Safe Assumption for LORs?

[BigD311]

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Hey all, I was just wondering if you think it is safe to assume that anyone writing my LOR's will do it on their respective letter heads?

I saw on the application discussion boards that schools require this and I don't really want to e-mail everyone and verify that this was done. Though I will if I need to. I just don't know if this is standard for people who typically write letters.

 

[pathophys17]

I was wondering the same thing...and asked SDN a few days ago, but no one answered. Apparently they don't know either.🙄 I'm sure it's standard for any professional letter, but I still put at the end of my packet to them that while I'm sure they know already, it needs to be on official letterhead.

I just was not about to find in June that after all the work to put together packets for them and request the letters, that someone did not put it on letterhead, and I'd have no idea what to do.

 

[SirGecko]

Hey all, I was just wondering if you think it is safe to assume that anyone writing my LOR's will do it on their respective letter heads?

I saw on the application discussion boards that schools require this and I don't really want to e-mail everyone and verify that this was done. Though I will if I need to. I just don't know if this is standard for people who typically write letters.

I'd say that it is fairly safe to assume that any professor you ask for an LOR will put it on their official letterhead. (though it can't hurt to ask...)

As for any outside LOR I'd go ahead a remind them as well. (but most people understand that a LOR is a rather formal thing and will think to put it on an official letterhead)

 

[kingofthehill]

I had to ask one of my profs to rewrite one of my letters b/c she did not use letterhead the first time, and I found out by interfolio. I just assumed that they knew this, too, but I guess not. If you know they write a ton of them, then you're fine, but for those who don't write many, I don't think it's a bad gesture to confirm.

 

[njbmd]

Hey all, I was just wondering if you think it is safe to assume that anyone writing my LOR's will do it on their respective letter heads?

I saw on the application discussion boards that schools require this and I don't really want to e-mail everyone and verify that this was done. Though I will if I need to. I just don't know if this is standard for people who typically write letters.

When you ask for a LOR, include some instructions for your letter writer such as please use official letter head in addition to including a stamped and addressed envelope along with a deadline. It's also nice to include your CV + your personal statement too. If you make things as clear as possible for your letterwriters, then you tend to get your letters on time and properly constructed.

As a rule, I don't write letters for anyone who doesn't include the above. When they make the request, I ask them to back it up in writing with the above documents included. This allows me to keep track of when things were received and for my administrative staff to keep track of the people that I have submitted letters for.

Don't be "bush league" on this stuff. If you show that you are a well-organized professional, you are likely to receive the same treatment from your letter writers.

 

[Blahblahologist]

NJB's advice is good.

For regular faculty who are churning out a bunch of LOR's each year, letterhead should be automatic. If you ask TA's, especially in their first year or so of teaching, you might want to offer a reminder. If you're asking an employer or someone who doesn't often (or ever) write LOR's, then it's definitely worth a mention.