- Always ask if the recommender can provide a positive letter of recommendation.
- Always send a link to the program you’re applying to as a courtesy to your letter writer.
- Always provide the name of the degree you’re seeking and the department/division/college/etc. the letter should be addressed to. It makes letterhead looks nice and some applications go directly to the division, department or program but many go to the the Graduate School.
- Always provide the name and title of the person(s) or committee to whom I am writing (unless I am merely filling in a form)
- Always provide the date the letter is due.
- Always try to ask a month ahead of time for me because I’m slow!
- Always provide the essay or statement that you are submitting to the school and why you are applying.
- Always provide the courses you’ve taken with your reference along with dates and any positive remarks made about your work in those courses.
- Always provide any outside of class activities and dates, accomplishments and accolades.
- Always provide any awards, citations etc. that would have an impact for a recommendation.
- Always provide your resume/cv/bio or all 3.
- Always provide your website and/or any other important links.
Better your reference have more than they need instead of not enough!
In the words of my former colleague and Asparagus Festival Booking Agent Marcel Rotter (Make sure to read it in a German Accent):
Please know that I request this information, because it helps me personalize your letter and tailor it to your application. The more you help me, the more I can help you. Otherwise, the letter will be filled with common formulations, and frankly, meaningless platitudes, which selection committees will certainly recognize. In other words: if you can’t sell yourself to me, I can’t sell you to someone else.
