Psychology Department
Instructions
for Letter of Recommendation Requests
(form
to fill out is on other side of this sheet)
1. Give one copy of this form to each faculty member who you would like to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf.
2. Do not just drop off the form or leave it in the faculty member's mailbox and assume that the faculty member will write the letter; talk to the faculty member and ascertain that the faculty member is indeed willing to write a letter for you.
3. For a letter of recommendation to be effective, the faculty member should have positive things to say about your performance and prospects. Be sure you select faculty members who have seen you at your best and who can support your application.
4. Applications and letter of recommendation forms often give you the option of waiving your rights of access to the faculty member's letter. Some faculty members feel more comfortable writing a letter if you waive those rights, or will only write a letter if you waive them, so you are urged to consider waiving your rights to access or at least to discuss the matter with the faculty member if you are not planning to waive your rights.
5. Check whether the faculty member wants you to provide the faculty member with any additional information or material, such as your personal statement or resume.
6. Make the process as user friendly for the faculty member as you can:
Give the faculty member a list of the
schools (or employers) to which you want the faculty member to submit a letter,
the deadline by which the letter should be in, whether the faculty member is to
send the letter separately or give it to you (presumably in a sealed, signed
envelope) to send with the rest of your application materials, and whether
there is a form to go with the letter or just a letter.
If there is a form that goes with the
letter, fill in as much of the information at the bottom of each form as you
can: the faculty member's name and position (see the list below), the
department (Psychology), address (St. Bonaventure University; St. Bonaventure,
NY 14778), but not the signature or date.
Dr. David Carpenter Professor of Psychology
Dr. Denise Emer Assistant Professor of Psychology
Dr. Harold Gelfand Professor and Chair of Psychology
Dr. Michael Lavin Professor of Psychology
Dr. Robin Turco Assistant Professor of Psychology
Dr. Charles Walker Professor of Psychology
Provide the faculty member with an
addressed envelope, stamped if it is being sent separately, for each school to
which you are applying.
Psychology Department
Request
for letter of Recommendation
(Student: See other side for
further instructions)
Date
From:
(student name)
To:
(faculty member)
I request that you provide me a letter of recommendation for (circle those that apply)
master's programs doctoral programs employment other (specify):
in the specialty area of . I have known you since
(e.g., developmental) (semester, year)
and have taken the following courses from you:
Course No. Course Title Grade
My overall GPA: My GPA in Psychology:
In addition to my performance in your courses, I believe that the following activities would merit mention in your letter (list here--and describe briefly their relevance--anything you believe relevant: Psychology Scholar, member of Psi Chi and/or other honorary, officer of Psychology Club and/or other organization, Psychology field work, independent research/study, taking graduate course for undergraduate credit, etc.).