Requesting a Recommendation Letter

So, you are applying for a summer program, or maybe an internship, or a fellowship, or a graduate program. You would like to ask me for a recommendation letter. Here are some pointers.

Just because you got an A in my class or enjoyed my class doesn't mean it makes sense for me to write a letter. The program you are applying to is looking to read something they cannot glean from your transcript, or from you yourself. They want to know what your supervisors and professors thought of you upon getting to know you, and if I have not regularly interacted with you personally there is little I can say that will help your case. Below are some questions for you to ask yourself. The more of these you can answer "yes" to, the more it makes sense for me to write you a letter. If I do not feel that I know you well enough, I will likely decline to write you a letter.

• Did you attend all lectures except when you could not for a legitimate reason?
• Did you come to my office hours on a regular basis?
• Did you ask questions in my office hours and/or in class regularly?
• Did you demonstrate an interest in the subject I was teaching while I was teaching it?
• Did you demonstrate mastery of the subject I was teaching?
• Did you struggle in class but demonstrate that you are willing to work hard to overcome struggles?
• Did you stay in touch after the class was finished?
• Was the class you took from me a small class in which I could easily observe your interactions with other students and your engagement with the material?

At least 3 weeks before your letter needs to be turned in, write me an email. NOTE: Especially during certain times of the year, I get a lot of emails, and some do slip through the cracks. If I don't respond within 2 days, email me again. I do not ever intentionally ignore emails from students. Here is what you should be able to provide when you email me.

• What program are you applying for? Give me a brief description of what it is (if it's graduate school, no need to explain to me what that is).
• Be prepared to share your unofficial transcript, resume, and personal statement (for graduate program applications).
• I will likely want to meet with you to talk about what you have been up to, etc.
• What are the deadlines for the letters? How do I submit a letter?
• If you are applying to multiple graduate programs, please note that I have to fill out forms and upload letters at a different site for almost every program you have applied for. There is no easy way for me to keep track of all these sites/deadlines for the multiple students I write letters for during application season. It is your responsibility to remind me if a deadline is coming up and I have not yet uploaded your letter.