Tips for Asking Professors to Write a Letter of Recommendation
If possible, choose a professor with whom you’ve had personal interactions.
For example:
o Did you sit in the front row or frequently contribute to discussions in a class you were
passionate about?
o Did you visit a professor during office hours to learn more?
o Have you had any outside-of-the classroom interactions with any of your professors,
such as academic advising, mentoring, research experience, etc?
o You’re likely going to have to submit your CV and/or transcript with your applications
for summer research experiences, so make sure that your recommenders can say
something personal about you that isn’t reflected elsewhere, like your dedication and
hard work to succeed in a difficult class, your ability to work well with others in class or
lab, your passion for the field of study, etc.
o You can choose to ask your recommender in person or via email. If you ask in person,
make sure to give him/her the option of letting you know later (so he/she does not have
to respond on the spot). If you ask via email, be sure to include information about
yourself, a little bit about why you need a letter of recommendation, and why you chose
to ask that particular professor (for example, did you demonstrate a particular skill or
trait well in that professor’s course?).
Ask if your professor feels like he or she could write you a strong/positive letter.
Try to avoid simply asking your professor to write you a letter of recommendation—you want to
be sure that your professor feels that he or she can write a good review for you. Also make sure
that you give professors the opportunity to politely decline your request—you’re better off
getting a letter from someone who can write a positive review rather than a lukewarm
recommendation.
If your professor agrees to write you a recommendation, make the process as easy as possible for him
or her to write you a strong letter!
You may choose to set up a time to meet with your professor or visit him or her during office
hours so you can have a conversation with him or her about your goals for summer research
experiences.
Provide your letter writer with the information they need about you and about the programs
you are applying to.
o Consider giving them a folder with things like a summary, your CV, unofficial transcript,
graded papers from a class you took with that professor, a short list of accomplishments
or qualities you might like them to highlight about you, or anything else that might help
them write you a strong letter. Always provide them with a simple table or list of the
programs you are applying to and the specific requirements of each. See below for
examples.
o If letters must be sent via regular mail, include pre-addressed labels and a stamp for
convenience.
Ask for all of your letters by one “due date”—this keeps it simple for your letter writers, and
relieves stress on you! Make sure to check your earliest due date, and ask that your letters be
completed at least a day or two in advance.
*Here is how a summary for your information folder might look:
Request for Letters of Recommendation
For Summer Research Programs
Letter Writer: Professor Name, PhD
Applicant Name: Your Name
Personal Contacts:
Fall 2012 Psychology 101, Section 1 (Final Grade: A)
Spring 2011-Present Psi Chi Advisor
I am applying to the following summer research programs:
1. Awesome Research Lab
2. Scientific Superstars Summer Program
3. Really Rad Research Program
Please submit letters by: XX/XX/XX
See attached for copies of:
CV
Unofficial transcript
Graded papers from your class (if you have them)
(or anything else that might help your letter writer create a strong recommendation!)
Table with details about each of the programs I am applying to
A brief list of some things about your performance in their class that they may want to note, i.e.,
o Excellent attendance
o Clearly attentive, sat in the front row
o Frequent active participation
o Supportive team contributor for group projects, received highest ratings from group
members
o Consistent “A” grades in class and displayed strong critical thinking skills on term-papers
(as per your comments)
*Here is how a table about your programs might look:
Summer Research Program
Brief Description
Requirements for Letter Writers
Awesome Research Lab
An 8-week research program
focused on investigating a super
awesome topic I’m interested in.
This program also offers a GRE
preparation course!
Letter must not exceed one
page. Letter must be sent to:
Dr. Iz Amazing
Awesome Research Lab
Best University Ever
PO Box 123
Denver, CO 80202
*Address label and stamp
enclosed.
Scientific Superstars Summer
Program
A 10-week research program
focused on another really cool
topic. Students have the
opportunities to learn about
these great lab techniques.
Students also learn how to
create posters and get to
present their findings at the
Superstars Conference.
Letter must be submitted online
at:
www.website.edu
Really Rad Research Program
A 10-week research program
focused on investigating the link
between one really cool topic
and another. Students in this
program work closely with
graduate students and faculty,
and have the opportunity to
deliver an oral presentation at a
regional conference.
Recommenders must complete a
brief online recommendation
form, which can be found at:
www.website.edu
