Detail the specific nature and length of your relationship with the student. Teaching a student for two advanced level courses is different than mentoring someone over an 18-month independent project. Explain the level of difficulty in the material taught and how he became a student of yours. For example, did he write a paper that earned him entrance into your seminar, or submit a ten page proposal for his independent study that you found especially intriguing. The events and conditions of your relationship create a fuller picture for the admissions staff.
Note the student's strongest qualities and illustrate those traits with anecdotes. Choose characteristics appropriate to the type of school for which she is seeking admission. For example, for a business school application, focus on the student's leadership and perseverance. For a student applying to medical school, focus on her intellectual curiosity and strength of character. Provide brief stories that illustrate your description, rather than jotting a long list of complimentary adjectives with no concrete supporting evidence.
Consult the recommendation guidelines, if available, or the student himself for instructions regarding spacing and formatting. Complete the attached assessment rubric, if necessary, in felt-tipped pen for accurate scanning. Some general guidelines for formatting recommendation letters include typing the recommendation on school letter head, including your full name, title, contact information and signature. Check with the recommendation instructions whether the school prefers single or double spacing. Hand written letters are illegible and scan poorly.
Admissions committees want students that persevere through unexpected challenges or obstacles. Describe challenges the student overcame during your time together, including her reaction and response when facing difficult barriers. For example, describe how after failing to recruit the necessary number of interview subjects, the student enlisted the help of a local non-profit organization agency and was successfully doubled her interview pool. Conclude by describing how she applied the lessons learned in overcoming the obstacle to future challenges she encountered.