Letter of recommendation Questionnaire

Thank you for asking me to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf! To help me craft the most accurate, detailed, and impactful letter possible, I would appreciate it if you could take the time to fill out the sections below. When answering, please focus primarily on experiences, interactions, and achievements that I would reasonably be aware of or have observed directly, as these are the most authentic and credible for me to include.

I do not expect you to have an answer for all or even most of these questions. They are primarily just prompts to get you thinking about your application and our interactions. I will also keep all shared information confidential and use it solely to write your letter. If there are significant accomplishments or experiences outside of our direct interactions that you feel would strengthen my overall letter, feel free to share those as well. I can still incorporate them to provide a broader perspective on your strengths and potential.

Basic and Administrative Information

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Name: [ Having the correct, formal name ensures the letter is addressed correctly and personally. ]

University email: [ In case I need to clarify any details or follow up quickly ]

Resume/CV: [ Please send me your CV along with your responses to these prompts. Your CV gives an overview of your academic, professional, and extracurricular experiences, which helps me highlight them effectively. For example, if your CV mentions lab experience in computational biology, I might emphasize your research aptitude in that area. ]

Application Support Materials

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Draft of Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose (if available)

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[ Share your personal statement or statement of purpose if you have a draft ready. This helps me understand the narrative you are presenting and allows me to reinforce it in my letter. Highlight the most important or central sections to your application. ]

By aligning my letter with the themes and stories in your statements, I can reinforce your narrative and provide complementary examples or anecdotes. This consistency creates a cohesive application that demonstrates your goals and qualifications.

Examples:

• Your statement discusses your passion for gene therapy and describes how a personal experience inspired your focus on biomedical research.
• You’ve written about a pivotal research experience during your undergraduate studies that shaped your career aspirations.
• Your statement emphasizes your interdisciplinary approach, combining computational methods and experimental biology to solve complex problems.

List of Institutions/Programs or Companies with Deadlines

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[ Provide a detailed list of the institutions, programs, or companies you are applying to and their application deadlines. Include any specific notes about the program or position that might affect the tone or content of the letter. ]

Knowing where you’re applying helps me tailor the letter to match the expectations and priorities of each institution or employer. I can focus on aspects of your background that align with their unique requirements, ensuring that my recommendation adds value to your application. Additionally, this ensures I submit the letter on time for each deadline.

Examples:

• A PhD program in bioinformatics focusing on structural biology that values computational research experience.
• An internship at a biotech company looking for candidates with experience in protein-ligand docking.
• A master’s program emphasizing interdisciplinary systems biology and data science training.

Required Format or Guidelines for the Letter (if any)

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[ Share any specific formatting or content requirements for the recommendation letter. This includes word limits, particular prompts, or submission methods (e.g., email, online portal). Include that information if you know of any preferred focus areas. ]

Understanding the format and guidelines helps me ensure the letter meets all requirements, preventing delays or rejections due to formatting issues. It also allows me to focus on specific qualities or experiences if requested, ensuring the letter aligns with the recipient’s expectations.

Examples:

• A 500-word limit with prompts asking about your leadership potential or ability to handle challenges.
• An online portal where the letter must address specific qualities such as teamwork, technical skills, or innovation.
• A printed letter requiring a signature and institutional letterhead.

Other Supporting Documents You Want to Share

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[ Include any additional materials that provide insight into your qualifications or achievements. These might be documents you’ve prepared, such as transcripts, abstracts, reports, or emails highlighting your accomplishments. ]

Supporting documents give me a deeper understanding of your strengths and achievements. I can use these materials to add specific details or examples to the letter, making it more credible and impactful. These documents also help me highlight your academic rigor, research excellence, or other unique qualifications.

Examples:

• A lab report or project presentation that received special recognition from a professor or conference.
• An email from an advisor praising your contributions to a research project.
• A transcript showing strong performance in relevant coursework, especially in technical or advanced subjects.

Academic and Professional Background

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Relevant Courses Taken and Performance

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[ Share the courses you have taken from me that are most relevant to the recommendation, along with your performance in those courses. ]

Details about your coursework allow me to highlight your academic foundation and mastery of relevant topics. I can also describe your ability to succeed in challenging environments and draw connections between your coursework and your readiness for future academic or professional challenges.

