REQUESTING LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Many Bryn Mawr students feel guilty about asking faculty members for
letters of recommendation, especially for multiple letters for different
programs. There is no reason to feel guilty. Every faculty member knows
that it is part of the job of a faculty member to write letters of support
for students. In general, Bryn Mawr faculty members fulfill this responsibility
admirably well.
Rather than feel guilty about asking, you should do your utmost to make
this job easy and pleasant for your faculty members. Here are some tips:
- Think carefully about which faculty members to ask for letters.
Generally, you want faculty who think highly of your work, know you
well, and are
in a field of study related to your application.
- Remember that a faculty member always has the right to say “no.” Many
faculty members don’t like to say no outright, but if they say “I’m
not sure I know you well enough,” that’s often code for
not feeling able to write a strong letter of support.
- Give professors plenty of time to write the letters. “Plenty
of time” means 4-6 weeks.
- If a professor is on leave, you may still ask for a letter of recommendation.
However, you should probably do so only if the professor’s recommendation
is directly relevant to your application. This may be because of their
area of specialization or because of how well they know you. In the case
of a faculty member on leave, it’s a good idea to give even more
advance notice.
- It’s usually courteous to ask for letters in person. It’s
also courteous, as much as possible, to let a professor know if you
will be making multiple applications, and if so, for what.
- Make sure professors have all the forms they need to complete the
letters. Sign any waivers of confidentiality. Make sure these forms
clearly include the deadline and the place to send the letter. If they
don’t,
attach this information. If the professor will be mailing the letter,
provide a stamped envelope.
- If the application requires professors submit their applications
online, make sure that they understand as well as possible how this
will work.
- Make sure professors have access to information about the fellowship
or other program you are applying to. You may direct them to the Bryn
Mawr fellowships page or other online source, but it can be good to
give them a brief description in writing: for example, “the Udall is
a scholarship for undergraduate studies for those planning a career in
fields related to the environment.” Such an explanation shouldn’t
be necessary for the Rhodes, Marshall, or Fulbright, but it never hurts.
- Make sure professors have what they need to know about you. At
the very least, you should include a draft of your personal statement
and
proposal. If you’re applying as an alumna, you may want to include
a list of courses taken with the professor.
- Professors will sometimes want to review copies of papers you
have submitted to them. Be ready to comply with these requests.
- It’s usually a good idea to send a friendly reminder to the
professor, probably one week before the letter is due.
- Thank your recommenders. Thank them when they agree; thank them again
when you remind them; and most of all, thank them when they've sent
in the letters. This should be a handwritten note, on stationery or
a note card. If you choose to, you may include a small gift, but it's
not necessary, and indeed, a large gift is inappropriate.
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