Letters of recommendation sample?

How to ask recommendation letters in US

• Hi, I am a foreign student from taiwan. I obtained my M.S. degree at the U.S. and would like to apply for a Ph.D degree. Due to the different culture of the two countries, I don't know how to ask my professors to write recommendation letters for me. I preferred sending them e-mails first, asking if they are willing to do so. I'd appreciate sample letters of this kind of email or information of how to write them politely. Thanks. Ao-Jan

• Answer:

  Hi Ao-Jan and congratulations on your decision to work towards a PhD. In general, the best letters of recommendation should be from professors who: - Have worked with you closely (e.g., a research supervisor) - Have known you long enough to write with authority (e.g., academic advisor) - Have relevant expertise - Are senior and well known (e.g., a departmental chair) - Have a positive opinion of you and your abilities The last is particularly important. A mildly positive letter from someone who doesn't really know you can actually do you more harm than good. Since you are applying to a PhD program, make sure that at least two out of the three recommendations come from people within your field (or from a field that is closely related to the one you are about to enter. I understand that you'd like to begin with an initial email to your professors. My suggestion would be to use the email to 1) Make sure the individual feels they know you well enough to write a meaninful letter. 2) Make an appointment (three to four weeks minimum from the time you'll need the letter) to speak with them in person and to provide a file with your background information. It's to your advantage to talk to the the person face-to-face; not only does this allow you to clarify any doubts about the request, it automatically conveys to the recommendation writer just how important this letter is to you. Here is the type of background information you should bring to your recommendation writers: - Your overall GPA - a list of courses you have taken, and grades earned - Your minor if you have one - The titles and abstracts of any research papers you have written - Honor societies to which you belong - Awards that you have won - Activities in which you have participated (and any offices held) - A description of your goals With this information, you can help your writers make their best possible case for you. As to the initial email itself, I've provided an example below, but suggest that you simply use it as a guideline for your own personalized request: Dear <>: I'd like to request your help in support of my Ph.D. application through a letter of recommendation. To that end, if you feel comfortable writing such a letter, I'd like to schedule an appointment with you at your earliest convenience to discuss my courses and activities during my graduate studies here, as well as my future plans. To help you comment on my activities and academics, I'll bring a file of material detailing my background information to our meeting. I also plan on asking <names of other professors> for letters of recommendations. The letter will be due <at least 4 weeks in the future>, so I would like to schedule our meeting soon to allow you adequate time. I very much appreciate your support and look forward to speaking with you soon. sincerely, <> Hope that helps. Best of luck! regards, rico Search strategy and additional links: sample request +for recommendation ://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=sample+request++%2Bfor+recommendation+letter