Ask the applicant for a copy of his completed college application and resume, if possible. This should include all details of extracurricular activities and a copy of the applicant's statement of purpose. The application might also include a copy of any supporting essays or body of academic work. Familiarize yourself with these to ensure that you have a good overall knowledge of the person that you are writing for. This will also allow you to frame your letter in a way that complements the rest of the application.
Find out if there is a special reference procedure that you need to follow. For example, some college applications require the reference writer to fill out a specific form or a questionnaire. Other colleges have a more relaxed approach and only require a written reference letter.
Use a standard business-letter format. A letter of recommendation should be typed and consist of a structured format.
Ask the applicant to whom your letter should be addressed, and start the letter accordingly. The opening paragraph should state your name, position, the student's name, how long you have known him, and in what capacity.
Describe the student's academic aptitude, intelligence, maturity, self-discipline, and social skills. You should draw upon two or three of his most notable qualities and provide examples of how he has demonstrated those qualities in the past. The purpose of the letter is to portray the student's most positive attributes, so do not provide examples of inadequacy.
Compare the student to others that you have known. For example, if you find that this applicant is impeccably mature for his age group, describe this quality in comparison to others who do not boast the same quality. The aim is to set this applicant apart from other applicants.
Conclude the letter with a brief paragraph that documents your general assessment of the student and his professional promise. Keep the language strong and persuasive, but avoid coming across as insincere.
Sign the letter with your name and details of how you can be contacted.
Proofread the letter to check for grammatical errors or spelling mistakes.
Save a copy of the letter in case the applicant asks you to write another reference letter for another college application in the future.
Find out whether the school prefers the letter to be mailed directly to the school via the letter writer or included within the other application materials. Deliver appropriately.