or co-workers are excellent choices.

Note: Recommenders may need guidance or even request you to draft the letter for them to review and sign.

Header Tips for Recommendation Letters

1. Recent Date:
   • Avoid using generic letters from previous applications. Provide a current and specific date.
2. Title or Motive:
   • Use titles like “Letter of Recommendation” or “Reference.”
3. Target Specificity:
   • Clearly state the intended recipient, avoiding generic phrases like “To whom it may concern.” Examples include:
     • “Colleagues of the Faculty of Economic Sciences…”
     • “Members of the admissions committee…”
     • “University of…”

Content Tips for Recommendation Letters

Your recommendation letter should include the following elements:

1. Reason:
   • Clearly state the reasons for recommending the applicant and explicitly mention the targeted program.
2. Introduction (Who and How):
   • Identify yourself, mention your position, the institution, and your relationship with the applicant. Examples:
     • “As a teacher of the course of International Relations at the National University…”
     • “David was my student for the class of…”
3. Description of Program/Work:
   • Contextualize the reader about the nature of the program or work performed by the applicant. Emphasize its significance.
     • “The Mechanical Engineering program requires about 20 hours of study…”
     • “Teamwork is essential to develop these activities…”
4. Reasons for Recommendation:
   • Describe the applicant’s personality, academic, and/or professional skills that make them an ideal candidate.
     • “Pepe showed… and good handling of…”
     • “During the time that Juana worked with me, she stood out for her… and…”
5. Recommendation Reinforcement:
   • Emphasize in the final part that the applicant is the right fit for the program, reinforcing the recommendation.
     • “I’m sure Pepe will bring great value to the program of… and university x.”
     • “I strongly believe that Juana…”
6. For More Information and Dismissal:
   • Express openness to answer questions from the selection committee.
     • “For more questions, do not hesitate to contact me.”
     • “I will be willing to solve the questions you may have.”

Tips for Obtaining Strong Recommendation Letters

1. Ask in Advance:
   
   Request letters well in advance, considering the recommender’s schedule. Allow at least one month for them to write it.
2. Share Relevant Documents:
   
   Share your CV and motivation letter with recommenders to ensure they have comprehensive insights into your experiences and plans.
3. For Academic Recommendations:
   
   If you’ve been out of touch with professors for more than two years, approach carefully. Make initial contact to re-establish connections before requesting a recommendation.

Formatting Tips for Scholarship Recommendation Letters

1. Follow Guidelines:
   Adhere to any specified guidelines regarding format, authorship, and delivery (e.g., sealed envelopes).
2. Language:
   If the program is in English, write the letter in English. Attach an official translation if necessary.
3. Size:
   Keep the letter concise but descriptive, ideally between 1 and 1.5 pages with standard fonts and spacing.
4. Letterhead:
   Use the recommender’s institution letterhead for added formality.
5. Contact Information:
   Include the recommender’s clear contact information for verification.