Before you request the letter
- Seek to put forth your best effort in each class. It seems to go
without saying, but sometimes students don't realize that faculty know
when you aren't trying your best. If you do not show your best effort,
why would you expect her/him to write a strong letter for you?
- Keep
your work - papers, labs, etc. Keep track of your accomplishments.
When you request the letter
- Schedule an appointment with your potential recommender so that you can meet and have a candid conversation. Go to that meeting prepared with materials that demonstrate your work/accomplishments - assignments from class, a copy of your resume, a report you submitted at your internship, etc.
- Ask whether the potential recommender thinks s/he can write a 'good' or 'strong' letter for you. Indicate what you see as the qualities/accomplishments you have demonstrated. Ask if the recommender agrees.
- If this letter is for your portfolio to save until you need something more specific during your junior or senior year, explain that to the recommender.
- Make it as easy as possible - if you are asking the recommender to send your letter directly to the organization/institution requesting it, be sure to provide a stamped, addressed envelope for each destination.
- Give your recommender plenty of time to write the letter. You can't wait until the last minute and expect to get a good letter!. Let him/her know the deadline and check back with him/her periodically as a friendly reminder.
After you receive the letter (or you know it has been sent)
- Be sure to thank your recommender in writing for having provided a reference letter for you.
- Keep all recommenders informed of your status - Did you get into the graduate program? Did you get the job? Etc.
- Keep the lines of communication open and positive in case you need to ask for another favor in the future.
- If you have been given a copy of the letter, keep it here in your portfolio. If you need to request a letter in the future, the recommender may appreciate seeing a copy of what s/he wrote in the past.
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