Possible Characteristics to be Described in Letters of Recommendation
- Quantitative abilities
- Potential as a teacher
- Knowledge of the field
- Professionalim, maturity
- Academic Achievement
- Flexibility, adaptiveness
- Potential as a practioner
- General knowledge base
- Ability to work independently
- Teaching potential or experience
- Creativity, originality, imagination
- Verbal skills, public speaking ability
- Dependability, level of responsibility
- Writing skills, level of writing proficiency
- Research ability, experience, or potential
- Physical grooming, level of concern for others
- Emotional stability, level of emotional adjustment
- Desire to achieve, seriousness of purpose, initiative
- Leadership skills, level of respect accorded by others
- Sociability, social skills, ability to get along with peers
- Character, honesty, integrity, ethical and moral standards
- Judgment, ability to make sound decisions, ability to reason
- Industriousness, motivation, perseverance, energy level, drive
- Ability to work with others, teamwork potential, cooperativeness
Source: The Complete Guide to Graduate School Admission: Psychology, Counseling, and Related Fields (2nd ed.) by Keith-Spiegel & Wiederman (2000). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum