Request a Letter of Recommendation

Oftentimes, the first question one might ask themselves regarding a recommendation letter is "who should I ask to write on my behalf?".

The answer to that questions is different for everyone. Oftentimes, letters for academic scholarships are written by professors, however, they can also be written by coaches, managers, advisors, etc.

When deciding who you should ask to write on your behalf, consider the following:

• Is this person familiar with my academic work?
• Have I maintained a professional relationship with this person?
• Have I taken multiple courses with this person? Did I do well in those courses?
• Is this person aware of my strengths both inside and outside the classroom?

Choose the person(s) who most closely meet this criteria.

Two months before the letter is due: Begin to think about who could potentially write on your behalf. Keep in mind the criteria above.

Six weeks before the letter is due: Reach out to your potential recommender(s) to ask them to write on your behalf via email or by visiting during their office hours. Be sure provide the context for which they will be writing (i.e., graduate school, a job, a scholarship).

Four weeks before the letter is due: If your potential recommender has agreed to write a letter, set up a time to meet in person to discuss the specifics. Be sure to bring copies* of the following:

• Your resume/CV.
• Your academic transcript.
• Your most recent written work, specifically work that highlights your academic interests.
• Your personal statement/statement of purpose for the specific application they are writing for. This can help them tailor their letter to share your most relevant strengths and goals.
• The date and address for when/where the letter is due.

*Some recommenders will prefer hard copies, while some will prefer electronic copies. Be sue to ask your recommender which they would prefer in advance of your meeting.

One week before the letter is due: Feel free to remind your recommender via email, but do not send more than one reminder.

Once the deadline passes: If your recommender has not submitted the letter, you should send a follow-up email or visit their office.

After the letter is written: Remember to thank your recommender. You can do this in person or by email, depending on the nature of the letter. If they helped with multiple applications/deadlines, a more personal thank you is appropriate. Additionally, be sure to follow-up with your recommender regarding the outcome of your application.

Do:

• Choose the best person for the task. If you have multiple recommenders who may be able to write on your behalf, ask one that most closely fits the specific application requirements. For example, if you are applying to a science-based graduate program, a professor whom you’ve had lab and research experience with may be a better fit than a professor you took a humanities course with, or a basketball coach.
• Provide the recommender with the right materials. This will help both of you. The more familiar they are with your work, the stronger the letter will be.
• Say thank you. Showing your gratitude to the recommender is essential. Recommenders dedicate personal time and energy to writing recommendation letters on top of their hectic schedule. This also helps you if you need a letter in the future.

Don't:

• Ask your recommender too late. This is important for multiple reasons. First, it can make you look unprofessional if you wait until the week or even days before. Second, allowing the recommender adequate time to write can ensure that they have time to create the strongest version of the letter. Additionally, recommenders are busy people, a week or two simply may not allow them enough time.
• Ask a professor who you have not had a class with or who is not familiar with your work. In order to put forward the best possible letter, make sure you choose a writer who can most specifically highlight your strengths. Also, it’s best not to ask a professor whose class you performed poorly in.
• Send multiple reminders. One reminder regarding the upcoming deadline is enough.

• Asking for Letters of Recommendation, Stanford University Undergrad
  
• Graduate School Applications: Requesting Recommendation Letters, Purdue Online Writing Lab
• Tips for Requesting Letters of Recommendation, Cornell University Graduate School