Your goal is to help your recommenders write a letter that is effective and speaks specifically about why you are a good choice for the scholarship, fellowship or graduate program for which you are applying. An effective letter demonstrates that and why you are an unusually good choice for a particular program or fellowship. Here are some suggestions for helping your recommenders help you in their letters:
- Give your recommenders information about yourself and the scholarship. Discuss your goals. Describe those of your characteristics, accomplishments and experience that best align with the award (its mission and the personal qualities it is looking for in recipients). Tell your recommender how you plan to use the fellowship and discuss your longer-term goals. Provide a one-page “cheat sheet” on you and on the award itself. Most foundation websites offer pointers for letter writers. Add the URL for this information on your cheat sheet.
- Provide general background about yourself: GPA, notable extracurricular activities, important honors or accomplishments. Emphasize relevant experience and describe it succinctly.
- If your recommender is a professor or supervisor with whom you have not worked or studied in a while, bring that person up to date about your activities and learning since you took their class or worked for them.
- Ask recommenders if there is any additional information that they would like to have in order to help them write the strongest possible letter for you.
- Give recommenders ample time. Let them know the campus deadline well in advance, follow up with a reminder a few weeks before that deadline, and let them know that draft letters are fine at this stage. If you are endorsed, they will have time to make final edits and submit your LOR on letterhead by the national deadline.
- Finally, keep your recommenders informed about outcomes and be sure to thank them for their support.