If you are asking me to be your reference or asking me to write a letter of recommendation, please answer the following questions and provide the materials listed below, and then send everything to me as one email.
Questions
- For students, what is your year and major?
- How long have I known you (years and months), and (for students) what is my relationship to you (instructor, research adviser, etc.)? Why you choose me to write a letter for you?
- What classes have you taken with me, what grade did you earn, and how did you distinguish yourself in my classes?
- What are you applying for and what is the corresponding due date?
- For undergraduates applying to special programs or fellowships, what are they looking for in candidates and what are the specific letter writer instructions? A link to the program announcement should be sufficient.
- How would you describe yourself? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses and how do you overcome them? Important accomplishments?
- For students, what are your long term goals? How will this position/award help you attain that goal?
- What are your extracurricular interests and passions?
MATERIALS
In the same email as above, please send me links to, or attach the following- your CV/resume
- for students, your unofficial transcripts
- if applicable, all necessary forms for letter writers
- all materials you will submit with your application (e.g. personal essay, statement of interest, research summary or proposal,…)