Letter of Recommendation Tips
[Most of this is from an e-mail sent out by the ENSP Advisor Angela Mazur-Gray, however, specifics about asking for a letter from Tim are at the bottom.]
1. WHY ARE FACULTY RECOMMENDATIONS IMPORTANT?
"Faculty" recommendations are MUCH more valuable for graduate school admission, research internships, prestigious scholarships, and selective internships than are "academic advisor" or “employer” recommendations. Why? Because only faculty members can speak to what faculty on admissions and/or scholarship committees want to know. Often, graduate school recommendation forms include questions such as the following:
-- How do you compare to other students in your program who have gone on to graduate study?
-- What is your research potential?
-- What is your level of creativity/imagination?
-- What is your intellectual potential?
-- What is your ability to analyze a problem and formulate a solution?
-- How well do you work with peers?
-- How strong is your writing ability?
-- How strong is your speaking ability?
-- How motivated are you for this area of study?
-- What is your potential for career advancement?
Knowing that you are a 4.0 student is not enough; admissions/selection committees will require classroom- and/or research-related examples of your potential/creativity/motivation, etc. This is what faculty members can contribute to your grad school and scholarship applications – and what academic advisors and work supervisors cannot. [NOTE: This doesn’t apply to study abroad, beginner internships, or Student Conservation Association internships].
2. ASK SOMEONE WHO KNOWS YOU WELL
Admissions readers look for evidence of the letter writer's familiarity with your work.
When deciding on whom to ask for a letter of recommendation, don't limit yourself to faculty in whose classes or projects in which you have done well: think also of those instructors, teaching assistants, or internship supervisors who are most familiar with your work and achievements. Without this type of evidence, letters lack credibility and force. If three letters of recommendation are requested, at least two should be from faculty members.
3. TIME YOUR REQUEST
Writing a thorough and supportive letter of recommendation requires considerable effort – and the more important the recommendation is to you (e.g., competitive internships, graduate school, etc.), the more effort it takes to write a good one. Further, the first letter a writer composes for you is the most difficult one to write.
Plan to give your writers a minimum of 3 weeks; and for graduate, law, or medical school, at least 6 weeks. Likewise, be sure to take into account foreseeable busy periods (final exams) and common holidays (winter break, summer vacations). Your busy-ness as a student is not a good reason to expect a faculty member to write a last-minute letter; it’s not good for them, and it’s especially not good for you!
As the deadline approaches, send your letter writer a friendly reminder. A quick email or phone call should do the trick -- but don't err on the side of pestering your letter writer.
4. ASK PERSONALLY
When asking someone to write you a letter of recommendation, don't simply send an email or leave a message. It's to your advantage to ask the person face-to-face; not only does this allow you to clarify any doubts about the request, it automatically conveys to the recommendation writer just how important this letter is to you. Arrange an appointment to discuss an upcoming letter of recommendation.
5. VOLUNTEER INFORMATION ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR PLANS
Many faculty members deal with dozens of recommendation requests every semester. Even if you are a stellar student, they won’t know the ins and outs of your extracurricular activities, internships, and long-term goals. Bring a resume, a pared-down version of your personal statement, and/or a relevant writing sample (preferably one written for that particular instructor). Also, bring an unofficial transcript (available on TESTUDO).
Make sure that your recommendation writer is aware of your plans, and why you have selected the graduate programs and/or scholarships that you have -- even if they seem hazy to you at this point. This will help the writer frame the recommendation letter in support of these goals.
6. PROVIDE THE LETTER WRITER WITH NECESSARY MATERIALS
If you are asking for multiple letters, it's a good idea to organize all the forms in one folder and include a cover sheet with a list of the schools for which you are requesting letters.
Luckily, more and more recommendations are being collected online; in this case, a list of the schools/scholarships you will be applying for is sufficient.
7. WAIVE YOUR RIGHT TO READ THE LETTER
Federal Law grants you access to your letters of recommendation, but many applications include a form where you can waive your rights to read the letter. We highly recommend that you waive your right to read the letter when given the option to do so. Studies have shown that confidential letters carry far more weight with admissions readers. In addition, letter writers are far more comfortable writing a complete, candid letter when they know the applicant will not have access to the text.
8. SEND A THANK-YOU NOTE
Always send your letter writer a thank-you note after you know the letter has been sent -- whether or not you have heard from the school. Don't wait too long to do this: a week or two is a good timeline. Of course, if you are eventually admitted to that coveted program or land that sought-after job, you might want to call up your letter writer to share your good news and thank him/her once again. It never hurts to quietly share your success, especially with those who helped you to achieve it.
9. Asking Tim for a Letter of Recommendation
When asking Tim for a letter of Recommendation whether it be for a job, internship or other program, make sure to include these things:
- Due date for the letter he is writing for you.
- Please provide him with your most recent resume.
- Also provide a link to the program so that he can find out what it is you are applying for.
- Lastly, provide a couple of paragraphs about:
- Why you're excited about this opportunity.
- Why you would be a good fit for the program or organization.
Tim is more than happy to write letters of recommendation as long as you give him enough heads up before it is due (at least 3 weeks as mentioned above) and these bullet points are included as well.
[Most of this is from an e-mail sent out by the ENSP Advisor Angela Mazur-Gray, however, specifics about asking for a letter from Tim are at the bottom.]
