Asking for a Letter of Recommendation: Do's and Don'ts

The letter of recommendation is a critical component of your graduate school admissions application, yet is entirely dependent on someone else -- your professor. How you request a letter influences professors' responses and ultimately the quality of your letter of recommendation.

Dont ask for a recommendation letter by email.

Don’t spring it on the faculty member. Don’t ask before or after class, in the hall, or at any other random time.

Arrange an appointment, explaining that you wish to discuss your plans to apply to graduate school. This gives the professor a heads up and a chance to think about whether he or she can write a helpful letter on your behalf.

Don’t ask, “could you write a letter?” Instead ask, “Do you feel that you are able to write a letter supporting my application to graduat school." Ask whether the faculty member feels that he or she can write a "helpful letter." You don’t need any old letter – you need a good letter.

Prepare. Be prepared to discuss the type of degree you seek, programs to which you applying, how you arrived at your choices, goals for graduate study, future aspirations, and why you believe the faculty member is a good candidate to write a letter of your behalf.

Give the faculty member enough time to write a good letter. Writing a letter of recommendation isn’t easy. Ask at least a month before the due date. Earlier is better.

Remember to tell the professor the application due date.

Don’t make faculty rush as it will result in an average or even mediocre letter. When every recommendation letter an admissions committee receives is stellar, average will hurt your application.

Give the professor what he or she needs to write an informed letter, including recommendation forms, transcript, essays, and other essential information.

Print out information for each program so that faculty have the information they need to tailor your application to the program.

Be neat. Place all of your documentation in a folder and neatly label each item. Clip each recommendation form to supporting documentation, relevant admissions essays, and a stamped envelope. Use a sticky note to mark the deadline on each. Neatness counts because it gives faculty the impression that you are organized and it makes their job easier.

Ask for input on your choices and overall advice. If the faculty member offers to review your admissions essay, take him or her up on it – and use their advice to improve your essay.

Pay attention to signals that faculty member does not want to write a letter on your behalf. Anything other than a glowing letter can harm your application. You don’t want a lukewarm letter – it’s the kiss of death.

Take no for an answer. If a faculty declines to write you a letter, don’t push. He or she is doing you a favor