How to Write a Recommendation Letter for a Scholarship

If you teach a large number of students, you may not have the time or opportunity to know each student individually, which can make writing personal letters of recommendation a daunting task. By focusing on a few key areas in each letter, you can write informative letters that will help your students increase their chances of winning college scholarships.

1. Step 1

   Explain how you know the student. "Emily Hargrove has been a student in my chemistry classes for the last two years," or "I have coached Dylan Milligan in basketball at both the junior varsity and varsity level."

2. Step 2

   Describe your background and qualifications. Explain why you are qualified to give a recommendation for this student. "I have taught chemistry at the high school level for 20 years and have taught more than 2,000 students."

3. Step 3

   Select a few positive qualities that the student possesses and write about them. "Emily received straight A's in chemistry for the past two years. She is an industrious and curious student with a strong aptitude for the sciences."

4. Step 4

   Include examples of times the student went beyond what was expected. "Dylan stayed after practice to help other players with their homework and organized the school's first basketball team study group."

5. Step 5

   Describe the student's rank in your class if the student did particularly well. "Emily was the only student in the class to receive a perfect score on every exam. She won the coveted Bruce Willis High School Chemistry Award and has been nominated for a state award."

6. Step 6

   Discuss other aspects of the student's school experience. Ask the office for a transcript or the student's records. Discuss how the student's other qualifications make him a good choice for the scholarship. "Despite Dylan's busy basketball schedule, he managed to maintain a 3.99 grade point average and had a lead role in the school play."

7. Step 7

   Finish the letter with a strong closing paragraph emphasizing the student's strengths. "Emily will be a wonderful addition to your student body. With her strong academic background and leadership abilities, she is well-prepared for the challenges of college life."

8. Step 8

   Proofread the letter and save it in your computer. The student will most likely be applying to more than one college and you will be able to use the same letter with a different address and salutation. Make a copy for the student's records

taken from http://www.ehow.com/how_4579108_write-recommendation-letter-scholarship.html