GUIDELINES FOR WRITING COMPELLING LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION - Updated 9/2024

Sep 16, 2026

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Guidelines for prospective recommendation writers supporting applicants to professional school through a set of three to five letters. The document explains how a letter should address multiple core competencies using specific observations, examples, and outcomes tied to direct interaction. It provides practical logistics, including required date and signature elements, appropriate greeting, and recommended length. It also outlines writing tips covering context, behavioral evidence, comparison information, and handling sensitive details with applicant confirmation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

To Prospective Recommendation Writers

Purpose and expectations for applicants and writers

Before You Agree to Write

Review competencies and decide based on direct observation

Meet deadlines and decline when unable to provide detail

Logistics

Required letter elements, greeting, and length guidance

Notes on Interfolio and letter visibility

Letter Writing Tips

Provide context and behavioral evidence with outcomes

Use comparison information when helpful

Avoid summarizing beyond what admissions already has

Confirm consent before sharing sensitive information

Core Competencies for Entering Professional School Students in Healthcare

Pre-Health Advising 1505 University Avenue 178 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0178 (303) 492-5148 Web: [colorado.edu/CEprehealth](colorado.edu/CEprehealth) [E-mail: CEprehealth@colorado.edu](E-mail: CEprehealth@colorado.edu) GUIDELINES FOR WRITING COMPELLING LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION To Prospective Recommendation Writers: We recognize and appreciate the substantial time commitment that is required to write letters of recommendation for students who are applying to professional school. Each applicant is required to have a set of three to five letters of recommendation submitted in support of their application. Each individual recommendation letter is expected to speak to the specific context in which the author interacted with the applicant; taken as a group, the student’s set of letters can provide the admissions committees with a well-rounded impression of the applicant’s key competencies, their readiness for professional school, and their suitability for a service-based profession. The relative strength of a candidate’s letters of recommendation makes a significant impact on the candidate’s likelihood of acceptance to professional school. We have provided the tips and guidelines below to support you in the effort to write letters of recommendation for applicants to professional school. If you have further questions, we are happy to talk with you and to provide you with feedback on your drafts. You may reach the Continuing Education Pre-Health Advising [team at](team at ceprehealth@colorado.edu)[ ](team at ceprehealth@colorado.edu)[ceprehealth@colorado.edu](team at ceprehealth@colorado.edu). Before you agree to write a letter of recommendation for a candidate: 􀁸 Please review the list of competencies on the pages that follow. The most compelling letters of recommendation are those that address three or more competencies from that list, as supported by specific, illustrative examples and anecdotes from the author’s direct observation of the candidate. If you are not in a position to provide examples from direct observations within those competency categories, it is best to decline to write a letter. 􀁸 During the professional school application process, candidates must meet strict deadlines. If circumstances prevent you from writing a detailed evaluation within the time frame requested by the candidate, it is best to decline to write a letter. Logistics: 􀁸 Letters must include a date, a handwritten signature, and business/university letterhead. 􀁸 Your letter will be sent to multiple schools. Please use a general greeting such as “Dear Admissions Committee:”rather than addressing one particular school. 􀁸 Aim for a text length of ~¾ to 2 pages. 􀁸 Note that it is common for our students to use Interfolio to collect their letters of recommendation in advance of the opening of the professional school application season. Applicants are not able to view their letters in Interfolio. Letter Writing Tips: 􀁸 Provide context: Indicate how long you have known the applicant and the context/setting in which you interacted. 􀁸 When providing examples/anecdotes describing the candidate’s competencies, consider including the following information: o The specific situation or context o A description of the behavior(s) you observed o The result or outcome of that behavior o (If applicable) Share observations of the ways the candidate grew or changed as a result of the experience 􀁸 Admissions committees find comparison information helpful. If you feel it would be supportive to the applicant, it ben be useful to identify the comparison group (e.g. , students in a class you taught, students in your department, coworkers, etc. ) and to rank the candidate’s performance within that group. 􀁸 There is no need to summarize other aspects of the candidate’s preparation for professional school, as the candidate’s application will provide explanations of those activities and the admissions committees will have full acces

FAQs

How many letters of recommendation are applicants expected to submit?

Applicants are required to have a set of three to five letters of recommendation submitted in support of their application.

What makes a recommendation letter most compelling?

The most compelling letters address three or more competencies with specific, illustrative examples and anecdotes based on the author’s direct observations.

What logistical elements must the letter include?

Letters must include a date, a handwritten signature, and business or university letterhead, and the greeting should be general (e.g., “Dear Admissions Committee:”).

Sep 16, 2026

Upload by Violet