How to Ask for Letters of Recommendation for Grad School Art

How To Request a Letter of Recommendation for Graduate School

By Indeed Editorial Team

December 8, 2021

This article has been approved by an Indeed Career Coach

Related video: How To Ask For a Recommendation Alphabetic character for College or Work: 3 Key Steps
In this video, certified career double-decker Jenn at Indeed shares her recommended approach for requesting a recommendation letter.

A groovy letter of recommendation from a professor, manager or colleague can set your graduate school awarding autonomously from other candidates. For effective messages of recommendation, choose people who are acquainted with your skills, accomplishments and strengths. Y'all can ship a formal, written asking to your chosen reference that includes data to assistance them write the letter. In this article, nosotros explain how to request a recommendation letter for graduate school and provide a sample request to help you compose your ain.

What is a letter of the alphabet of recommendation?

A letter of recommendation is a certificate a professional person or academic reference writes to verify your skills, character traits and attitude for the desired function or plan. It tin likewise assist you gain financial help or employment as a instructor'south assistant or research assistant at your graduate schoolhouse. When y'all apply for a graduate school program, you lot typically submit the letter with your other application materials.

Recommendation Letter Format

Prototype clarification

Recommendation Letter of the alphabet Format

Introduction and statement of recommendation
List of specific reasons you are recommending them to the position
Personal story with evidence of their qualities (soft and hard skills)
Closing statement with contact information
Signature

Related: Letter of Recommendation for College Students

How to request a recommendation letter for graduate school

Aim to provide the people you choose with as much information near yourself as possible so they tin can write thorough letters of recommendation. Here are steps that walk you through providing your reference with the right information to create an outstanding alphabetic character:

i. Choose who you desire to write your alphabetic character

Most graduate programs require ii to four letters of recommendation per application, and some programs may specify that letters of recommendation must be submitted solely from professors or professors and employers.

Try creating a list of several people yous work closely with either in higher or work. Consider who you lot retrieve recognizes your piece of work ethic and who can write a positive review of your accomplishments. If y'all're an undergraduate student, you may cull to ask a few of your professors or an academic advisor to write your letters. If you're no longer in college, you may want to ask your manager and a colleague to write your letters. Y'all might also consider a volunteer organizer or club president to write a letter for y'all.

2. Make a formal request

It's professional courtesy to accept a chat start before yous submit a formal, written asking for a recommendation. Endeavour to schedule a meeting to ask your chosen reference in person if they would be willing to write a recommendation for you. If an in-person meeting isn't possible, you tin ask over the phone or send a brief e-mail before following up with more details.

Adjacent, yous should email a formal, written request for the letter of recommendation. A formal request also maintains professional person courtesy, and it provides information to assist them in composing the recommendation.

Related: How to Ask Someone to exist your Reference: E-mail Examples

three. Provide information to the writer

For your reference to write the most comprehensive letter of recommendation, you should provide as much information on the qualifications that make yous suitable for the degree programme every bit y'all can. You tin can email them items such equally your resume, academic transcripts, information about the program you wish to enter and even previous graded work. You lot may also provide the personal essay you're including in your application that outlines what value you believe you lot bring to the degree program and how it can help you achieve specific career goals. Hither are some tips for providing the best information to the writers:

Choose people you value

Requesting a letter of the alphabet of recommendation from a professor or managing director is an opportunity to show them you value their opinion about your skills, then you can besides tell your reference why you chose to enquire them for a recommendation. For example, if you've asked your accounting professor to write a alphabetic character for your Chief of Business Administration program application, you lot could explain how their classes inspired y'all to pursue an advanced degree in the field. Consider including specific examples of insights they provided y'all to show how impactful their guidance has been.

Describe what you've learned from your referrer

If you've chosen an employer or coworker, you can discuss how your opportunity with them helped you grow as a professional. You can highlight the skills they've helped you develop or the support they've given yous as you find your platonic career path.

Remind the writer of your achievements

All of this information can remind your reference of your achievements, work ethic and positive graphic symbol traits so they can tailor the letter to best represent the value you bring to the degree program.

