What Is a Letter of Recommendation for Graduate School?
A letter of recommendation (LoR) for graduate school reveals detailed insights into an applicant’s strengths. It highlights their academic work and suitability for advanced study.
A professor, mentor, employer, or supervisor writes it to support the admissions process. An admissions committee uses it to determine if the applicant has the potential to succeed in their program. A strong letter helps differentiate applicants in a competitive selection environment.
How to Write a Letter of Recommendation for Graduate School
A compelling grad school LoR should consist of a concise introduction, 2-3 focused body paragraphs, and a powerful closing.
Step 1 – Introduce Yourself & Purpose of Writing
Begin the letter by introducing yourself, including your name, position, and relationship to the applicant. Explain how you met them and how your experience with them has prepared you to support their acceptance into grad school.
Step 2 – Highlight the Applicant’s Potential for Grad School Success
In your body paragraphs, start with a topic sentence highlighting the applicant’s talents and potential for success in graduate school. Then, provide detailed examples that support the qualities. These allow admissions committees to look beyond test scores and grades.
Some elements that make a grad school recommendation letter stand out include:
- Specific examples that showcase the applicant’s academic excellence, leadership, and research skills. Quantifiable details carry more weight than general claims about their talents.
- Illustrative anecdotes about the applicant’s persistence, integrity, teamwork, and communication. Brief stories about how the applicant made meaningful contributions reveal their character in memorable ways.
- Unique insights into how the applicant thinks and pursues their goals. Recommenders can provide a nuanced perspective on their personal growth and future potential.
- Fit assessment for the particular graduate program or field of study. Recommenders may highlight specific skills, experiences, and interests that make the applicant a strong candidate for the program in question.
Grad School Traits to Highlight
If you’re unsure of where to start, review the American Library Association’s top grad school characteristics. Touch on traits like tenacity, dependability, and curiosity to create a strong letter.
Step 3 – Conclude the Letter
Reaffirm your support for the applicant and your belief in their potential to succeed in the program. Include an offer to provide additional information if needed and a professional sign-off.
Example Letter of Recommendation for Graduate School from an Employer
Here’s an example letter from an employer who had direct experience with an applicant’s work ethic:
Michael Pryor
HealthCorp
7421 Meridian Park Drive, Suite 300
Orlando, FL 32819
[email protected]
January 10, 2026
Admissions Committee
Master of Public Health Program
Southeastern University
1200 University Way
Tallahassee, FL 32306
Dear Members of the Admissions Committee,
It is with great enthusiasm that I write to recommend Lily Gregory for the Master’s program in Public Health at Southeastern University. Having had the pleasure of engaging with Lily as her Director of Operations for five years at HealthCorp, I have been impressed by her commitment to achieving a high standard in all endeavors. This positions me well to attest to her suitability for this application.
During her tenure in community health initiatives, Lily has consistently demonstrated exceptional analytical ability and dedication to improving health outcomes. A notable achievement was her commitment to coordinating a citywide vaccination campaign to improve community immunization rates. As a result, immunization rates increased by 25% and overall community outreach was strengthened.
Moreover, Lily has shown remarkable leadership and teamwork skills through her involvement in a critical project focused on improving healthcare access in underserved areas. Because of this, funding was secured, and sustainable solutions were implemented to expand access to care.
Beyond Lily’s accomplishments in public health initiatives, she has made significant contributions to professional development efforts and continuous learning within the organization, showcasing her commitment to growth and passion for the field. Through these contributions, our team remained current on best practices, emerging research, and innovative approaches to public health challenges.
To conclude, I am confident in recommending Lily Gregory for the Master’s program in Public Health. I have no doubt that she will continue to grow and inspire others in her future endeavors.
I am happy to provide any additional information or discuss Lily’s journey further. I can be reached at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Michael Pryor
Director of Operations
[email protected]
Example Letter of Recommendation for Graduate School from a Supervisor
Here’s an example LoR for graduate school from an internship supervisor who oversaw the applicant’s academic development.
John Allen
Apex Solutions Group
915 Harborview Parkway, Suite 210
San Diego, CA 92101
[email protected]
January 10, 2026
Admissions Committee
Master of Business Administration Program
Pacific Coast University
4550 Campus Drive
San Diego, CA 92121
Dear Members of the Admissions Committee,
It is with great enthusiasm that I write to recommend Jane McCarthy for the Master’s program in Business Administration at Pacific Coast University. Having had the pleasure of engaging with Jane as her internship supervisor for three years at Apex Solutions Group, I have been impressed by her commitment to achieving a high standard in all endeavors. This positions me well to attest to her suitability for this application.
During her tenure in business operations and strategic initiatives, Jane has consistently demonstrated exceptional analytical ability, leadership, and dedication to driving results. A notable achievement was her commitment to leading a cross-functional project to streamline internal processes and improve operational efficiency. As a result, operating costs were reduced by 18% and overall team productivity was significantly strengthened.
Moreover, Jane demonstrated strong initiative and strategic thinking through her involvement in a critical project aimed at expanding the company’s client portfolio. Because of this, new partnerships were secured and sustainable growth strategies were implemented.
Beyond Jane’s accomplishments in business initiatives, she has supported team development and skill-building efforts across the organization. Through these contributions, our team remained current on emerging trends and innovative approaches to business challenges.
To conclude, I am confident in recommending Jane McCarthy for the Master’s program in Business Administration. I have no doubt that she will continue to grow and inspire others in her future endeavors.
I am happy to provide any additional information or discuss Jane’s journey further. I can be reached at [email protected].
Sincerely,
John Allen
Internship Supervisor
[email protected]
Sample Letter of Recommendation for Graduate School
View a sample letter of recommendation for grad school to see how to phrase your support. Then, use Legal Templates’s guided form to create a customized letter. Download it in PDF or Word format to provide to the applicant or send it to an admissions committee.
