Letter of Recommendation for Graduate School — Free Template
Graduate admissions committees rely heavily on recommendation letters to judge whether an applicant can succeed in advanced, independent work. Most expect letters from professors or research supervisors. This version helps you describe the applicant's academic ability, research skills and readiness with specific examples.
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[Your email and phone number]
October 15, 2026
Re: Letter of recommendation for [Name of the person you're recommending]
Dear Graduate Admissions Committee,
It is my pleasure to recommend [Name of the person you're recommending] for graduate school. [How you know them, and for how long]
[Their key strengths]
One example shows the kind of person [Name of the person you're recommending] is. [A specific example or story]
Based on everything I have seen, I recommend [Name of the person you're recommending] [How strongly you recommend them]. I am confident [Name of the person you're recommending] will bring the same ability, care and commitment to this next step.
Please feel free to contact me at [Your email and phone number] if you would like any more information.
Sincerely,
[Your full name]
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What graduate committees look for
Committees want evidence the applicant can handle independent, advanced work: research skills, intellectual curiosity, writing, persistence and how they respond to setbacks. Describe research projects, independent study or demanding coursework in concrete terms.
If you can, place the applicant in context, for example among the strongest students you've taught or supervised in a given number of years. Honest comparisons carry a lot of weight.
Detail matters more than length
Graduate letters are often a little longer than other recommendations, but every paragraph should earn its place. Explain your relationship, describe the applicant's work and potential, and connect it to the field of study.
Most programs collect letters through an online portal that sends you an invitation. Confirm the deadline with the applicant and upload a signed PDF on letterhead if you can.
Mistakes to avoid
Avoid repeating the applicant's transcript or CV line by line, and don't rely on generic praise like "hardworking" without examples. Don't overstate the applicant's role in shared research; describe their contributions accurately. If your relationship is limited to one large lecture course, say so and focus on what you can genuinely speak to, or suggest another recommender.
What to do, step by step
Agree to write it only if you can be positive
A lukewarm recommendation can hurt more than no letter at all. If you don't know the person well enough to be specific and enthusiastic, say so and suggest someone who does.
Ask for the details you need
Get the deadline, where the letter goes, who it should be addressed to and what the opportunity is. A résumé, job posting or program description helps you choose the right strengths to highlight.
Fill in your letter
Answer the questions above. Lead with how you know the person, pick two or three strengths that fit the opportunity, and back them up with one concrete example.
Keep it to one page and proofread it
Most readers skim. Three or four short paragraphs, the person's name spelled correctly and no generic filler will do more than a long letter.
Send it the way the recipient asks
Upload it to the application portal, email it as a PDF or hand a signed copy to the candidate. Keep a copy in case you're asked to write another one later.
What if you don't know the person well enough to write a strong letter?
It's fine to say no. A short, honest reply such as "I don't think I know your work well enough to write the strong letter you deserve" is kinder than a vague recommendation that admissions officers or hiring managers will read as a warning sign.
If you're willing but unsure what to say, ask the person for a quick list of things you worked on together, the qualities they'd like you to speak to and any accomplishments you may not know about. Many strong letters start from a conversation like this.
If you can only speak to part of their experience, write about that part honestly and specifically. A narrow letter with a real example is usually more useful than a broad one full of general praise.
Example letter of recommendation for graduate school
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Dr. Marcus Feldman
Professor of Psychology, Northfield University
mfeldman@northfield.edu, (555) 762-0418
October 5, 2026
Re: Letter of recommendation for Sarah Kim
Dear Graduate Admissions Committee,
It is my pleasure to recommend Sarah Kim for graduate school. Sarah took my advanced research methods seminar and has worked in my cognitive development lab as an undergraduate researcher for two years.
Sarah is one of the most capable undergraduate researchers I have supervised. She designs careful studies, handles data analysis with real independence and writes with unusual clarity for a student. She is also a generous lab member who trains newer research assistants.
One example shows the kind of person Sarah Kim is. For her senior honors thesis, Sarah designed and ran a study on attention in preschool children, recruiting families, coding hundreds of hours of video and analyzing the results herself. She presented the work at a regional psychology conference, and we are now preparing it for publication together.
Based on everything I have seen, I recommend Sarah Kim without reservation. I am confident Sarah Kim will bring the same ability, care and commitment to this next step.
Please feel free to contact me at mfeldman@northfield.edu, (555) 762-0418 if you would like any more information.
Sincerely,
Dr. Marcus Feldman
Professor of Psychology, Northfield University
Frequently asked questions
Who should write a graduate school recommendation?
Professors who taught the applicant in advanced courses and research supervisors are the strongest choices. For applicants who've been working, a supervisor who can speak to relevant skills is a good addition. Most programs ask for two or three letters.
Should applicants waive their right to see the letter?
Many applicants do, and admissions committees often view confidential letters as more candid. It's the applicant's choice, but recommenders sometimes prefer to write only confidential letters.
How long should the letter be?
Often one to two pages. Focus on specific examples of the applicant's academic and research work rather than adding length for its own sake.
Can I reuse the same letter for several programs?
Yes, that's common. Update the program name and recipient where needed, and adjust a sentence or two if a program has a particular focus.
What should a letter of recommendation include?
Explain who you are and how you know the candidate, including how long. Then describe two or three specific strengths relevant to the opportunity, support them with a concrete example, and close with a clear statement of your recommendation and your contact details so the reader can follow up.
How long should a letter of recommendation be?
Usually one page, or roughly 300 to 500 words. Admissions committees and hiring managers read many letters, so a focused letter with one strong example is more effective than a long one. Some graduate programs expect a little more detail, so check any instructions you've been given.
FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.