Living in Student Accommodation: 5 things you need to know

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Avril Griffin

Getting a place at a university in North America is an important step in life.

Where you live during your studies can make quite a difference to how you settle in when you first arrive. If you’ve applied for a place in a student residence you’ll be living on or close to campus. How you choose to engage with university living can affect your studies. Try and make the most of the opportunities afforded to you by being in university residence and living close to or on campus.

Here are some things to be aware of when living in student accommodation:

Resident Advisor or Resident Assistant (RA) – many college or universities operate an RA program in their halls of residence. RA’s are peer leaders, trained in many aspects of living in a college residence. These areas often include safety training and counseling and can offer support, help and guidance with institutional and academic questions.
Rules and regulations – it’s important to read and understand your residence contract and be aware of any residence rules and notice periods as well as accommodation options for future terms and their associated application deadlines. Most institutions have a Student Handbook or Residence Guide. Be sure to read through it and ask questions if there’s anything you’re not sure about. Breaking the rules often has consequences so be sure you know what the rules are and how they apply to you.
Meal plans – most colleges and universities have food outlets, restaurants and snack bars on campus and meal plans are often available. These are often a very good way to make savings on food purchased on campus and can be an economical way to eat across the semester. There are usually various options available including healthy choices and options that cater for specific dietary needs.
People and culture – be respectful of other people, cultures and ways of living. Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. Be mindful of noise, cleanliness and always endeavor to display appropriate behavior. You’re there to study as well as to have fun so getting the balance right, for your and for others, is important when living in a shared space.
Clubs and societies – try to find out from campus representatives what clubs, societies and associations are available to join, both at the college itself and locally too. Choose from sporting options, debating societies, hobbies, culture and environmentally aware groups. Participate in existing campus activities or suggest new ones. Check notice boards and websites for details.

Being able to live on campus gives you a unique opportunity and a great base from which to build your student life and college experience. Try and make the most of this time to make friendships and familiarize yourself with campus facilities and get to know what’s available to you.

Improve the processing time of your Royal Roads University application

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Colleen Kagetsu

It is very important for students to submit a complete application form including all of the required supporting documents. Applications for undergraduate applicants to the International Study Centre (ISC) at Royal Roads University can be reviewed within 2 working days and Master’s applications can be replied to within 3 weeks of submission, provided the applications are complete.

At Royal Roads University, the Master of Global Management (MGM) degree program delivers a graduate level international business education that prepares students to develop strong managerial and entrepreneurial skills. Successful completion of the Master of Global Management degree could potentially lead to career opportunities in transnational corporations, international marketing, social entrepreneurship, etc.

For the MGM degree program, students must submit the following documents along with the standard application requirements:

Two Letters of Reference

One reference letter should be based on work/life experience and the other based on either academic performance or community service. However, two work-related references are acceptable in certain cases.

The reference letters should confirm that an applicant is a suitable candidate for the MGM program. The writer(s) should articulate why s/he feels the applicant will succeed in such a program, whether s/he feels it will benefit the applicant (and why), the applicant’s ability to work with others (in teams) and any other information about the applicant which could identify them as a good fit for the program. The context in which the referee has come to know the applicant should also be mentioned. Length and level of detail in the letters may vary; there is no set standard.

Statement of Intent

(500 words – Single spaced, double space between paragraphs and 12 font size)

Applicants are asked to provide an essay that responds to the following two questions:

At this point in your career describe what you perceive as your greatest strength and greatest weakness as an international business person?
What could the Master of Global Management degree program do to help you improve on your weakness?

