Asking for Letter of Recommendation?
If you seek a professional recommendation from me, there are different types of recommendations that are offered. See the different Recommendation Types below and determine which type applies to you.
In general, professors expect to be asked for recommendations, it is both a pleasure and extra work to write recommendations for students.
To better facilitate the recommendation process and perhaps enhance your own recommendation follow these general instructions:
IMPORTANT!
(a) When asking for recommendation come prepared, know specifics about who and what of the graduate program or employer. At the beginning of the process, I usually have some initial questions about the program or position.
(b) If I agree to give you a recommendation, you should have a plan in place. You should know specific information about the application, such as requirements and deadlines.
(c) Please consider how much time you are giving me to write and send your letter of recommendation. Do not wait to the last minute and expect me to rush in writing your recommendation. Thus, prepare and plan ahead.
(d) My desire is to write the best letter of recommendation I can for you. Thus, when selecting a Recommendation Type follow the instructions carefully. Good Luck.
NOW START HERE:
Recommendation Types (See Below)
Kusakabe Kimbei (1841 - 1934)
Four Recommendation Types
A. Graduate School Letter of Recommendation
B. CNU’s MAT Program Letter of Recommendation
C. Letter of Recommendation for Employment
D. General Recommendation as a Reference
A. Graduate School Letter of Recommendation
If I accept to write you a Letter of Recommendation, then you accept the following:
I need a month (at least) to prepare, process, and write the letter. Thus, you need to plan and deliver to me your Graduate Student Package (outlined below) before four weeks of the first graduate school application due date.
Graduate Student Package
Please give me the following:
1. Information about each program and specific Graduate Degree Program you are applying to (e.g., Clinical Psychology, Applied Psychology, …).
2. The most important piece of information is each applications Deadline or Due Date.
3. Address where (and who) the application is to be sent.
4. If there is a specific graduate program form, make sure that you have filled out the relevant information required of you before giving the form to me.
5. Your three GPAs: Over-all-GPA; GPA for last two years (Junior & Senior); and GPA within your major.
6. Vita or Resume (see Examples of My Students' Vita)
7. Course and Grade CNU Transcript
8. Your Statement of Purpose or Goals as required by most graduate program applications (see Examples of Application Materials)
9. Stamped Envelopes with both the graduate school’s address and my CNU return address. You can get CNU envelopes from me for this purpose.
10. Finally, please give an Excel List of the Schools and information mentioned above to best assist me in organizing this effort. (see Examples of Application Materials)
11. Also, place all materials above into a folder with your name on it.
REMEMBER: The above materials are necessary for me to assist you. Do your best to comply.
Other Important Points:
I do NOT write letters of recommendation during holidays or school breaks. During these times I am busy with family, friends and travel.
I do NOT participate in the “sealed envelope” process, where I submit to you a letter of recommendation within a sealed and signed envelope. I realize that some schools ask applicants to request from professors to submit letters of recommendations in this way. I choose not to comply with this process. If this is a problem for your application, then please seek an alternative person to write this letter of recommendation.
B. CNU’s MAT Program Letter of Recommendation
If I accept to write you a Letter of Recommendation, then you accept the following:
I need from 24 hours to a week to write your letter of recommendation. Please confer with me on the deadlines, expectations, and any issues concerning your application. Also, please either give me the MAT Program recommendation form directly or drop it off at the Department of Psychology’s Main Office. Do not tape or slide the application form to or under my office door.
C. Letter of Recommendation for Employment
If I accept to write you a Letter of Recommendation, then you accept the following:
I need a month (at least) to prepare, process, and write the letter. Thus, you need to plan and deliver to me the information below four weeks before the due date.
Please give me the following:
1. Information about the position, employer, why you are seeking this position, your strengths (KSAs) that qualify you for this position, what courses you took from me at CNU, and any academic achievements (e.g., awards, papers written, conferences attended, or other outstanding outcomes) you may want me to know when preparing your letter.
2. Give me heads up on when the employer might call or need a reference from me.
3. Your three GPAs: Over-all-GPA; GPA for last two years (Junior & Senior); and GPA within your major.
4. Vita or Resume (see Examples of My Students' Vita)
5. Course and Grade CNU Transcript
6. Also, place all materials above into a folder with your name on it.
REMEMBER: The above materials are necessary for me to assist you. Do your best to comply.
D. General Recommendation as a Reference
Employers often want you to present references as part of your employment application. Employers contact references usually through e-mails or phone calls.
If I accept to be a reference for you, then you accept the following:
Please give me the following:
1. Information about the position, employer, why you are seeking this position, your strengths (KSAs) that qualify you for this position, what courses you took from me at CNU, and any academic achievements (e.g., awards, papers written, conferences attended, or other outstanding outcomes) you may want me to know when speaking on your behalf.
2. Give me heads up on when the employer might call or need a reference from me.
3. Your three GPAs: Over-all-GPA; GPA for last two years (Junior & Senior); and GPA within your major.
4. Vita or Resume (see Examples of My Students' Vita)
5. Course and Grade CNU Transcript
6. Also, place all materials above into a folder with your name on it.
REMEMBER: The above materials are necessary for me to assist you. Do your best to comply.