I take writing letters of recommendation very seriously and it takes me significant time to craft. In light of this, it is important to provide me with sufficient and timely information. This section aims to clarify what is sufficient and what is timely.
Specifics
Timing: You should request to be recommended at least one month in advance. If I agree to write a letter on your behalf, you should provide the following information and materials at least three weeks in advance of your application due date.
Please send me a single email or use the button below answering the following questions (if applicable) and attaching the following materials, or providing links where available.
Information
How do you want me to refer to you in the letter? This means what name would you like for me to use and the pronouns I should use in the letter (or if you prefer I do not use pronouns and instead only refer to you by name).
What is your year and major(s) and minor(s)?
How long have I known you (years and months), and (for students) what is my relationship to you (instructor, research adviser, etc.)?
What classes have you taken with me, what grade did you earn, and how did you distinguish yourself in my classes? (If you did not earn a grade you like or did not distinguish yourself in any way in my class, you will likely want to ask another professor for a recommendation.)
Have you graded for me in one of my courses? If so, for what classes and when? Was there additional things you did during this time that facilitated other student's learning?
What are you applying for (REU, PhD program, Masters program, CPP scholarship, teaching job, industry job, fellowship) and what is the corresponding due date?
For students applying to special (e.g. summer) programs or fellowships, what are they looking for in candidates (e.g. students with lots of programming background) and what are the specific letter writer instructions? A link to the program announcement should be sufficient.
What would you like me to address and/or highlight in your letter? How would you describe yourself? What are your strengths? Important accomplishments? Favorite theorems or papers?
What are your long term goals? How will this position/award help you attain that goal?
Is there anything else you can think of that might help me?
Materials
In the same email as above, please send me links to, or attach the following
Your CV/resume
Your unofficial transcripts
All materials you will submit with your application (e.g. personal essay, statement of interest, research summary or proposal,...)
If applicable, all necessary forms for letter writers (don't count on me to go through each website to determine what forms I need to complete)