推荐信在留学申请中能起到的最重要的作用，就是以权威的身份来证实申请者在个人陈述或其它文件中所展示的个人经历、成就、素质以及技能等等。
西方国家十分依赖推荐人的个人信用。因为他们的公民没有类似我国的人事和户口制度，人们在找工作、换工作，学生在升学、转学过程中除了自己填写的表格外，就只有原先的雇主或教授的推荐信来证明自己的身份。正是由于这个原因，推荐人也非常重视自己提供的推荐信的真实性。
假如申请者觉得推荐人对他的长处还不够了解，或者担心推荐人没有充裕的时间回忆他的素材，被推荐人本人还可以提供一些线索或素材供推荐人参考，这并不违反诚信的原则。
我国的留学申请者所提供的推荐信目前普遍存在以下问题：
1.用尽所有表现人类美德、才华和优秀的形容词，却没有一个具体例证。我们都知道“事实胜于雄辩”，但我们给外国人看的推荐信上却偏偏是反其道而行之。
2.总把申请者吹成一个大师，让人难以置信。许多推荐人 “特别地钦佩”他们的学生，“一辈子也没有碰上这样的天才”。
3.内容千篇一律，让人一看就是抄的。几乎每一篇推荐信都有这样的描述：课堂上所有别的学生都无法回答某个问题，只有这位天才站起来侃侃而谈，“显示了深厚的功底和创造力。”可是没有一位申请者说得出来当时到底谈论的是什么话题。
4.没有正确地选择推荐者。作为推荐者一般应该具备如下几个条件。一是必须要有比被推荐者更高职位或更多的学识，这样才有能力和资格来评判被推荐者。另外一个必不可少的条件是，推荐者必须有机会了解被推荐者。所以合适的推荐人应该是教过你或指导过你的教授，或者是工作单位中的顶头上司。
5.写作时马虎和草率。许多申请者一口气给自己写三封推荐信（一般要求是三封），然后让三个教授签字。这样，不仅内容相同、 语气类似，用词也差不多，甚至语法和拼写错误也一模一样，更有甚者，打印的字体也是分毫不差。
推荐信的评改
下面通过对几篇推荐信中的段落的评论来进一步地阐述好的推荐信应该怎么写。
Miss Ruanjian is now working under my immediate supervision inthe Engineering Department of the Heavy-duty Equipment Co, Ltd.Ruanjian has proved to be of invaluable assistance in adapting ourinternational corporate operating system to clear the hurdles ofrelatively undeveloped Chinese market conditions.
One of Ruanjian’s greatest contributions is in the adaptationand modification of our integrated IBC (Industrial Boiler Control)software. The rigidity of the program structure had often led tocomplications in our relations with our clients.She was able to work with both the program and with our clients tosmooth points of friction and eventually satisfy ourclients. Subsequently, she has succeeded inadapting our program to avoid such furtherinstances. She learns from mistakes and quicklytakes steps to avoid them in the future.
评论：
我们一般在第一段就要说清楚推荐人与被推荐人的关系、双方各处于什么职位。如果被推荐人是推荐人的雇员或者合作伙伴，应该说明被推荐人的职位以及工作职责，也可以概括一下被推荐人所做的一些重点项目。最后也可以用一句话总体评价一下被推荐人。
本文虽然只选了两段，但已经是推荐信的主要内容了。在这篇推荐信里，推荐人并没有使用太多的形容词，只是让事实本身说话。被推荐人“软件小姐”在公司里销售与重工业设备配套的软件。因为每一个单位的设施不尽相同，因此经常需要对软件产品作适当的调整，并且与申请者进行充分的沟通。“软件小姐”非常胜任这项工作，并且有能力从以往的错误中总结经验，指导今后的销售工作。虽然叙述的事情不多，但非常具体、真实，连软件的名称和用处都予以了说明。这样的推荐信通过事例来说明一个人的经历和能力，尽管简短却要言不烦，非常有效。
At this water plant, she has consistently demonstrated a keenmind and impeccable work ethics. She started working as myassistant when I was conducting research on the application of thefiber filtering technology to the treatment of drinking water,which is traditionally treated with sodium silicate. My researchrepresented the first attempt at applying the fiber filteringtechnology outside the realm of industrial wastewatertreatment.
Ms. Du stopped at nothing in her effort to learn. She quicklylearned to operate all the equipment and devices skillfully. Whenthe plant completed converting the old filters into fast-filters,she seized the occasion as a good opportunity for her to practicewhat she had learned. Assigned to test the quality of the waterflowing out of the new filters, she had to do protracted datarecording to find out the functioning of the new filters underdifferent conditions. Undeterred by the monotony of the job, shedischarged her duties with great patience and meticulous care.
