We welcome Osase Omoruyi who will be talking about Recommendation Letters!
#graduateschool #recommendationletters #wocproject
#graduateschool #recommendationletters #wocproject
What do graduate schools look for in a letter of recommendation (LOR)?
1. Rank you compared to your peers
2. Give applicants who are weak in certain areas another chance
3. Account for extranenous situations
1. Rank you compared to your peers
2. Give applicants who are weak in certain areas another chance
3. Account for extranenous situations
What kind of LORs do I need?
1. RESEARCH: if you've done research, LOR from those advisors
2. ACADEMIC
3. PERSONAL
#graduateschool
1. RESEARCH: if you've done research, LOR from those advisors
2. ACADEMIC
3. PERSONAL
#graduateschool
How many do you need? 3-5 letters of recommendation!
Who do I ask?
BEST: Someone you've done research with.
GOOD: Classroom professor (choose the teacher that knows you well over the one that gives good grades)
Who do I ask?
BEST: Someone you've done research with.
GOOD: Classroom professor (choose the teacher that knows you well over the one that gives good grades)
Who do I ask?
GOOD: Academic professor
OK: Extra-curricular advisor
NO: Family, friends, partner
-Recommender should know you well enough!
GOOD: Academic professor
OK: Extra-curricular advisor
NO: Family, friends, partner
-Recommender should know you well enough!
How do I ask?
-Explain how they know you
-Say why their letter is best for your application
-ask for a STRONG LOR
-give the chance to say no
-write the earliest deadline
-Explain how they know you
-Say why their letter is best for your application
-ask for a STRONG LOR
-give the chance to say no
-write the earliest deadline
How can I help my recommender to make my letter strong?
-Detailed list of programs and deadlines (in a table)
-1 page highlighting your relationship, your work, impactful experiences with them, and parts of CV they should speak to
-CV
-Preliminary draft of graduate app
-Detailed list of programs and deadlines (in a table)
-1 page highlighting your relationship, your work, impactful experiences with them, and parts of CV they should speak to
-CV
-Preliminary draft of graduate app
Should I waive my right to view the LOR?
YES
Why waive?
-Profs may not agree to write a letter for you
-Admissions committee may not trust the letter if you don't waive
YES
Why waive?
-Profs may not agree to write a letter for you
-Admissions committee may not trust the letter if you don't waive
Here is the timeline for when to ask letters of recommendation! Start in July of application year with by Mid-October emailing your professors.
One week before the deadline, check in to see if they are on track to submit on time and check all the way to the deadline!
Potential solutions to complications:
1. If you have other good research experiences, choose from those
2. If the work with an abusive advisor is significant, see if you can get a co-advisor instead
3. Try applying to a non-graduate program with their recommendation only
1. If you have other good research experiences, choose from those
2. If the work with an abusive advisor is significant, see if you can get a co-advisor instead
3. Try applying to a non-graduate program with their recommendation only
How to keep track and avoid getting overwhelmed?
1. Spreadsheets and templated
2. Set reminders with calendar/reminders apps and send recommendation submission requests in batches
3. Make first drafts of your materials ready ASAP
1. Spreadsheets and templated
2. Set reminders with calendar/reminders apps and send recommendation submission requests in batches
3. Make first drafts of your materials ready ASAP
Osase has provided these questions to start thinking about letters of recommendation! You can journal about them as you go on this application process.
#graduateschool #wocproject
#graduateschool #wocproject
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