If you’re a junior in high school, you may already be thinking about college applications. One important part of those applications will be recommendation letters from teachers, counselors, or other adults who know you well. A well-written recommendation letter can make a big difference in how admissions officers view your application. In this article, we will provide tips for writing a great recommendation letter for your junior year of high school, along with seven examples that you can use as a starting point.
Tips for Writing a Recommendation Letter Junior Year
Here are some tips to keep in mind as you write a recommendation letter:
- Be specific: Include specific examples of the student’s achievements and character traits.
- Be honest: Don’t exaggerate or stretch the truth in order to make the student look better.
- Be positive: Focus on the student’s strengths and potential rather than their weaknesses.
- Be professional: Use a professional tone and format for the letter.
- Be timely: Submit the letter by the deadline given by the student or school.
Remember, these are just general guidelines to help you get started. You should always ask the student or their parents for any specific requirements or requests for the letter.
Examples of Recommendation Letter Junior Year
Letter for College Applications
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am writing to recommend [Student Name] for admission to your college. As [his/her] teacher for the past two years, I have been consistently impressed with [his/her] academic ability and dedication to learning.
[Provide specific examples of the student’s academic achievements or extracurricular involvement.]
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend [Student Name] for admission to your college. [He/She] is a bright, motivated, and hardworking student who would be an asset to your academic community. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Letter for Scholarship Applications
Dear Scholarship Committee,
I am writing to recommend [Student Name] for the [Scholarship Name] scholarship. As [his/her] teacher for the past three years, I have had the pleasure of watching [him/her] grow and develop into a talented and dedicated student.
[Provide specific examples of the student’s academic achievements, leadership skills, or community involvement.]
In conclusion, I strongly recommend [Student Name] for the [Scholarship Name] scholarship. [He/She] has the academic ability, leadership skills, and community-mindedness to make a real difference in the world, and I am confident that [he/she] will use this scholarship to achieve great things. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Letter for Summer Program Applications
Dear Summer Program Committee,
I am writing to recommend [Student Name] for the [Program Name] summer program. As [his/her] teacher for the past year, I have been consistently impressed with [his/her] curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm for learning.
[Provide specific examples of the student’s academic achievements or extracurricular involvement.]
In conclusion, I highly recommend [Student Name] for the [Program Name] summer program. [He/She] is a bright, motivated, and hardworking student who would be a valuable addition to your program. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Letter for Job Applications
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to recommend [Student Name] for the [Job Title] position at your company. As [his/her] teacher for the past year, I have had the pleasure of watching [him/her] grow and develop into a responsible, reliable, and hardworking student.
[Provide specific examples of the student’s work ethic, leadership skills, or other relevant qualities.]
In conclusion, I highly recommend [Student Name] for the [Job Title] position at your company. [He/She] has the skills, experience, and attitude to excel in this role, and I believe that [he/she] will make a valuable contribution to your team. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Letter for Program Applications
Dear Program Coordinator,
I am writing to recommend [Student Name] for the [Program Name] program. As [his/her] teacher for the past year, I have been consistently impressed with [his/her] creativity, leadership skills, and dedication to learning.
[Provide specific examples of the student’s academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, or leadership experience.]
In conclusion, I highly recommend [Student Name] for the [Program Name] program. [He/She] has the passion, skills, and potential to make a real difference in the world, and I believe that [he/she] will thrive in this program. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Letter for Volunteer Applications
Dear Volunteer Coordinator,
I am writing to recommend [Student Name] for the [Volunteer Position] position at your organization. As [his/her] teacher for the past year, I have been consistently impressed with [his/her] kindness, compassion, and dedication to helping others.
[Provide specific examples of the student’s volunteer experience or community involvement.]
In conclusion, I highly recommend [Student Name] for the [Volunteer Position] position at your organization. [He/She] has the heart, skills, and dedication to make a real difference in the lives of others, and I believe that [he/she] will be a valuable asset to your team. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Letter for Study Abroad Applications
Dear Study Abroad Committee,
I am writing to recommend [Student Name] for the study abroad program. As [his/her] teacher for the past two years, I have had the pleasure of watching [him/her] grow and develop into a talented and dedicated student with a passion for learning about other cultures.
[Provide specific examples of the student’s academic achievements, cultural knowledge, or language skills.]
In conclusion, I strongly recommend [Student Name] for the study abroad program. [He/She] has the academic ability, cultural knowledge, and language skills to thrive in this program, and I believe that [he/she] will make the most of this opportunity. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I’m not sure what to include in a recommendation letter?
Ask the student or their parents for any specific requirements or requests for the letter. You can also ask the student to provide you with a list of their accomplishments, goals, or other relevant information that you can use to write the letter.
How many recommendation letters should I write for a student?
It depends on the requirements of the college or program. Some may require only one or two letters, while others may allow or require more. You should always follow the guidelines provided by the college or program.
How should I address the letter?
You should address the letter to the person or committee who will be reviewing the student’s application. If you’re not sure who to address the letter to, you can ask the student or their parents for guidance.
What should I do if I don’t have enough information about the student to write a recommendation letter?
If you don’t have enough information about the student, you should politely decline to write the letter. It’s better to decline than to write a weak or inaccurate letter that could hurt the student’s chances of admission.
How long should a recommendation letter be?
A recommendation letter should be one to two pages long, depending on the requirements of the college or program. It should be long enough to provide specific details and examples, but short enough to hold the reader’s attention.
What should I do if I’m running out of time to write a recommendation letter?
If you’re running out of time, you should notify the student or their parents as soon as possible. It’s better to ask for an extension than to submit a rushed or incomplete letter.
Conclusion
Writing a recommendation letter can be a challenging but rewarding task. By following the tips and examples provided in this article, you can help the student showcase their strengths and potential and increase their chances of success. Remember to always be honest, specific, and professional in your writing, and to submit the letter by the deadline given by the student or school. Good luck!