评论：
在接下来的段落中，要通过具体事例对被推荐人进行多方面的评价。如被推荐人的知识、兴趣、能力、性格、社会技能、与同事同学的关系等等，推荐人应该很客观的进行评论，这样才能帮助被推荐人。切记，一定要重点推荐被推荐人是否具备其所要申请的专业应该具备的素质。
以上这封推荐信介绍了学环境工程的杜女士在工作上的表现，她的工作是配合研制水净化设备。本文没有像许多申请者那样把一个刚出道的年轻工程师吹捧成一个大师，“独立承担着”某项划时代的科研项目，而是恰如其分地介绍了杜女士在工作的初期还在继续学习，她在这段培训过程中十分地刻苦，工作十分细致，出色地完成了非常枯燥的、重复性的数据记录工作。
其实国外任何指导实验的教授都知道，一个研究生刚毕业到了研究部门只能是做些辅助的工作，所以杜女士拥有这样的经历已经足以说明其素质和能力了。所以在推荐信中，切忌不切实际地瞎吹。否则，就会弄巧成拙，反而会起到反效果。
推荐信各部分的内容1．推荐人与被推荐人的相识、关系
在留学申请推荐信中，一般在第一段不晚于第二段一定要说明推荐人与被推荐人的关系。这样，评委们就可以一眼看出这封推荐信是来自申请者的老师、雇主还是朋友、同事。这部分要写得简洁，达到表明推荐人身份以及与被推荐人的关系即可。对于很有背景的、头衔很多的推荐人，在这段只能选择最重要的一个头衔来写，下面是范例：
I am writing this letter of recommendation in support of myformer employee, Mr. Long Ren, for admission to your GraduateSchool. Mr. Long worked in our company as a technology supportengineer from 1999 to 2002. He was this company’s acclaimedtrouble-shooter until he left.
This letter is to recommend Mr. Chen Min for graduate study in aCanadian university. He has worked under myimmediate supervision for the five years, and I have been mostimpressed by his performance. I can confidentlytestify to his leadership skills, organizational ability and strongtechnical background. These skills aresufficiently developed and will allow him to excel and achievebeyond the scope of reasonable expectations.
I am a professor and advisor in the Classical Linguistics at theCultural Studies. I have known Ms. Yan Yan for three years andbelieve her to be a dedicated student and leader. When she recentlyapproached me about her decision to continue her studies, I waspleased to speak on her behalf. My hope is that the insight I amable to provide will fully make clear the caliber of person that isapplying to your program.
As the department head manager of Hangzhou Machinery Import Export Corporation, Ltd., I am pleased torecommend Miss Ji Jun, an excellent worker in our department from1993 to 1997, to your graduate program. A strongly motivated youngwoman, with a deep sense of purpose, Miss Ji boasts firm foundationin business economics and international trade and rich workexperience. These qualifications make her an ideal candidate for aPh.D. program in Operation management. I am confident that she hasaptitude and capacity to do research in this field.
I write in my capacity as head of the Geo-technical Engineeringdepartment at TongJi University, which is one of China’s topinstitutions, is well respected for its geo-technical engineeringcourse and where Miss Huang Wen was a student. Iam happy to give an introduction outlining her distinguished timehere, to enable you to assess her suitability for acceptance toyour graduate school.
As the director of Jilin TV’s China NewsDepartment, I have happily written this letter to further supportMr. Xiao Pengyou’s application for acceptance to the Fellowshipprogram at your University. Mr. Xiao, the journalist of ChinaNews and the most promising news anchor in our department,exhibits the maturity and dedication imperative for selection intothis prestigious program. I first became acquainted with him in1996 when he joined our TV station. Thus, I feelthat I can evaluate him very well in terms of personality andprofessional performance.
As Professor of the Beijing Institute of Technology, I amwriting to recommend Mr. Jiao for admission to your Ph.D program. Igot to know Mr. Jiao in 1998 when I began to supervise hispostgraduate study in Telecommunications in our University.Intelligent and hardworking, Mr. Jiao has always maintained a topposition in his studies.
2．在校期间学习/学术方面的推荐内容
介绍被推荐人在学习和工作方面的能力是推荐信的核心内容，也是国外教授们重点阅读的部分。
I taught Mr. Che Ku Automation Principles, where he leftme with a deep impression of his intellect, devotion and passionfor the subject. I enjoyed many interactions with him, not only asone of my students, but also as the representative in charge ofstudies for his class. Mr. Fang demonstrated a sound understandingof Mechatronics, grasping the gist of ideas quickly, and adeptlyapplying them in real situation.
