Tips for Letter Writers
Best Practices
 Use subheadings to clearly section and highlight key points
o Examples: “Assessment” “Clinical Practice” “Teaching”
 Bold key words so they will jump out
o Examples to bold: key words that relate to skills, qualities, or specific
experiences
 Go in depth on how the student performed
o “He/She is in the top 5% of trainees I’ve supervised”
o “He/She served the board very well”
o “He/She did x which demonstrated his/her ability to be a highly thoughtful
practitioner”
 Tie your recommendation into the student’s personal statement/ narrative, your work
with the student, and any other accomplishments the student has achieved
o Ask the student for a copy of their statement
o Ask the student for a list of their major accomplishments
o Obtain a copy of the student’s CV
o State how their skills you’ve observed are transferable to their goals
 Example: If the student’s goal is to work with youth but you
supervised their work with adults, state how their skills are
transferable to working well with parents and incorporating parents
into treatment
o State skills you can expand on using the student’s accomplishments
 Example: If the student has held several leadership positions, served
on various university committees as a student representative, then this
evidence can support the student’s leadership skills and willingness to
take on duties and responsibilities
 Provide insight as to the “fit” of student to program
o Tie in how the person has had experiences serving diverse people and/or they
have had opportunities to work with underserved communities
 Proof read your letters or have another individual proof read it if you have any
concerns

 
  
 
 
 
 Directors of Clinical Training: Make sure to include your program’s training in
serving diverse and underserved communities and highlight any way your program
may be a leader and/or innovator in this area
 Advisors: clearly state how your area of expertise is a match for the applicant,
provide a synopsis of your experiences that clearly demonstrate how you are a match,
and will support the applicant. 

Before submission, ensure…

 Letters are not in one large block
 Letters are not brief and only use positive statements without providing any concrete
examples or descriptors
 Letters do not simply restate the student’s narrative or accomplishments without
mentioning how these skills relate to the student’s goals or make the student a “fit”
for the program
 Letters do not exceed three pages (if possible)
 Letters have been proof read either by yourself or by another individual should you
have any concerns
 Directors of Clinical Training: Do not assume that reviewers will understand the
reputation and theoretical background of your program
 Advisors: Do not assume that reviewers will know what your area of expertise is in,
how it is a good match for the applicant, and how you will be able to support the
applicant.

Suggested Words/Phrases
If you recommend student If you strongly recommend student
 “I believe this person would fit with  Autonomy
your program”  Responsible
 “I absolutely believe you should value
this person in your program, our staff
still misses him”