Recommendation Letters

If I have agreed to write a letter of recommendation for you, please send me an email or give me a folder containing the following information:

• an unofficial copy of your transcript,
• a copy of your personal statement (if applicable),
• a copy of your curriculum vitae or resume (if you have one), and
• a signed copy of the Letter of Recommendation Academic Information Release, and
• all necessary forms.

• What is your name, year, major, and minor?
• For what are you applying (e.g., scholarship, graduate school, summer research experience)? List the programs (in due date order) to which you are applying, together with due dates.
• How long have I known you (years and months), and what is my relationship to you (instructor, research advisor, etc.)?
• For what classes have I had you, what final grades did I assign you, and how did you distinguish yourself in my classes?
• How would you describe yourself? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? Your response to this question is important, so the more details the better.
• What are some of your academic and nonacademic accomplishments?
• What makes me particularly qualified to write a letter for you?
• What makes you particularly qualified for this position/honor/award?
• Are there any specific times you felt you shined in class or lab that I could write about?
• Were there extenuating circumstances that affected your performance in my class? If so, describe them.
• What are your long term goals and will this position/honor/award help? If so, how?
• Additional comments (REUs, summer research, interesting jobs, hobbies, etc.)?

Please send me email reminders as deadlines approach, and feel free to chat with me about other ways you can make the letter writing process go as smoothly as possible for you and your letter writers. Good luck!

William Turner
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
Wabash College