LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Whether you are registering with the University's Career
Services Center, applying to graduate programs in psychology or some
other area, or searching for a vocational position, you will most probably
be asked to furnish letters of recommendation from your major professors.
Perhaps you will be given forms to be completed by your referee, or perhaps
the letters can be generated by the referee. In any event, there is a protocol
to be followed when asking someone to serve as a referee.
Ask for a letter well before the date it is due. Nothing is more irritating
to the referee than to be asked to write a letter of recommendation under
pressure.
Ask the referee cordially and formally. It is appropriate to make an appointment with the person you are asking to provide a reference for you. Your request involves a significant amount of time and effort on the part of your referee; ask politely and sensitively.
Be sure to supply the following information as a minimum: full name; major classes taken (also when and grade earned) from the referee and other classes taken in the department; relevant classes taken in other departments; special skills or talents; statement of career interests and goals; list of professionally relevant extracurricular and summer activities; honors; professional associations; formal research experience (papers written, read, submitted for publication); and anything else which would serve to identify you and your strengths. Look at a standard recommendation form to get an idea of the information asked for. What is asked for, you provide.
Also, provide the full name, title, and complete mailing address of the person to whom a letter should be written. Be sure you have completed all parts of forms that are your responsibility.
Provide the referee prestamped and addressed envelopes.
Prepare a selfaddressed (to you), stamped postcard with the message on the back: "To (whomever the letter of recommendation is to be sent): Please mail this card if a letter of recommendation concerning me has been received from (whomever you are asking to write)." Sign your name, and ask the referee to include it with his or her letter or form. If you do not receive the card in a few weeks, check on the status of the letter.
Be sure to indicate for what purpose the letter is being written, (e.g., Master of Science program in child development, probation officer for juvenile substance abuse offenders, etc.). The more specific the purpose, the more specific (and pertinent) the letter.
Be sure to indicate to your referee the date each recommendation is due.
Increasingly, graduate schools are asking that letters be returned to the student who then mails the complete application package. If this is the case, make your referee aware that the envelope is to be returned to you and indicate the date you wish to receive it.
Waive your rights to read the letter or form. Recipients place more credence in letters which are not read by students. If you are in doubt about the kind of recommendation the referee will write, ask.
A survey conducted by Patricia Keith-Spiegel found the following behaviors admired or appreciated by faculty who write letters of recommendation for students:
Student Behavior in the Classroom
Seems very interested in the course
Usually has a very good answer to your questions to the class
Very attentive during lecture
Disagrees with your opinions or points, but in a respectful way
Asks lots of reasonably well formulated questions in class
Almost never misses a class
Helps other students by sharing lecture notes.
Student Behavior Outside of Class (fairly regular and current)
Drops by office occasionally to briefly comment on a discuss something
from your lecture
Comes to your office often during office hours asking for assistance with
the class material
Smiles and says "hi" when you pass in the hall.
Personal Characteristics as Gleaned from Interaction With the Student
Highly motivated to achieve
Responsible and dependable
Professional and mature in manner and attitude
Very likeable.
Miscellaneous Behaviors and Characteristics
Top student in your class
Puts that "extra" effort into a term paper or class assignment
Top 5% (GPA) of graduating class
Shows up frequently to departmental colloquia or other lectures/programs
sponsored by the department
Known as a student who can always be called on to help with departmental
events
Average student in your class, but very enthusiastic, hard working and
likeable
Active in governance in Psi Chi or departmental psychology club
Clean, neat and well-groomed.