Recommendation Letter for Graduate School: What's Different

Admissions committees look for different signals than employers do.

1. Emphasize intellectual curiosity, research potential, and academic rigor over general job performance.
2. Compare the candidate to peers explicitly if possible ("top 5% of students I've taught in 10 years").
3. Address specific program fit if you know enough about what the program values.
4. Programs often provide a specific form or rubric — follow it closely rather than submitting a generic letter.

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