@AskMichaelTaiwo I want to be the lucky one. I always battle with an imposter syndromes, and I believe reading a material like this can change things for me
Does anyone know of a gated compound currently unused that is available for rent in lagos??
We need one for our rehabilitation programs.
Any help will be greatly appreciated, we want to move atleast 15 people out of the streets.
Kindly RT, our helper might be on your TL.
𝗜𝗳 𝗜 𝗛𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗼 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗔 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗨𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟; 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗕𝗲 𝗠𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁
I’ve read, written, and reviewed countless recommendation letters for graduate school, scholarships, and fellowships.
Most letters fail because the recommender doesn’t know what committees are really looking for.
Here’s my exact checklist when writing a powerful recommendation 👇
⸻
① Credibility of the Recommender
➜ Admissions committees want to know who is vouching for you.
↳ I establish my role, my relationship with the student, and my experience supervising or mentoring them.
⸻
② Academic Strength & Intellectual Curiosity
➜ Grades are on the transcript, but letters must bring them to life.
↳ I highlight how the student asks sharp questions, engages deeply with complex ideas, and shows promise for graduate-level research.
⸻
③ Character & Integrity
➜ Committees want colleagues, not just scholars.
↳ I write about reliability, resilience, teamwork, and how the student shows up when things get tough.
⸻
④ Evidence of Leadership & Impact
➜ Did they lead a project, mentor peers, or start something new?
↳ I give specific examples: “She organized a health campaign that reached 4,000 people” instead of vague praise.
⸻
⑤ Fit for the Program
➜ The best letters connect the student’s potential to the program’s strengths.
↳ I explain why this student is a good fit for that program and how they will contribute to its academic community.
⸻
⑥ Beyond the CV
➜ A recommendation letter should add new depth; not just repeat the résumé.
↳ I tell stories the admissions committee would never see in the application: late nights in the lab, initiative during fieldwork, or resilience after setbacks.
⸻
⑦ The Memory Test
➜ After reading, what do I want the committee to remember?
↳ A sentence like: “I would rank this student in the top 5% of all I have ever taught, and I would recruit them to my own team without hesitation.”
⸻
📌 A strong recommendation isn’t flowery adjectives.
It’s credibility, specificity, and a clear case for why this student deserves a seat at the table.
⸻
💬 Applicants: always share clear talking points with your recommenders
♻️ Repost this to help someone strengthen their recommendation letters.
After 5+ years as Associate Director, Graduate Studies,
I've reviewed 450+ grad applications.
About 85% get rejected for the SAME preventable mistake.
Here's what admissions committees actually look for
(that no one tells you):
I was working 80-hour weeks as an assistant professor.
But now I hold a research chair + a profitable business:
Every academic should think like an entrepreneur.
Most chase tenure the hard way
(only to burn out before they make it).
Here's how an entrepreneurial mindset saved my sanity:
🗣 Prof. Kenneth Ibe @FUPRE_Official called for stronger laws & recycling to fight petroleum & plastic pollution.
His research revealed oil potential in Calabar Flank & earned him a spot in FUPRE’s Conclave of Professors. 🌍🛢👏
#FUPRE#EnvironmentMatters#ClimateActionNow
The 2025 Michael Taiwo Annual Scholarships application portal is now OPEN!
If you’re dreaming of graduate school but need help with tests, application fees, or mentorship, this is your moment. 📚
📝 Apply Now: https://t.co/ndXO1X6BKl