Letter of Recommendation Guidelines

Writing letters of recommendation is an important and meaningful part of my role as a faculty member. I am excited to support you in your next steps! To ensure equity and feasibility, I ask that all letter requests follow the policy below.

1. Advance Notice

To allow sufficient time for a strong letter, I request the following minimum notice:

  • New letters of recommendation: At least 1 month (4 weeks) notice
  • Resubmitted or updated letters (e.g., reusing a prior letter with minor revisions): At least 2 weeks notice

I may not be able to accommodate requests that do not meet these timelines.

If this is a last-minute request, please first contact programs directly to inquire about their letter deadlines, which may be later than the stated application submission deadlines.

2. Supporting Materials

All materials should be submitted as soon as possible after the initial request. Incomplete supporting materials may delay letters or reduce the amount of supporting detail I can provide.

Please provide:

  • Current CV or résumé
  • Unofficial or official transcripts (if relevant)
  • Draft personal statement and/or research statement
  • Description of the program(s) or opportunities you are applying to
  • A brief paragraph explaining why my perspective is relevant, or what insights you would like me to highlight
    • (e.g., coursework taken with me, research supervision, mentorship, collaboration, or professional context)

You are also encouraged to include:

  • Key accomplishments, experiences, or extenuating circumstances I would be able to highlight or address
  • Any specific competencies or qualities the program emphasizes

3. Programs, Deadlines, and Timeline

You must provide a complete and organized list of all programs and opportunities for which you are requesting a letter.

This list must include:

  • Program/institution/opportunity name
  • Letter submission deadline
  • Submission method (e.g., online portal, email upload, centralized service)
  • Any specific prompts or criteria for the letter (if applicable, including accompanying forms)

Additional Notes

  • I assume letters are confidential and do not provide draft letters for review. Please let me know in advance if your expectations differ.
  • I will inform you if I do not feel I can write a strong and supportive letter. If so, I am happy to discuss alternative options if helpful.
  • I may not be able to accommodate some or all of your request if it does not meet the notice or documentation requirements.

I welcome discussion on any part of these guidelines, and thank you for reading. I look forward to working with you to support your goals.