How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation?

Asking for a letter of recommendation can be very intimidating. However, I hope I can share some useful tips with you. So, when you ask your boss, professor, or manger for a letter can be a little bit less stressful. When I was applying to pharmacy school, I obtained a total of three letters. One from my research PI, one from a science professor, and one from the pharmacist I worked with. Remember it is quality over quantity. It is crucial to find a person who knows you well and is willing to write you a strong letter of recommendation. The number of letter of recommendation will depend on the type of program you are applying to. Most of the programs I was applying to required 3 letters, but accepted up to 4 letters. Check PharmCAS school directory to learn about how many letters they accept. http://www.pharmcas.org/school-directory/#/pharmd/general-information for Pharm.D. programs. http://www.pharmcas.org/school-directory/#/graduate for MS and Ph.D. programs.

Also, be aware of what type of letters they accept. Some programs want one professor from science others want one from humanity. Remember to ask your letter of recommendation early! Try to ask 6-8 weeks before you need the letter to ensure that the person who is writing a letter for you has ample time to write a solid letter for you. Remember to build the relationship with the person whether he or she is your boss, your professor, or your lab manager. The goal is to get a STRONG letter of recommendation not just a letter of recommendation.

One of the most common question that I get asked is "how do you ask your professor for a letter of recommendation when other people in your class also want a letter of recommendation? "

Steps to take to ensure that you get a strong letter of recommendation

1. Be proactive in class by asking questions

2. Attend office hour regularly to let the professor know you better

3. Perform well in class to show you have mastered the material

4. If possible, take more than one class with the professor so he or she can remember you better

Things you need to ask a letter of recommendation:

1. Resume/ CV

2. Draft of your personal statement. Some professors might require this so they can know you better

3. Transcript

4. A list of personal information (see below for more information)

*Below was the information that Dr. King, an Organic Chemistry Professor at UC Irvine, requires when you ask her for a letter of recommendation.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

INFORMATION NEEDED FOR WRITING A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

Provide all of the following questions as honestly as you can. The information you furnish will be used to enhance your letter of recommendation.

1. Name: Tel #: e-mail address:

2. What is your major?

3. What are your main interests? Were these interests fulfilled in your undergraduate work?

4. What is your planned graduate work?

5. What will be your contribution to society?

6. Do you have any special skills, characteristics, talents, etc…?

7. What are your weaknesses or liabilities?

8. Do you belong to or have you been an officer of any clubs or organizations?

9. Do you have any other extra curricular activities?

10. What would you like disregarded in your transcripts and/or this recommendation?

11. Why did you choose UCI?

12. What is your greatest accomplishment at UCI?

13. List any other important accomplishments.

14. What do you think your letter of recommendation should emphasize about you?

15. When would you like your letter of recommendation mailed? To whom?

16. Give yourself a letter grade (A-F) to rate your skill in each of the following categories – Please be honest – I will highlight the positive and disregard the negative in your letter.

Initiative [ ] creativity [ ] motivation [ ] verbal communication [ ] written communication [] interpersonal skills [ ] persistence [ ] adaptability [ ] integrity [ ] empathy [ ] judgement [ ] reliability [ ] ethics [ ] leadership ability [ ] attention to detail [ ]

Susan M. King

NS2-2133 Tel: (949)824-5452

e-mail: s3king@uci.edu

* Disclaimer: I do not own those questions above. Those questions belong to Dr. King.