Requesting a Letter of Recommendation

Dr. Andy Jones

The University Writing Program

Students requesting letters of recommendation from me can make the process more efficient and successful by taking into account the following suggestions and procedures:

Planning for the Letter of Recommendation:

• If you are asking for a letter of recommendation, I should ideally know you from at least two contexts, one of which should be one of my classes. These other contexts may include, but are not limited to, a second class I have taught, frequent office hours visits, Poetry Night Reading Series appearances, your philanthropic or advocacy work in Davis or at UC Davis, KDVS, instructional technology, guest blogs on The Wheel, participation in Nameless Magazine or The Voice, etc.

• Let me know of your request at least a month before your letter is due.

• Consider making such a request of me if you did well in our class or classes together, that is, if you attended class regularly and earned a final grade of B+ or higher. I write strongest letters for my strongest students, and I do not inflate the accomplishments of my students, no matter how much I appreciate them as people.

• Contact me regarding a letter of recommendation soon after you were enrolled in my class, while your record of accomplishment is fresh in my mind.

• Consider which of your instructors will best impress your future audiences. Some graduate programs, for instance, may be interested in seeing a letter from a professor who has greater name recognition than I do, or who teaches primarily in the relevant field of study. For instance, if you are an English Major, I would be glad to discuss which English Department Professors might most impress future admission committees. Be strategic.

The Three Appointments

When you are ready for the letter of recommendation, you should make three appointments with me.

• First Appointment: Come to my office with as many of the supporting materials (see below) as possible or appropriate. Be ready to talk about your plans for post-graduate study, and your goals once you have finished the program. Determine the date and times of your second and third appointments (both on the same day).

• Second Appointment (on the morning or afternoon of the letter-writing day): Come to my office to confirm that I  have all necessary materials, and that I have enough time before our third appointment to write, revise and edit the letter of recommendation. On rare occasions I may have to ask you to reschedule the second and third appointments; I appreciate your flexibility when this is the case.

• Third Appointment (at least an hour later of the afternoon of the letter-writing day): Come to my office to pick up the letter of recommendation, or confirm that I have the correct email address or website where it should be submitted.

Required and Helpful Materials

 Required Materials:

• If applicable, a completed form from whatever audience is receiving the letter;

• If applicable, the mailing address or specific webpage and login procedures for whatever
  audience is receiving the letter

• A list of your goals as an applicant, and of the letter’s audience or audiences;

• A copy (not the original) of a graded paper (preferably an “A” paper) submitted to me in class;

• Any additional or unusual instructions or requirements.

Helpful Materials:

• An informal explanation of what you learned from my class, how my class prepared you for your
  post-graduate goals, and what qualities and abilities you displayed in class that are relevant to the audience for my letter;

• An informal transcript;

• A copy of an additional graded paper;

• A fuller explanation of how or why you have chosen the intended audiences of this letter, and how
  what you plan to accomplish in and/or after your participation in this post-graduate program.

• Anything else you would like me to know.

Finally, once you have enrolled in your graduate program, please drop me a letter or card letting me know of your choice and any reflections on your new plans and challenges.

Dr. Andy Jones

The University Writing Program

University of California, Davis

One Shields Avenue

Davis, CA 95616-8581