Letters of recommendation
As a Teaching Assistant Professor at an R1 institution, I regularly receive requests from students for letters of recommendation. A well-written letter can significantly enhance your application by offering context, credibility, and insight that no transcript or resume can convey. This page outlines how recommendation letters function, how to request one from me, and what you can do to ensure your letters work for you, not against you.
The Letter of Recommendation#
Letters of recommendation occupy a unique and often misunderstood an academic or professional application. They are not simply bureaucratic requirements, nor are they endorsements. Rather, they are opportunities for a third party—someone who has observed your intellectual development firsthand—to offer a perspective that contextualizes your abilities, character, and potential for future success. In the hands of a writer who knows you well, a letter can bring your achievements to life with specificity and credibility. In the hands of someone less familiar, it may offer little more than generic confirmation of your participation.
Strong Letters#
A well-crafted letter does several things at once:
- it situates your accomplishments among those of your peers, giving admissions committees or hiring panels a sense of where you stand relative to others;
- it reveals dimensions of your work ethic, curiosity, and integrity that are not visible on a transcript;
- it reinforces the narrative you’re presenting across your application materials; and
- it communicates, with or without saying so explicitly, that someone who knows what excellence looks like believes in your readiness to take the next step.
Of course, not all letters are equal in their power to persuade. The strongest ones are written by individuals who can speak from real engagement—someone who has seen your growth over time, who can recall a moment when you asked a particularly insightful question or handled a setback with maturity, who remembers the project you stayed late to finish not because it was assigned, but because it mattered to you. These letters are not just positive; they are vivid, detailed, and grounded in authentic experience.
Subpar Letters#
On the other hand, some letters, while well-meaning, do more harm than good. A vague letter, full of generic praise but lacking any specific examples, signals to a reader that the recommender did not know the student well, or worse, had nothing substantive to say. And in competitive applicant pools, such letters can be a quiet but consequential disadvantage.
I’m also fully aware that many of you find yourselves in situations where a third letter is required simply to complete an application file. Sometimes, the need is logistical rather than strategic. In such cases, I am generally willing to provide a letter that confirms your performance in a course and affirms your reliability as a student. However, if we have not had multiple conversations, if you have not come to office hours, or if I’ve never seen your work beyond a letter grade, then I will be limited in what I can meaningfully say. I will write the truth, but in those circumstances, the letter will necessarily be broad, factual, and impersonal—sufficient for administrative completeness, but unlikely to sway a discerning reader.
How to Choose the Right Letter Writers#
When deciding whom to ask for a letter of recommendation, it’s important to think not just about title or prestige, but about depth of connection. The most effective letters come from those who have seen your work up close—faculty or mentors who can speak with specificity about your contributions, your intellectual strengths, and your readiness for the next stage. A letter from someone who truly knows you will always carry more weight than one from someone with an impressive title but little personal knowledge of your abilities.
Ideally, your recommender should be someone who has taught you in a substantive course, advised your research, or mentored you in a capacity where your skills and character were on display. They should be familiar with the trajectory you are pursuing and able to speak to how your preparation aligns with your goals.
By contrast, letters from individuals who barely know you, even if they are well-intentioned, tend to be vague and unconvincing. If a writer cannot recall specific examples of your work or interactions, they are unlikely to provide the kind of compelling detail that separates a good application from an outstanding one. Choose someone who has seen you think, grow, and contribute—someone who knows your work, not just your name.
Requesting a Letter of Recommendation#
If you believe I may be a good fit to write a recommendation on your behalf, and if our prior interactions have given me meaningful insight into your work, I’m happy to consider your request. A thoughtful, well-prepared inquiry—grounded in real academic engagement—gives me the best chance to craft a letter that is not only positive, but impactful.
Building the Foundation#
Before reaching out, take a moment to reflect on the substance of our academic relationship. Have we had sustained conversations (in class, during office hours, or through mentorship) that would allow me to speak about your strengths with detail and authenticity? Have I seen you grapple with difficult problems, lead a project, or take intellectual risks? These are the kinds of moments that make a letter vivid and credible.
If you anticipate asking me for a letter at some point in the future—even if that point is still a semester or two away—I welcome a heads-up. When I know a letter might eventually be requested, I can be more intentional in our interactions, noting significant moments, insights, or growth as they happen. I often make notes after memorable conversations, and advance notice allows me to build a clearer picture of your development over time.
Of course, memory is fallible—especially with many students across multiple courses each term—so I also encourage you to keep your own record. If you ask a thoughtful question in class, share something meaningful during office hours, or complete a particularly strong project, jot it down. When the time comes, these reminders are invaluable for helping me recall your voice, your work, and your trajectory.
Preparing Your Materials#
When you’re ready to request a letter, please begin by completing my Letter of Recommendation Questionnaire. This document is designed not as a test, but as a tool: it helps me tailor the letter to the context of your application and ensures I highlight the most relevant aspects of your experience.
You’re not expected to answer every question fully—many prompts are there simply to spark your reflection. But the more detail you can provide, especially about our shared interactions, your goals, and the programs you’re applying to, the stronger and more aligned your letter will be.
Confidentiality and Trust#
One non-negotiable aspect of this process is confidentiality. I will only write letters for students who waive their right to view them, as outlined under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This is not an arbitrary rule, but a matter of professional ethics and practical effectiveness.
A confidential letter signals to readers that the recommender has written candidly and without external pressure. It preserves the credibility of the letter and ensures that evaluators interpret it in the spirit in which it was written. Letters that are not waived tend to carry less weight, and in some cases may even raise concerns.
It’s also worth stating clearly: I would never agree to write a letter if I could not support your application in a positive and sincere way. If I do have reservations or feel I cannot write a compelling letter, I will respectfully decline rather than offer a lukewarm endorsement. My goal is to advocate for you only when I believe I can do so with both enthusiasm and integrity.