Policy on Letters of Recommendation

Few things in my job please me more than sending a strong letter of recommendation for a well-deserved student. Whether for graduate school, internship, a job, an award, or some other honor, letters of recommendation are often part of a package of materials reviewers consider when evaluating your candidacy for their program.

The vast majority of letters are positive, which can make it difficult to distinguish yourself from the rest of the pack. A strong letter goes well beyond generic compliments like “motivated,” “hard worker,” and “intelligent.” Reviewers know those words apply to most people at your stage. Instead, a strong letter may (1) support what you have expressed in your application, (2) add additional information on your qualifications, (3) demonstrate you are someone the institution can bring on board, and (4) demonstrate you are someone the institution should bring on board (even with other strong applicants available).

If you are interested in a letter of recommendation from me, below are a few guidelines that will help assure you’re getting a strong letter.

1. I should know you… not just your name and face. Having multiple classes with me (make sure to participate), meeting during office hours, doing clinical work under my supervision, and doing research with me are all excellent ways for me to get to know you as a student.

2. Do well! Earn good grades in my classes or do good work as a clinical trainee or research assistant.

3. Be respectful. Places want to know that you’ll not only do good work but also be good to work with (this is particularly vital in the clinical world). Be respectful to your class peers and your clients. Show that you are reliable (e.g., show up for scheduled meetings on time). Take constructive feedback in stride and show you can grow from it.

4. I should know not just the letter’s purpose, but why you want to go that route. If you have not figured out this part, now is the time! This will also help you prepare for grad school/internship/job interviews, as you are almost assured of being asked, “Why did you apply here?” right off the bat. We can chat about this in my office or via email.

5. Be proactive and prepared. Have you ever put together an assignment at the last second and thought, "That would have been so much better if I had more time"? The same applies to your professors. It takes time to write a strong letter of recommendation, and you are doing yourself a disservice if you ask for a letter at the last second.

I require at least one month’s notice before your earliest deadline. In addition, I need all relevant materials a minimum of two weeks in advance (not just a note that you need a letter). This includes the following materials:

A list of deadlines and mailing instructions (e.g., where to send, how to send, and to whom to address)

Your CV or résumé

Any required forms (completed as much as possible)

Note that the more letters you are asking for, the more advanced notice you should give.

6. Feel free to send me reminder emails. I will let you know when to expect your letter and will make every effort to notify you when it has been completed and sent. I do not mind if you follow up with me if you have not heard from me when expected. Make sure other professors are okay with this before you do this with them, though!

7. Keep in touch! I love hearing about the great things my students are doing. If I wrote you a letter, it’s because I think highly of you and want to see you get where you want to go with your career. Let me know how things worked for you!