Letters of Rec

Note: I'd like to think that this should apply to more writers than just me. Put it this way: this is what I would do if I were requesting a letter.

GENERAL TIPS:

    • Whatever it is you're applying for, it's probably competitive. So make sure your letter writers are as strong and as relevant as possible. What does THAT mean? People with tenure generally have more pull/oomph than people without; if applicable, postdocs trump graduate students. Make sure the field is relevant: if you're applying for, say, a study abroad at the London School of Economics, you're probably better off having just about ANY econ professor write your letter as opposed to your art history professor.

    • Give your letter writers at least two weeks to write.

    • Give your letter writers (polite, yet regular) reminders of any up-coming deadlines.

    • Give your letter writers your work towards this application--your statements, cvs, etc. Yes, given the previous bullet points that means you should have YOUR WORK done well in advance. Applying last-minute to anything is typically bad news bears.

    • Give your letter writers everything they need to submit the letter. If it's snail-mail, give them the address, the envelope, and the stamp. If it's email, give them the email address and any required subject lines, etc.

HELP ME HELP YOU:

If I agree to write you a letter of recommendation, we both want it to be as strong of a letter as possible. The following information would really help me:

    • Is there a prompt? That is, does this application have specific qualities and aspects of your background for me to address in this letter? Is there a minimum or maximum page requirement?

    • General education background: what is your major? What is your class standing? What classes have you had with me?

    • Specific to the task at hand: what are you applying for? Why this program? Why now? How does it fit in your major/post-graduation life plan? What additional courses/volunteer-efforts/previous-experience, etc., do you have under your belt that I could mention in a letter that would make you look like a really good candidate?