Letters Of Recommendation printable pdf download

ETTERS OF

ECOMMENDATION

OW DO YOU CHOOSE YOUR REFERENCES

Ask someone who knows you well, who can speak about your experience related to the position or graduate program to which

you are applying. Letters are best if they are from people who are in a position to evaluate your work, rather than from those

who may have a higher title. Cursory letters from significant people (e.g. a letter from the Senator in whose office you interned)

are often much less useful in making your case than letters from people who actually know your day to day work (e.g. the

Legislative Assistant for whom you actually worked).

In choosing your recommenders for graduate school applications, remember that above all, graduate admissions committees are

evaluating your potential as a student and scholar and they typically prefer a recommendation from a faculty member. When in

doubt, you can always ask the program or employer their preference. When choosing a faculty reference, this would typically be

a faculty member you have had for more than one class, or if only one class, at least a recent one where you were very actively

engaged. A faculty member who has been in a position to supervise your research is ideal.

OW DO YOU ENSURE GOOD REFERENCES

From the beginning of your time at Swarthmore, understand that it is important to build and maintain positive relationships

with faculty and administrators at the College. Talk with faculty about your interests during their office hours and ask for their

advice. If applying to graduate school in a field related to your major, programs expect the majority of your references to come

from your major department. If you don't have these references many programs will be concerned about your potential as a

graduate student.

Schedule appointments with faculty and administrators to discuss your future plans and ask if they know alumni you should

contact who work in related fields. Get a campus job -- work hard and take initiative. Campus supervisors can often provide

excellent references to future employers eager to evaluate your work performance.

One of the main things a future employer, graduate program or professional school wants to know about is the student's character--did the

student hand in things on time, work well with others, work responsibly with equipment, share resources with others, leave messes for others to

clean up, follow safety regulations? Was the student honest and reliable? In the sciences we would say, was this student a good lab citizen?

-- Sara Hiebert Burch, Biology

OW DO YOU ASK FOR A REFERENCE

Ask potential recommenders if they can provide a strong and positive reference on your behalf. While this may be awkward, it’s

the best way to ensure against a lackluster letter written only because the recommender doesn’t want to say no. Give

recommenders a graceful way to say no if needed, asking them if they feel they know you and your work well enough to

provide a strong reference.

Some employers simply require reference lists – before listing any individual make sure you ask her/him. If the person agrees,

ask your recommender what information she/he would need from you to provide the reference and how she/he would like to

be contacted by the organization seeking the reference. Provide your recommender with the following:



your resume or CV and personal statement



the name of the programs to which you are applying, due date (and time) for each and how each program requires the

recommendation to be submitted (e.g. online, e-mailed, or mailed)

Schedule an appointment with your recommenders to discuss the programs or opportunities to which you are applying – your

recommenders will want to know what to emphasize in their recommendations and this information will be helpful as they

attempt to connect your performance in their class with your plans for your future.

Tell your recommenders your timeline (allow them at least 3 weeks if you are asking them to write a recommendation letter)

and ask if they can meet the deadline. Giving your recommender insufficient time to write a recommendation letter may reflect

poorly on your time management skills and could result in a recommendation that is not as strong as you would hope.

Remember that it takes a lot of time for a faculty member to write an effective letter. Once the basic letter is written, be sure to

Letters Of Recommendation

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