The issue of de-listing in the Chinese stock market was apopular subject for graduation theses. But Miss Zheng Juan took anentirely original angle by undertaking a systematic comparativeanalysis of international de-listing mechanisms. Through sedulousstudy of the foreign stock exchanges, she established a modelsystem for de-listing in the Chinese stock market, supporting itwith first-rate qualitative and quantitative analysis as well assophisticated regression models. Her exceptional gift formathematics was evident in this section of the thesis. Miss Zheng’spaper was impeccably researched, and her excellent English hadenabled her to make full use of a wide range of English-languagesources. The Evaluation Committee was greatlyimpressed, and awarded her the highest grade
.
His talents for writing intelligent and informative economicliterature paid off when several of his articleswere published in leading economic magazines of the country. Thiswas an outstanding achievement for such a young student and itemphasized to me that his potential to become a competent andleading economist was greater than I first thought.
Based on his obvious competence and his natural curiosity, Iasked him to join my research group as my assistant. Mr. Xu Xin isa very responsible person, and is very devoted to the science he isstudying. The diligence and care with which he performs his work ismatched by his enthusiasm. Although at first histechnical skills needed some improvement, he very quickly masteredthe skills he needed to conduct the research thoroughly andmeticulously. Now he can manipulate every instrument very well, andhe has developed the ability to conduct some research workindependently. After this first, very positive experience as amember of my research group I have since asked him to join my groupmany times. Xu Xin is currently doing research work for me, and Iam optimistic about our ability to work together.
In graduate school, he further strengthened his researchability. In 1999, Mr. Yu and a team ofresearchers took charge of a project on the interferencecancellation multi-users receiver. He came upwith the original idea of combining the interference cancellationwith the pilot-aided coherent demodulation method.This idea was tested successfully for itsrobustness through calculation and through simulation inCOSSAP. Once again, Mr. Yu’s talent andcreativity shined through when he participated in a joint projectwith several other labs to design our own WCDMA system from theground up. My lab was responsible for buildingthe receiver of base station. In recognition of his ability toresearch, I assigned him to design and test the receiver of RACH, acrucial subsystem of the project. He demonstratedhis high proficiency in his ability to use English literature.Finally, he presented me with yet another excellent product withinthree months.
One of Mr. Gao Fen most notable features was his strength inmathematics. However complex the problem he had to deal with, hefaultlessly applied the correct formulae, and systematically solvedthe question. This stood him in good stead for studying Finance,and helped him to achieve the outstanding results of A for mycourseas well as Accounting, the highest grade from amongst theclass of over 60 students, half of which failed. These achievementstogether distinguished him as one of the most promising students inmy department.
I often remind my students of the importance of mathematics as aquantitative analytical tool. I advise them to learn Mathematicswell. Certainly, not all the students follow my advice; much lessearn high scores in tests. But Miss Cui Wei stands out in hertalent and hard work in the subject. She got an average score of90% in the calculus tests, which was top three in her class.
3．工作期间的推荐内容
这部分主要是由工作单位的领导提供的推荐内容。这一部分的推荐信在介绍被推荐人工作期间的表现时，也要通过具体的实例来推荐被推荐人在专业领域的业务能力、研究能力、独立处理紧急事件的能力、独立研究解决问题的能力，创造思维能力，领导管理能力，市场开发能力等等。推荐人在介绍这些能力时，应根据被推荐人所要申请的专业，重点推荐该专业十分重要的能力。
Mr. Shi has been a consummate professional throughout his timeat the news agency. He is an outstanding photographer whose workhas been repeatedly honored both by the news agency and otherChinese news organizations.. He is also a highly capable writer andeditor. At Chinese Journalists, he was responsible for allphotographic columns. His bold and vigorous editing and selectionwere a major asset to the magazine, and he was soon handpicked forthe responsibility to run a new publication, The ProfessionalPhotographers
Mr. Zhou showed his skill at winning contracts when he wasassigned the job as assistant of logistics officer. In order toprocure, handle, control and transport quality products andservices, he conducted an extensive investigation into the needs ofthe clients and the sales strategies of our competition. He sawthat firsthand ordering might generate an incredibly reducedprice. Furthermore, he showed that our expandedservice network could offer the retailers a service that was muchfaster and more efficient than the competition.Because of this, even if they offered a lower price the customerswould still be attracted by our superior service.As he foresaw, the customers were won over by his argument and wewon the contracts from the competition. Becauseof his major contributions to the company he was soon promoted tologistics officer, a significant advancement for someone who hasonly been with the company for one and a half years.
