I am so excited to be teaching the best students in the world! It’s true - KAMSC students are amazing and you should be so proud of your hard work thus far. I’d love to help you achieve your future goals and see what you do after KAMSC.
Here’s what you need to do to help me write the best letter I can (so I can help you be successful):
Always ask me first. I very rarely say no (it’s usually because the turnaround time is too tight for me to do a good job), but I need to know what’s happening so I can be prepared. Whether by email or just stopping in to chat - there’s nothing more awkward than getting a phone call or email with a request for a recommendation I know nothing about.
There are lots of different types of recommendations - college admissions, scholarship applications, and seeking a job or other opportunity. Here are some specifics for each type:
When you send me an email to ask for my recommendation, please have the form provided on this page (click the "Request a Recommendation" button) filled out and attached to the email. The more you provide on this form (in terms of authenticity and completeness), the better I can represent you and write a strong letter.
Complete the recommender information on the common/college application system(s) so that I am listed as your recommender and can complete your recommendation:
For the Common Application and the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, you’ll enter my information and I’ll get a notification to complete your recommendation online.
For non-Common-App applications it depends on the specific site/system.
Sometimes there will be a place to enter my information and I’ll get an email from them.
Sometimes there will be a website that I need to go to - you will need to send me this website. (This is the case with the Heyl scholarship, for example.)
Sometimes there will be an address (or fax number) to submit my completed letter to - you will need to supply me with the fax number or a pre-addressed envelope for each letter I need to submit.
It’s always a good idea to follow up with me once you’ve completed the above steps to ensure that I have everything I need to write and submit your letter of recommendation. Following up once again about a week before the deadline is also not a bad idea, on the off chance that your recommendation got misplaced.
Make sure you plan ahead with recommendations; writing a letter for application to Kalamazoo College precludes that recommender from writing a letter for the Heyl scholarship. Otherwise, writing a letter of recommendation for admission to college makes it easier to write a letter for scholarships (since the recommender isn’t starting from scratch).
Once again, make sure to contact/ask me first so that I’m “in the know”. Including information about the job, company, or opportunity is also helpful so I have the right frame of reference for the recommendation. If you have a website or specific job/opportunity description and can share that with me - even better. If you want me to make sure I highlight something specifically awesome about you, let me know that as well (example, “please discuss my ability to work in teams and meet deadlines”).
Many times, the job application requests reference information. My work information is posted in the right-sidebar of this webpage. Contact me if you need my personal information (cell phone or home address).
If you need an actual letter, in your email asking me, include information on how to submit it; an email, fax number, or pre-addressed envelope (if possible).
Katelyn McCarthy
(269) 337-0004
(KAMSC Office)
600 West Vine Street
Suite 400
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(KAMSC Address)