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Recommendation LettersDue to the overwhelming number of requests that I receive over the course of a semester, as well as the amazing amount of time that it takes to be thoughful and put together each individual letter, I have instituted the following policy for providing recommendation letters for students. It's not that I mind doing them, I'm more than happy to provide you with an endorsement for a job or a scholarship. However, it is not the easiest task for students with whom I am not very familiar or may not be our best students. Follow the steps below to be able to get a letter of recommendation from me. Step 1: Do you qualify for me to write you a recommendation letter? Here are the criteria: 1. You need to have completed at least two of my courses. In addition, you need to have earned a grade of B or better in all courses taken from me, and have at least a 2.75 GPA overall. 2. I should have had at least some contact with you outside of class. For example, since I am your advisor have we talked about any specifics regarding your life or career? Have we chatted in the hall on a regular basis? Maybe you have volunteered for something around the department that I have asked for help with, or you could have worked with me on some other project or group, or you could have attended a professional meeting or conference where I was also in attendance. I need to know that you do more than just go to class. Step 2: Will I write you a recommendation letter? Come to my office to talk about the recommendation letter well in advance of when you need the letter. Ask me if I have the time to write the letter and if I would feel comfortable writing a supportive and positive recommendation letter for you. Even though you will write the initial recommendation letter, it must be honest and factual. When approached to write a recommendation, I have to ask myself if I honestly know you well enough. Just because you meet the minimum criteria described in Step 1, does not mean that I know you well enough to support your application for graduate school, a job or a scholarship. I would rather decline writing you a recommendation letter than to write you a vague, ambivalent or irrelevant one, or to have to attempt to tap dance around the fact that you aren't a stellar student. Step 3: If you meet the above criteria, you need to complete the following: 1. Use the Recommendation letter template as found on my website. This should be your starting point so that the letter is formatted correctly for our letterhead and has my correct title and information on it. 2. Write a recommendation letter for yourself as if I wrote it. Be as specific as possible. Examples are crucial. I might remember that you were "a hard worker" but may have forgotten that you set up something extra for the class on your own. I may remember that you are "extremely bright" but may have forgotten that you tutored some of your fellow students in class as well. This is why I have you initially write your own recommendation letter. The better you write the initial draft, the better the final letter will be. You need to include the following information in your recommendation letter: a. How long have I known you and in what capacity? b. When and what classes have you taken from me and what was the grade you received in each? c. How have I observed you outside of class? d. What characteristics set you apart from others? For example, some characteristics you might consider including are: o ability to analyze problems and formulate solutions o ability to follow through, complete projects, and meet deadlines o analytical ability o creativity and imagination o dependability o independence o initiative o integrity o intellectual potential o interpersonal skills/teamwork o leadership potential o maturity/self-confidence o motivation o oral communication skills o perseverance o potential for career advancement o willingness to accept responsibility o written communication skills Remember to give specific examples and see resume for a list of action words (resume.htm). e. What projects or papers have I seen of yours that would demonstrate your creativity, intelligence, writing abilities, or technical skills? f. Is there any other pertinent information that you would like contained in the recommendation letter? 3. Your recommendation letter should be in Microsoft Word format. When complete, send the letter to me as an e-mail attachment. You need to e-mail me your recommendation letter at least one week before you need it. Make sure that your e-mail details when you need the recommendation letter completed and what I’m to do with it once I’m finished. If you are going to include it in your application packet, I will provide the finished letter on ET Department letterhead and sealed in a Department envelope with my name signed across the seal. I can also mail the letter to the proper individuals if so desired. In reality the only thing I should need to do is sign my name, however I will most likely add some of my own touches to the letter prior to sending it on its way. Step 4: What also needs to be included? If this letter is for admission to graduate school, please submit the appropriate forms that I may need to fill out on the same day that you send the recommendation letter via e-mail. Make sure your recommendation letter addresses the questions asked in the graduate application. If the letter is going to be a part of a scholarship application, make sure you address the questions pertinent to the scholarship (leadership, scholarship, interest in the field, etc.) and again submit the appropriate forms that I may need to fill out on the same day that you send the recommendation letter via e-mail.
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