Asking The Professor To Write The Letter Of Recommendation printable pdf download

SO YOU’D LIKE A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

Commentary by Jessica J. Eckstein, Ph.D. (2009)

basic outline of steps derived from Dawn O. Braithwaite, Ph.D. (1998)

Professors are often asked to write letters of recommendation for students. Therefore, to make our jobs

much easier (and your letter much better!), here are some tips for getting the letter. The overall gist is

that the student must take the initiative in the process. Each professor’s preferences will differ, but at a

bare minimum, here are the guidelines to follow:

FIRST STEP:

Asking the professor to write the letter…

1. Ask in person.

a. The key here is to ASK – no one owes you a letter. Make your request just that – as

though you are asking a favor – because you are. In turn, also be willing to take “no” for

an answer;; it doesn’t mean you’re a bad person – it just means that (for whatever reason)

they can’t write you a letter.

b. The second key is IN PERSON – don’t leave a request under a door, don’t grab a

professor after class or in the hallway. Sign up for an appointment with them and ask in

person. It may be acceptable to make this appointment via email.

2. Ask if they would be able to write you a favorable letter of recommendation.

a. Of course we can agree to write you “a letter,” but you should probably check ahead of

time (because we don’t have to show it to you) if it will be positive. A professor will

definitely tell you if they can do this or not. When I ask for letters, I always frame it as,

“Do you think you would be able to write me a positive letter?” That way, I know if I

need to go elsewhere to get the letters that will help me excel. Also, if they don’t have

anything particularly great to say about you, many professors will write “neutral” or not

glowing letters. You should know that when someone reads anything but a letter that

praises you, it’s code for “don’t hire/accept/consider” this person. We don’t have to say

mean/negative things to write you a “bad” letter. So check this first! 

3. Ask if they can write you a specific letter.

a. As mentioned (2a), lacking positive specifics will say to the reader that the recommender

either doesn’t know you well enough to be writing your letter and/or doesn’t have

anything positive to say about you in a specific context. Both could bode poorly for you

if expressed (or unexpressed) in a letter.

b. If the professor tells you (remember, you asked them this) that they are unable to be

specific, ask someone else. It’s not a bad thing;; you’re just trying to get the best letter

possible –from whomever.

Asking The Professor To Write The Letter Of Recommendation