Letters of Recommendation
Most programs will require a submission of academic letters of recommendation. Recommendation letters are documents that tell the reader about the unique strengths and assets you have to offer. A recommendation is only beneficial if it is very positive. A poor or average recommendation does not help and can even hinder your chances of entering the program.
It's important to provide the recommender with enough time (at least 3-4 weeks) to write a letter. In addition to providing sufficient time, it is your responsibility to provide them with some additional information to strengthen your recommendation.
What to give your recommenders:
- Copy of your resume
- Paragraph about your future career goals and how graduate study fits in
- List of schools/programs you are applying to with appropriately organized deadlines
You may need to be persistent with your letter writers. Remember that they are very busy and will typically have more than one letter to write. After someone has written a letter for you, remember to send them a thank you note.