Asking The Professor To Write The Letter Of Recommendation (Page 2 of 3) in pdf

SECOND STEP:

What YOU NEED TO DO for the professor to write a letter….

1. Give us time!

a. The standard is two weeks or more for a letter to be written – to get it in before a deadline.

Asking us to do it quicker will indicate that you are a poor planner – something that will hurt

your letter anyway – so don’t bother asking if you need it under a week.

2. Provide all relevant materials/instructions – we shouldn’t have to ask for them!

a. Again, if we have to ask you for info

to complete the letter, you

(that you didn’t provide for us)

look unorganized/unprepared, which can ultimately hurt your letter. Here is (at a minimum –

) what to include

(nowadays, email

this means you send all these to us no matter what you’ve heard

attachments are usually fine)

Any forms the organization requires completed out for the recommendation – these

should be filled in by you in advance as much as possible. We shouldn’t have to write in

your address, phone, email, name, program to which you’re applying, etc. YOU fill in

this information before you get it to us.

ii.

the organization provides for completing the

(word-for-word)

Any specific instructions

letter. Knowing the exact phrasing they used in their admissions/hiring process helps us

to tailor our letters to specific jobs/schools, making you look more qualified!

iii.

ALL their contact info: The mailing address, email address, person/organization to

address it. If it is online, still include this info in an email to us so we can put it in any

attached “formal” letters we include with online forms.

iv.

Deadline for submitting the letter.

Your resume, statement of goals, etc. Don’t forget to include a list of what

classes/involvements you’ve had with us. Even if we know you very well, we may have

forgotten all of the individual experiences we’ve had with you in the past

(courses, work

– so list these to remind us so we include them in our letters.

projects, independent studies)

3. Again, fill out any information you can on your own.

a. We don’t know your personal info

, nor do we have time to fill it in

(DOB, address, phone, etc.)

ourselves. These are the things you should be completing before we even see forms.

4. Provide us with your resume and everything we need to know (and might not) about you.

a. To be specific and positive, we’ll need to know the following:

i. Your major/minor, classes you took from us, when

, grade received, any

(term, year)

special info about your involvement in our classes

(project/paper title, works)

ii. Any assistantships, internships, research projects, activities, awards, etc. in which you’re

involved

(this may already be on your resume)

iii. Your career goals/plans, reasons for wanting this scholarship/job/gradschool/etc.

5. If you don’t receive a verification (probably via email or verbally in class), get one from us.

a. Feel free to check in with us a few days before a deadline to verify your letter was completed

and sent – do this politely! It’s ok to ask us. We may have forgotten! As long as you remind

us politely, it shows you’re responsible.

6. Follow up with a thank you.

a. You may need this professor again in the future

(for another letter, or just because they know

. Send a brief note

someone who will affect you… never burn bridges)

(e-mail or card/letter)

expressing your appreciation for their letter-writing. I always appreciate

(and remember)

quick “thank you” from the student. It’s called being a professional, kind adult.

Asking The Professor To Write The Letter Of Recommendation Page 2

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