Detailed Resume

The resume should provide a detailed professional profile of the applicant. RRU is interested in knowing where an applicant has worked, for how long, and what s/he was responsible for in the positions held. Provide as much information as possible. Your resume should include the following:

Education: List all post-secondary education, degrees, diplomas, and certificates you have achieved.
Work Experience: Please include name of organization, length of service and a brief description of duties.
Training and Professional Development: List career related training and professional development programs completed with the past five years. Include the source of training, and the duration and year completed. List other training and personal development programs not already identified.
Voluntary/Unpaid Work Experience: List and describe any voluntary/unpaid post-secondary employment and/or community service experience. Please include name of organization, length of service and a brief description of duties.
Information Technology Training and Experience: Briefly describe your level of training and experience in the use of information technology including computers, software and telecommunications networks as tools for business, education, teaching and personal use.
Professional Memberships/Affiliations: List memberships and positions you hold/have held in professional associations, service clubs, community/volunteer sector.
Other Relevant Information

Ensuring that your application for MGM includes the above listed documents will definitely help to speed up the process of reviewing your application.

Get information on how to apply for accelerated bachelor’s programs at Royal Roads University ISC.

How to adjust to American culture

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Brooke Biethan

After college, I moved to Costa Rica for over two years. Even though the time zone was only an hour apart from home, I remember being unusually exhausted. On average, I slept about 12 hours at night and took 2-hour afternoon naps. As this behavior continued over a month, my host family worried that I was sick. As it turned out, respecting my natural instincts was a very normal reaction to new surroundings and language. (The language component was an entirely different challenge—I didn’t speak any Spanish at the time. I could literally only count from 0 to 10, say, “Please,” “Thank you,” and ask, “Where is the bathroom?” You know, the ‘essentials’.)

In my experience living abroad and teaching English to international students studying in the USA, I’ve learned a few universal tips:

Prepare yourself for change. When you anticipate change, experiencing it is somehow easier. Start the process before you leave your home country. Begin by recognizing that your expectations for what is “normal” will be challenged. Start by doing some research on the Internet about your new location. Familiarize yourself with the local culture before you even step foot on the plane. Set up ways to connect with your family and friends at home before you leave (e.g. Skype accounts, confirm contact information, and such). Balancing your home support network with your new community will be critical once you arrive.
Be a media ‘junky’. Watching television is one of the best ways to learn a new language and culture. (I loved seeing the reaction on my students’ faces when I said, “Your homework today is to watch 30 minutes of television in English.”) Television is particularly useful because it broadens your vocabulary and exposes you to current culture. Also, commercials have a lot of repetition and you’ll pick up on cues for local products. Whether you’re watching a comedy show, posting on Facebook, or texting a new friend, you’ll begin to adapt to the culture and local language.
Sleep. In other words, take care of your physical needs. If you’re tired, your body needs rest, so sleep. If you’re hungry, your body needs fuel, so eat a well-balanced diet. Force yourself to align your “clock” with the current time zone and daily habits with the local surroundings.
Be curious. Take on a childlike curiosity. My host family in Costa Rica actually had a 3-year old at home, so we became ‘buddies’ in exploring the world through experience and language. Try new things, especially the food. You will have to get out of your “comfort zone” (but if you’ve followed step one—“prepare yourself for change”—this will come naturally). Your understanding of “normal” will gradually shift and expand.
Be fearless. It is very natural to shy away from conversation when your surroundings and language are new. It is easy to stay in your room alone. My response to that—“Don’t!” Instead, ask a lot of questions, share your knowledge, and create new experiences. While it may feel uncomfortable to express yourself in a new language, it will become easier with practice. Get involved in your community—go to university events, make new friends, and check out listings for local events in your new town. Over time, you will begin to appreciate the new “normal”.

Last but certainly not least, have fun. Framing your experiences in positivity will ease the adjustment to the new culture. In America, live as the expression goes: “Work hard, play hard,” and you will fit in well!

Making the most of student life in America

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Avril Griffin

Accommodation options vary by location, school, college, university but there are some basic elements that should always be considered if you are to make the most of your university experience.

Campus residence, homestay or private accommodation options will all have their own ‘rules’ and contracts. It’s important to read and understand your residence contract and be aware of any residence rules and conduct/safety regulations.

