Letters of recommendation
 

I've been asked by the Panhellenic Alumnae group here to write a letter of recommendation for a young lady attending TCU in the fall. I have never done this, as thing are much more informal here.

Any ideas where to start or a certain format? I printed out the form from EO but it's so small and doesn't really include much space.

Thanks!

I usually type the form (so I can make the comments as long or short as I'd like) then print it, sign it, ship it off, and wait to see how recruitment goes!

You can open the form and fill it out in Word and it will end up going for a few pages. But you can make it as long as you would like.

You can start by entering as much of the PNM's information as you have been given. You may need to contact the PNM to get additional information in order to fill out all of the required fields. But you should have been provided with some kind of resume or fact sheet about her.

I think some people get tripped up by the "Asset to Chapter" section. Just look over her stats. Do you think, based on this she would be a potential chapter officer, a team player or someone who might bring prestige through her involvement in the theatre program, cheerleading squad or outside community achievements? List out your thoughts.

Fill it out, sign it, and send it to the chatper at TCU. Thanks for helping with recruitment by recommending a potential sister to ADPi!

Thanks for your replies, ladies! :)

I did the form in Word but also wrote a short letter to attach to things.

What do you think of sending a picture of a PNM? Is that good or bad?

Please, please, please send pictures! Many campuses we do Rec reviews during Spirit Week with a pnm's resume and picture. It helps to get to know them before they even walk through the door on day 1.

I usually ask for a natural photo (not one of those glamour shots!), and a full length one, if it's an SEC school.

When you think of how many women are going through R, and how little time the chapter gets to spend with each one, ANY help in the rec and/or photo department that helps her stand out is a step in the right direction!

I usually send a photo and a letter with my Potential New Member Profiles. The letter highlights different things about the PNM-- where she is from, major, and her strengths and how those might translate into leadership or sisterhood traits as a member of a sorority.

I think the photos help a lot-- there are so many ladies who come through that it's nice, when possible, to be able to put a face to the name when you meet a PNM. It can be very intimidating when there are 100 strangers in your chapter house for a recruitment event... I know the PNMs are nervous, but so are we!

I fill out the form from EO, but also put in a personal note from me. I don't always have pictures, but I like it when I do. I am not writing any personal letters this year, only ones from our local Panhellenic.