分享推荐信材料
hhmi.org
指导：
cs.brown.edu
其他：
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Inform Students
Students tend to be uninformed about their needs and responsibilities in seeking letters of recommendation. Guide students by providing them with a detailed list of what will assist you in writing a letter on their behalf. Many professors create a handout or web page listing the desired information. Here are some suggestions:
- Explain the purpose of the letter
- Desired focus of the letter (e.g., discuss my research skills and experiences in your lab, or discuss my responsibilities as a teaching assistant in your class)
- Useful skills (e.g., computer, statistical, or interpersonal skills)
- Related experiences (extracurricular, work experience, clubs, volunteer work)
- Courses taken with the faculty member, with grades and sample work (e.g., term paper)
- Reasons for pursing graduate study
- Resume
- Transcript
Do not immediately agree to write a letter on behalf of a student. Instead, take a little bit of time to think about it and reflect on your experiences with the student.
Be Honest
If you don't know a student well or cannot write a positive letter on his or her behalf, explain your reservations to inform the applicant. If he or she insists, you can either refuse, write a neutral letter, or include negative evaluations with supporting behavioral examples.
Get Permission
Obtain the student's written permission (the signed recommendation form included in admissions packets for most graduate programs is suitable)
Be Specific
Use specific examples to support your statements. Specific examples will enhance the value of positive comments and will protect you from legal action. If you choose to include unfavorable information, you must include specific examples to illustrate your point.
Organize the Letter
An effective letter of recommendation is structured. Begin your letter by indicating for whom you are writing, what they are applying to, and an overview of the tone of the letter. Indicate to what extent and length of time you have known the student. Your next step should be to review grades and your records regarding the student. Next, provide specific examples that illustrate the student's intellectual ability, capacity for independent and original thought, knowledge of the field, or attitude and motivation. Close by reiterating your overall recommendation and its strength.
Beware of Ambiguity
Letters of recommendation tend to be overwhelmingly positive. Because most letters are inflated, readers examine them as if they were written in code. Recommendation letters thus become a projective test wherein any ambiguity is questioned. Any equivocal information might be interpreted in a negative light, even if you did not intend so.
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[align="left"]Just as a good recommendation letter can be an asset, a bad recommendation letter can be a hindrance. Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when securing your recommendation letters:
Do’s
- Do choose someone who knows you well enough to give you a recommendation.
- Do get recommendations from employers, professors, school administration, and anyone else who is familiar with your work ethic.
- Do ask for the recommendation in person, rather than sending an email.
- Do tell the letter writer why you need the recommendation letter.
- Do mention specific things that you would like to see included.
- Do send a thank you note afterwards.
- Do keep copies of the letter. You may need to use it again in the future.
- Don’t wait until the last minute. Secure letters of recommendation as soon as possible.
- Don’t ask someone to lie.
- Don’t ever forge signatures.
- Don’t choose someone only for their title. Pick someone who has a title AND knows you well.
- Don’t choose someone who is a poor writer.
- Don’t hesitate to get as many recommendation letters as possible. Choose the ones that show you in the best light.
- Don’t be surprised if the person you are asking for a recommendation letter asks you to write a letter that they will later modify and sign. This is a common practice.
- Don’t forget to say please and thank you. A letter of recommendation is a valuable resource.
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