Crafting the Perfect Letter of Recommendation Request
Obtaining strong letters of recommendation from professors is crucial for graduate school applications, scholarships, internships, and job opportunities. A well-crafted request demonstrates professionalism and respect for the professor’s time. It also provides them with the necessary information to write a compelling and personalized letter on your behalf. This article will guide you through the process with thirteen sample requests you can adapt to your own situation. Remember to personalize each request and allow your professors sufficient time to write the letter.
Key Elements of an Effective Request
A successful request should include several key components. First, clearly state the purpose of your request (e.g., graduate school application, scholarship application). Second, remind the professor of your relationship, mentioning specific courses you took with them and any noteworthy projects or contributions you made. Third, provide relevant materials such as your resume, transcript, and a personal statement (if applicable). Finally, clearly state the deadline for the letter submission and express your gratitude for their time and consideration. By following these guidelines, you can increase the likelihood of receiving a strong and supportive recommendation.
Beyond these core elements, consider personalizing your request to reflect your specific interaction with the professor. Did you have insightful discussions during office hours? Did you excel in a particular assignment or project? Highlighting these details can help the professor recall your strengths and write a more compelling letter. Also, ensure you ask professors who know you well and are willing to write a positive letter. It’s better to have no letter than a lukewarm one. Remember to follow up politely a week or two before the deadline.
13 Sample Letter of Recommendation Requests
Sample 1: General Request for Graduate School
Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I was a student in your [Course Name] class during the [Semester/Year]. I am writing to request a letter of recommendation in support of my application to graduate programs in [Field of Study]. I am applying to programs at [List a few universities].
I particularly enjoyed your lectures on [Specific Topic] and found them very helpful in shaping my interest in [Field of Study]. I have attached my resume, transcript, and a draft of my personal statement for your review. The deadline for submitting the letters of recommendation is [Date]. Would you be willing to write a letter on my behalf? Please let me know if you require any additional information. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Sample 2: Request for Scholarship Application
Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I am writing to you today to request a letter of recommendation for the [Scholarship Name] scholarship. As you may remember, I was a student in your [Course Name] course during the [Semester/Year].
This scholarship would be instrumental in helping me achieve my academic goals. I have always been passionate about [Your Field], and this scholarship would allow me to fully dedicate myself to my studies. I believe I demonstrated my commitment to [Your Field] through my work in your class, particularly during [mention a specific project or discussion]. I have attached my resume, transcript, and the scholarship application guidelines for your review. The deadline for the letter is [Date]. Please let me know if you are able to provide a letter of recommendation for me. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Sample 3: Request for Internship
Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I’m [Your Name], and I was in your [Course Name] class in [Semester/Year]. I am applying for an internship at [Company Name] as a [Internship Role], and a letter of recommendation from you would greatly strengthen my application.
I recall learning a great deal from your lectures on [Specific Topic] and believe the knowledge I gained in your class will be invaluable in this internship. I was particularly engaged by [Specific Project or Assignment] and believe it helped me develop skills relevant to this role. I’ve attached my resume and the internship description for your reference. The deadline for the letter is [Date]. Would you be willing to write a letter of recommendation for me? Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Sample 4: Request Highlighting Specific Project
Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I was a student in your [Course Name] class during the [Semester/Year] semester. I am writing to request a letter of recommendation for my application to [Program/Position].
I am applying to [Specific Program/Position] at [Institution/Company]. I believe the skills I developed during your class, particularly while working on the [Project Name] project, are highly relevant to this opportunity. I especially appreciated your guidance and feedback during that project. I have attached my resume and a description of the [Program/Position] for your review. The deadline for the letter is [Date]. Would you be willing to write a letter of recommendation for me? Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Sample 5: Follow-Up Request
Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I am following up on my previous email from [Date] regarding a letter of recommendation for my application to [Program/Position].
The deadline for submitting the letter is approaching on [Date]. I understand you are very busy, but your recommendation would be incredibly valuable to my application. If you are able to write a letter, please let me know if you require any further information from me. Thank you again for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Sample 6: Acknowledging Professor’s Time
Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I was a student in your [Course Name] class during the [Semester/Year]. I am writing to request a letter of recommendation in support of my application to [Graduate School/Job].
I understand that you are very busy, and I truly appreciate you taking the time to consider my request. I am applying to [Specific Program/Position] because [Briefly explain your reasons]. I’ve attached my resume and a brief statement of purpose. The deadline is [Date]. Please let me know if writing a letter of recommendation is something you’re able to do. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Sample 7: Reminding Professor of Class Interaction
Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I was in your [Course Name] class in [Semester/Year]. I especially remember when we discussed [Specific topic] and your insight on [Related concept] was really helpful.
I am currently applying to [School name] for the master’s program in [Major name] and would appreciate a letter of recommendation from you. The application deadline is [Date]. Please let me know if this is something you can do.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Sample 8: Request After Graduation
Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I graduated from [University] in [Year] with a degree in [Major]. I was a student in your [Course Name] class.
I am currently applying for the [Job title] at [Company name] and would like to request a letter of recommendation. Your insights from your lectures and the discussions we had during office hours will be very helpful. The deadline for submission is [Date]. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Sample 9: Request when Professor is on Sabbatical
Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I was a student in your [Course Name] class during the [Semester/Year]. I understand you are currently on sabbatical, but I hope you might still be available to assist.
I am applying to [Program/Position] and am hoping you’d be willing to write a letter of recommendation for me. The deadline is [Date]. I have attached all required documents. Please let me know if you have some time, and thank you.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Sample 10: Request for Multiple Applications
Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I was a student in your [Course Name] class during the [Semester/Year].
I am applying to multiple graduate programs in [Major] and was wondering if you would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for me. There are [Number] applications with slightly different deadlines, but the earliest deadline is [Date]. I can provide all application information via a centralized system like Interfolio. Please let me know if you are able to help. Thank you.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Sample 11: Request with Specific Instructions for Professor
Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I was a student in your [Course Name] class during the [Semester/Year].
I am writing to request a letter of recommendation for the [Program/Position] application. The application requires the letter to address [Specific prompts or questions from the application]. I have attached the prompt details to this email. The deadline is [Date]. Thank you for your consideration!
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Sample 12: Thank you in Advance
Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I was a student in your [Course Name] class during the [Semester/Year].
I am writing to request a letter of recommendation for my application to [Program/Position]. Thank you so much in advance for your time and consideration. I know you are busy, but your recommendation would mean a lot to me. The deadline is [Date].
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Sample 13: Simple and Direct Request
Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I was in your [Course Name] class. Would you be willing to write me a letter of recommendation for my application to [Program/Position]? The deadline is [Date]. Thank you.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Conclusion
Requesting letters of recommendation is a crucial step in many academic and professional endeavors. These samples provide a solid foundation, but remember to always personalize your request to reflect your unique relationship with the professor. By being proactive, providing ample information, and expressing your genuine appreciation, you significantly increase your chances of receiving a strong and supportive letter that can help you achieve your goals. Start early, be respectful, and tailor your request to each professor individually for the best results. Good luck!