Exist articulate nigh the process

You should also inform your reference of the submission process for the school. Some institutions allow applicants to collect letters or their ain to turn in with all of their materials. Other schools may require the reference to send the letter directly to the conclusion commission, via email, online application portal or traditional post. Let your reference know how they should transport the alphabetic character, and consider providing them additional resources, such every bit an addressed and stamped envelope for their convenience.

iv. Requite plenty of time to write the letter

Consider informing your reference of the application deadline in your request to give them enough time to thoughtfully consider your qualifications for that specific program and write their recommendation. Effort to make your formal request as early as possible, such as a month before the awarding due date. You lot can provide your reference a borderline for the letter of recommendation that is earlier the application deadline to requite yourself ample time.

You tin can determine on the deadline you want to provide by considering the number of responsibilities your reference has at the moment. If your coworker or managing director is treatment an increase in piece of work or your professor is in the middle of a heavy examination menses during midterms or finals, it may be wise to give them more than a calendar month.

five. Write a thanks alphabetic character

Consider writing a give thanks you letter to each of your references post-obit your application to graduate schoolhouse. They've taken time out of their schedule to write the alphabetic character and supporting your pursuit of higher educational activity and career development.

In your give thanks yous note, thank them for their time and endeavor, and show appreciation for endorsing your qualifications. You lot can also allow them know if you've been accepted to your graduate program however and what your plans are for the futurity. This added gesture is some other professional courtesy that is likely to strengthen your relationship with that reference, which tin benefit you in the future should y'all need their endorsement over again.

Example of a request for a recommendation letter of the alphabet for graduate schoolhouse

Review this example of a formal request to aid yous write your own request for a recommendation letter to graduate school:

To: BCopeland@swansoncollege.edu
Discipline: Letter of the alphabet of Recommendation Request for Jill Smith

Dear Professor Copeland,

I am emailing to asking a letter of the alphabet of recommendation for Triton University'due south MFA in Visual Arts plan for the autumn of 2019. I was fortunate enough to have 2 classes with you—Advanced Color Theory and Contemporary Techniques of Painting—and you mentored me for my final fine art projection. I am excited to build my portfolio and refine my artistic techniques while I earn my MFA in Visual Arts.

After researching many MFA programs, I chose TU's programme considering of the school's philosophy to think creatively and claiming the condition quo. I recollect you encouraged u.s. to always challenge the rules in your classes, and I think this plan will make a great fit for me later taking your influential courses.

You were the kickoff teacher to help me explore surrealism and abstract compositions. You saw how my work evolved afterward I found a new fine art form to pursue. If information technology weren't for your encouragement, I would have never entered into The Baste 34 painting contest. Considering of your encouragement, I placed 3rd in the contest. Since then, I accept created a diverse portfolio and grown in conviction. I'm hoping to i day teach other immature people how to think creatively and produce inspiring works of visual art.

The alphabetic character should be mailed direct to the Triton University'south MFA plan and postmarked no later than November fifteen, 2019. If you can write the recommendation letter, I will send you a stamped and addressed envelope for your convenience.

I have attached samples of my portfolio, my bookish transcripts and a list of competitions I've entered, including where I placed in them.

I know yous are decorated, then I appreciate your time and effort if you decide to write this letter for me. Thank you for beingness such an inspiring professor and artist.

Best regards,
Jill Smith

Case of a thank you letter of the alphabet after receiving a recommendation

Your thank you letter of the alphabet may follow several different forms, but yous can review this case to help you write yours:

Beloved Professor Copeland,

Thank you for taking the time to write a letter of recommendation for me to enter Triton University's MFA in Visual Arts program. I know you accept a busy class schedule, and I capeesh your aid.

Your cess of my academic achievements and artistic skills got me accustomed to the plan, and they offered a teacher's assistant position. I'm excited for what the future holds and what the plan will teach me. I'chiliad so glad I had the privilege of having you as my mentor and my professor. My artistic success is partly thanks to you.

Kindest regards,
Jill Smith

smithlabley.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/recommendation-for-graduate-school