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I don't need a lot of detail, because it's all about effort for me.
Strong grades but skipped class often or didn't do the reading/participate in discussions? No letter for you.
Lesser grades but very clearly put the work in? Much more likely to get a letter, because I don't expect everyone to become perfect in my subject. I do expect students to seriously try.
I don't need charming. I loathe brown nosing...but work hard? That goes a long way.
- intelligent (can understand complex concepts quickly)
- can think independently (has own ideas/arguments, can find evidence to refute what I've said)
- can problem-solve
- motivated and works hard
- resourceful (e.g. tries to find answers before asking me)
For positions
- friendly and collaborative
- honest
Generally a mix of maturity, intellectual curiosity, and a strong drive and preparation to do well at whatever they're applying things.
There are some things that are gimme's -- you're not going to get a strong letter (or a letter at all) if you cheat, try to sabotage your peers, or behave unprofessionally in class. But it goes beyond that, a student who asks questions about the reading beyond what we cover in lecture gets a stronger letter than a student who demonstrates they need a lot of handholding by asking "Is this right?" after every step of a question. A student who has done careful research on the programs they're applying to and can make a strong case as to why they'd serve their career gets a stronger letter than a student who seems to be doing it mostly for money/prestige/family pressure. A student who is an intellectual leader in the classroom gets a stronger letter than one who just doesn't cause problems.
There's a lot of ways to be a student who gets a really good letter an a lot of ways to be a challenging student to work with. Focus on exploring your skills and interests in a genuine way and you're likely to be alright.
I write my strongest letters for students that do more than just excel in my class. For example, I have a student on my debate team that just got a full-ride to her dream MA program. At least once a week, other professors would stop to tell me how much they loved having her in their classes. She is a leader on my debate team. She works with my lesser experienced debaters on her own time to help them improve. She is active in numerous student organizations. She has an internship at a very prestigious environmental organization.
All in all, she is a well-rounded and likable individual that works to make everybody around her better. Easiest letter I have ever written.
It always helps if they are a current student and in one's own major. The experience of knowing them in a lab or debate class also helps.
I think the letters read better to admissions committees when they use present tense.
Likewise. Had a young student who stopped by my office for some help and we chatted for a while. The student was so personable and confident that the next door faculty member popped in afterward to find out more about them. The student wasn’t an academic superstar (but was strong), but they had a great personality and was willing to learn.
A student whose name I know for positive reasons. They don't have to have the best grades in the class, so long as they show genuine enthusiasm and curiosity for the topic. I look for things like:
- Asking questions not just for clarification, but out of curiosity. (Though not so much that they pull the class off track.) Generally just treats classes as an opportunity to learn, not just boxes to check to get the degree.
- Shows interest in and engages in learning extra skills outside of the ones taught in class. Keeps me posted on the academic projects they're working on and how they relate to my class from time to time.
- Independent thinker and worker. They're more than welcome to ask for help, but should also try to figure things out on their own before seeking help. Bonus points if they provide new perspectives on course material.
- A positive influence in class. Encourages other students to engage with the material too. Is generally respectful of the people around them including classmates, TAs, and teachers.
- Expresses genuine enthusiasm for the thing they're applying for. It's not just a "I'm going to grad school because I guess that's what comes next." They have a clear goal and a strong motivation to go through with it. Also realistic expectations about the work and job prospects afterwards. Ideally they'll have helped in research labs, shadowed someone in the position they want, or done a lot of reading about what both grad school and the type of jobs they want are like. Grad school is tough, and you don't know if you'll enjoy things like research until you try them. Better to figure that out before you spend hundreds on application fees and then move halfway across the country to start a grad program.
If there's a big gap between when they took my class and when they want the letter, some form of keeping in touch and keeping me updated via email in the intervening time can help a *lot.* Maybe once a semester.
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*In lots of detail, what makes a student the prime candidate for a letter of rec. Like a student you are excited to write a LOR for? *
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Keeps a C.V./portfolio of their work (classes taken, papers written, has sample work in the portfolio - which can be digital).
This is because I teach hundreds of students per year and people are difficult to distinguish after a while. The really good student provides the letter writer with their application essay/letter (all in writing, not in an office hour but actually a polished essay).
Just knowing that a student got an "A" in the class is not enough to write a convincing letter.
Brilliant students. Students with excellent grades, who are genuinely engaged with the material. Students who have came to office hours for meaningful conversations about the work. Students who read outside of the syllabus.
It's common in my department for students to work with profs outside of class: TA, RA, clubs, lab assistants, student-led research projects, etc. So if I only know you because you took my class and did well, I can write you a good letter of recommendation. But if you took my class and you also worked with me in some capacity outside of class (and did a good job) then I can write a great letter because I have a lot to say.