Whether you’re in a campus residence, living with a host family or staying in a privately owned residence it’s important to be respectful of other people, cultures and ways of living. Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself and be mindful of noise, cleanliness and always endeavor to display appropriate behavior.

Explore your campus and get to know what’s available to students across campus and in the local community. Most universities in the USA and Canada have campus maps available. Make sure you get one when you first arrive, try to become familiar with the layout on campus and find out where you should go to or who to ask if you have any questions or concerns. There’s always someone to ask, so don’t worry if you do have questions. Everyone does.

Find out what sports facilities, clubs and societies are available for students to join, whether on-campus or locally. These are a great way to meet other people and make new friends and will help you to settle into a new place. If you had hobbies or interests in your home country, see if something similar is available nearby. If it isn’t, why not suggest it or be part of starting up a new club or society?

Homesickness can be a concern for lots of students (and their parents) when they move to a new school or location. There are always people you can talk to about this, whether in your center, on your campus as well as other students. Talking it through can help. You’re not alone and if you ask for help or guidance there’ll be someone who’ll be willing to try and help you through as you settle into a new place.

Getting used to different types of food can be a challenge when you move to a new place or a new country. Find out what’s available on campus and what food options are available nearby (restaurants, grocery stores, other food outlets). When staying in homestay accommodation you should eat with the family and try and eat the same foods as the family. However, talk to them about the foods you can eat, special dietary concerns and be sure to let them know about allergies etc. so that they are aware of any problems you may be having. If you’re living in a private residence and catering for yourself find out what options are available to you for buying groceries as you may be able to find foods you’re used to as well as trying other food types and local options.

As with many things in life, whatever you put into an experience has a direct impact on what you get out of it. Try and make the most of the opportunities and options available to you on campus and in the local community. Ask questions, participate in activities, talk to others, share your experiences, ask for help and be aware of the facilities available to you. All of these will help you to settle in and make your transition into this exciting life and educational opportunity.

How to achieve academic success at University in America

Posted on August 24, 2011 by John Davies

Gaining a place at University in the USA or Canada is an achievement but leads on to the next challenge – how to make the most of that place by going on to achieve academic success at university? The vast majority of university students are successful, so there is no need to be too anxious, but what can you do to make sure that you are in that number rather than be one of the minority that drop out in their freshman or sophomore years or only proceed under an academic warning with failed courses on their record?

First of all, you need to be prepared for the fact that university study is just different from studying in high school. You are going to be expected to take a significant step forward in terms of the mature thought you bring to your studies and the range and nature of the skills that you’ll be called upon to deploy. Take advice from those who have gone through the experience and try to learn from them. Preparation is very often the key to success and so don’t let yourself be taken by surprise by the demands that university study impose on you.

You can also help prepare yourself in practical ways. Consider in advance the courses that you want to undertake and try to get an early sight of the textbooks that you’ll be using. Look at the nature and number of assignments that you’ll need to complete in those courses and don’t overload yourself, especially with written assignments, in an unrealistic attempt to collect as many credits as you can.

Try to live healthily at university. It may be tempting to live the life of the ‘night owl’ that you always suspected you were, but remember that getting enough sleep is very important. Everything becomes more of a burden when you are tired and that includes keeping up with your studies. Try to eat sensibly too, especially eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and take exercise regularly. Joining in sports helps you stay healthy and enables you to make a lot of friends quickly too.

It may sound obvious, but you should aim to do the work. Turn up to all your classes and become known to your professors for good reasons. You may find it difficult to keep up with everything but it’s easier to do that than to catch up if you fall behind. Being at class makes perfect sense. You keep up with the courses, you receive a lot of additional guidance and advice from your professors and you have your classmates to bounce ideas off.

