Writing a Letter of Reference

Each year, faculty and staff receive numerous requests from students to prepare letters of recommendation. These letters can weigh heavily in decisions for scholarly pursuits or employment. In fact, a strong reference letter may make the difference to a student in gaining admission or selection.

CDC's Credentials Service facilitates the collection and transmittal of reference letters. Students who have not established a file can do so easily in CDC South.

The credentials file eliminates the burden on you to prepare multiple letters of recommendation for each student, while preserving the confidential nature of these letters. You can prepare and send one letter (or more than one letter for different purposes) to the CDC that can then be utilized many times.

Letters maintained in the credentials file can be confidential or non-confidential. If asked to provide a confidential letter for their file the student should provide you with a form that carries their signed waiver. This form is available on CDC's website. Please bear in mind that in order for a letter to be accepted as a confidential letter, both the student's signature and your signature must be on this form that is attached to your reference letter. CDC must receive the original signed documents.

Should You Write a Letter?
We urge all faculty and staff who are asked to write letters of recommendation to make thoughtful decisions about whether or not to provide a reference. You are not obligated to write letters when asked. It may be in a student's best interest that you decline the request if you do not feel that you know the student well enough or cannot support his/her candidacy. The most helpful letters will be written by those who have meaningful knowledge about the student.

The following links provide useful tips and information about writing reference letters:

Writing Letters of Recommendations for Law School
by Heather Struck, Pre-Law Advisor, Binghamton University

Tips for Writing References

How to Write a Good Recommendation

Suggested Guidelines for Reference Givers

Writing a Reference Letter (legal guidelines from the National Association of Colleges & Employers)

Writing a Letter of Recommendation

Sample Faculty Reference Letter