在留美申请的过程中，学校通常会要求２～４封来自由申请者工作主管或教授的推荐信函，其目的在藉由申请人外的第三者，就申请人的特质、能力和态度做评估，以作为学校审核申请者的一种参考。

推荐信是留学申请过程中，最难由自己掌控的部份，也由於它是众多审核资料中少数能从第三者的客观角度评估申请者的文件，因此占有重要的地位。 我们可从三个方向著手：

就学校方面：
首先，必须先了解申请科系的特质（推荐信内容可强调此点特质）；整理各校对推荐信内容的要求，即可得对於评估的基本要求（例如：学术研究潜力、创造力等），及特殊要求（例如：对研究领域的适应度等）。试想：你认为审核委员会希望由推荐信中，获取那些关於你的资料。

就个人方面：
分析自己的优缺点，在校成绩及工作表现，有无特殊经历可展现自己自己在此领域研究发展的潜力，或拥有那些特殊的能力（电脑、语文等），依此作为选老师写推荐信及提供其了解你的基础。并以明确具体的证据来支持证明自己的特殊能力和个人特质（例如：实验成果、研究计画、学术出版品、课外活动等）。

就推荐者方面：
首先一定要确定老师不会扯你后腿... :-)　可询问有经验的学长姐，预先了解几个推荐者的习惯，以找到最合适的师长。最好是在申请领域内有国际学术地位或特殊研究成果的教授。

一般而言，推荐函需三封，限於对申请者有了解的人所写，讲师以上皆有资格为推荐人。最好三封各有其强调主题，以完全展现自己的特质及专才，并且能与读书计画相互呼应者为佳。写推荐函时，依个人特质、明确事迹或成 就来表现自己，而不是许多模糊、空洞美丽的词句、且以诚信为原则，稍微夸大并无所谓，但严禁说谎及欺骗。

推荐信的基本构成要素除信头（学校信纸的信头或推荐人住址）、发信日期、收信人姓名、地址、称呼、信尾谦称、亲笔签名、推荐人姓名、职务等必要部份外，本文内容应包含下列各项：

被推荐者全名：不可全文中都只写 Mr. Huang 或 Miss Wu，需明确写出被推荐者的全名至少一次。英文名字拼法需与其他文件相同。
认识期间：何时开始认识？或认识多久？
认识程度：偶尔见面或密切接触，例如教过一年或担任过导师。
与申请人之关系：师生关系，工作主管等。
学业成绩：讨论申请人的擅长与不擅长的学习领域，对申请研究所的人来说，提及其特殊的学术成绩和研究能力是十分重要的。
个人成就：在学校、工作或家庭中的特殊表现。如曾获某种奖励、工作中的杰出表现等，应清楚叙述使学校了解其重要性。
特殊才能：特殊之语言、艺术、体育、技艺等才能的表现。不会因此缺点而被拒的缺点。

注意事项：

申请大学部的推荐信应以表达学生性向为主，可请辅导老师、导师、社团领导人或是上司、同事等人来写。申请研究所则以突显学生的学业、专业倾向为主，故可请导师、专业科目指导老师或工作主管来写。推荐信的内容应具体实在且包括优缺点，完全强调优点的信不一定最有帮助。在办妥学校的申请手续之後应对写推荐信的师长们致谢意。

其他应注意事项如下：

确定学校对推荐函的要求，且最好遵守之。
是否有特定表格需填选。例如：学生特质评量表等。
是否需由老师自行寄出（分开记）或需和申请表一同寄出。
需寄到系上或是寄到Admissions Office 。

为方便作业及本身权益：

尽早知会老师，取得同意，并给予足够时间作业（需考虑推荐者可能有段时间很忙或不在）
问清楚该推荐者愿意写几封推荐信，以方便自己再安排人选。
若某校有特殊要求，要事先告知推荐者（或明列出）。
若所申请的学校没有附推荐信的信封，需在信封上标明给何校，以免推荐者封信後，不知那封该给那校。
一般如附有表格的话，表格上有些部份需由申请者填写（例如：申请者名字、申请系所、推荐人的姓名、住址等等），需先填完後再交给申请者。通常学校会问是否要放弃（waive¹） 将来阅读此信的权力，通常填yes，以表明对推荐者的信任及给予其最大发挥空间。信封封好後，最好请推荐者在信封封口处签名，以示公信。

　范文1: 计算机系教授推荐信

    At the request of Mr. Xizhen Chen, my former student in the Department of Computer Science, Beijing Univ. of Sciences, I am glad to write this letter furnishing my evaluation² of his academic aptitude³ for your reference. Mr. Chen is interested in your graduate program in Computer Science.
    I came to know him in September 1987 when Mr. Chen enrolled⁴ in my class on FORTRAN IV Programming, a three semesters' course. In the class he was one of the most outstanding students. At the semester final he earned a high grade of 81, which should be "A" according to our grading system. I also found him good at other studies.
After the class, he had personal talks with me several times. He indicated a great interest in computer hardware, In my opinion, Mr. Chen has a potential in Computer Science, which can be further developed.
    In view of his previous achievements in this College, I am firmly convinced that Mr. Chen will make a successful graduate student. Your favorable consideration of his admission will be highly appreciated.

范文2: 商管系教授推荐信

    It gives me a great pleasure to recommend Mr. Cheng as a transfer to the School of Business Administration of your University in the summer quarter of 1989.
During academic year 1980-1984, he was a student in our Department, World College of Journalism⁵. I found him very diligent⁶ and intelligent. He often participated in extracurricular activities contributing a great deal to community affairs.
Though Mr. Cheng graduated from this college 5 years ago, he keeps, contact with me very often. Worthy⁷ of mention also is his personality, honest, reliable, responsible and mature.
    I strongly recommend this promising⁸ young man and your favorable consideration and assistance to him will be very much appreciated.

范文3: 法律系教授推荐信
    I am pleased to write this letter for my former student Miss Nan Li, who graduated from this College with an L.B. degree in June 1978.
Miss Li was admitted to the Department of Law of this College in 1974 through highly competitive entrance examination which is conducted annually⁹ and is open to the whole nation. Even in such a selective group. Miss Li made herself distinguished¹⁰. As professor and dean of the College, I have access to her records of academic work and moral conduct, In her fourth year study, I instructed her in Anglo-American Laws on Trespass¹¹. So I have known her quite well.
    Miss Li's performance, like that in many other courses she taken, was excellent with a superior grade of 86 for the first semester, and 84 for the second semester. In our university and in other university here, 80 is considered "A" , the highest level.
As far as I know, Miss Li wishes to continue her study in Law for an advanced degree. I am sure she has had sufficient prerequisite¹² knowledge for the subject and certainly has the ability to undertake the study.
    I recommend Miss Li without reservation and shall appreciate your favorable consideration of her application.