Need a Recommendation or a Reference?
Need a Recommendation or a Reference?
In general, I’m happy to perform this bit of service for students and alums. In the hopes of streamlining things and allowing me to be as fast as possible in getting recommendations/references out the door, I’ve provided some general guidelines on this page.
I’ve split this in to two general categories: Letters of Recommendation and References. Letters of Recommendation refer to letters of reference/recommendation that may be required for REUs, NSE, grad schools, etc. and take a little more time for me. References refer to listing me as a reference for jobs and such.
I’m happy to serve as a reference for my students and alums. There are some pretty basic things that I’d like though:
1.) Be sure to send me an email to ask my permission. Give me information about the position and company/school that you are applying to in your email. Please don’t ask me in person, I won’t remember that I gave you permission, and that could lead to an awkward conversation with a potential interviewer. Please do follow up, if I don't respond within a couple days.
2.) If I don’t want you to list me as a reference, I typically have good reasons. I have to be honest with the folks calling me in order to make sure that my opinions have the impact necessary to help folks get the positions that they desire. If me serving as your reference would have a negative impact on your application to a position, I will politely decline the request.
3.) For reference, here is the contact information that you should use:
Ariel Webster, M.Sc.
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
18952 E. Fisher Rd.
St. Mary’s City, MD, 20686
(240) 895 - 4442
4.) If they ask for a contact preference, please let them know that I prefer to be contacted via email.
5.) Please follow these guidelines for background check information as well.
I’m happy to write recommendation letters for my students and alums. You should realize however that they are time consuming and there can be a backlog especially at peak times of the year (mid Fall and early Spring). To facilitate your letter request (and to make sure I actually do it on time) please follow the following:
1.) If you want me to send a batch of letters to a variety of programs, that’s fine!
2.) I require 2 weeks of lead time before the first recommendation letter is due. This means that you must have all information to me (including submission link sent by the program requesting the letter) 2 weeks ahead of the due date. If you do not provide me this lead time, I will most likely not write you the letter.
3.) I require 1 week of lead time before any subsequent letters are due.
4.) As with references please request the letters of recommendation via email and include the following information:
* Name/Title of each program, including a link to the program’s website (if it exists).
* Summary of due dates and submission guidelines, including indicating if there are specific forms for any programs and how to submit the letter.
* Unofficial transcript (if you are not my advisee currently)
* CS in-major GPA
* A current resume/CV
* A list of any extracurricular activities you participate in, including leadership positions held
5.) As with references, if I am not comfortable giving you an overall positive recommendation letter, I will politely decline to write the letter.