SCHOLARSHIP TIPS

The Secret to Getting a Recommendation Letter That Wins Scholarships

Feb 17, 2026 | 6 min read

You have the grades. You have the IELTS score. But your application still gets rejected. Why? Often, it is because of a weak Recommendation Letter. A generic letter that says “He is a good student” is worthless. Here is how to get a letter that forces the committee to accept you.

1. Who Should You Ask?

Most students make the mistake of asking the Dean or the University President. This is wrong. They do not know you personally.

The Rule: Ask a professor who knows your name, has graded your assignments, and can speak about your character. A letter from a regular lecturer who knows you is better than a letter from a Dean who doesn’t.

2. The “Ghostwriting” Strategy

Let’s be honest: Professors are busy. In East Africa, many professors might tell you, “Write it yourself, bring it to me, and I will sign it.”

Do not panic. This is an opportunity. It means you can control exactly what the letter says. Write a strong draft highlighting your leadership and specific projects, then let them review and sign it.

3. Specifics vs. Generics (The Winning Formula)

Scholarship committees hate vague sentences. Compare these two examples:

❌ The “Lazy” Letter:
“Ahmed is a hard-working student. He attended all my classes and got good grades. I recommend him for this scholarship.”
(Result: Rejected. This says nothing unique.)

✅ The “Winning” Letter:
“Ahmed ranked in the top 5% of my Engineering class. Last year, he led a group project to design a solar-powered water pump, which demonstrated his ability to solve local community problems. He is not just academic; he is a leader.”
(Result: Accepted. Specific and powerful.)

4. Essential Checklist

Before you upload the letter, ensure it has these 4 things. If one is missing, it might be rejected as “Fake.”

📋 The “Must-Haves”

Official Letterhead: The paper must have the University logo and address at the top.
Contact Details: The professor’s official university email (e.g., name@university.edu.so) and phone number.
Signature: It must be signed by hand (and stamped if possible).
Date: It must be recent (within the last 12 months).

5. Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

Ask your referees at least 3 weeks before the deadline. If you ask them 2 days before, they will write a rushed, poor-quality letter, or they might refuse completely.

Build a Profile That Wins

A recommendation letter is just one part of the puzzle. You also need skills. Join Casaawe Tech on YouTube to learn how to build digital projects that will impress any scholarship committee.

Visit Casaawe Tech