The general advice is that one hour in class should be backed up by three hours study outside of class. To achieve this you need to be well-organized. The ideal is to have set study times. You’ll have seen in your forward planning what needs to be done in terms of assignments and you should have set enough time aside to cope with the expected volume of work so that you can comfortably meet your deadlines. Be strict on yourself and stick to your planned allocation of study hours. This means that you can always cope with any unexpected demands on your time without your study plan being total derailed.

Be proactive as a student. Take notes in your lectures and keep these organized and up to date. You are always a more effective student with a pen or pencil in your hand. Review regularly the material you have learned and then you won’t have to burn the midnight oil when you have a quiz or examination. Your aim should always be to store material in your long-term memory so that it remains there for you to draw on rather than try to hold onto some information looked at in last-minute cramming on the way to the exam hall. Be honest in your assessment of how you are doing and how much effort you are putting into your studies. You will know the particular areas you need to improve on better than anyone else and you should be open to seeking the advice you need to help you do it.

Develop and refine the university level study skills that you need. Be a careful and attentive listener. Develop the ability to skim complex texts and scan them for relevant points or your reading lists will overwhelm you. Practice the ability to analyze, challenge and criticize what you’re reading or are told in lectures. Learn how to source information and assess the value and reliability of your sources.

Make use of all the resources that are available to you. These are not only the obvious ones in the learning commons but also the tutoring or advising services, the free access to on-line study skills materials, your instructors’ office hours, the specialized input of the Writing Center and the support of your fellow students through both formal and informal ‘study groups’.

Finally, don’t forget that university is a total experience. The best student is not normally the one that locks himself away with his books and does nothing but study. Even if he appears to be very successful, he is also missing out on many important aspects of university life. Don’t be afraid to enjoy your leisure time. You should engage in extra-curricular activities as these confirm you as a more ’rounded’ person and often count strongly in your favor when you apply for higher degrees or for employment. It’s OK to want to party, even if it’s more sensible to do so on a night when there’s no school the next day.

Do well in your studies while gaining the maximum benefit from the wonderful range of opportunities that university offers you. Then you really will be able to look back on one of the happiest and most productive times of your life.

Best wishes for the new academic year!

Work programs for international students at University in Canada

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Geoff Wilmshurst

One of the most attractive options for students who are considering studying overseas are the work opportunities for international students enrolled at universities in Canada.

Since 2005 the Government of Canada, in cooperation with Provincial governments across Canada, has been making work opportunities more accessible to international students. It is important to note that while there are many opportunities for students to work both on and off university campuses across the country students cannot rely on possible future income as part of their admissions application. You must still show that you and your family have the resources to support your study and living costs for the duration of your studies in Canada.

What are the programs that international students are eligible for in Canada?

1. On-campus work opportunities

If you are a registered full-time student in an academic program at a university in Canada you are eligible to work on-campus upon your arrival in Canada. You do not need a work permit to engage in work while on campus. The maximum number of hours you are allowed to work while enroled in full time study is 20 hours per week.

There are many kinds of on-campus work opportunities for students. Royal Roads University, for example, offers jobs in food and event catering, assisting groundskeepers and assisting administrative and academic officials in their work.

2. Off-campus work opportunities

If you are a registered full-time student in an academic program at a university in Canada you are eligible to work off-campus six months after your arrival in Canada. You do not need a work permit to work off-campus as long as you retain your full-time registration status. The maximum number of hours you are allowed to work while enroled in full time study is 20 hours per week.

In Canada it is common for university students to take many different kinds of jobs while they study and it is considered important to build a personal job resume for future professional employment. Jobs that are commonly done by students include waiting tables in a restaurant, tending bar, working in fast-food outlets and assisting in professional offices among many options.

Provincial governments set minimum wage standards so, for example, in the province of British Columbia students can expect to receive $10 minimum wage per hour for any job they are doing.

It’s important to remember that students are expected to keep up their grades while they work in part-time jobs and universities will not accept work related excuses for low marks.

