If I have agreed to write a recommendation for
you, please give me a folder (or have the staff in 1S215 put it in my
mailbox) containing:
- a copy of your transcript
- a copy of your personal statement (or an explanation of what you are applying for)
- all necessary forms (some places want a letter on a particular form)
- addressed envelopes without stamps
Furthermore, at least two weeks before the first letter is due, e-mail
me ("obryant at gmail dot com") your answers to the following questions
(the more details the better).
- What is your name, year, and major?
- For what are you applying? (scholarship, grad school, job, etc)
- List the programs to which you are applying, together with due dates.
- How long have I known you, and what is my relationship to you? (instructor, 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 class?
- How would you describe yourself?
- What are some of your academic accomplishments?
- What are some of your nonacademic accomplishments?
- What makes me particularly qualified to write a letter for you?
- What makes you particularly qualified for this position/honor/award/job?
- What are your long term goals and will this position/honor/award/job help? If so, how?
- Additional comments (research, interesting jobs, hobbies, etc)?
Please send me e-mail reminders as deadlines approach, and feel free to
chat with me about other ways you can make the letter writing process
go as smoothly as possible for you and your letter writers. Good luck!
Kevin O'Bryant
Department of Mathematics
City University of New York (Staten Island)
Acknowledgement: this page was really written by Michael Orrison.