Examples:

• You excelled in my “Computational Biology,” earning an A+ and consistently ranking at the top of the class.
• In “Computational Biology Research,” you demonstrated strong programming skills by completing a capstone project analyzing large genomic datasets with Python.

Projects, Papers, or Presentations

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[ Describe significant projects, papers, or presentations that you’ve completed in your coursework with me. Include the work’s scope, goals, and outcomes, and explain why it was meaningful. ]

These examples allow me to demonstrate your creativity, research skills, and ability to apply knowledge to practical problems. I can highlight specific accomplishments and explain their significance, showcasing your potential for future success in academic or professional settings.

Examples:

• A senior thesis on protein-ligand docking using machine learning, culminating in a conference presentation or a published paper.
• A project in my class where you developed a computational tool to analyze gene expression data, which stood out for its innovation and accuracy.

Past Interactions or Mentorship with Me

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[ Share specific examples of interactions, such as office hours, project discussions, or collaborative problem-solving. Reflect on how these moments contributed to your growth or helped you overcome challenges. ]

Personal anecdotes provide authenticity to the letter, demonstrating your dedication, curiosity, and growth. I can describe how you engaged with me as a mentor, showcasing your openness to feedback and your ability to develop skills through collaboration.

Examples:

• You frequently attended office hours to seek feedback on your computational modeling project, where you impressed me with your thoughtful questions and proactive problem-solving.
• During a class project, we discussed ways to improve your coding efficiency, and you successfully implemented those suggestions to achieve exceptional results.
• After receiving feedback on your writing, you revised your report into a polished and insightful final submission.

Work Experience, Internships, or Volunteer Roles

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[ Detail any work, internship, or volunteer experiences relevant to the recommendation. Include your responsibilities, key accomplishments, and the skills you gained. ]

Sharing these experiences allows me to highlight your ability to apply academic knowledge in real-world contexts. I can emphasize your adaptability, teamwork, and impact, providing evidence of your readiness to excel in professional or academic environments.

Examples:

• You interned at a biotech company, where you developed algorithms for genome assembly, contributing directly to the creation of a new computational tool.
• As a volunteer at a hospital, you managed patient data and assisted with an epidemiology study, gaining experience in data organization and analysis.
• You took on a leadership role in a student organization, organizing events and managing a team to achieve project goals.

Skills, Strengths, and Personal Attributes

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Top 3–5 Strengths You’d Like Highlighted

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[ Share the top strengths or qualities you would like me to emphasize in the letter. These should reflect attributes that align with your goals, the position, or the program you are applying to. ]

Identifying your key strengths helps me tailor the letter to highlight the qualities most relevant to your goals. I can provide specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate these traits, creating a compelling narrative that aligns with what admissions committees or employers are seeking.

Examples:

• You led a team during a capstone project, effectively managing deadlines and resolving conflicts to achieve excellent results.
• You developed innovative solutions during a class project, such as proposing a unique approach to computational modeling.
• You overcame challenges in completing a demanding course, demonstrating determination and adaptability.
• You designed a creative experiment or computational workflow that addressed a previously unresolved problem.
• You collaborated effectively on a research team, ensuring everyone’s contributions were valued and integrated.

Technical Skills and Proficiencies

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[ Detail the technical skills, tools, or techniques you are proficient in, particularly those relevant to the opportunity. Include specific programming languages, lab methods, or software tools, along with examples of how you’ve applied them. ]

Including your technical skills allows me to highlight your expertise in tools and methods critical for success in STEM fields. I can describe how your proficiency contributed to specific achievements, demonstrating your technical readiness for advanced academic or professional roles.

Examples:

• Proficient in Python, which I used to develop machine learning models for protein-ligand docking.
• Skilled in PCR and Western blot, applied during a research internship to study gene expression.
• Experience with R and Tableau, used for analyzing and visualizing large-scale genomic datasets.
• I am familiar with computational biology tools like Rosetta, GROMACS, and AutoDock, which I use for class assignments or research projects.

