Letter of Recommendation Example
November 1, 1998
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Tory is so actively involved in school activities (student government, band peer helpers, counseling, and choir to name a few) that it seems I have known him since he was a freshman; however, I really only got to know Tory last year when he was a student in my American Studies class (a team-taught, integrated American Literature and U.S. History course.)
One of his greatest strengths is his ability to express himself verbally and talk to all types of people. As a student, this trait allowed him to contribute greatly to any class discussion as he is not shy and has very definite opinions. It also allows him to ask for help when he needs it and to work well with other students and adults in group situations. Since Tory tries to understand the whys and hows and not just the what of the topic under study, his questioning and his contributions also help other students better understand the material.
Tory is highly motivated to learn and be successful in life. He is willing to work as hard as he must to achieve this, but sometimes he needs help focusing since it is impossible for him to do everything that he is interested in. He learned this early in his high school career when he had to make difficult choices about the extracurricular activities he could be involved in and still do well in his academic classes. This experience helped him to mature and to think carefully about what he can and can not do as he tries to balance school activities with getting a good education.
As a leader, Tory is one of the best students I have worked with. He has definite ideas about what must be accomplished and is open to suggestions about how to get there. He is able to follow through on the necessary tasks to reach his goal, but like all teenagers, he sometimes needs help seeing the bigger picture or dealing with the unforeseen details. Other students often look to Tory to provide ideas or leadership which he usually is able to provide. This trait has made him an important school leader since his sophomore year.
Tory is a very personable, motivated, intelligent student who has the ability to succeed in college with some guidance in learning to use his abilities more productively. As a student leader, he has proven to be trustworthy, honest, and responsible -qualities that can not be learned, but must be inborn. To succeed, Tory is determined to work hard and persevere even if it means, as it always does, overcoming obstacles in his path.
Sincerely,
Sandra Barnes