Letters of Recommendation

If you would like me to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf, please give me a folder containing the following:

  1. a current copy of your transcript
  2. a copy of your personal statement (if applicable)
  3. List all the places you are applying to, with their corresponding due dates, as well as any special instructions for a given application. Sometimes an excel spreadsheet is convenient for organizing this.
  4. all required forms (if necessary)
  5. addressed envelopes. I'll take care of postage.


In addition, at least two weeks before the first letter is due, e-mail me with your answers to the following questions.

  1. What is your name (as you'd like it on the letters), year, major and/ or minors ?
  2. For what are you applying? (graduate school, summer internship, scholarship, REU, etc.)
  3. How long have you known me, and in what context? List any courses we've had together and the grade that you earned in them.
  4. What are your career goals?
  5. How would you describe yourself?
  6. What are some of your academic accomplishments? Are any of these especially pertinent to what you're applying for?
  7. What are some of your non-academic accomplishments? Are any of these especially pertinent to what you're applying for?
  8. What makes you particularly qualified for this position?
  9. What are you long term goals, and how will this position help in achieving this?
  10. Anything that you hope that I can specifically address in the letter (your research experience or service or academics, etc.
  11. Any additional comments you think are appropriate

Please take this seriously, as careful responses to these questions help me write a good letter for you. Don't blow this off, or your letters won't be as good as they could be.

Since I need this at least two weeks ahead of time, it should be clear that you should give me at least two weeks to write your letters. I won't do a "rush job" except in extreme cases.

Please send me reminders as the deadlines approach to make sure that I'm on track for getting these letters done. Thank you!

(Taken from Dr. Parker)