recommendation letter--sample 1

Dear Sir,

I am writing in support of M』s application for admission into your distinguished graduate program in History of Art.

I have known M for more than three years now.  In her junior year, she took an introductory course to cultural studies from me and did an insightful paper on the controversial trend of girls having their personal and sexy photo albums made and put on display.  At the time we were reading John Fisk's book on the subversive potentials of popular culture and M did a wonderful job putting his theory to work defending these young girls' usage of the photo albums to cultivate a positive sense of their bodies as well as to foster the power of self-determination in matters related to female sexuality.  I was quite impressed with the work she has done in that course and was especially impressed by the intense thoughtful look on her face as she participated in class discussions.

M drifted out of sight after graduation but soon returned in the next year to work as our departmental assistant.  She had become more sure of herself and quite comfortable too.  Her work in the departmental office has most to do with student affairs and curriculum-related matters, both considered difficult areas since she has to work to maintain a balanced position between students and faculty who often have conflicted interests in relation to class schedules or grade disputes.  Yet I must say, M has impressed all of us with her efficiency and sense of responsibility.  In the two years that she's been with the department, I have more than once heard faculty members rave about the quality of her work.  I am sure her departure from our department will be felt as a great shock and a great loss.

My observation of M spans much wider than one undergraduate course and regular office work.  As much as M works at her secretarial job in the department, she is deeply attracted by all kinds of creative work.  As demonstrated by her work in photography, she has a very sensitive as well as keen sense of the stillness/transience of life.  The courses that she had taken in 20th century art and literature, plus her studies into Freud and psychoanalysis, I dare say, had instilled this wonderful sense of creative inventiveness in her.  This is most clearly demonstrated by her personal adventures and studies into the world of homepage and website construction.  In fact, she has become so good at this line of creative work that we at XXX hired her part-time so that she could help us set up our website in her spare time.  If you are interested, please do get on our website to examine her work.

In the more than 18 months that she has worked with us in constructing our website, I have had much contact and conversation with her, and I have found her to be a very delightful person with a very serious sense of responsibility when it comes to work.  The course work and work experience she has had are sure to prepare her well for further studies into the rapid cultural changes that are happening around us, not the least among them, the changes in our information and media based culture.  Judging from these close contacts, I would say that M has successfully maintained an openness toward complexities and contingencies, which is most important for any aspiring graduate student, and I am very happy to see that she has decided to continue her studies overseas where she would have a chance to personally experience such complexities in a vastly different cultural context.

I have watched M grow and develop into an intelligent young woman with good sense.  I truly hope she could be given a chance to reach new heights through graduate studies in your program.  Should you need any more information concerning her performance and potential, please do not hesitate to write or call.