Thursday, February 18th, 2010
In other words, I am in the Police Explorers. I want to see if I can get a letter of recommendation from him for New York University. To show extra curricular and leadership qualities. Am I allowed to do that? Or the the letters HAVE to be from teachers? Thanks!
I would definitely go with at least half of your letters from your teachers or 50%. That means 1 if you need 2 or 2 if you need 3 otherwise it looks really bad……
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Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
I actually have a few questions about recommendation letters.
1. How should I go about asking teachers for them?
2. Is there anything I should give my teachers if they say yes?
3. Is there anything else I should know about recommendation letters?
1. I would choose teachers with whom you have a strong, personal relationship. You certainly want to select teachers whose classes you have done well in. I would simply approach them before/after class and ask "Would you be comfortable writing a letter of recommendation for me? I am applying for …." If this is not feasible, send them an e-mail asking if they would be comfortable writing a letter of recommendation and explaining why you would like a letter from them.
2. It is customary to give the teacher an envelope in which to place their recommendation. Depending on the program you are applying for, you may need to address and stamp it separately and have the teacher sign the seal (therefore preventing any tampering with the envelopes contents). Some programs will ask that you have the professor mail the envelope separately, while some request that you include it in your general mailing.
3. Remember that the teacher is doing you a favor by writing a letter of recommendation. Try to make it as easy for them as possible, including explaining what the program is you are applying for. Do not try to dictate what the teacher says. If they ask you, be prepared to talk up a few competencies you have demonstrated in their class or activities that you feel are relevant.
Good Luck!
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Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
I did not ask for my letter of recommendation from my cooperating teacher. I was not planning to teach right away; my plan was to continue my education and get letters of recommendation then, well instead found a job out of the country. It has been a year since I student taught now, I am back and need that letter of recommendation. How do I go about asking?
Just ask. If you and your cooperating teacher had a great working relationship, this should not be a problem.
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Sunday, February 14th, 2010
I was not planning to teach right away so I did not ask for my letter of recommendation from my cooperating teacher, now almost a year later I really need to ask for a letter of recommendation. How do I go about asking?
It all depends on where you did your student teaching. A year later, the teacher is probably not under any obligation to write you a letter of recommendation. He or she would be doing you a favour. So, if you performed well during the student teacher period, you could phone your cooperating teacher and explain your problem. Alternatively you could make an appointment to see him or her. Be nice; make it clear that you appreciate that the teacher is a busy person and that it is a big favour. Take or send a large, stamped, self-addressed envelope.
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Sunday, January 31st, 2010
I asked my boss to write me a letter of recommendation for my college applications, and he wrote me a very short one. It is only one paragraph long. What he said in it is very kind and looks great, so does the length reallly matter? I’m freaking out 
My other letter from a teacher is amazing and is about four paragraphs long.
It should be at least 2 paragraphs but don’t ask to lie but to literally stretch the truth.
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Sunday, January 24th, 2010
When a potential employer asks for a letter reference, is that the same as a letter of recommendation?
A letter of introduction is by a person known to the applicant and a particular individual at the company.
A reference letter is from a personal acquaintance of the applicant.
A letter of recommendation is a professional endorsement by a business associate of the applicant.
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
How much weight do medical schools put on letters of recommendation? Would a short and impersonal letter from your professor kill admission chances? What if I were to get nice letters from people I have worked for (from volunteer places, work employees, etc) but the letters from professors were lukewarm?
Unless you’ve done research for a professor, a letter of recommendation from a professor doesn’t add much to your application, as your grade speaks to the quality of student you were.
It’s not uncommon for professors to be asked for LoR’s and if they don’t know a student well, provide a ‘form letter’ type of LoR. Again, this isn’t adding anything more than what your grade already indicates.
It is far better to get LoR’s from people who can attest to your character and compassion. LoR’s from medical people get noticed, as will any from a research scientist. If your volunteer experience was in a health related environment, LoR’s from senior managers of the program would be good.
But a LoR from Suzie, the cashier, is worthless.
Just as a FYI, LoR’s should always be on letterhead, too.
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Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
I need to write a letter of recommendation for a friend, who is applying for a teaching position at a Catholic boys school. Being Protestant, I am not familiar as to how letters of correspondence should be addressed under these circumstances. Thank you!
Windowphobe is close to being right.
Yes you would address an envelope Brother James Jones, OSB. You could abbreviate Brother as Br.
In your letter however you would say Dear Br. James,
Religious brothers and sisters only use their last name when they are using their full name as in an address on an envelope.
You address a sister or brother with their title and their first name. The reasoning behind this is that we are not tied to a family but are brother and sister to all. Our community is our family.
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Saturday, October 17th, 2009
I’ve been asked to write a letter of recommendation/character for my sisters custody case, and was wondering how would I start the letter. I know what I wanna to write but don’t know how to start. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
very carefully
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Tuesday, October 13th, 2009
I am planning on applying to grad school and need letters of recommendations. I don’t want to overwhelm my professor with a bunch of letters of recommendation so I wanted to know what is an "average" amount of letters of recommendation for one professor to write. I’m initially thinking around 3-4 letters per professor?
I mean: I want to apply to 4 different graduate schools. And each graduate school requires 3 letters of recommendations. So is it ok to ask a professor to write a letter of recommendation for me for all 4 colleges? Or is 4 too many, or does it not matter? Thanks
Hi, first off, good for you if your marks are such that you are anticipating doing graduate work. Next, don’t worry too much about this. We do letters of recommendation for our students all the time and the vast majority of us consider this to be a proper part of our job. Also, once we write a letter for a student, customizing it for multiple destinations doesn’t take much more work. But 3 or 4 should be the max to ask someone to write for a quite different reasons. We expect a student to do their homework and decide carefully where they want to do graduate studies. So if you are just sending out applications scatter-gun that actually raises a red flag. The great majority of students for whom I have written letters are applying to ONE program. Two is okay, three acceptable, four is pushing the limit.
Good luck.
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