申请美国学校除了GT成绩，大学成绩，简历和自述信外，一般还要求至少三封的推荐信(少数学校只要两封)。那么，推荐信有什么作用呢?
具体讲，推荐信的作用有三个，一是从第三者角度对申请者自述信及成绩的确认和重新 解释；二是对申请者的陈述和成绩进行补充；三是以同行的身份向录取委员会的教授提供自己的看法(尤其是在校教授的推荐信)，包括申请者的素质，动机以及申请者是否能从该课程获益等。作为录取委员会对申请者的考察标准之一，推荐信的作用是不可忽视的，好的推荐信会帮助申请者拿到学校的取录和奖学金，而差的，尤其是那些泛泛而论的，内容混乱的推荐信往往会导致申请功亏一篑，甚至会造成致命伤害。
找什么人写推荐信最好呢？对于研究类课程的申请，尤其是PhD的申请，三封推荐信中应该至少有两封学术推荐，即要有两个教授或老师推荐你，推荐内容主要在你的学术能力和研究能力。但要注意，现在即使是研究性的课程2 Z B q ; I Y，录取委员会也比较注重学生组成的多样性，所以在推荐时，不能仅限于课堂和科研，要顾及自己的课外活动和社会活动。对于诸如法学院、商学院的申请，则要注重工作推荐信，你老板的推荐信，实习单位领导的推荐则更为重要。
选择推荐人时要遵循熟悉、专业两大原则。
1、推荐人要熟悉你的学习和工作，熟悉你的动机和学习计划，要有比较密切的交流。推荐表中的“How long have you known the referee﹖In what capacity﹖”就是问的推荐人和被推荐人之间的熟悉程度。在此基础上，如果推荐T ~ ] &人是外国教授，而该教授和你申请的学校又很熟悉，这种推荐往往会起到意想不到的效果；如果推荐人和你申请的学校教授又比较熟悉，处理好了，推荐信则会有化腐朽为神奇的力P M c W 5量；如果推荐人虽然不熟悉对方的教授，但是该专业内很有名的专家(诸如拥有院士之类的头衔的)，经常参加国际交流，其推荐作用也不可忽视。不过，名人架子一般也很大Q R [ 8 4 A u ( :，找申请人时，要先掂量掂量自己的Y N K / ) C t分量。对于大部分来说，我认为找推荐人还是以找熟人9 m } z e K为主，一是好说话，会很配合你的申请；二是在国外教授看来，很自然很合理。
2、推荐人的身份要合理，最好是相关专业的。如果你是一个大四学生，则可选系主任，专业任课老师，和课外活动、社会活动见证人作为推荐人。如果你已经毕业一两j 9 { v 2 L ` 2 Z年了，则可选你的直接上司，大学毕业论文指导老师或任课老师，系主任作为你的推荐人。完全没有必要千里迢迢，费尽周折找一个和你的专业不熟悉，和你不熟悉的院士或大公司总裁之类的人作为你的推荐人。
推荐信范文
In capacity as Professor of Mathematics at Fudan University?I＇m writing to recommend Mr. Wang?Gesintosyour PhD program in Compt Y 9 E ] I buter Science. I have known Mr. Wang since his sophomore year of college?and have acted as his thesis advisor and mentor. In my experience?he is a gifted and diligent student?and an admirably hard worker.
Wang is an impressive student because he has been forced to overcome the sT 8 vignificant chalV ! x x ;lenge ofc ` : a serious illness during his fret @ #shman year. When I first met Wang in my Discrete Math class?he did not appear to be anything special to me. While his exam scores were good?they were not as high as I would now expect of him. What I didn＇t know then was that due to his il# v N @ ( y g !lness?Wang was attempting to take all of the difficu* * 3 m Z U blt early mathematics courses at one time?includingZ ! d 9 ^ l / y Discrete Mathematics?Advanced Mathematics?Linear Algebra?and Possibilities. While most students found preparing for just one set of these exams difficult?Wang was overwhelmed by four of them. But in the end?he achieved an impressive score on the final exam?which made me consciou$ & Us of his unusual determination hes B [ t – # , demonstrates when confronting difficult challenges.
Mr. Wang and I have often talked about a variety of mathematics and computery ( F science concepts and problems. During these discussions?I always found him to be deliy 0 % o n p ! Cghtfully intelligent. Not only does he quickl8 Z 4y understand the concepts and problems presented to him?he is able to analyze these problems and present solutions. But perhaps most important is that Wang＇s thinking is intensely rigorous. When looking at any question?he carefully scrutinizes it and if he finds any uncertain issues?he clears them up immediately. I believe this kinH p ; )d of thought is essential to become an excellent computer programmee V v | u 7 mr.
Serc $ y V .ving as his thesis advisor?I had a first-hand opportunity to observe the way in which Wang＇s mind works. In his senor thesis?Mr. Wang mainly discussed two challenging questions in regards to″ANN″. In our books in China?knowledge of ANN and its uses are very rare. Few people in China have studied this topic and consequently?the materials that are available on ANN are limited. Working on this difficult project?not only did Mr. Wang rise to the challenge?but he went above and beyond the call of duR Z q 5 + Ety to analyze his secondary sources and test them for accuracy in practice. In this way?he found misP P 1takes in the book that we use. His diligence and hard work made me extremely proud of him.
Mr. Wang is an intelligent?motivated?and industrious individual. Teaching and advising him has been a delightful pleasure. I know that if given the chance to study abroad in America?he will arm himself to become a great programmer he dreams of being. He has the intelligence an0 ; h d p 1d background to achieve these goals – now all he needs is the opportunity. I ask that you look upon his application favorably_ Z and grant him a chance to study in your university.
