Letters of Recommendation
Most graduate programs will require three letters of recommendation. Make sure you choose your writers carefully and prepare them well to write the best possible letters for you.
Who You Should Ask
Ask the professors who know you best. The best choices are those you have done research with and/or who have read your academic writing. It is ok to ask employers, especially if you have been out of school for some time and/or if your job is relevant to your field.
It is a good idea to choose a letter-writer who is well-known in the field. Do not sacrifice someone who knows you well for someone who does not and is famous, but when in doubt, go for the professor who knows faculty members at the schools where you are applying. It is actually quite surprising how much a "name" can help your application. Along these same lines, do not ask graduate students to write letters for you. If you feel as though your teaching assistant knows you best, try to have him/her work with the professor to write a letter that will officially come from the professor.
When You Should Ask
Ideally, you should give your professors at least two months to write letters of recommendation. In the fall everyone will be asking them for this, so be early! Not only will they have more time to write a thoughtful letter, they will also see you as responsible. Your letter will not be good if the professor is angry with you for giving him/her the forms at the last minute.
If your school offers a credentials service that keeps letters of recommendation on file for later use, you should ask for a letter of recommendation at the completion of a course or job, even if you're not going to be applying to graduate school for several years. Later on you may ask the professor to revise his/her letter for your specific goals, but at least s/he has one written already to work with. This way your professor's thoughts about you are fresh in his/her mind, and the letter will be filled with more specific examples of your acheivements.
How You Should Ask
Say something like the following, "I am applying to graduate school this fall. Would you be able to write me a strong letter of recommendation?" A professor is unlikely to say "no" to a request to write a letter. However, if you say "strong," the professor might say, "I don't think I know you well enough" if s/he doesn't think the letter will be that strong. That way you can ask someone else. Remember, you can't read your letters before you send them.
It is best to talk to professors in person. If that's not possible, talking on the phone is much better than over e-mail.
Be Prepared
As soon as a recommender has agreed to write for you, provide him/her with the following:
Draft of your Personal Statement -- this will give him/her your research interests and goals, and if it's not done, s/he might be able to help you with it.
C.V. or resume
Checklist for schools, deadlines, etc
Addressed and stamped envelopes
All necessary forms
Old papers from the course you took or project you completed
Additional instructions. For example, you may mention specifics that you want to be focused on or included in the letter.
Anything else s/he wants!
Send Friendly Reminders
Don't be a pest, but your recommenders will actually appreciate it if you remind them a week or two before the deadlines.
Online Letters
Most schools now have the option or even requirement for online submission of letters. If your letter-writers are willing or eager to participate in this option, it is best for you because there are no forms involved and you can track the arrival of the letter much more easily. However, many professors find this option more difficult or annoying, especially if they didn't grow up on the internet. My advice is to go with what is easiest for your letter-writers.
Extra Letters
You may find yourself in the lucky situation of having more than three people who can write great letters for you. Most schools will accept and read four or five letters, however, some say they will read the first three to arrive. So, if you are tempted to send more than three letters, make sure you believe that each is equally good just in case only three will be considered. If you go with more than three, it can be helpful to have an extra letter-writer in case one of your letters does not arrive on time or is lost in the mail.
THANK your recommenders!
Thank your letter-writers twice. Once, send a card or inexpensive/homemade gift (you don't want too elaborate) as soon as the letter writer is finished with the task. This will usually coincide with the holiday season. Next, thank them again as soon as you decide where you will be going, in March or April. You may also tell them about the other places you were accepted to if you were particularly successful. This second thank-you is important because they will be very curious as to where you end up after putting so much effort into you. It is also a good idea to stay in touch after graduate school has started.
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