1. WHY ARE FACULTY RECOMMENDATIONS IMPORTANT?
"Faculty" recommendations are MUCH more valuable for graduate school admission, research internships, prestigious scholarships, and selective internships than are "academic advisor" or “employer” recommendations. Why? Because only faculty members can speak to what faculty on admissions and/or scholarship committees want to know. Often, graduate school recommendation forms include questions such as the following:
-- How do you compare to other students in your program who have gone on to graduate study?
-- What is your research potential?
-- What is your level of creativity/imagination?
-- What is your intellectual potential?
-- What is your ability to analyze a problem and formulate a solution?
-- How well do you work with peers?
-- How strong is your writing ability?
-- How strong is your speaking ability?
-- How motivated are you for this area of study?
-- What is your potential for career advancement?
Knowing that you are a 4.0 student is not enough; admissions/selection committees will require classroom- and/or research-related examples of your potential/creativity/motivation, etc. This is what faculty members can contribute to your grad school and scholarship applications – and what academic advisors and work supervisors cannot. [NOTE: This doesn’t apply to study abroad, beginner internships, or Student Conservation Association internships].
2. ASK SOMEONE WHO KNOWS YOU WELL
Admissions readers look for evidence of the letter writer's familiarity with your work.
When deciding on whom to ask for a letter of recommendation, don't limit yourself to faculty in whose classes or projects in which you have done well: think also of those instructors, teaching assistants, or internship supervisors who are most familiar with your work and achievements. Without this type of evidence, letters lack credibility and force. If three letters of recommendation are requested, at least two should be from faculty members.
3. TIME YOUR REQUEST
Writing a thorough and supportive letter of recommendation requires considerable effort – and the more important the recommendation is to you (e.g., competitive internships, graduate school, etc.), the more effort it takes to write a good one. Further, the first letter a writer composes for you is the most difficult one to write.
Plan to give your writers a minimum of 3 weeks; and for graduate, law, or medical school, at least 6 weeks. Likewise, be sure to take into account foreseeable busy periods (final exams) and common holidays (winter break, summer vacations). Your busy-ness as a student is not a good reason to expect a faculty member to write a last-minute letter; it’s not good for them, and it’s especially not good for you!
- It's never a bad idea to begin cultivating relationships with key instructors early on in your academic career. Participate in class discussions, visit your instructors during office hours, and show an active interest in their research. If possible, take more than one class with instructor(s) you like (more on this later).
As the deadline approaches, send your letter writer a friendly reminder. A quick email or phone call should do the trick -- but don't err on the side of pestering your letter writer.
4. ASK PERSONALLY
When asking someone to write you a letter of recommendation, don't simply send an email or leave a message. It's to your advantage to ask the person face-to-face; not only does this allow you to clarify any doubts about the request, it automatically conveys to the recommendation writer just how important this letter is to you. Arrange an appointment to discuss an upcoming letter of recommendation.
5. VOLUNTEER INFORMATION ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR PLANS
Many faculty members deal with dozens of recommendation requests every semester. Even if you are a stellar student, they won’t know the ins and outs of your extracurricular activities, internships, and long-term goals. Bring a resume, a pared-down version of your personal statement, and/or a relevant writing sample (preferably one written for that particular instructor). Also, bring an unofficial transcript (available on TESTUDO).
Make sure that your recommendation writer is aware of your plans, and why you have selected the graduate programs and/or scholarships that you have -- even if they seem hazy to you at this point. This will help the writer frame the recommendation letter in support of these goals.
6. PROVIDE THE LETTER WRITER WITH NECESSARY MATERIALS
If you are asking for multiple letters, it's a good idea to organize all the forms in one folder and include a cover sheet with a list of the schools for which you are requesting letters.
- Find out if the instructor would like stamped envelopes; it’s likely s/he’ll say “No,” because s/he’ll be using University letterhead. However, s/he’ll be glad you asked.
- Some applications require the instructor to return the letter to you in a sealed envelope. Don't forget to ask the writer to sign across the flap of the envelope.
Luckily, more and more recommendations are being collected online; in this case, a list of the schools/scholarships you will be applying for is sufficient.
7. WAIVE YOUR RIGHT TO READ THE LETTER
Federal Law grants you access to your letters of recommendation, but many applications include a form where you can waive your rights to read the letter. We highly recommend that you waive your right to read the letter when given the option to do so. Studies have shown that confidential letters carry far more weight with admissions readers. In addition, letter writers are far more comfortable writing a complete, candid letter when they know the applicant will not have access to the text.
- If you fear that the letter writer might not do justice to your achievements or might include negative information -- well, that's a good sign you should not be asking that person for a letter of recommendation.
8. SEND A THANK-YOU NOTE
Always send your letter writer a thank-you note after you know the letter has been sent -- whether or not you have heard from the school. Don't wait too long to do this: a week or two is a good timeline. Of course, if you are eventually admitted to that coveted program or land that sought-after job, you might want to call up your letter writer to share your good news and thank him/her once again. It never hurts to quietly share your success, especially with those who helped you to achieve it.
9. Asking Tim for a Letter of Recommendation
When asking Tim for a letter of Recommendation whether it be for a job, internship or other program, make sure to include these things:
- Due date for the letter he is writing for you.
- Please provide him with your most recent resume.
- Also provide a link to the program so that he can find out what it is you are applying for.
- Lastly, provide a couple of paragraphs about:
- Why you're excited about this opportunity.
- Why you would be a good fit for the program or organization.
Tim is more than happy to write letters of recommendation as long as you give him enough heads up before it is due (at least 3 weeks as mentioned above) and these bullet points are included as well.