How do you write a good Dartmouth peer recommendation?
I'm a rising senior and one of my close friends has asked me to write her Dartmouth peer rec. I'm honestly excited but also kind of nervous because I know how important these can be.
Does anyone have advice on how to make it both personal and effective? Should I focus on specific stories or is it better to try and capture more of her general character? I want to make sure I don’t sound too formal, but I also want it to be serious enough to be taken seriously by the admissions team. Also, what’s the usual length for these? I don’t want to overwrite or underdo it.
If anyone’s willing to share the structure they followed or examples (obviously with names/details changed), that would help a ton. Thanks!
Does anyone have advice on how to make it both personal and effective? Should I focus on specific stories or is it better to try and capture more of her general character? I want to make sure I don’t sound too formal, but I also want it to be serious enough to be taken seriously by the admissions team. Also, what’s the usual length for these? I don’t want to overwrite or underdo it.
If anyone’s willing to share the structure they followed or examples (obviously with names/details changed), that would help a ton. Thanks!
7 months ago
•
244 views
Grayce Gibbs
• 7 months ago
Advisor
A Dartmouth peer recommendation stands out when it’s both authentic and specific, showing admissions officers who your friend is beyond grades and activities. You’re on the right track thinking about balancing a personal, engaging tone with a sense of sincerity.
It definitely helps to focus on specific stories or moments that show her character. Admissions readers see a lot of references that are mostly praise without substance. Pick one or two instances—maybe times when she showed leadership, compassion, humor, or resilience in your shared experiences. For example, instead of saying, “She’s considerate and always helps others,” you might tell the story of how she organized a study group for a difficult class, helped new students feel welcome, or went out of her way to comfort someone after a tough day. Small, everyday examples work well as long as they feel personal and real.
A peer rec can be informal, almost like a thoughtful letter or conversation, but keep it clear and thoughtful. Avoid overusing slang or inside jokes that might leave readers confused, but absolutely let your genuine voice show. It should reflect how you’d talk about your friend to someone who doesn’t know her, but with a bit more detail and reflection. Somewhere between three-quarters of a page to a page (about 400-600 words) is usually ideal—long enough to say something meaningful, but not so long it loses focus.
Here’s a quick structure you can follow:
1. Brief intro—how you know her and for how long.
2. One or two stories or memories that show her unique traits.
3. What she means to you or your community, and why you admire her.
4. A closing thought on why you think she’d thrive at Dartmouth.
For example: “I met Maya during our first week at school, and within days she’d roped me into her wild plan to host a trivia night for new students. Watching her turn this idea into an all-out event—complete with homemade trophies she crafted herself—showed me how she brings people together and makes everyone feel like they belong.”
Personal, story-based comments like this are far more memorable than just listing qualities. You don’t have to cover everything—just choose the most vivid examples of what makes her special. Keep it genuine, and you’ll do great.
It definitely helps to focus on specific stories or moments that show her character. Admissions readers see a lot of references that are mostly praise without substance. Pick one or two instances—maybe times when she showed leadership, compassion, humor, or resilience in your shared experiences. For example, instead of saying, “She’s considerate and always helps others,” you might tell the story of how she organized a study group for a difficult class, helped new students feel welcome, or went out of her way to comfort someone after a tough day. Small, everyday examples work well as long as they feel personal and real.
A peer rec can be informal, almost like a thoughtful letter or conversation, but keep it clear and thoughtful. Avoid overusing slang or inside jokes that might leave readers confused, but absolutely let your genuine voice show. It should reflect how you’d talk about your friend to someone who doesn’t know her, but with a bit more detail and reflection. Somewhere between three-quarters of a page to a page (about 400-600 words) is usually ideal—long enough to say something meaningful, but not so long it loses focus.
Here’s a quick structure you can follow:
1. Brief intro—how you know her and for how long.
2. One or two stories or memories that show her unique traits.
3. What she means to you or your community, and why you admire her.
4. A closing thought on why you think she’d thrive at Dartmouth.
For example: “I met Maya during our first week at school, and within days she’d roped me into her wild plan to host a trivia night for new students. Watching her turn this idea into an all-out event—complete with homemade trophies she crafted herself—showed me how she brings people together and makes everyone feel like they belong.”
Personal, story-based comments like this are far more memorable than just listing qualities. You don’t have to cover everything—just choose the most vivid examples of what makes her special. Keep it genuine, and you’ll do great.
Grayce Gibbs
Denver, CO
Dartmouth College (AB); Colorado School of Mines (MS)
Experience
4 years