Fellowship recommendation letters are different from traditional letters of recommendation.  More than a study abroad recommendation, or even a graduate school recommendation, recommendation letters for competitive fellowships and scholarships are intensely scrutinized and can make a huge difference in a student’s success.

Agreeing to write a letter for a student for a competitive fellowship should indicate that you feel strongly about the student’s accomplishments and promise.  If you have reservations about writing a very strong letter for a particular student, please alert the student to your concerns and encourage him/her to find a different writer.  A non-descript or “lukewarm” letter is a red flag in these competitions, and such a letter is detrimental to a student’s chances at success.  Similarly, deadlines are non-negotiable in this process.  Late letters are an automatic disqualification, regardless of an application’s other strengths.

Assuming you have a wonderful student you are confident supporting, here are some vital tips to writing an amazing fellowship letter of recommendation:

Always pair descriptors with clear examples.

Calling a student intelligent, driven, amazing, different, dedicated or any other adjective won’t distinguish the student’s application because they are competing with top students across the nation who all share these exceptional qualities.  Give concrete examples for every descriptor you offer.  Did the student write an amazing essay?  Talk about it.  Did the student motivate other students in the class?  Explain how.  Is the student a strong leader?  Describe circumstances in which you’ve observed the student and what you’ve seen.  Specifics make the difference; specifics make for memorable letters.

Evaluate the student.

Most students applying for these awards are bright, driven, and special.  Your expertise, however, can help set the student apart from his or her peers.  How does this student compare to other students in his or her year?   How would you rate this student’s competency in your area of expertise/your field?  What challenges has this student taken on and overcome?  What makes this person special?

Be honest but not brutal.

Fellowship committees realize that students are human, so avoid hyperbole (unless this really is the best student you’ve ever worked with, avoid such statements).  That said, a fellowships letter is not a great place to list a student’s failings, unless there is a particular weakness a student has faced and improved upon while you’ve known them.  If you find yourself noting a number of weaknesses, it may be time to alert the student and let them find another recommender.

Ask the student what they want you to talk about.

While you can certainly mention different capacities in which you know the student, oftentimes students have a particular lens in mind.  They may need an academic letter, or a letter about their leadership, and they feel you know them well in a certain way.  The student SHOULD tell you what they want you to discuss (if you can), but don’t be afraid to follow up with the student if that message is not clearly conveyed.

Be mindful of format and length.

Fellowships all have different formats and length requirements.  Marshall letters, for example, are capped at 1000 words, and Mitchell letters at 750 words.  Fulbright expects a traditional letter of recommendation (no cap) for research and study awards, but provides a specific form with five short answer questions for English Teaching Assistantship applications.  Your student should indicate to you exactly what is needed, but if they do not, please don’t hesitate to contact the Office of National and International Fellowships.

Be careful with deadlines.

External deadlines are hard deadlines and a missed deadline will result in a nullified application.  Internal deadlines (Elon-specific) are also hard deadlines and failure to submit your letter can adversely affect a student’s chances of being nominated by the University.

Remember that we’re here to help.

The Office of National and International Fellowships can answer your questions about recommendation letters.  We’re also happy to read drafts of letters and provide feedback.

A chart outlining internal deadlines, external deadlines, format, and letter length follows.  If you don’t see the fellowship for which you are writing below, feel free to contact us for more information.

Additional Resources

Thank you so much for all you do for our students!

 

Award Nomination Deadline (draft) Final Deadline (internal) Length requirements Format
Fulbright Research/Study N/A Sept. 20, 2021 None Online (you will receive a triggered email with instructions to submit)
Fulbright ETA N/A Sept. 20, 2021 None COMPLETE ONLINE FORM (question and answer format)

You will receive a triggered email with instructions to submit

Marshall* Aug. 9, 2021 Sept. 6, 2021 1000 words Email attachment to fellowships@elon.edu for nomination

Final submission is online (you will receive a triggered email with instructions to submit), but please also send a copy of the final letter to fellowships@elon.edu so we can reference as we write letters of institutional nomination for each candidate.

Mitchell* Aug. 9, 2021 Sept. 6, 2021 750 words Email attachment to fellowships@elon.edu for nomination

Final submission is online (you will receive a triggered email with instructions to submit), but please also send a copy of the final letter to fellowships@elon.edu so we can reference as we write letters of institutional nomination for each candidate.

Rhodes* Aug. 9, 2021 Sept. 6, 2021 2 pages Email attachment to fellowships@elon.edu for nomination

Final submission is online (you will receive a triggered email with instructions to submit), but please also send a copy of the final letter to fellowships@elon.edu so we can reference as we write letters of institutional nomination for each candidate.

Truman* Nov. 19, 2021 Jan. 10, 2022 2 pages Email attachment to fellowships@elon.edu for nomination and for the internal deadline (we upload your final letter to the online system)
Goldwater* Nov. 19, 2021 Jan. 10, 2022 2 pages, single-spaced

1-inch margins

12 point font

letterhead

Email attachment to fellowships@elon.edu for nomination

Online (you will receive a triggered email with instructions to submit)

Udall* January 6, 2022 Mar. 2, 2022 None Email attachment to fellowships@elon.edu for nomination

Online (you will receive a triggered email with instructions to submit)

*These fellowships require additional nomination processes and/or have caps on the number of students Elon can nominate. As such, a student may ask you for a draft letter of recommendation due earlier than the date indicated in order to support his or her nomination packet.