Academic vs Professional Recommendation Letters: Key Differences

The core structure is similar, but the evidence differs.

1. Academic letters emphasize intellectual ability, coursework performance, and research potential.
2. Professional letters emphasize on-the-job performance, reliability, and specific business outcomes.
3. Academic letters are often longer and more formal, following a program's specific expectations.
4. Both benefit from one specific, well-told story rather than a list of adjectives.

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