Requesting a Letter of Recommendation
Hi! You're here because you'd like me to write a letter of recommendation for you.
To craft a favorable and meaningful recommendation, I should know you fairly well. The more substantive our intellectual interaction, the stronger your letter will be. I write letters of recommendation for
Please make your initial request at least one month before the deadline, and have your required materials (see below) e-mailed to me at least 3 to 4 weeks before the deadline. I ask that you request earlier for you and for me. Sometimes, I am not be the best person to write a recommendation, and I will be honest about that. If you ask for a recommendation early, you can know this information and seek out other recommenders.
To craft a favorable and meaningful recommendation, I should know you fairly well. The more substantive our intellectual interaction, the stronger your letter will be. I write letters of recommendation for
- students who have taken courses from me and completed substantial intellectual work (no, this does not mean that you earned an A),
- students who have worked for me as research/teaching assistants
- Thesis students
Please make your initial request at least one month before the deadline, and have your required materials (see below) e-mailed to me at least 3 to 4 weeks before the deadline. I ask that you request earlier for you and for me. Sometimes, I am not be the best person to write a recommendation, and I will be honest about that. If you ask for a recommendation early, you can know this information and seek out other recommenders.
Required Materials
- letter waiver form
- names of addressees (who should the letter be addressed)
- envelopes/stamps/addresses/email addresses
- A clear sense of your intention. I should know whether you are applying to study abroad, an internship with the UN, MFA program, etc. If I have more information about the program or scholarship, I can tailor the letter to your needs.
- Materials pertinent to the application. Many fellowships, scholarships, and other applications require a statement of purpose or CV or essay. It helps if I have this information so that I can echo any pertinent material.
- An unofficial transcript.
- Your academic resume or vita (this would include a list of academic conference presentations, essay awards, academic clubs, leadership positions, service to the department, etc.)
- A copy of your best paper(s)/projects from my classes. It would help if you furnished me a copy or copies that included my comments.
Are You Requesting Multiple Letters?
If you are submitting multiple applications and requesting multiple letters of recommendation, for my organization and yours, include a Google Drive spreadsheet for me. See this sample.
Personal Responsibility
Remember, that it is your professional duty to ensure that your letter has been received. If you need to remind me, please do so only once and close to the deadline. It is good form to keep me apprised of the results of your application even if they are not the ones you were looking for.
Attribution
Special thanks to Dr. Theri A. Pickens for her “Letters of Recommendation Policy.” My policy has been adapted generously from hers.