Recommendation Test; Part 4

The following recommendation was submitted for a student applying to highly selective universities.

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Emily is like a peacock feather—bold, electric, sharp and precise. When you meet her she separates herself. Yet, her humility and affability are like the softness and warmth of the feather itself and they keep her grounded, reminding her that she is still human. In short, she stands above the rest, glorious and inspiring…and everyone is thankful for it.

One of the ways in which I have gotten to know Emily is by being her creative writing teacher.  She treats writing like a child. She loves it even when it does not cooperate. She cares for it, makes it her center and gives herself over to it. She listens to the advice of others, yet maintains her own motherly perspective; she will change her work if the advice is sound, but has enough motherly stronghold over her writing to know when the writing does not warrant some changes. Because she nurtures it so, her work is poignant and precise. She chooses words intrinsic beauty and depth of meaning. She revises with a keen eye, always looking for ways to help the writing grow. Perhaps the greatest complement I can give her writing is that it has inspired me when I have been in writing draughts.

I also served as Emily’s forensics coach for the past two years. Emily has established herself as one of the starts of the team. She places third in the State last yeas, despite being thrown in her category at the last minute. She entered this year as one the senior leaders and acts as a role model for younger members of the team. She knows how to portray character in a new manner, while maintaining the characterization the author establishes. She takes chances, has fun and hones her performances with this intellectual exercise.

Above all, Emily is a person worth knowing. She will make your life better. I have no hesitation recommending her. She will be great and I am happy for her and the school she chooses. But I will still miss her.

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Rate the recommendation as a  sample of writing from 1-5 with 5 being the highest mark. What rating did you give it and why?

Rate the student based on the recommendation from 1-5 with 5 being the highest. What rating did you give the student and why?

Do you think the student has a special talent in writing? Support your answer.

Does the peacock feather trope help capture Emily’s personality and talents?

Does the mother trope help capture Emily’s approach to writing and revision?

Would your assessment of Emily change if you knew she earned an 800 on the reading section of the SAT and a 780 on the writing section and a 5 on the AP English Composition test? Are you sure?

Some recommendations include bullet points and check boxes instead of a narrative. Do you think this approach is more effective than a narrative?

Do you wish this recommendation had been longer? If yes, what more would you have wanted to the writer to include?