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Letter of Recommendation

For teachers, professors, coaches and supervisors recommending a student or mentee for admission, a scholarship, a fellowship or a program. It guides the writer toward the specific evidence admissions committees look for.

Fields
16
Pages
2
Paper
Letter
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Before you start

What you need to fill it in

  • The candidate's name and what they are applying for
  • How long and in what role you have known them
  • Two or three specific examples of their work or character
  • How they compare to peers you have taught or supervised
  • The submission deadline and method

What's inside

16 fields, ready to fill

  • 12Typed answersnames, addresses, descriptions
  • 2Dateschecked as real dates
  • 1Choicescheckboxes, options, dropdowns
  • 1Signaturessignature and initials

8 required — the editor counts down how many are left while you fill.

Instructions

How to fill out the Letter of Recommendation

  1. 1

    Your details

    Enter your name, title and institution. Letterhead details add credibility.

  2. 2

    Candidate and program

    Enter the candidate and the program, school or award.

  3. 3

    Relationship

    Explain how you know the candidate, for how long and in what capacity.

  4. 4

    Evidence

    Write specific examples: a project, a challenge they overcame, how they treated others.

  5. 5

    Comparison and endorsement

    Choose your level of recommendation and, if you can, compare them with peers. Sign.

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What filling it looks like

The PDFBetter editor in Edit & fill mode: an invoice template with the bill-to details and line items typed in, and each amount calculated from quantity and unit price
  1. Edit & fill, Invite to sign and Create form are three modes of the same editor
  2. Amounts are formula fields: they calculate as you type
  3. The field navigator counts what's left and jumps to the next field

Shown with our invoice template. Sample content; names are fictional.

Written for: Any

This is a general-purpose template. Check that its terms and fields match your situation and any rules that apply where you use it before you rely on it.

Written by PDFBetter and last reviewed October 15, 2026. Spotted a problem? Tell us.

Letter of Recommendation: questions people ask

How is a recommendation letter different from a reference letter?

A recommendation letter supports a specific application, often academic, and goes to a named committee. A reference letter is a more general statement about someone's work or character for employers or landlords.

Should the candidate see the letter?

Many applications ask candidates to waive their right to see letters, which can make letters more credible. Follow the program's instructions.

Can I sign it electronically?

Yes. Most programs accept signed PDFs uploaded to their portal.

What if I can't recommend someone strongly?

It is kinder to decline or suggest someone who knows their work better than to write a lukewarm letter.

Ready when you are

Fill the Letter of Recommendation now — no account to start.

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