On-line there are many sources of information on these programs but for the most accurate information and up to date information we recommend you go to Canada Immigrations sites below:

Working Off-Campus (including eligibility requirements)

Frequently Asked Questions

3. Post-graduation Work Permit Program

In addition to providing opportunities for international students to work during their studies the Government of Canada has also made it easier for students to remain in Canada after their studies are completed. The Post-graduation Work Permit Program has been extended to graduating university students across the country and has become a very popular incentive for students to come to Canada.

While the program is not automatic and students must apply the chances of receiving a permit are quite good. Graduated students are not required to have a job offer prior to applying and are not required to take a job in their specific field of study. Students who have graduated with a 4-year bachelor degree completed in Canada may stay in Canada an additional 3 years and those who complete a master’s program that is at least 18 months in length may get a permit for 2 years.

For those students who may be interested in receiving permanent residence in Canada it is possible for them to apply for the Permanent Residence (PR) visa during the work period. PR may be granted 2-3 years after the application has been filed although there are no guarantees of success.

For the most accurate information on the program please refer to Canadian Immigrations website.

Finally, remember that while work and study at the same time can be rewarding it is important to balance the two. Many university programs are extremely demanding on a student’s time and adding work to the mix can be overwhelming. Make sure you speak to your student advisor to get the advice you need to make good academic and work mix decisions.

Contact a student enrolment advisor for more information on studying at university in Canada.

Getting a student visa for the US

Posted on June 24, 2011 by John McDonough

Destination USA – welcomes even more students

The United States, with its high concentration of some of the world’s best universities has been a prime study destination for international students. Gaining acceptance to an American university is a challenge in and of itself, but many international students don’t fear acceptance as much as the visa process.

International students have historically had the perception that the United States has the tightest visa restrictions of all the major study abroad destinations (USA, UK, Australia, etc.). While this may have been true in the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, much has changed in recent years. In fact, the number of United States visas issued to international students has increased steadily since 2005, according to statistics reported by the Institute of International Education. What’s more, growing visa restrictions in the United Kingdom and Australia – two of the top study abroad destinations for international students – have moved the USA into a more favorable position with regard to visa processing. This coupled with the general trend amongst eager colleges and universities in the USA to grow their international student populations puts the US in a great position to continue to welcome even more students to come and study in America.

Getting a student visa – how tough is it?

Over the course of my career in the international education industry I have seen the visa success rate improve dramatically. This is consistent with the general trend of more visas being issued. However, I would also argue that much of this is the result of the increasing professionalism of the educational agencies that prepare our students for their visa process. Proper preparation is of the utmost importance as consular officers must quickly evaluate your financial and educational background, as well as your study intentions in the USA. Poor preparation can result in an immediate rejection and this can often discourage students from pursuing their goals of study in the USA. To my amazement, each year I have seen students reschedule an interview, better prepare for the questions and receive a visa – even after the third try!

The purpose of visa interviews:

The questions you will be asked in your interview will be used to determine the following:

Whether the only reson for your travel is to pursue higher education in the USA
Whether you have the ability and intention to be a full-time student at university in the USA
Whether you possess adequate funds to cover all tuition, living and incidental expenses
Whether you have sufficiently strong social and economic attachment to your home country to compel your departure from the US upon receiving your US degree.
Whether you are telling the truth

Sample interview questions:

Tell me why you want to go to America?
Why did you choose this University? How many other universities did you apply to?
What is your academic background and why do your want to pursue this degree?
What does the program you have applied to offer?
Can you tell me some details about your university?
Can you name some professors that will teach your courses?
What is meant by “Internship” on the I-20?
Do you want to work in the US?
How do you plan on paying the university fees?
Why don’t you study for this degree in your home country?
What are your plans after graduation?
How will a US degree help you in your career, or benefit you upon return to your country?
Have you taken GRE, GMAT or TOEFL? If not, why not?
Have you received any scholarships? Why?
Have you taken any student loans? Who is sponsoring your education?

