How to request a recommendation letter or reference

Every undergraduate needs them - good references! You should be thinking about references from the moment you start college. It is important to make good impressions and make connections, so that a faculty member is ready to offer you a great recommendation when you need it. When you ask a faculty member for a recommendation letter, it is best to do it in person. Ask only someone who you believe will give you a positive recommendation. If a faculty member is reluctant to write you a letter or be a reference, take that as a sign to ask someone else. We usually only want to write positive recommendations and if we have negative experiences, we will typically be honest and report those along with any positive things we have to say. If a faculty member agrees, provide several weeks for the professor to write the letter (we are busy people!).

If you are requesting that a faculty member write a letter of recommendation for you, please provide them with the following information. (They may also be a good person to critique your materials.)

1. current CV or resume

2. unofficial transcript

3. GRE scores

4. your personal statement or essay

5. schools/programs where you are applying, their due dates, and how letters will be submitted (email, hard copy)

6. short list of what information you would like to be highlighted in your letter