If I have agreed to write a recommendation for you, please provide me with as much of the following as possible:
- an unofficial copy of your transcript,
- a copy of your personal statement (if applicable), and
- all necessary forms
Furthermore, at least two weeks before the first letter is due, please e-mail me your answers to the following questions (the more details the better):
- What is your name, year, and major?
- What are your preferred pronouns?
- For what are you applying? (scholarship, graduate school, etc.)
- List the programs to which you are applying, together with due dates.
- How long have I known you (years/months), and what is my relationship(s) to you (instructor, advisor, etc.)? Have you graded or tutored for me? If so, for what class(es) and when?
- For what class(es) have I had you, what final grade(s) did I assign you, and how did you distinguish yourself in my class(es)?
- How would you describe yourself?
- What are some of your academic accomplishments?
- What are some of your nonacademic accomplishments?
- What makes me particularly qualified to write a letter for you?
- What makes you particularly qualified for this position/honor/award?
- What are your long term goals and will this position/honor/award help? If so, how?
- Additional comments (REU’s, summer research, interesting jobs, hobbies, etc.)?
Please also send me e-mail reminders as deadlines approach. You don’t need to write anything in the body of the email; the subject can just be “Reminder: recommendation letter due _____”, filling in the blank with the due date(s).
Good luck!
(Note: This page is adapted from Jo Hardin at Pomona College.)