How to prepare for a US visa interview

Students and their parents must follow the guidelines listed on the US government website: travel.state.gov to make sure that all of their documents are in order. Students must know what purpose the documents they submit serve, how to answer questions related to these documents and most importantly how to present their study plan to the consular officer. Students with lower English language ability may tend to memorize responses to questions they think they will be asked. This is not necessarily a bad strategy, but often students get nervous and don’t listen to the question. Don’t be afraid to ask that the interviewer repeat the question id you do not understand it at first. The best advice on how to prepare is to:

make sure all your supporting documents are in order
understand the decision you are making to study in the USA
know how to logically explain your study plan to the consular officer
most importantly, stay calm, listen to the questions
be honest in your answers

Have confidence in yourself and you’ll do just fine!

Some important links:

Frequently asked questions about getting a student visa for the USA

US Department of State website

Advice on preparing your personal statement

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Heta Davé

Ian Wright, Director of International Admissions at Long Island University in New York, shares his persepective on how to write an effective personal statement for your application to a US university:

Keys to a successful personal statement or essay:

Accuracy – answer the question asked by the University, or address the key aspects of the program to which you are applying. This shows the admissions counselor that you are responding specifically to that program, and are an appropriate match for the program.
Relevance – connect who you are and what you’ve achieved to the University’s goals and culture. This makes you relevant and distinguished from all the other applicants. Take time to review the literature provided by the University to insure there is a connection between you and the school.
The tone of your personal statement can confirm your desire and connection to the University that you’ve applied to. Try to convey a positive and thoughtful message of introduction establishing what you’ve accomplished and expect to achieve if admitted to the school.

Download the PDF document to read the full article.

How to prepare personal statements in the application process

Posted on June 10, 2011 by Avril Griffin

When preparing a personal statement to support an application to a school, college or university it’s important to bear in mind a few key points:

The selector or admissions committee members will most likely be reviewing a whole pile of applications at any one time
Don’t underestimate the importance of the personal statement - the key pieces of any application would generally be regarded as the personal statement, academic results and the reference
Selectors can often take as much time reviewing a personal statement as the rest of the application details combined
The personal statement is your chance to represent yourself in the absence of a personal interview
Your personal statement should represent you and what you’ve done - give the selector or admissions committee a sense of who you are

It may help to think of your personal statement as your five minute opportunity to grab someone’s attention. It’s your chance to ‘stand out from the crowd’ if you like. To follow is a list of “dos” and “don’ts”, which may help when planning and writing your personal statement:

Think first, write later. Allow enough time for a first draft and a rewrite if necessary
Make the first paragraph your ‘headline grabber’. It should be interesting and about you, it needs to stand out
Keep to the word limit, if one is specified
Include interesting facts about yourself and what you’re interested in. For example, are you artistic or creative, have you travelled, have you ever lived outside your home country, where do you see the degree or course you’re applying for taking you (career path, family business, long term goals etc)
Check your spelling
Avoid the use of jargon and acronyms (not everyone is familiar with the abbreviations used in your previous school, and to a person reading many statements, having to figure out what you mean can be annoying and work against you) – spell it out in full
Use a Thesaurus to show an expanded vocabulary, if necessary, but don’t overdo it!
Try to make your personal statement unique and creative rather than ‘cute’ and ‘clever’. Remember, there’s a fine line between being interesting and being obscure and ‘off the wall’

Don’t

Start every paragraph with ‘I’. Whilst it’s fine to write in the first person, the statement is about you after all, starting every paragraph with ‘I’ should be avoided
Write a personal statement that continues into multiple pages. Keep it to 1 to 2 pages, maximum
Repeat information that is already in your application package. Your personal statement doesn’t have to be all about the degree/course subject you’re aiming for – tie it in, of course, but the make the personal statement about you
Repeat all the personal details that are in your application form, the selector or admissions committee has this information already

Writing a personal statement may seem an intimidating task at first glance but giving it some thought before you start, making a list of the key points about yourself that you really want to get across and keeping in mind that this is an opportunity for you to best present yourself should make it easier to complete.