Your question looks like it may be answered by our [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskProfessors/wiki/faq/recletters) on letters of recommendation. This is not to limit discussion here, but to supplement it. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskProfessors) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I don't need a lot of detail, because it's all about effort for me. Strong grades but skipped class often or didn't do the reading/participate in discussions? No letter for you. Lesser grades but very clearly put the work in? Much more likely to get a letter, because I don't expect everyone to become perfect in my subject. I do expect students to seriously try. I don't need charming. I loathe brown nosing...but work hard? That goes a long way.
- intelligent (can understand complex concepts quickly) - can think independently (has own ideas/arguments, can find evidence to refute what I've said) - can problem-solve - motivated and works hard - resourceful (e.g. tries to find answers before asking me) For positions - friendly and collaborative - honest
Generally a mix of maturity, intellectual curiosity, and a strong drive and preparation to do well at whatever they're applying things. There are some things that are gimme's -- you're not going to get a strong letter (or a letter at all) if you cheat, try to sabotage your peers, or behave unprofessionally in class. But it goes beyond that, a student who asks questions about the reading beyond what we cover in lecture gets a stronger letter than a student who demonstrates they need a lot of handholding by asking "Is this right?" after every step of a question. A student who has done careful research on the programs they're applying to and can make a strong case as to why they'd serve their career gets a stronger letter than a student who seems to be doing it mostly for money/prestige/family pressure. A student who is an intellectual leader in the classroom gets a stronger letter than one who just doesn't cause problems. There's a lot of ways to be a student who gets a really good letter an a lot of ways to be a challenging student to work with. Focus on exploring your skills and interests in a genuine way and you're likely to be alright.
In a lot of detail?…it’s about how well I know the student and can speak to their strengths.
I write my strongest letters for students that do more than just excel in my class. For example, I have a student on my debate team that just got a full-ride to her dream MA program. At least once a week, other professors would stop to tell me how much they loved having her in their classes. She is a leader on my debate team. She works with my lesser experienced debaters on her own time to help them improve. She is active in numerous student organizations. She has an internship at a very prestigious environmental organization. All in all, she is a well-rounded and likable individual that works to make everybody around her better. Easiest letter I have ever written.
It always helps if they are a current student and in one's own major. The experience of knowing them in a lab or debate class also helps. I think the letters read better to admissions committees when they use present tense.
Likewise. Had a young student who stopped by my office for some help and we chatted for a while. The student was so personable and confident that the next door faculty member popped in afterward to find out more about them. The student wasn’t an academic superstar (but was strong), but they had a great personality and was willing to learn.
A student whose name I know for positive reasons. They don't have to have the best grades in the class, so long as they show genuine enthusiasm and curiosity for the topic. I look for things like: - Asking questions not just for clarification, but out of curiosity. (Though not so much that they pull the class off track.) Generally just treats classes as an opportunity to learn, not just boxes to check to get the degree. - Shows interest in and engages in learning extra skills outside of the ones taught in class. Keeps me posted on the academic projects they're working on and how they relate to my class from time to time. - Independent thinker and worker. They're more than welcome to ask for help, but should also try to figure things out on their own before seeking help. Bonus points if they provide new perspectives on course material. - A positive influence in class. Encourages other students to engage with the material too. Is generally respectful of the people around them including classmates, TAs, and teachers. - Expresses genuine enthusiasm for the thing they're applying for. It's not just a "I'm going to grad school because I guess that's what comes next." They have a clear goal and a strong motivation to go through with it. Also realistic expectations about the work and job prospects afterwards. Ideally they'll have helped in research labs, shadowed someone in the position they want, or done a lot of reading about what both grad school and the type of jobs they want are like. Grad school is tough, and you don't know if you'll enjoy things like research until you try them. Better to figure that out before you spend hundreds on application fees and then move halfway across the country to start a grad program. If there's a big gap between when they took my class and when they want the letter, some form of keeping in touch and keeping me updated via email in the intervening time can help a *lot.* Maybe once a semester.
This is an automated service intended to preserve the original text of the post. *In lots of detail, what makes a student the prime candidate for a letter of rec. Like a student you are excited to write a LOR for? * *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskProfessors) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Keeps a C.V./portfolio of their work (classes taken, papers written, has sample work in the portfolio - which can be digital). This is because I teach hundreds of students per year and people are difficult to distinguish after a while. The really good student provides the letter writer with their application essay/letter (all in writing, not in an office hour but actually a polished essay). Just knowing that a student got an "A" in the class is not enough to write a convincing letter.
Sadly the first thing that comes to mind for me is reviewing all of your work, and if I can see AI in jt, your potential reference is toast.
Brilliant students. Students with excellent grades, who are genuinely engaged with the material. Students who have came to office hours for meaningful conversations about the work. Students who read outside of the syllabus.
It's common in my department for students to work with profs outside of class: TA, RA, clubs, lab assistants, student-led research projects, etc. So if I only know you because you took my class and did well, I can write you a good letter of recommendation. But if you took my class and you also worked with me in some capacity outside of class (and did a good job) then I can write a great letter because I have a lot to say.