4．其他方面的推荐内容（课余活动、人品、英语等）
国外有许多教授非常注重被推荐人的英语水平。中国申请者往往考试能力很强，但是交流能力欠缺，这是比较熟悉中国学生的国外教授经常提出的批评。英语的好坏将极大地影响申请者到国外以后的学习和生活以及能否与教授和同学进行交流。
在推荐信上被列为“其它”的项目还有：被推荐人的教学能力--这是影响外国评委们给予助教或助研奖学金的因素之一、被推荐人的品格、性格、爱好等等。不能说这些内容就不重要，把这些项目列入“其它”，是因为中国申请者的推荐信上这些内容比较少，语言好的范例也相应少。但是，若要铲除雷同这一大的弊病，推荐信应该在这些内容上更下功夫。
When it comes to the English language, Mr. Tao should have noproblems making the leap from study in China to that in the States.To help my research at points when I was extremely busy, he madetranslations of documents for me, which was easy to follow. Hisoral English is also of a satisfactory standard to convey heropinions clearly on any subject.
Mr. Li has an incredible aptitude for studying foreignlanguages. When he was sent to Japan fortraining, he diligently applied himself to studying the language.His hard work paid off and within a short time he was communicatingon a fluent level. Indeed, he was one of the fewChinese technicians who were able to attend training without atranslator. His teachers often commented both onthe high quality of his work and his ability to express himself inJapanese. The same enthusiasm and attention to detail that made himan outstanding engineer fueled him language success.
Miss Tong is an excellent team player, and a natural leader. Shecan cooperate effectively with all members of her team, and knowshow to identify and utilize everyone’s special talents. Herpositive, open style of working ensures buy-in from allparticipants, and creates an atmosphere where everyone is committedto achieving the same goal.
In our line of work, we always keep a sharp eye out forpotential smugglers and officers who are likely to fall prey tocorruption. Among our officers, Mr. Wu has provento be one of those who are just, upright and above board in hisdealings with others. Six months earlier, hequeried an applicant on his documents, only to be threatened andlater bribed with an envelope full of cash. Whilea lesser officer might have given in to fear or the temptation ofmoney, Mr. Wu remained resolute. I felt veryproud of him as my officer.
Probably key to his teaching success is his approach of givingas much information as students needed through his lectures. Iattended these lectures myself, and found them entertaining as wellas informative. His ability to convey complicated data accuratelybut in an attractive way would probably make him a highly effectivecommunicator. His interpersonal skills securedhim another post in a famous accounting school, where his strongwork ethic and presentation skills made him very useful as anexample to other staff.
Mr. Fan Jun’s teaching ability is natural, his courses areoutstanding, and his students are sparked withinterest. He brings a lively atmosphere to classresulting in his pupils’ full attention andparticipation. Take for instance one of hisclasses, “Media Theory and Practice”. Despite thecourse’s complexity, the design and organization he bringsencourages student comprehension and practice, manifesting theoryinto reality. Not surprisingly, the demand forthe course has always exceeded the allowedspace.
推荐信的结尾
推荐信最后一段应包含的内容，主要是推荐人对被推荐人各种能力、品质、潜质的总结及对被推荐人的美好祝愿。
As a cheerful and friendly member of her class, she was wellliked and respected by her peers. Her optimism and motivation wereinfectious amongst those she worked with, lifting their spirits andmorale. Now well grounded in the theories of economics andproficient in English, I believe she represents an extraordinarycandidate for your program. I trust her academic excellence, spiritof devotion and pleasant personality warrant your seriousconsideration of her application. Should there be any way in whichI can be of further assistance in your deliberations, please do nothesitate to contact me directly.
In addition to his academic success, he is a cheerful andcooperative character, who will，in my opinion, adapt quickly toyour academic environment and swiftly become an active member ofyour student body. Judging by what I have seen of Mr. Niu, Ibelieve he is now well prepared to undertake graduate studies atyour university. I have rarely come across someone with such vastpotential as Mr. Niu. I trust his combination of thorougheducation, practical experience and passion for his field, willwarrant your serious consideration of his application. Should therebe any way in which I can be of further assistance in yourdeliberations, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.