Learn how to apply to Universities in the USA and Canada.

How to organize recommendation letters for your application to university

Posted on May 27, 2011 by John Davies

The academic or professional recommendation letter is a key element in putting together a full and appropriate application for a place to study at a university in the USA.

The letter is particularly important in explaining in a positive and supportive way what might otherwise appear as a weakness in your application. You might, for example, have a poor grade in a subject area which is a blemish on an otherwise strong academic record. If you are using your work experience to secure a place on a graduate program such as an MBA you might have a gap in your career which the recommendation letter could explain. In general terms the recommendation letter can also assess your potential for success in your chosen field of study and comment on your strong work ethic as it has been revealed through your studies or in the workplace.

The first important step is to choose the right person to write the letter in your support.

You should approach someone who knows you well as either a student or an employee. It might seem more impressive to have a letter written by the Principal of the School or the CEO of the company but if they don’t know you well they’ll be forced to rely on the written record and the opinions of others
You need to approach someone who will be able to provide a reflective and balanced view of you. Their assessment will undoubtedly be a favorable one but should also read as careful, considered and, most of all, detached and professional.

Many letters of recommendation will follow a template and so, the person writing the letter will be expected to provide comments on your:

intellectual capacity – how well can you reason or analyze material
creativity
depth of knowledge in your chosen field of study
communication skills – both written and oral maturity
potential as a student – ability to motivate yourself and whether or not you are an independent learner

Your second step, therefore, is to ensure you bring to the attention of the person writing the letter any information that you hope could be included to strengthen the case for accepting you into the university.

This is where you can cover any issues arising from an apparent weakness in your application by presenting some evidence/argument in mitigation
Provide your referee with some actual evidence in support of the positive statements you hope are being made on your behalf. Do not expect that the referee will remember all of your accomplishments, so give him/her a brief list of your achievements. You may claim to be creative but that is of little value without an example to illustrate your creativity. For instance, your abilities as a communicator should have been demonstrated by a powerful presentation you gave, a sales promotion you headed or a insightful report that you wrote up.
Inform or remind your referee about anything out of the ordinary, when you ‘went the extra mile’ to complete a work project within a tight deadline, ways in which you showed initiative and went beyond what was required of you.

That extra something that makes you stand out as a person will almost certainly say something positive about you as a student or as an employee and catch the attention and remain in the mind of the selector.

Note: You need to be clear yourself and inform the person who is writing the letter on your behalf about any special requirements that the university might have and so the particular expectations it has of the referee. An example of this might revolve around the actual recommendation made. The school might require that the referee to write about your strengths and aptitudes in general, and not mention your suitability for a particular program of study. This makes sense as it is the school itself which will draw together all the evidence provided by your application in its totality and use that to make its own assessment of your suitability for the program for which you have applied.

Finally, some brief very practical considerations:

Don’t be shy about asking for a letter. A professional person expects to provide these from time to time
Don’t omit a person whom you might have been expected to ask, such as your immediate line manager – that can raise questions and even suggest you have something to hide
If you know the person as a good and effective writer, so much the better
If time has lapsed since the letter writer knew you directly increase the amount of helpful information you provide – they’ll be pleased to have it
Allow the letter writer plenty of time to write the letter
Give full details of where you are applying and what for – that’s vital
Make life easy for your referee by providing a stamped, addressed envelope
Waive your right to view the letter – confidential letters carry more weight
Tell your letter writer how you have progressed – by keeping the referee in the loop it’ll be easy for you to approach him or her again in the future.

Good luck with your applications!

Download a checklist of supporting documents to include in your application packet.

USA and Canada study advice

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