在出國申請是否成的諸多要素中，有力的推薦信是錄取的重要條件之一，其份量僅次於於本科成績單和標準化考試(GRE、 GMAT、TOEFL)成績。多數學校都要求申請人提交兩封到三封的推薦信，由教授、系主任或工作主管直接寄給指定的單位。
【選擇推薦人】
推薦信是瞭解申請人的重要依據，在研究生課程中尤其如此。申請人可以選擇現在或以前的老師、教授或僱主。推薦人必須熟悉學生的學習情況，瞭解學生的學習目的是否明確，在學術上是否有前途，以及學生的適應能力、創造能力、品行和特長。
書寫推薦信的最理想的人選是一封由系主任寫，一封由專業課教授寫，一封由自己的導師寫。不過，對方若無規定，則除了自己的親屬之外，任何人皆可為推薦人。推薦人一般應具備高階技術職稱，如教授、副教授、研究員、副研究員等。如果推薦人或者曾經在該校講過學，那麼這樣的推薦人寫的推薦信就具有很強的效力了。
【推薦信的內容】
推薦信一般應包括下列內容：
1.被推薦人的基本情況介紹。側重於個人的畢業時間、學校、所獲學位以及個人的專業經歷。
2.推薦人對被推薦人的基本評價。側重於被推薦人的專業基礎、個性、特點、工作態度和在學術上的前途估計。若是推薦研究生，推薦人還需進一步說明其深造學習的基礎和當前所具備的研究能力。顯然，恰如其分地評價被推薦人的基礎、能力和前途，比言過其實的讚譽更令人情服，更具有實際意義。
3.推薦人可以著重介紹被推薦人曾經獲得的獎勵，發表過的論文，參加過的重要學術會議，以及曾在學生組織或學術團體中的任職等來支援自己的評價。
4.推薦人還必須清楚地表明被推薦人留學的身份是研究生還是訪問學者，專業領域和研究方向是什麼。
5.如果大學提供了現成的推薦表格，則必須按這類表格認真逐項填寫。推薦表格中一般有學生綜合評估的一項，即要求推薦人說明該生在所教的學生中應列為前5%，10%，或25%等。這種評估是指教授的個人評價，可以稍高一點。另外，推薦表格上常有許多難以填寫的專案，遇到這種情形可填”Idon’tknow”，亦不致對該生的評價有何嚴重影響。
6.推薦信尾必須有推薦人的親筆簽名，最好直接由推薦人寄給學校招生辦官員或申請就讀學校的系主任。如果由被推薦人寄送，可將推薦信裝入信封內封好後由推薦人在信封口處親筆簽名以示保密。信封正面註明“ALetterOfRecommendation”，表明這是一封推薦信。
【推薦信格式】
推薦信的格式有些模式可循，以下將針對各段提供模式作參考：
(一)抬頭可用的句子有：
Dear Sir/Madam;
To Whom It May Concern:
(二)第一段：引文句子可以引用如：
“It is a pleasure to recommend to you (name)， a former student of mine at (name of university).”
“I an very happy to have this opportunity to recommend (name)， who is presently applying for admission to your graduate (or undergraduate) program in (name of program).”
“I understand that (name) is applying for admissions to your graduate (undergraduate) school， and has requested that I write this letter of recommendation for her/him.”
“In my capacity as professor at xxxx University， I have known xxx for three years， as both his/her advisor and professor.”
(三)第二段：這段可以提供最實質的內容。譬如，如果推薦者是教授，解釋學生在他門下所修的課程。
“(name) took two of my courses during the 1984-85 academic year， as follows; “xxxxx” and “xxxxx”.”
“(Name) was enrolled in three of classes from September 1984 to June 1986 “xxx” and “xxx”.”
接下來，教授寫一些有關申請人在課堂上的表現，如完成的研究計劃、實驗室研究、研究報告、考試的成績、課堂態度、討論課的參與等，舉出例項。
“In my class (es)， (name) did excellent work. She always listened attentively， participated activitely in class， and handed in very good written assignment.
“In particular， his/her research paper on (topic) was of exceptionally high quality， and showed that s/he fully understands and has a strong background in his/her field.”
如果推薦人是工作主管，首先一定要仔細陳述申請人的工作職責，並對申請者工作表現作一評估。如果可能的話儘量列舉例項。
“When (name) held the position of (job title) in this company she was one s/he was one of my best employees. His/her job responsibilities included (describe them)， and s/he carried out his/her duties with exceptional skill and professionalism.”
“S/he not only did his/her own work， but also helped other employees， and made many valuable contributions to the efficient running to our firm.”
(四)最後以幾句結尾作總結;
“Therefore I am happy to highly and without reservation recommend (name) for admission to your graduate program. Your kind/serious consideration of his/her application would be most appreciated.”
“I am thus pleased to give my full support and recommendation to (name)'s application for admission to your school. If any further information is required please feel free to contact me.”
(五)簽名：
Sincerely
Sincerely yours
Very truly yours
With best regards
【推薦信範文】
Dear Professor:
I understand that xxx is applying for admission to your Postgraduate Master’s Program, and has requested that I write this letter of recommendation for her.
I have known xxx as a resourceful and goal-oriented individual ever since she attended my Instrumental Analysis course(score:84) in her fourth academic semester. She often raised thought-provoking questions during the course lectures. Thus,it is natural that I like discussing with this young girl and enjoy becoming more familiar with her and her aspirations. In her sixth academic semester, she took my course of Electrochemical Analysis(score:89) more I get to know her, the more I find she is talented at chemistry. With her outstanding talent and solid background in chemistry, she also did quite well in most of her other courses during her undergraduate study. I feel strongly that XXX’s unusual talents and abilities will stand her in good stead for a quality chemistry education, and your university will provide the best opportunities for her.
While at xxxUniversity, xxx had excellent performances in all subjects of her studies and demonstrated great potential, but she is more than a knowledgable bookworm;she is an outstanding leader. She is not only the President of the Student Union in the College of Chemistry, but also the Minister of Commonweal Department of Students’ Association Union of XXX University. She is adept in speech and debate, which give her great capabilities for expression, abstract reasoning， and cooperation. She also took part in and organised many extracurricular activities, such as “Dream Fly” Party of College of Chemistry and Chemical Knowledge Contest of xxx University.
We at xxx University see an optimistic, highly independent， and easy-going character in xxx, with highly unusual determination. She is not to be defeated by any difficulties. She believes that , with hard work, she can achieve anything she wants. I think her confidence in herself is well grounded in her track record.
Judging by what I know of her, I think xxx is fully qualified to pursue a Master’s degree in your program. Therefore，I recommend her with much enthusiasm and I shall greatly appreciate your favorably consideration for her application for admission.
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