Letters of Recommendation

I am generally happy to write letters of recommendation for students. If you wish that I write you a letter of recommendation, please adhere to the following guidelines. I ask these things both so that I can write you a good letter, and also so that it doesn't take me an inordinate amount of time to do so. [Note, this information was assimilated from similar pages other math faculty have on this topic, primarily those of Michael Orrison and Ravi Vakil].

First, e-mail me and ask me if I am willing to write you a letter. If I agree, provide the following information to me (either e-mail or hard copy) at least two weeks before the first letter is due.

• What is your name, year, and major?
• An unofficial copy of your transcript.
• For what are you applying (e.g. scholarship, summer research experience, grad school)? List the programs, the due dates, and how the letter should be sent (e-mail or snail mail).
• If letters need to be sent in the snail mail, please provide addressed envelopes (WFU students do not need not provide stamps).
• A copy of everything you will submit with your application (personal statements, answers to questions on the application, etc). Very good drafts will do in a pinch.
• How long have I known you (years and months), and what is my relationship with you (instructor, research advisor, etc.)? For what classes have I had you, and what final grades did I assign you, and how did you distinguish yourself in my classes?
• How would you describe yourself? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? This question is quite important, the more details you can provide, the better.
• What are some of your academic and nonacademic accomplishments?
• What makes me particularly qualified to write a letter for you? What makes you particularly qualified for this position/honor/award?
• What are your long term goals and will this position/honor/award help? [If you haven't decided on your long term goals, and this position/honor/award might help direct this decision, you should say so].
• Is there anything else I should know?

Please send me e-mail reminders as the deadlines approach. When I send out one of your letters, I will inform you. This means that if you haven't heard from me, your letters haven't been sent!