In summary, I have seen many of Miss Xuan’s achievements inChina. What she lacks here, however, is access to new theories,research methods and advanced technological know-how. I fullysupport her decision to pursue graduate studies in the U.S. and Ibelieve this decision to study abroad will lead to new academichorizons and a broader vision for Miss Zhao. I would appreciate itif you would give her your favorable consideration.
反面例子
本书作者结合多年的咨询和改稿经验，总结了一些同学们在写推荐信时经常出现的问题。这些内容及事例由于不现实或写的人太多，已经对申请起不到任何好的作用，因此，作者把它们列出来，希望同学们少写或不写这些内容，而去挖掘更能突出自己个性的东西来写。请注意，以下所列举的内容，都是许许多多申请者经常用到的语言和内容，如果你也落入这样的俗套，你的推荐信会显得千篇一律，很难让读者有兴趣读完。
1.无数的推荐信都写被推荐人上课时积极表达自己的观点，下课后还继续与教师讨论学术问题，但是谈论什么问题，却总是没有具体的例子。如：
In class, she was an active participant, often raising incisivequestions and providing solutions to problems. Weoften discussed new and more efficient solutions to a problem.Always actively participating in class, asking perceptive andchallenging questions
2．为了用事例说明被推荐人不断地汲取各种知识，很多推荐人都在推荐信中这样写道：我经常看见XXX在图书馆阅读各类专业图书和英语杂志。但是在图书馆学习是一个学生日常生活的一部分，正如一个司机在开车，一个农民在地里干活并不能说明他们与别的司机或者农民有什么不同，更不能说明有什么值得称道的。
Very often I find her reading concentratedly in the library withbooks or English periodicals in his hands.
3.很多同学找到自认为很有价值的推荐人写推荐信，但是他们以前并不相识或者熟悉，为了在信中制造一个他们相识的合理情况,他们都用同样的事例：被推荐人参加了推荐人的一次讲座，讲座结束或中间休息或上课时，被推荐人向推荐人提出了一些很有挑战性的问题，于是推荐人就对被推荐人留下了深刻的印象。同上面的例子一样，这样的事例缺乏真实性。教授们在讲座结束后往往只有几分钟的时间回答很多同学的提问，他不可能对某位同学留下特别的印象。即使是真实的，也因为太多的人这么写，失去了可信度。
I first noticed Mr. Xie in 1999, when I gave a lecture tostudents majoring in microelectronics. At the end of thepresentation Mr. Xie approached me and asked several perceptive andchallenging questions, which demonstrated his vastbackground knowledge and swift grasp of the ideas I hadexpounded
4.有些推荐信的内容太荒唐了，让人不敢相信。
As his advisor, I was immediately impressed by his enthusiasmand diligence towards his studies. Severaltimes I would telephone him before seven in the morning, only tofind his dormitory mates sleepily answering that he had left forhis studies.
5.语言太夸张，完全失去了说服力。有的推荐信把被推荐人写的比推荐人水平还高。读完这样的推荐信，外国教授不禁要想，既然这位同学的水平如此之高，他就不需要再进修了。而且一般推荐人都为被推荐人的老师及上司，这样写也让外国教授怀疑推荐人的水平。
In my numerous years of teaching experience rarely have I seenas talented or dedicated a student as Mr. Liu. Iconsider him my own source of inspiration.
6.为了表明被推荐人做事细致认真，推荐人总是喜欢在推荐信中提到：他总是第一个到实验室，最后一个离开。这样的事例几乎是每位申请者要写到的内容。试想一下，如果你是录取委员会的成员，你天天都读到同样的内容，你会是什么样的感觉。
The first to arrive and the last to leave, she took pride inmaking sure that everything was in order and wellmaintained.
7.为了表明被推荐人学习态度端正，推荐人喜欢在推荐信中举例说明：他总是坐在教室的第一排听讲。这也不见得就是一种美德。坐在后面的同学都是不努力的吗？
He would often sit within the first few rows, frequently raisingquestions and clarifying concepts that were unclear to him/I firstbecame acquainted with Mr.Wang at my lecture, where he sat in thefirst row and impressed me with his full concentration andenthusiastic participation in class discussions
8.为了说明被推荐人勤奋好学，推荐人经常在推荐信中写到这样的事实：被推荐人总是要求推荐人推荐一些相关的书籍，或是被推荐人向推荐人借书看。这样的事例太雷同了，缺乏独特性。
To broaden his intellectual horizons, he has often asked me tointroduce books and journals for him to read. Actually, he hadborrowed so many books from my personal collection that he leftquite a large part of my bookcase empty. |
