Letters of recommendation

Good letters of recommendation take time, thought, and information gathering--a letter that says nothing more specific than "Student XYZ got an A in my class" will do an application more harm than good.  If you're thinking about asking me to write a letter for you, please have a conversation with me about it at least a month before your first deadline. 

Once I've said yes, I will ask for the following from you, either in a single email or in a google drive folder that you share with me at least two weeks before your first deadline. 

1. CV/ resume and transcript

2. All application materials (personal statement, project description, essay, etc.) Close-to-final drafts are fine. If it's not already part of your application materials, please also tell me a little bit about how this opportunity fits into your long term goals. (This doesn't have to be fancy or elaborately written.) 

3. A google sheet where each row is an application and the columns include 'website', 'due date', 'how to submit', and any other information. If you give me editing permission, then I can annotate this as I submit.

4. At least three specific examples of interactions we've had and/or work you've done with me that might be useful to include in my letter. Each example should have a short description along with why it stands out to you. For example: Did you demonstrate mathematical growth and/or excellence? Did you overcome a specific challenge? Did you learn something exciting mathematically? If you are struggling to come up with these, come talk to me.

5. A short description of who your other letter writers are. (This helps me know what I should emphasize in my letter--am I your only math letter writer? Am I the letter writer who's had you in a class most recently? Am I the letter writer who knows about your summer research or work in the department?) 

6. (Optional) Anything else you think I should know, or that you're hoping that I address and/or contextualize. (Some examples: a semester when your grades were lower than usual due to a death in the family, any unusual experiences that you've had that contribute positively to your application.) 

Finally, please don't feel bad about reminding me when due dates are approaching. I usually submit letters significantly before the deadline, but usually is not always, and I don't want your letter to be the exception that goes missing! I will be grateful for your reminder at the 1-week and the 2-day mark.

Credit: Thanks to Catherine Hsu for the language in item 4, and Keith Conrad's website for other components.