Getting the Background Information You Need
Get information about the applicant’s professional experience. Ask the applicant to give you some details about her work history. You need to know what kind of professional experience she has that could assist her in her life as a sorority sister that you could reference in your letter. For example, if she volunteered or worked at a nursing home this would be a good thing for you to know so that you could mention it in your recommendation letter.
Ask about the applicant’s academic awards. An important thing to mention in your recommendation letter is any academic awards that the sorority applicant may have received. These kinds of awards bode well for applicants so it will be very beneficial for you to mention it in your letter of recommendation. Many sororities give preference to applicants with excellent academic achievements.
Find out about the applicant’s hobbies. Since applying to sororities can be so competitive, it may be necessary for you to mention some of the hobbies of the girl for whom you are writing the recommendation letter. This could be one of the only things that sets her apart from some of the other applicants. Some examples of hobbies that are worthwhile to mention include any kind of leadership or service experiences, volunteering to help others, or playing a musical instrument.
Ask for general information from the person you are recommending. Compile a list of all of their awards, activities, interests, hobbies, and academic honors. Interview the girl to ask why she wants to be part of that particular sorority and ask for any qualities she thinks she possesses that fit in with the needs and expectations of that sorority. Gather a picture of the candidate as well.
Writing Your Recommendation Letter
Address the recommendation letter properly. Address the letter to the sorority name the girl is applying to, c/o the university she is attending. Begin the letter with the salutation "To Whom It May Concern."
Write an opening paragraph that explains your connection to the applicant. Begin writing the letter with a paragraph detailing how you know the candidate and how long you have known them for. At this time you also should include why you are qualified to write the letter, especially if you were in a sorority yourself, as this will usually hold extra weight with the sorority you are writing to. If you were in a sorority make sure to include the sorority, chapter name, the years you were a member and if you held a position within the sorority.
Create a paragraph focusing on the candidate’s qualifications. Write another paragraph that mentions the candidate's qualifications for sorority membership. Include interests, hobbies, and other information that will distinguish the candidate from other girls. You should take the opportunity to be honest and discuss as many of the girl's accomplishments as possible because it is appropriate to brag a little in these letters.
Use the next paragraph to describe the girl's personality. As important as accomplishments are, sororities are also looking for girls that will fit in with others and are a pleasure to be around. State why she is fun, humorous, the life of the party, or any other personality trait you feel defines the girl and makes her a good fit for the sorority.
End the letter with a closing statement saying a final thought on the girl and why she would be a good fit in the sorority, tying in your own experiences if possible. Sign the letter to make it look more professional.
Formatting Your Letter of Recommendation
Don’t go overboard. A letter of recommendation should be short and get directly to the point. Shoot for no more than one or two pages for your letter of recommendation.
Address the letter properly. It’s important to pay attention to who you are sending the letter of recommendation to, especially if you’ve been asked to write more than one letter. Letters should be addressed to the specific sorority including their organization’s name and address.
Proofread your letter to avoid any errors. In order to provide the best possible letter of recommendation, you should thoroughly proofread your letter before submitting it to avoid the possibility of any errors being sent through.
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