Tips For Asking Professors To Write A Letter Of Recommendation printable pdf download

Tips for Asking Professors to Write a Letter of Recommendation

If possible, choose a professor with whom you’ve had personal interactions.

For example:

o Did you sit in the front row or frequently contribute to discussions in a class you were

passionate about?

o Did you visit a professor during office hours to learn more?

o Have you had any outside-of-the classroom interactions with any of your professors,

such as academic advising, mentoring, research experience, etc?

o You’re likely going to have to submit your CV and/or transcript with your applications

for summer research experiences, so make sure that your recommenders can say

something personal about you that isn’t reflected elsewhere, like your dedication and

hard work to succeed in a difficult class, your ability to work well with others in class or

lab, your passion for the field of study, etc.

o You can choose to ask your recommender in person or via email. If you ask in person,

make sure to give him/her the option of letting you know later (so he/she does not have

to respond on the spot). If you ask via email, be sure to include information about

yourself, a little bit about why you need a letter of recommendation, and why you chose

to ask that particular professor (for example, did you demonstrate a particular skill or

trait well in that professor’s course?).

Ask if your professor feels like he or she could write you a strong/positive letter.

Try to avoid simply asking your professor to write you a letter of recommendation—you want to

be sure that your professor feels that he or she can write a good review for you. Also make sure

that you give professors the opportunity to politely decline your request—you’re better off

getting a letter from someone who can write a positive review rather than a lukewarm

recommendation.

If your professor agrees to write you a recommendation, make the process as easy as possible for him

or her to write you a strong letter!

You may choose to set up a time to meet with your professor or visit him or her during office

hours so you can have a conversation with him or her about your goals for summer research

experiences.

Provide your letter writer with the information they need about you and about the programs

you are applying to.

o Consider giving them a folder with things like a summary, your CV, unofficial transcript,

graded papers from a class you took with that professor, a short list of accomplishments

or qualities you might like them to highlight about you, or anything else that might help

them write you a strong letter. Always provide them with a simple table or list of the

programs you are applying to and the specific requirements of each. See below for

examples.

o If letters must be sent via regular mail, include pre-addressed labels and a stamp for

convenience.

Ask for all of your letters by one “due date”—this keeps it simple for your letter writers, and

relieves stress on you! Make sure to check your earliest due date, and ask that your letters be

completed at least a day or two in advance.

Tips For Asking Professors To Write A Letter Of Recommendation