writing peer recommendations

Applying to College
1

<p>My best friend has asked me to write a peer recommendation for her application to Dartmouth. She's applied early decision to Georgetown and Middlebury, and she's going regular to Dartmouth, William & Mary, URochester, and UPenn, so yeah. She's a very serious candidate. She is also our class valedictorian and received excellent SAT scores.</p>

<p>She really didn't tell me anything to write on her rec, and when I asked her what she wanted, she said to just highlight her relationship as a friend. </p>

<p>What do I write as a peer? What are colleges looking for in this document, especially a college like Dartmouth? How long should it be? Should it be a formal essay, or a letter, or a paragraph? She also gave this to me as a printed out form, but I am typing the rec up? Do I need to send it stapled to the document, or write it by hand? My guidance counselor is new to the system (I should hope...either that or she's just stupid) and was unable to give me much advice on the matter. </p>

<p>SO. Your advice would be great.</p>

2

<p>I think you should write more than a paragraph. But do what she told you too. Talk about how it has been to be her friend for the past few years, her affect on your life, why you think she is a great person, personal qualities more so than how great of a student she is. Stuff like that i'm guessing. Write about her what you would like to be written about yourself if she was writing it for you.</p>

3

<p>I did that exact recommendation for my friend. I wrote about how he's a leader in the school community, how he's a great role model, and how much his friendship has meant to me. I handwrote mine and it was a page long.</p>

4

<p>Yea...I gave good advice :D</p>