'Info' sheet when asking for LOR?

[vin5cent0]

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I was told once by a Kaplan teacher that when I ask for a LOR, I should also provide a sheet of info about myself so that they can more personalize the letter. Is this actually recommended, and what should I put on it?

THanks

 

[matto]

You want to put your recommender in the best possible position to write an honest yet effective recommendation. The more they know you, the more they can honestly say.

 

[WhizoMD]

this may be a good idea, I just had a rough draft of my PS and unofficial transcripts ready whenever I requested a letter. Two of my (6?) writers wanted the additional info. One seemed to be fairly impressed with me having it pre-prepared

 

[MT Headed]

I gave each LOR writer a thick manilla envelope with my AMCAS app, instructions, an addressed (to Interfolio) stamped envelope, the Interfolio barcode sheet, and a deadline approximately 1 month before I planned to be complete. The instructions included a quote (from amcas or maybe a school's website) saying what ought to go into an LOR.

The AMCAS app serves nicely as the (twenty page) sheet of addidional info, and it shows how much effort you have put into the process already.

 

[NickNaylor]

I gave each LOR writer a thick manilla envelope with my AMCAS app, instructions, an addressed (to Interfolio) stamped envelope, the Interfolio barcode sheet, and a deadline approximately 1 month before I planned to be complete. The instructions included a quote (from amcas or maybe a school's website) saying what ought to go into an LOR.

The AMCAS app serves nicely as the (twenty page) sheet of addidional info, and it shows how much effort you have put into the process already.

That's a pretty good idea - and thorough.

OP, I think at the least you'll want to provide a transcript, a copy of your PS, and a CV or copy of your primary app. In my experience, however, professors will specify what they'd like from you. If they don't, then ask.

 

[justoneplease]

I think the best way to go about getting a LOR would be to present the person with a big envelope with your CV, transcripts (optional but if you have outstanding grades or had that person a while back and wanted to show that you did well in that class), and a single page summary of thanking them for writing you a letter and detailing what you want them to focus on. Make sure you ask beforehand whether or not they would have the time to write you one!

 

[sector9]

In my experience, however, professors will specify what they'd like from you. If they don't, then ask.

This.

One of my professors wanted only my resume and another had some questionnaire that he wanted me to fill out. It can't hurt to print out the items mentioned in this thread and take them with you even if some professors might not want all of it

 

[vin5cent0]

I'm not applying until this next summer, so unfortunately I don't have a lot of that stuff even started yet 🙁

 

[fri727]

I gave my PS and a paper with my GPA, AMCAS ID, and a list of my ECs, plus the descriptions of them that I had put on my app.