This article provides a guide on obtaining recommendation letters at U.S. universities, including how to select a reference, choose the right timing, and enhance your chances of getting one.
Recommendation letters are crucial for job and school applications. For F-1 students, a strong recommendation letter can enhance their chances of being accepted by a desired company or school.
How to Choose the Right Reference?
When choosing a reference for a job or graduate school application, make sure you find someone who is closely familiar with your work and achievements. For instance, a professor who has overseen your research projects and with whom you have a strong rapport should be able to write convincingly about your abilities.
In general, your thesis or dissertation advisors, as well as professors for whom you have served as a research or teaching assistant, will be able to write convincingly about your work. Additionally, professors with tenure-tracked positions are likely to be seen as more authoritative than graduate teaching assistants, postdocs, or adjunct faculty.
Equally important is choosing a reference that matches the nature of your application. Approaching your anthropology professor to write a recommendation letter for a computer science program would not be ideal. If you are looking for a job, it is more ideal to ask for a letter from a professor with industry experience or from a manager you worked with during an internship.
How and When to Ask for a Recommendation?
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When approaching potential recommenders, make sure you contact them well in advance of your application deadlines (usually 1-2 months before). If the timeline is too tight, they might decline your request.
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You can ask for a recommendation letter during a one-on-one conversation, such as office hours. Remember to clearly explain the purpose of the application and the timeline.
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You can also ask by sending an email that details the purpose of the application, the deadlines, and how the recommender's endorsement can highlight your strengths and qualifications. If you have lost touch with the recommender for a while, you can include materials such as papers, projects, or other work to jog their memory.
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Remind your recommender two weeks before the deadline. If they have not submitted the letter three days before the deadline, you can remind them again.
Strategies for Obtaining Recommendation Letters
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Actively participate in class discussions by offering meaningful insights and asking thoughtful questions to leave a positive impression on the professor.
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Visit the professor during office hours to discuss course topics. When working on an important assignment or paper, you can share your ideas with the professor and get feedback. One-on-one academic exchanges are more memorable than class discussions. However, avoid going to office hours just to make an appearance, as this can be easily detected by professors.
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Treat your assignments seriously. Some professors may ask for previously submitted work along with their feedback when you ask for a recommendation. Thus, showing tangible examples of your coursework can effectively demonstrate your abilities to the reference.
What to Avoid?
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Don’t choose referees based solely on their titles or reputation. Many students often overestimate the importance of a recommendation from someone with exceptional credentials. In fact, choosing an assistant professor who is familiar with your work is generally a better option than choosing a leading name in your field if that person is less familiar with your performance.
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Don’t request to review the letter. Many programs and companies will ask that your recommenders either submit their letters directly or sign across the seal of an envelope. Others may allow you to waive these requirements. However, doing so might be seen unfavorably, as it could compromise the veracity of the letter.
Maintain Contact with Your Recommenders
Regardless of the result of your application, you should inform your recommenders of the result and thank them for their assistance. This shows respect and helps maintain a positive relationship for future interactions.