Letters
of Recommendation
If
I have agreed to write a recommendation
for you, please give me a folder containing
- a copy of your
transcript, unofficial is fine
- a copy of your
personal statement and CV (if applicable),
- all necessary
forms or directions to the appropriate online forms
- stamped
envelopes to send directly (if applicable)
At
least two weeks before
the first letter is due, e-mail me your answers to the following
questions (the
more details the better):
- What is your name, year, and major?
- For what are
you applying? (scholarship, internship,
graduate school, etc.)
- List the
programs to which you are applying, together with due dates.
- How long have I
known you, and what is my relationship(s) to you? (instructor,
advisor, etc.) Have you graded or tutored for me? If so, for what class(es) and when?
- For what class(es) have I had
you, what final grade(s) did I assign you, and how did you distinguish
yourself in my class(es)?
- How would you
describe yourself?
- What are some
of your academic accomplishments?
- What are some
of your nonacademic accomplishments?
- What makes me
particularly qualified to write a letter for you?
- What makes you
particularly qualified for this position/honor/award?
- What are your
long term goals and will this position/honor/award help? If so, how?
- Additional
comments (REU's, summer research,
interesting jobs, hobbies, etc.)?
Please
send me e-mail reminders as
deadlines approach, and feel free to chat with me about other ways you
can make
the letter writing process go as smoothly as possible.
Good luck!
adapted from Michael
Orrison, Harvey Mudd College