Who Should Write Your Recommendations?

This talk was delivered for February Fellowships Week at Fordham University on Tuesday, February 22, 2022.

Introduction

I remember the first time I had to ask for a letter of recommendation from a college professor. It was my senior year of undergrad. I was applying to master’s programs in English literature.

There were a few professors in the English department that I got along well with. But I also could only select two letter writers. I remember feeling unsure exactly who to ask and also not wanting to burden my professors with the request.

I ended up asking one professor who directed my senior thesis on a topic within our shared field: Renaissance literature.

Then I asked a second professor who taught a course called Literary Theory & Criticism. In that class, each student had to “teach” a class on one of our favorite literary works, so he had observed my ability to deliver a presentation and lead discussion.

Because these professors both knew me well, seemed enthusiastic about writing the letters, and could speak about two different skills/interests, they ended up being good choices.

I did in fact get into graduate school, which drastically changed the direction of my life for the next several years.

~

This presentation will be organized around the following topics: What are letters of recommendation? How should applicants ask for them? Who should applicants ask? What can students do to prepare now?

In our office, we advise current students and alumni on applying to external awards or fellowships. These fellowships are wide-ranging but they are typically competitive, as they offer financial assistance or compensation for professional development opportunities related to academic study, research, teaching, or other hands-on experiences.

These applications typically require at least two letters of recommendation, so we have a lot of experience working with applicants on the process of securing really great letters. However, you may also need to ask for letters for other opportunities such as a transfer application, an internship, or eventually graduate school.

What are letters of recommendation?

Letters of recommendation, also called reference letters, are formal documents written by a mentor, usually a college professor, that provide an individual perspective on your character and professional skills.

Strong letters of recommendation discuss a student's suitability for a particular opportunity:

• They explain how the applicants exemplify the specific criteria of the fellowship at hand;

• They anticipate how the student will contribute to the particular fellowship or opportunity;

• They also share how the opportunity will make a difference in the candidates' professional and personal growth.

In order for strong recommendations like this to be written, students need to give their professors three things:

• First, the option to write the letter,

• Second, enough time to write it, and

• Third, enough information to tailor their letter to the opportunity.

Remember that writing letters of rec is a part of a professors’ job., and it is also their responsibility to let you know if for some reason, they cannot write you a strong letter. If they agree, and seem enthusiastic, chances are that they will write you a great letter!

How should applicants ask for them?

Here is a brief outline of the process of asking for letters of recommendation.

First, ask your professor or mentor if they feel comfortable writing you the letter. You can also give them a brief explanation as to why you are asking them above another professor. This could be something such as “I think I grew a lot as a writer in your class” or “My interest in marketing stemmed from one of our class discussions this semester.” This initial request should be done in person, if possible, but you can also do this via email if necessary.

I have included a template that you can use to deliver this request respectfully over email.

Dear [Name],

I hope you are well. I am in the process of applying to [award/fellowship name] and want to

ask if you feel comfortable writing a letter of recommendation on my behalf.

I enjoyed my time as your [relationship to recommender]. As my

[professor/coach/supervisor], I believe you could vouch for my [list of relevant skills or

qualifications].The deadline for submitting the letter is [date].

If you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me. I truly

appreciate you considering my request.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

After they have agreed to write the letter, you should share additional information about the opportunity and your reasons for applying. This can happen in a meeting during office hours or in a follow up email.

The information that your recommenders most need to know includes:

• Name of the fellowship or opportunity

• Deadline

• How to submit letter

• A clear description of the opportunity: they need to know what your responsibilities will be and what type of environment you will be working in. This is so that they can strategically highlight certain aspects about you that are relevant.

  • They might choose to speak to your ability to collaborate with your peers above your individual research skills if the opportunity involves group work or collaboration with a peer or mentor.

• They also need to understand the organization’s mission; what values does the organization hold? What is their purpose?

  • For example, while one fellowship might value cutting-edge technology and research, another may be more interested in promoting diversity and cultural exchange. So the organization’s mission will affect how your professor describes your research interests and skills.

• Your letter writer needs to have a clear understanding of your motivations for applying to this fellowship and how it will better prepare you for future professional goals..

  • This is often something you will need to articulate directly in your personal statement; however, getting your letter recommenders on the same page about your professional goals will help the application come across as more cohesive!

    • So if you state that you want to attend a PHD program in Latin American studies after the fellowship; this is something that your professor needs to know before writing the letter.

Lastly, you want to make sure that your letter is submitted. It’s completely okay to reach out about a week in advance if the letter has not yet been submitted. Most professors understand the importance of submitting on time and will be prompt about submitting it.

You’ll also want to make sure to send a thank you note. You can do this after you hear the results of the application.

I once had a student who asked me for two letters of recommendation while she was at Fordham. One was for an internship and the other was for law school. When she got into Notre Dame Law, she sent me a blue speckled mug with the Notre Dame logo. This meant a lot to me and is one of my favorite mugs in my (very large) mug collection.

Who should applicants ask to write letters?

When it comes the time to carry out these steps, you will also be faced with the decision of who to ask. You always want to review the application requirements first, understanding how many letters you will need (typically 2 to 3) and if there are any stipulations about who should write the letters; most applications will expect you to ask your professors but some state that they also want someone who knows you outside of the classroom such as a coach, work supervisor, or community leader.

The most important thing to keep in mind when selecting someone to write the letter is that they know you well and are enthusiastic about writing the letter. Even if a professor is well known in their field, if they do not know you well or do not seem to care much about their students, chances are not likely that they will write a strong letter.

I recommend that you ask someone who knows you well, seems to generally care about their students, can speak to your skills and qualifications that are relevant to the opportunity or whose discipline relates to the opportunity. You will likely end up choosing different professors for different reasons.

If you are unsure about this decision, talk to someone! You can always reach out to an advisor at the fellowships office or speak to your academic advisor.

What can you do to prepare now?

Securing great letters of recommendation (i.e. those that are specific, anecdote-driven, and tailored to opportunity) starts years before the application deadline. It takes time to get to know someone well enough that they can speak to your character, professional interests, and personal growth.

Some ways you can maintain positive and authentic relationships with your professors include:

• Speak up in class; engage authentically with course material.

• Visit office hours; seek advice from profs; share your academic and professional goals

• Do your best to perform well academically in the class.

• Maintain relationships with select professors; take a second course with a professor whose research and values align with your own.

I hope this presentation was useful. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to myself or another advisor in our office.