在出国申请是否成的诸多要素中，有力的推荐信是录取的重要条件之一，其份量仅次于于本科成绩单和标准化考试(GRE、 GMAT、TOEFL)成绩。多数学校都要求申请人提交两封到三封的推荐信，由教授、系主任或工作主管直接寄给指定的单位。

　　【选择推荐人】

　　推荐信是了解申请人的重要依据，在研究生课程中尤其如此。申请人可以选择现在或以前的老师、教授或雇主。推荐人必须熟悉学生的学习情况，了解学生的学习目的是否明确，在学术上是否有前途，以及学生的适应能力、创造能力、品行和特长。

　　书写推荐信的最理想的人选是一封由系主任写，一封由专业课教授写，一封由自己的导师写。不过，对方若无规定，则除了自己的亲属之外，任何人皆可为推荐人。推荐人一般应具备高级技术职称，如教授、副教授、研究员、副研究员等。如果推荐人或者曾经在该校讲过学，那么这样的推荐人写的推荐信就具有很强的效力了。

　　【推荐信的内容】

　　推荐信一般应包括下列内容：

　　1.被推荐人的基本情况介绍。侧重于个人的毕业时间、学校、所获学位以及个人的专业经历。

　　2.推荐人对被推荐人的基本评价。侧重于被推荐人的专业基础、个性、特点、工作态度和在学术上的前途估计。若是推荐研究生，推荐人还需进一步说明其深造学习的基础和当前所具备的研究能力。显然，恰如其分地评价被推荐人的基础、能力和前途，比言过其实的赞誉更令人情服，更具有实际意义。

　　3.推荐人可以着重介绍被推荐人曾经获得的奖励，发表过的论文，参加过的重要学术会议，以及曾在学生组织或学术团体中的任职等来支持自己的评价。

　　4.推荐人还必须清楚地表明被推荐人留学的身份是研究生还是访问学者，专业领域和研究方向是什么。

　　5.如果大学提供了现成的推荐表格，则必须按这类表格认真逐项填写。推荐表格中一般有学生综合评估的一项，即要求推荐人说明该生在所教的学生中应列为前5%，10%，或25%等。这种评估是指教授的个人评价，可以稍高一点。另外，推荐表格上常有许多难以填写的项目，遇到这种情形可填”Idon’tknow”，亦不致对该生的评价有何严重影响。

　　6.推荐信尾必须有推荐人的亲笔签名，最好直接由推荐人寄给学校招生办官员或申请就读学校的系主任。如果由被推荐人寄送，可将推荐信装入信封内封好后由推荐人在信封口处亲笔签名以示保密。信封正面注明“ALetterOfRecommendation”，表明这是一封推荐信。

　　【推荐信格式】

　　推荐信的格式有些模式可循，以下将针对各段提供模式作参考：

　　(一)抬头可用的句子有：

　　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：这段可以提供最实质的内容。譬如，如果推荐者是教授，解释学生在他门下所修的课程。

　　“(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”.”

　　接下来，教授写一些有关申请人在课堂上的表现，如完成的研究计划、实验室研究、研究报告、考试的成绩、课堂态度、讨论课的参与等，举出实例。

　　“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.”

　　如果推荐人是工作主管，首先一定要仔细陈述申请人的工作职责，并对申请者工作表现作一评估。如果可能的话尽量列举实例。

　　“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)最后以几句结尾作总结;

　　“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)签名：

　　Sincerely

　　Sincerely yours

　　Very truly yours

　　With best regards

　　【推荐信范文】

　　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).The 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.