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Future employers sometimes require letters of recommendation, and grad
schools always do. Your professors can write letters for you. To write a
good letter, the professor must know more about you than the grade you received
in class. Your professor will be favorably impressed if you make efforts
to be an active participant in class, think about the class material outside
of class and ask interesting questions, or actively help students who are
struggling with the class material. Well written, thoughtful papers that
show special care and effort also impress professors.
To get the most meaningful letters, try to get to know a few of your professors
fairly well. You can get to know professors better by visiting them during
office hours. You are not intruding. Ask for career advice, or about topics
in which you sincerely share an interest. The very best way to get to know
professors well is to work with them on projects, either theirs or yours.
Professors actively involved in research are usually very grateful for assistance,
and perhaps can even pay for it. Most professors are happy to work with
students who want to do Independent Study that goes beyond material covered
in regular classes, if the project is meaningful.
Provide your references with relevant information about yourself, including
- papers you wrote for that person
- a biographical sketch describing jobs and volunteer work
- demonstrated talents
- aspects of your background that motivated you in your career direction.
You might also include a copy of the statement of purpose you have prepared
for your application to grad school.
In addition, figure out ways to help your letter writers address the skills, knowledge,
and qualities sought by the people who will be reading the letters, as described in
How to make yourself more attractive to grad schools or
How to make yourself more attractive to employers.
Before giving the required forms to your references
- Read all of them carefully.
- Fill out any information that's required, such as your name, the
name of the program to which you're applying, and whether you waive
your right of access to letters of recommendation sent to that institution,
etc.
- Make sure you know where the reference is supposed send them.
- Prepare an addressed, stamped envelope for each letter than you want.
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