For universities and colleges that want to assess applicants':
experience working collaboratively
ability to work collaboratively
regard by their peers
Master academic content
Think critically and solve complex problems
Work collaboratively
Communicate effectively
Learn how to learn
Develop academic mindsets
Rationale for Use
Asking for a letter of recommendation from a previous collaborator of the applicant will not only allow you to gauge how the applicant works with others, but it will also allow you to assess whether the applicant has had experience working collaboratively.
Depending on the nature of the collaborative project and what the recommender describes, this letter may also provide insight into any of the other Hewlett competencies, such as the applicant's ability to or style of thinking critically and solving complex problems, communicating effectively, or learning how to learn will show up.
Outside of the 6 Competencies, this letter will also provide insight into how the applicant is regarded by and interacts with their peers. The project undertaken and rationale for undertaking may also shed light on the applicant's interests. However, the letter is primarily intended to shed light on the applicant's collaborative abilities.
Design
Possible Prompts
Please have someone you have previously collaborated with in a a significant or extensive way write a letter speaking to the project you undertook together.
Possible Directions for Students
Applicants may solicit recommendations from co-workers, lab partners, past team members on school projects or out-of-school passion projects, sports teammates, siblings, etc.
Timeline
Evaluation Guide
Experience Working Collaboratively
- What was the nature of the project undertaken? Did it require significant collaboration?
Style of Collaboration
- What role does it seem like the applicant played in the collaborative process?
- How does the recommender seem to regard the applicant and their contributions to the project?
- Do they provide any information about how others on the team, if applicable, regarded the applicant?
- What aspects of the experience does the recommender focus on or highlight?
Initiative/Interest
- How and why was the project conceived?
- How did the applicant get involved with the project?
- Was it a required school assignment, was it pursued or organized of the applicant's own accord, or something else?
Examples
Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, United States highly recommends that applicants submit a peer recommendation letter. This letter helps the admissions officers get a more candid sense of the applicant's personality and interactions and how they may contribute to the college's community.
FAQs
How will we know that the letter of recommendation is authentic?
The recommender may be made to sign a Code of Honor, affirming their identity and the truthfulness of their letter's contents. As an extra precautionary measure, your university may also reserve the right to follow-up with recommenders to ask further questions about their letter. The possibility of having their letter audited would likely discourage applicants from submitting fake or fraudulent letters.
Aren't there equity issues that arise from this?
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