Letters of Recommendation
(Credit to Michael Orrison at Harvey Mudd College for the outline below.)

If you are asking me to write a letter of recommendation for you, please do the following:

• by e-mail send me a copy of your personal statement (if applicable) and your student ID number so I can access your transcript,
• in hard copy bring me all necessary forms and
  
  • addressed white Math Department envelope(s) without stamps if it is to be sent somewhere off campus, or
  • addressed blue campus envelope(s) without stamps if it is to be sent somewhere on campus (these are both available from Lori or Faith in PS 318 or from me).

Furthermore, at least two weeks before the first letter is due, e-mail me your answers to the following questions (the more details the better):

1. What is your name, year, and major?
2. For what are you applying? (scholarship, student teaching, tutoring or other job, graduate school, etc.)
3. List the programs to which you are applying, together with the deadline by which my letter is due.
4. How long have I known you, and what is my relationship(s) to you? (instructor, advisor, etc.)  Have you graded or tutored for me? If so, for what class(es) and when?
5. What class(es) have you taken from me, what final grade(s) did you earn, and how did you distinguish yourself in my class(es)?
6. How would you describe yourself?
7. What are some of your academic accomplishments?
8. What are some of your nonacademic accomplishments?
9. What makes me particularly qualified to write a letter for you?
10. What qualities that you possess are especially important for this position/honor/award or what makes you particularly qualified for it?
11. What are your long term goals and will this position/honor/award help? If so, how?
12. Additional comments (other mathematical or other types of experience, 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!