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Some Tips on How to Secure Letters of Recommendation
The following information is for anyone who is in the process of securing letters of recommendation, be they for a job, a professional school, an internship, or other activity. Please read over and keep in mind the following points before you ask any individual for such a letter.
  1. The best letters of recommendation come from professors or individuals who know you well. For example, a professor who has worked with you in a small classroom setting (less than 30 students, say) may be able to write a much more personal and meaningful letter than a professor who has had you in a class of over 200 students. The professor of a large lecture class will be able to write you an effective letter of recommendation ONLY if you have made an effort to talk to the professor and made yourself known!
  2. You must approach the securing of letters of recommendation with a very professional attitude.
    1. You need to set a definitive appointment time regardless of how well you know the potential recommender.
    2. You should dress for the appointment in the same fashion that you would for a job interview. The more professional the presentation the better impression you leave, consequently the letter will usually be written with that image in mind.
    3. You should be ON TIME for the appointment! Your punctuality will leave a good impression in the mind of the interviewer. Conversely, if you are late or if you miss the appointment altogether, a potential interviewer may have trouble attesting that you are responsible.
  3. At the appointment, you should present a formal letter of introduction or personal statement AND a resume. (Remember: the individual may have had you in only one class three years ago). The letter of introduction should outline the following:
    1. Why the letter of recommendation is needed (i.e., for a job interview, for graduate school, etc.).
    2. When it is needed. When are the deadlines.
    3. Who it should be addressed to and how is it to be sent (e.g., directly to the facility, combined in a packet of admission materials, the student hand-carries a signed and sealed envelope, etc.).
    4. Is it a personal recommendation (i.e., elaborating on personality characteristics) or is it an academic recommendation (i.e., elaborating on academic potential).
    5. Are there any admission forms that need to be filled out by the recommender in addition to writing a letter (e.g., a checklist, a waiver form, etc.)
    6. You should elaborate on your motivation for your application.
    7. If you have any experience in the field to which you are applying, you should elaborate on it (e.g., shadowing, teaching, volunteer work, internship, etc.). Elaborate on what in your background makes you a good candidate for the position.
    8. INCLUDE A COPY OF YOUR TRANSCRIPT!
    9. Include your name, address, telephone number, and email address. Make sure he/she knows where you can be reached in case a problem arises.
  4. Once this information has been provided, you should ask the potential recommender if he/she would be willing to write you a POSITIVE LETTER. Please take note - sometimes an individual will agree to write a letter for an individual with the sole intent of derailing them. Admittedly, this is the exception, but it has been done. Do not be afraid to be direct in this regard.
  5. Ask them when it will be finished. Get a firm date!. If it is being sent to a facility directly, you need to check that day to make sure it was mailed. If you are to pick it up, call the day before to make sure it is ready.
  6. Make sure you have the recommender's address, telephone number, and email address so you can follow-up not only on the mailing date, but also so you can send him/her a thank you card/letter and an update on the progress of your application.
  7. Once you have done all of the above, restate the date at which you will be re-contacting him/her.
  8. Last of all, remember a recommender can make or break your application. It is your career; do not let someone else deny you the right to the job/education you are entitled to, make sure they do what they say they are going to do!

Last Update: April 30, 2008
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