If you would like me to write letters of recommendation for an award, admission to graduate school, or a faculty role, we must meet to discuss your goals. Please schedule a time to meet with me by using my online scheduler for an appointment. 

 

Please supply drafts of your writing sample and personal statement when we meet. 

 

 I will give you an honest assessment of the kind of letter I feel I can write for you, either at our meeting or after giving it some thought. To present a competitive portfolio, you only want enthusiastic, glowing letters in your file to present a competitive portfolio. I am able to write best for students who have shown me that they already possess the qualities necessary to succeed in graduate school. 

 

Generally speaking, students who go on to succeed in graduate school and the professoriate have: 

• Earned an A- or higher in classes they took with me

• Contributed to class discussion (quality counts more than quantity)

• Demonstrated professional student behavior (regular attendance, punctuality, following directions)

• Showed independence and maturity

• Please follow the instructions below if we agree that I will write on your behalf. 

 

One month before the earliest deadline, complete the form after this check box and provide a PDF containing the following:

 

1. Your transcript (unofficial copy is fine).

2. CV. This is your resume formatted in academic style. See web resources. 

3. Personal Statement draft(s). If only small amounts of information are different in your various personal statements, one representative statement will do. An advanced draft of a personal statement is acceptable.

4. If you still have them, include a sample assignment or paper that you completed in my course. If you have completed it, a draft of the writing sample that you will be submitting with your graduate applications. 

5. Completed forms for any schools requiring mailed recommendations. You need to have filled out the student information section and indicated whether you waive your right to see the recommendation. Waiving your right to see your letters of recommendation makes committees take those letters more seriously. SIGN your forms! 

6. An organized list of all schools, including application due dates in chronological order with the earliest deadline first, the specific program and area to which you are applying, and an indication of what needs to happen with each letter of recommendation. This should include the name and mailing address of the department to which you are applying so that I can personalize each letter. 

7. Separately from the PDF, add the links to online recommendation sites as you complete your applications in the next section.

8. Every few weeks during the deadline period, send an updated list (see #6) of schools and deadlines to indicate whether or not you have submitted your online application.

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