advice on asking for a letter of reference?

[mystal]

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What are you supposed to say? When is an appropriate time? This part always makes me nervous...

 

[Veggie Monster]

Ask on the days they are alert: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Time: After 9am; never in between lunch hours; before 5:00 PM.

Hi [her/his name],

This is [your name]. I was a former intern at blah blah. I'm apply to Yale, Columbia, and USC for grad school. I was wondering if you are willing to write a Letter of Rec on behalf of me?

👍

 

[healthdisparity]

What are you supposed to say? When is an appropriate time? This part always makes me nervous...

Be sure to include your Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement and Resume. This will allow them to hone in on particular aspects of your prior experience/expertise. Professors are paid to write letters of recommendation, don't sweat it. Just ask nice and with ample time for response.

 

[Porcupine]

Dear all,

I am still undecided about who to be my referees ... Can you advise me:
- I at first asked my current boss (an assistant professor) to write a ref letter. However, yesterday I saw a reference letter he wrote to someone (just by chance, I saw it in the research study's folder), which is very generic. Furthermore, he is very busy and may not be able to think of a good ref letter. However, I feel I must include his name because I have worked for him 2 years after I graduated and he is the only epidemiology professor in my list (I applied to Epi), so the ad com may expect some opinions from him. So..should I include him or not?

- How much do the big schools care about the acad title of the referee? I have a strong ref letter from the Director of my NGO (a small and unstructured NGO anyway). However, he does not have PhD and knows nothing about public health (he is doing business and this NGO is his part-time). UWashington makes it clear that they give much less weight for those without PhD and Public health background. Do other schools have same preference?

- Does the ad com give much less weight for the letters from those who (1) is not doing the supervising role (2) knows application for a short while. I knew and talked to a professor (full professor) last week. She is a famous and reputable professor, especially about health of Asian women. I left her a very good impression I think. But...what do the big schools judge the letter from her, who knew me only from 2 or 3 conversations?

I look forward to your advise/comments/opinions/experience & Good luck, guys

 

[mystal]

Thanks healthdisparity for your encouragement! 🙂 Two professors have agreed to write me recs so far, yipee!

Dear all,

I am still undecided about who to be my referees ... Can you advise me:
- I at first asked my current boss (an assistant professor) to write a ref letter. However, yesterday I saw a reference letter he wrote to someone (just by chance, I saw it in the research study's folder), which is very generic. Furthermore, he is very busy and may not be able to think of a good ref letter. However, I feel I must include his name because I have worked for him 2 years after I graduated and he is the only epidemiology professor in my list (I applied to Epi), so the ad com may expect some opinions from him. So..should I include him or not?

- How much do the big schools care about the acad title of the referee? I have a strong ref letter from the Director of my NGO (a small and unstructured NGO anyway). However, he does not have PhD and knows nothing about public health (he is doing business and this NGO is his part-time). UWashington makes it clear that they give much less weight for those without PhD and Public health background. Do other schools have same preference?

- Does the ad com give much less weight for the letters from those who (1) is not doing the supervising role (2) knows application for a short while. I knew and talked to a professor (full professor) last week. She is a famous and reputable professor, especially about health of Asian women. I left her a very good impression I think. But...what do the big schools judge the letter from her, who knew me only from 2 or 3 conversations?

I look forward to your advise/comments/opinions/experience & Good luck, guys

I think you should ask the first two and not the third. It's possible that the letter you saw on your boss's table was to someone he didn't know very well. I would suggest that you sit down with him and ask him what he could write about you in a recommendation. As awkward as that is, better to know now than later! I wouldn't ask for a reference from someone who you've only talked to a few times.

 

[Porcupine]

Thanks healthdisparity for your encouragement! 🙂 Two professors have agreed to write me recs so far, yipee!



I think you should ask the first two and not the third. It's possible that the letter you saw on your boss's table was to someone he didn't know very well. I would suggest that you sit down with him and ask him what he could write about you in a recommendation. As awkward as that is, better to know now than later! I wouldn't ask for a reference from someone who you've only talked to a few times.

Thanks mystal!

Any more comments or advice?

 

[paristokyo]

I've ben out of school for two years, but my 5th year in college was more working than taking classes. I have a professor whom i took three classes with that's writing me a LOR and my current boss at work. I think i'll be able to expect strong enough references from them.

My concern is the third one.. I've been asking around few of my past professors but it's been so long (3-4 years at most) that they don't remember me - I doubt that I'll be able to gain a strong one out of my academic professors. I noticed that for many schools, unless you've been out of school for 3 years, they recommend two LOR's to speak for your academic ability. Would it hurt my chances to have two references from work (my direct supervisor and my PI)? Or should I just try my best to obtain a so-so letter from another academic professor?

 

[LiteBear2011]

Being prepared with a copy of your CV also helps.

Also remember to send thank you notes.