• Address the specific requirements (if detailed) for the letter of recommendation. 
• Address the selection criteria and the student's suitability and qualifications for the specific award.
• Provide details, examples, and explanation to clearly demonstrate the applicant's strengths and accomplishments (related to the specific award). 
• Include a brief description of your credentials or qualifications to establish your credibility and provide context for letter readers. 
• Follow any formatting requirements detailed for letters including points to address and length of letter (if no length is listed, 1-2 pages is a good guide). Provide letters on letterhead and include your full title and signature. 
• Review and follow submission directions for letters.

• Short letters or those without specific examples. 
• Lack of details of the applicant's accomplishments and skills.
• Generic letters or those that are not tailored to the specific opportunity.
• Letters that only incude old examples and lack of discussion of recent activities and accomplishments.
• Letters that offer mild or basic praise or support.
• Letters that appear more critical than positive. Discussion of challenges is appropriate, but those should be outweighed by positive discussion. 

• Asking faculty for letters well in advance of the deadline (we suggest asking at least 1-2 months before the deadline).
• Providing faculty with the details and information requested for the letter along with relevant details about the scholarship/fellowship. This should include selection criteria, guidance for the letter about content, format, and length, and submission instructions.
• Providing copies of relevant materials such as the student's current resume and draft application materials.
• Providing any context details such as how the faculty letter works with other requested letters and any specific details or aspects of your experience you would like highlighted. 

Sometimes it is appropriate to say no to a request for a recommendation letter. You may not have adequate time, knowledge of the student or their background, or you may not be able to provide an appropriately supportive letter. If you feel you are unable to write a letter for a student then the best response is to politely decline the request and offer the student suggestions of other individuals who may be better suited to write a letter if you are able to offer some recommendations. 

Asking a student to write a draft letter of recommendation may seem helpful, but this generally proves awkward for the student and generally does not lead to the best letter. The outside perspective of the faculty member can offer a more clear understanding of the student's accomplishments, strengths, and areas of growth in a context that reviewers expect. Instead, faculty can ask the applicant to share relevant information to allow the letter writer to create a strong supportive document. 

Bias in letters of recommendation can be harmful to female candidates and candidates of color. Examples can include increased use of adjectives that focus on effort rather than ability (e.g. "hardworking" vs. "brilliant") than in letters for White male candidates. Here are some tips and resources to help avoid unconscious bias in recommendations.

• Only address things such as race, gender, or other personal characteristics if they are relevant to the specific opportunity (e.g. if the fellowship is focused on women in STEM or is for individuals with a specific immigration status).
• Never disclose personal details, such as a disability, without the individual's approval. If including such detail may be relevant in the recommendation, discuss this with the applicant and get approval before including. 
• Review your letter and look closely for adjectives that would change if the applicant had a different gender, race, or pronouns. 
• Compare this letter to other letters you have written for comparably qulaified students to see if you can identify any unintended bias. 

Resources: 

• https://csw.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/avoiding_gender_bias_in_letter_of_reference_writing.pdf 
• https://www.purdue.edu/advance-purdue/documents/NationalCenterforWomenIT%20Promising%20Practices-2
• How to Avoid Racial Bias in Reference Letters | The Muse

General Resources:

• Writing Recommendation Letters Online by Joe Schall - this is a wonderful resource that includes information about ethical issues, practical details, content, style, sample letters, and specific details for writing letters for students seeking national scholarships:  Welcome to Writing Recommendation Letters Online - Writing Recommendation Letters Online (psu.edu)   

Scholarship Specific Resources:

Many scholarships and fellowships offer specific guidance on what to include and not include in letters of recommendation. Be sure to look for specifc guidance or example letters from the foundation offering the award. You can also consult with the National Scholarship and Fellowship staff at BGSU for guidance and advice. 

• Here is a resource with links to scholarship specific guidance for recommendaiton letters: What Do Great Letters Look Like? | University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (utc.edu)