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What are Letters of Recommendations?
What are Letters of Recommendations?
Letters of recommendations are used in admissions process to gain better insight on an applicant's preparation and suitability of graduate training.
Letters of recommendations are used in admissions process to gain better insight on an applicant's preparation and suitability of graduate training.
NEW: Link to tips from Science Magazine!
NEW: Link to tips from Science Magazine!
Who Should I Ask?
Who Should I Ask?
These should come from appropriate professionals who have good knowledge of the applicant's potential for success. This means that it is important for individuals to start early and be intentional about fostering healthy professional relationships as they move their their academic careers.
These should come from appropriate professionals who have good knowledge of the applicant's potential for success. This means that it is important for individuals to start early and be intentional about fostering healthy professional relationships as they move their their academic careers.
Appleby and Appleby (2006) note that appropriate letter writers should be individuals who are able to provide good comment on the applicant's educational potential. For psychology graduate programs, professors who know the student well are good choices. Letters should not come from employees, relatives, friends, (including family friends), professors who did not know the applicant well, significant others, and the like.
Appleby and Appleby (2006) note that appropriate letter writers should be individuals who are able to provide good comment on the applicant's educational potential. For psychology graduate programs, professors who know the student well are good choices. Letters should not come from employees, relatives, friends, (including family friends), professors who did not know the applicant well, significant others, and the like.
When thinking about who to ask, applicants should be mindful that there is no guarantee that requested letters will be positive. Letters are heavily based on direct observation of the applicant's behaviors and scholarly works. This is where an applicant should engage in truthful reflection on how they have conducted themselves with the letter writer and consider things, such as the kind of feedback they received on their work and their level of engagement and responsiveness in class, at work, or in labs. To help with this process, below are a few things applicants can keep in mind as they reflect on what the quality of a letter might be:
When thinking about who to ask, applicants should be mindful that there is no guarantee that requested letters will be positive. Letters are heavily based on direct observation of the applicant's behaviors and scholarly works. This is where an applicant should engage in truthful reflection on how they have conducted themselves with the letter writer and consider things, such as the kind of feedback they received on their work and their level of engagement and responsiveness in class, at work, or in labs. To help with this process, below are a few things applicants can keep in mind as they reflect on what the quality of a letter might be:
Examples of qualities likely to have a positive impact
High professional integrity
Sets realistic goals
High emotional maturity and resilience
Ability and interest in taking initiative
Strong quantitative skills (especially for PhD programs)
Strong ability to work independently
High level writing ability
High level of conscientiousness
Good oral communication skills
Openness to learning new things
Ability to work under stress
Professionalism across diverse settings
Demonstrates respect for diversity
High ability to work effectively in groups
High expressions of critical thinking in written work
Clear career focus aligned with past experiences
Awareness of what graduate training involves
Strong work ethic
Good organization skills
Academic awards
Strong evidence of professional experiences in relevant areas (e.g., research and practicum experiences)
Service relevant to your proposed line of study
Appropriate level of perseverance
Examples of qualities likely to have a negative impact
Low levels of anything on the “positive list”
Low dependability
Poor communication
Poor course performance
Low initiative and ability to think or work independently
Lack of attention to details (e.g., sloppy work, mistakes)
Socially and professionally inappropriate behaviors
Evidence of poor writing skills
Evidence of poor study habits
Evidence of poor quantitative skills
Lack of participation in class discussion or activities
Lack of career focus
No evidence of coursework or experiences that aligns with career interests
Defensiveness when given critical feedback
Avoidance behaviors when under stress
Inability to handle multiple responsibilities at once
Inattentiveness to details and deadlines
Not providing materials requested for the letter writing process in a timely fashion
Exaggerated description of responsibilities or “padding” in a curriculum vita or resume
When and How Should I Ask for Letters?
When and How Should I Ask for Letters?
Keep in mind that recommenders will be asked to do a significant amount of work on applicant's behalf. This includes creating a narrative of their impressions of applicants' potentials and filling out online recommender forms. Because Psychology program applications are largely not centralized, each recommender will likely have to submit a separate letter and recommender form for each school. This is a lot of work for every letter writer.
Keep in mind that recommenders will be asked to do a significant amount of work on applicant's behalf. This includes creating a narrative of their impressions of applicants' potentials and filling out online recommender forms. Because Psychology program applications are largely not centralized, each recommender will likely have to submit a separate letter and recommender form for each school. This is a lot of work for every letter writer.
It is recommended that applicants contact prospective letter writers about a month before letters are due and provide the following when requested:
It is recommended that applicants contact prospective letter writers about a month before letters are due and provide the following when requested:
- Overall and psychology GPA (if not on the CV)
- A spreadsheet that contains information helpful about all prospective programs. Below is an example:
Should I Waive My Rights to View Letters?
Should I Waive My Rights to View Letters?
The advice centering around waiving rights to view letters from recommenders varies, but with many leaning toward "yes - waive the rights to view the letters." The reasoning is that not doing so may be interpreted as a sense of distrustfulness toward your letter writers.
The advice centering around waiving rights to view letters from recommenders varies, but with many leaning toward "yes - waive the rights to view the letters." The reasoning is that not doing so may be interpreted as a sense of distrustfulness toward your letter writers.
However, remember that the decision is entirely up to applicants. But bear in mind that recommenders may decide to refuse to submit letters, no matter how positive, if those rights are not waived. Thus, if applicants are not comfortable with waiving their rights, they should check with letter writers to see if not waiving ones' rights would impact the willingness to submit a letter.
However, remember that the decision is entirely up to applicants. But bear in mind that recommenders may decide to refuse to submit letters, no matter how positive, if those rights are not waived. Thus, if applicants are not comfortable with waiving their rights, they should check with letter writers to see if not waiving ones' rights would impact the willingness to submit a letter.
Reference:
Reference:
Appleby, D.C. & Appleby, K.M. (2006). Kisses of death in the graduate school application process. Teaching of Psychology, 33(10), 19-24.
Appleby, D.C. & Appleby, K.M. (2006). Kisses of death in the graduate school application process. Teaching of Psychology, 33(10), 19-24.
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