Writing Recommendation Letters

Recommendation letters are a critical component of a student’s fellowship application. Typically between 1.5-2 pages (often not exceeding more than 2.5) or around 1,000 words, these letters provide concrete examples of – and insight into – a student’s performance and their potential to succeed, both on the fellowship and in pursuing their stated long-term professional and/or academic goals. These letters are therefore an influential element in the student’s dossier, credentialing the student as well as contextualizing and expanding upon the information provided in the application.