Letters of recommendation are a crucial component of any fellowship application. Candidates are generally asked to provide between 2 to 8 letters of recommendation so it is extremely important to carefully select the individuals who write the letters.
A recommendation letter offers information about your character, academic history, personal achievements and future ambitions. The comments made by your letter writers can help put your accomplishments into perspective as well as offer important information on any special circumstances that can set you apart from other candidates. Each letter should come from someone who knows you well enough to specifically and accurately comment on your qualifications, strengths, academic preparedness and appropriateness for the program to which you are applying.
The strongest applications always include letters of recommendation that are written precisely for a particular application rather than including general multi-purpose letters that do not relate your unique qualifications to the fellowship’s goals and purpose. Letters of recommendation that merely serve to pronounce the qualities of your character without further detail will add no value to your candidacy.
Tips for Navigating Letters of Recommendation
1. Get to know your professors. A letter of recommendation should come from someone with whom you have rapport. You can build rapport with your professors by going beyond just trying to achieve a good grade in your classes. Use their office hours as a way to ask them about their research interests and to discuss your goals and aspirations. Be an active participant in class. Get involved with campus based organizations and clubs where you will have the opportunity to work with faculty.
2. Be strategic on who you ask to write your letters. Select people who know you well and are able to speak specifically to your abilities as they relate to the fellowship’s mission. These individuals should have some experience working with in you a relevant capacity to the fellowship’s purpose so that they can write a substantial and convincing letter. Letters from individuals that only serve to convey the qualities of your character will add little value to your application. Baruch’s Fellowship Advisor can offer guidance on the letter writers that would add the most value to your applications.
3. Follow the Fellowship’s application instructions. Make sure to check the requirements, for example, they may require that three or five letters of recommendation come from faculty, but the others can come from anyone. Letters that come from someone outside of an academic setting can offer details on your leadership abilities, community service activities, volunteer work and personal interests.
3. The ask. Once you have identified a potential recommender, schedule a time to discuss your interests and goals and ask if they would be able to write the letter. In most cases, they will say yes, but there is always the chance that they may say no. They may simply not have the time, or they may feel that they do not know you or your accomplishments well enough to write a thorough letter. They may also say that they can only write a letter noting certain reservations or weaknesses. In this case, you should accept their judgment graciously and consider asking for more feedback about your goals and plan for study.
4. Timing is essential. Make sure your letter writers have plenty of time to prepare a letter which accurately reflects your qualities, accomplishments, and qualifications. It is recommended that you request your letters at least 1 month prior to a fellowship deadline. The earlier that you can notify them of your plans the more time you will have to help them plan and work the time they need to commit to your letter.
5. Come prepared. Make sure that you provide your letter writers with as much information as possible to enable them to write a strong and descriptive letter that will highlight your potential and your accomplishments. Different fellowships will have different selection criteria and requirements for recommendations. Thoroughly read all application instructions so that you are able to convey these appropriately to your letter writers.
6. Keep in touch. Touch base with your letter writers throughout the application process, but do not overwhelm them with questions. Follow-up a couple of weeks before the letter is due to find out if they need any additional information. It may take longer than you might expect, so be patient and not pesky, but do make sure to reach out to ensure that your recommendation letters are sent in time to meet the application’s deadline.
7. Don’t be afraid to ask someone to submit letters for multiple fellowships. It is totally okay to ask a letter writer to submit a letter for multiple opportunities. It is far easier for them to edit/adapt a letter for different fellowships than to ask someone else who has to write a new letter. But still be strategic in who you ask. Just because someone wrote you a letter for one fellowship does not mean that they are the best fit for a different fellowship. Baruch’s Fellowship Advisor can offer guidance on the letter writers that would add the most value to your applications.
8. Thank them. Regardless of the outcome make sure to thank the people who recommended you for their time and support. You will be recognizing an important relationship.