Student Recommendations and Reference Letters

This information is for students who would like to request recommendation letters from me for applications for graduate school, GA positions, scholarships or employment references. I want to make sure that I can give fair and accurate recommendation, so please read the following before you request the recommendation:

Information to Send to Me

If I do not already have this information (from a research project you've worked on, etc.), please provide me with the following:

  • Resume and current transcript or degree audit
  • Paragraph on your future plans (personal statement)
  • Current list of schools, jobs, etc. where you are applying

Timeframe

You should formally ask me (via a professional email or in person) to write the letter of recommendation for you at least two weeks before the earliest due date.

Declining a Recommendation

For your sake and mine, you need me to be honest and helpful with my opinion of you. There may be times when I will have to decline a request for a recommendation because I don't know you well enough to comment on you or I think another faculty member be a better reference for you. I will let you know why if I decline, but please don't take it personally. If I have only known you for one class, I probably won't be able to offer a reference or recommendation. I do not provide recommendations on LinkedIn.