Draft a graduate-school recommendation letter from my perspective as the recommender. Use only the facts, examples, and relationship details I provide. Do not invent rankings, comparative claims, grades, publications, dates, titles, personal traits, or knowledge of the applicant that I did not supply. [APPLICANT AND PROGRAM] [RECOMMENDER ROLE AND RELATIONSHIP] [EVIDENCE AND EXAMPLES] [PROGRAM FIT] [LETTER REQUIREMENTS] Write a 550-750 word letter addressed to the admissions committee. Include: a clear opening recommendation and how long, in what capacity, and how closely I have known the applicant; two detailed examples that demonstrate relevant abilities; an evaluation of the applicant’s readiness for this specific program; a balanced statement on growth or context only if I supplied one; and a direct closing endorsement with my contact availability. Make the examples useful to an admissions reader: describe the setting, the applicant’s specific contribution, the judgment or skill demonstrated, and the observed outcome. Connect evidence to the program’s stated priorities, such as research readiness, clinical judgment, quantitative preparation, leadership, or professional ethics. Do not merely restate the applicant’s resume or personal statement. Avoid inflated phrases such as “one of the best” unless I give a defensible comparison group and basis. After the letter, provide a short recommender review checklist listing claims that need confirmation, missing program-specific evidence, and any wording that could overstate my firsthand knowledge. Before answering, verify that each praise claim is supported by an example and that the letter distinguishes observation from information the applicant told me. Ask up to three clarifying questions only if a required input is missing.
Fill in
| Placeholder | What to enter | Example |
|---|---|---|
| [APPLICANT AND PROGRAM] | Provide the applicant’s name, degree program, institution, and intended field or concentration. | Maya Patel, Master of Public Health in Epidemiology, University of Michigan, fall admission. |
| [RECOMMENDER ROLE AND RELATIONSHIP] | State your title, how you know the applicant, dates of the relationship, and degree of direct supervision or teaching. | I am Dr. Elena Ruiz, associate professor of biology at Lakeside College. I taught Maya in Biostatistics in 2024 and supervised her capstone from January to May 2025. |
| [EVIDENCE AND EXAMPLES] | List firsthand examples of the applicant’s work, skills, outcomes, and relevant context. | Maya cleaned a 12,000-record county health dataset, documented exclusions, found a coding error in the initial analysis, and presented a revised model to the class. |
| [PROGRAM FIT] | Paste program priorities, curriculum features, research areas, or admissions criteria relevant to the applicant. | The program emphasizes quantitative methods, applied epidemiologic research, and collaboration with public-health partners. |
| [LETTER REQUIREMENTS] | State the deadline, word limit, submission instructions, tone, and any required prompts. | Submit through the university portal by December 8; 750 words maximum; professional and specific tone. |
How to use
- Give the recommender’s firsthand observations, not just the applicant’s resume or a list of adjectives.
- Paste program criteria so the letter can connect evidence to the actual course of study.
- Have the recommender verify comparative language, dates, and any claimed outcome before submission.
- Follow up with: “Create a 150-word version for a program that limits recommendations to a text box, keeping the strongest two examples.”
Variations
Recommendation request email
Use this before asking a professor or manager to recommend you.
Draft a respectful email asking [RECOMMENDER] for a graduate-school recommendation for [PROGRAM]. Our relationship is [RELATIONSHIP], and the work they observed is [EXAMPLES]. Include the deadline [DEADLINE], submission method [SUBMISSION METHOD], and a short list of materials I can provide. Keep it under 180 words. Make the request easy to decline and do not pressure them to write a positive letter. Check that the email gives enough context without attaching an inflated account of my accomplishments.
Professional recommender
Use this for a letter from a supervisor rather than an academic instructor.
Draft a 600-word graduate-school recommendation from a supervisor for [APPLICANT] applying to [PROGRAM]. Recommender context: [RELATIONSHIP]. Firsthand workplace evidence: [EXAMPLES]. Program priorities: [PROGRAM CRITERIA]. Show professional judgment, collaboration, reliability, and relevant analytical or leadership ability through specific work examples. Do not make academic claims the supervisor cannot support. Flag any result, date, or comparative statement requiring confirmation. Ask up to three questions only if required details are missing.
Academic reference brief
Use this to give a recommender useful source material.
Create a one-page recommendation brief for [RECOMMENDER] supporting my application to [PROGRAM]. My factual background is [BACKGROUND], and the work they directly observed is [OBSERVED WORK]. Include program priorities [CRITERIA], two suggested evidence themes, submission details [DEADLINE], and a list of attached materials. Do not draft words for the recommender to sign or claim they observed work they did not. Check that the brief distinguishes my self-reported achievements from their firsthand knowledge.
Tips
- Choose a recommender who can describe your work in detail; title alone rarely produces a persuasive letter.
- Give each recommender a tailored brief, because an epidemiology program and an MBA program require different evidence.
- A specific example of revising an analysis, handling feedback, or making a careful decision is stronger than a page of adjectives.
- Ask early enough for the recommender to decline comfortably and to write from their own perspective.
FAQ
Can AI write my recommender’s letter for them?
It can prepare a draft, but the recommender must review, revise, and submit a letter that genuinely represents their assessment.
What makes a graduate recommendation credible?
It explains the recommender’s firsthand relationship, offers concrete observations, and links those observations to readiness for the named program.
Should the letter mention weaknesses?
Only if the recommender can provide useful, truthful context and explain development. Do not insert a weakness simply to make the letter sound balanced.