Whom It May Concern:

I am very pleased to recommend Martha Holden for admission to your university program.
As her guidance counselor for three years I have watched this young woman develop both
academically and personally into a mature individual ready in every way for her college
years.

Martha is bright, energetic, compassionate and genuinely well rounded. Her grades have
been consistently above average in all of her courses, and she has actively participated in a
diverse assortment of extracurricular activities ranging from track and field and chorus to
the school yearbook and our drama club. 

Martha has also spent considerable time outside the school involved in the community.  This
has included work with Meals on Wheels and volunteering 10 hours a week at one of our
area's shelters for battered and abused women. 

They think so much of her at the shelter they have offered her a paid internship for next
summer. Previously, this internship had never been awarded to anyone before the end of
their college sophomore year. Despite all the preparations that will be required for going off
to college next fall, Martha told me she is absolutely thrilled about this opportunity and feels
it will enhance her university studies.

Unlike many students who are not sure which field to pursue, Martha has made clear to us
all that her goal is to do Social Work. To this end she has worked tirelessly in our pilot
program for mentoring Special Education students mainstreamed into our school.

In closing, let me take a moment to recount an incident which I believe speaks volumes
about the superior nature of this candidate. Two years ago I was returning from lunch to my
office when I saw ahead of me in the hallway 90 pound Martha, arms stretched out between
two 180+ pound students, one a Special Ed student and the other a school bully. Other
students were standing by motionless or laughing while Martha showed the leadership and
courage to immediately put an end to the embarrassing fight that had erupted.

It is clear to me as I hope it is to you that this young woman, Martha Holden, is an

exceptional candidate, one that would contribute greatly to any program. I wholeheartedly
recommend her and wish her the very best in all future endeavors.

Sincerely,

Jean Atkins
Senior Counselor
Alexander Hamilton High School

To Whom It May Concern:

I am very pleased to recommend Martha Holden for admission to your university program.
As her guidance counselor for three years I have watched this young woman develop both
academically and personally into a mature individual ready in every way for her college
years.

Martha is bright, energetic, compassionate and genuinely well rounded. Her grades have
been consistently above average in all of her courses, and she has actively participated in a
diverse assortment of extracurricular activities ranging from track and field and chorus to
the school yearbook and our drama club. 

Martha has also spent considerable time outside the school involved in the community.  This
has included work with Meals on Wheels and volunteering 10 hours a week at one of our
area's shelters for battered and abused women. 

They think so much of her at the shelter they have offered her a paid internship for next
summer. Previously, this internship had never been awarded to anyone before the end of
their college sophomore year. Despite all the preparations that will be required for going off
to college next fall, Martha told me she is absolutely thrilled about this opportunity and feels
it will enhance her university studies.

Unlike many students who are not sure which field to pursue, Martha has made clear to us
all that her goal is to do Social Work. To this end she has worked tirelessly in our pilot
program for mentoring Special Education students mainstreamed into our school.

In closing, let me take a moment to recount an incident which I believe speaks volumes
about the superior nature of this candidate. Two years ago I was returning from lunch to my
office when I saw ahead of me in the hallway 90 pound Martha, arms stretched out between
two 180+ pound students, one a Special Ed student and the other a school bully. Other
students were standing by motionless or laughing while Martha showed the leadership and
courage to immediately put an end to the embarrassing fight that had erupted.

It is clear to me as I hope it is to you that this young woman, Martha Holden, is an

exceptional candidate, one that would contribute greatly to any program. I wholeheartedly
recommend her and wish her the very best in all future endeavors.

Sincerely,

Jean Atkins
Senior Counselor
Alexander Hamilton High School

Top

Sample college recommendation (graduate)

To Whom It May Concern:
As Principal of George Mason High School I am delighted to recommend to you a stellar
member of our teaching staff, Mr. Samuel Cohen, and to write this letter on his behalf. Sam
has taught American History at the school for three years. He is one of our most popular
and effective instructors and has already won several teaching awards.

He came to us directly upon completion of his bachelor’s degree, but immediately settled in
as if an old pro. Sam is a master of all of the ingredients of successful teaching, especially
the ability to inspire.

This gentleman is highly professional in both dress and demeanor. To my knowledge Sam
has never come to work without both a suit and tie, more times than not a bow tie. The
majority of others at the school, both teachers and students, dress differently and lean to
more informality. Never once, however, has Sam’s manner of dress elicited the slightest
comment. Why? It is simply because Sam’s attire seems entirely natural given his dignified
comportment.

That comportment in turn is driven by Sam’s love and respect for American History. Sam
views himself as the messenger for something serious and important, and this is reflected in
the way he teaches and in the way his students respond.

Reaction to Sam’s classes has been overwhelmingly positive. So much so that more than
once it has been reported to me that study hall students have been spotted lingering
outside the door to Sam’s classroom listening to his lessons.

Sam’s impact has even been felt outside the school with the parents themselves. His section
on the importance of voting has inspired students to cajole their parents to register to vote.
Several have mentioned this to me at parent-teacher meetings. One even called the school
to have me pass on their thanks to Mr. Cohen.

The only thing that we in the school administration have ever worried about in regard to
Sam is the prospect of funding his bottled water. Sam is such a passionate and prolific
speaker that he needs a steady supply to maintain his voice. So far we have gotten a pass
on this, as students have bought it for him, including what must have been a year’s supply
on his last birthday.

It will be a sad day when we announce that Sam will be pursuing his graduate degree on a
fulltime basis. We can only hope that he keeps his promise and returns to us as soon as the
ink is dry on his new diploma.

Sincerely,

Harold W. Brown
Principal
George Mason High School