Rec Letters

 

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What are recommendation letters for?

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Employers and application review committees use the letters as part of your application package to decide if they want to pick you.

Typical application package:

1. Cover letter/personal statement
2. Recommendation letters
3. CV/resume
4. Transcript
5. Standardized test scores

 

How many letters will I need?

• 5 for pre-professional health committee for medical or dental school
• 3 for biology-related PhD programs
• ~2 for many jobs
• 1-2 for research fellowships

 

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Steps to asking someone to write a Letter of Recommendation:

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1. Email and ask the (potential) writer if they can write you a positive letter of recommendation. Ask what information they would like from you. Most writers request 2-4 weeks minimum notice.
2. Set up a meeting with the writer.
3. Send all the necessary documents to the writer (name the files with your name and type of file. Example: J_Smith_Resume.pdf)
   • Letter of Recommendation Worksheet
   • Resume
   • Personal Statement
   • Complete list of specific schools and programs you are applying to with:
     • Due date
     • Method of submission
     • Link to the program description website
4. Close to the due date, send one polite reminder email.
5. Send a thank you note after the letter is written.
6. Once you decide which fellowship/grad program/etc. you will participate in, let the writer kow.
7. Keep in touch.

 

Here are some worksheets to use when soliciting a letter of recommendation:

Planning to Solicit a LOR Worksheet

Letter of Recommendation Worksheet (to give your letter writers)

Competencies Handout

 

 

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Letter Writer pet peeves:

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• Not enough lead time: Initial contact, follow up contact(s)
• Unorganized package & information
  • All documents should be in consistent format—files saved with your name_type (Ex. Kaufmann_CV_feb2014).
• Missing information
  • Demonstrate your organization—make a check list and check it twice.
• Poorly written resumes and personal statements
  • Ask your letter writer to give you comments and suggestions if they have time.
• Student panic on due date—there is flexibility. Trust your letter writer. Do follow up.
• Not identifying yourself—names, class section, other identifiers.
• Never hearing if they got in or where they went. We want to celebrate you! We want to learn so we can help future students.

 

Words of caution:

• Writers (and employers, etc.) may google you before they write a letter
• Expect all interactions to be taken into account
• Be polite and professional in emails, before/after class, during class, etc.

 

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Letter of Recommendation Competencies

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# Top competencies employers look for in employees - Forbes Magazine

% Core competencies for entering Medical Students - AAMC(American Association of Medical Colleges)

! Competencies for Research Fellows - NSF(National Science Foundation)

Thinking, Reasoning, & Science critical thinking % quantitative reasoning & analysis # % ! scientific inquiry % intellectual merit ! technical knowledge & skills # & science knowledge % obtain & process information # ability to perform creative research ! %

Intrapersonal ethical responsibility % reliability & dependability % resilience & adaptability % ! capacity for improvement % make decisions & solve problems # plan, organize, & prioritize work # motivation to succeed ! work independently !

Interpersonal  service orientation % !  social skills %  cultural competence % !  teamwork # % !  oral communication # %  written communication # % !  leadership skills !  ability to sell & influence others #