Soft Skills and Personal Qualities

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[ Share the soft skills and personal attributes that make you a well-rounded candidate. Highlight qualities such as communication, collaboration, or empathy, and provide examples of how you’ve demonstrated them. ]

These traits allow me to portray you as more than a technically capable candidate. I can emphasize your ability to work well with others, communicate effectively, and adapt to diverse environments—highly valued qualities in any field.

Examples:

• Presented your senior thesis at a research symposium, receiving positive feedback for clarity and engagement.
• Mediated disagreements during a group project, ensuring a successful outcome despite initial challenges.
• Volunteered with an organization serving diverse communities, adapting communication styles to meet different cultural needs.
• Mentored incoming students in your major, helping them navigate challenging coursework with encouragement and support.

Comparative Reflection

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[ Reflect on how you believe you stood out compared to others in the same course, lab, or project. Consider unique contributions, qualities, or achievements that distinguished you from your peers. ]

Sharing these reflections allows me to position you as a standout candidate by emphasizing your unique strengths and contributions relative to others.

Examples:

• You consistently demonstrated leadership during group projects by organizing tasks and ensuring timely completion.
• Your project report included an innovative perspective that went beyond the scope of the assignment.
• You balanced challenging coursework with extracurricular commitments more effectively than your peers.

Motivations and Future Aspirations

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Immediate Goals

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[ Share your immediate objectives for pursuing this next step, such as graduate school, an internship, or a job. Explain how this opportunity will help you build the foundation for your future aspirations. ]

I can emphasize how this opportunity aligns with your aspirations and readiness by understanding your immediate goals. I can highlight your enthusiasm, preparedness, and clarity of purpose to show how this step will benefit you and the institution or organization.

Examples:

• You aim to pursue a master’s program in computational biology to gain advanced training in bioinformatics tools and methods before applying to a PhD program.
• You want to complete an internship at a biotech company to gain hands-on experience in drug discovery and transition into industry research.
• You plan to deepen your technical skills through a specialized certificate program to shift into a career in data science for genomics.

Long-Term Career Plans

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[ Describe your long-term vision for your career and the impact you hope to make in your chosen field or community. Include specific roles, industries, or areas where you want to contribute. ]

This information allows me to connect your current trajectory to your broader vision. I can describe how your aspirations demonstrate commitment, ambition, and the potential to make meaningful contributions, which helps decision-makers see the long-term value of investing in you.

Examples:

• You aspire to lead an R&D team in a pharmaceutical company, focusing on developing personalized medicine solutions.
• Your long-term goal is to launch a biotech startup that creates innovative molecular diagnostics for rare diseases.
• You plan to pursue an academic career, becoming a professor and mentoring the next generation of researchers in computational biology.

Specific Fields of Interest

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[ Identify the specific fields or topics that excite you most and how they connect to your academic or professional background. Explain why you are drawn to these areas and how you’ve prepared to pursue them. ]

Sharing your specific interests allows me to tailor the letter to emphasize your alignment with the opportunity. I can highlight relevant coursework, projects, or skills demonstrating your preparedness and enthusiasm for the field, making a strong case for your fit.

Examples:

• You are passionate about gene therapy and have worked on computational models for vector optimization, which you aim to expand in a graduate program.
• Your primary interest lies in bioinformatics, particularly in developing algorithms for analyzing large-scale genomic data.
• You are drawn to molecular diagnostics, inspired by your undergraduate research on novel biomarker detection techniques.

Why This Institution/Company/Program?

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[ Explain why you are specifically interested in the institution, program, or company. Highlight aspects that resonate with your goals, such as a particular lab, faculty member, company mission, or unique resources. ]

This allows me to underscore your motivation and fit for the specific institution or company. I can explain how your goals and interests align with their offer, making your application more compelling and demonstrating why you are an excellent match.

Examples:

• You are excited about joining a graduate program at a university with a renowned computational biology lab that aligns with your research interests in protein-ligand docking.
• You are drawn to an internship at a company because of their innovative approach to developing CRISPR-based therapeutics. You admire the institution’s interdisciplinary focus, which provides opportunities to collaborate across fields like bioengineering and data science.

Any Additional Information or Anecdotes

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Anything Else That Makes You Stand Out

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[ Share any unique experiences, challenges, or personal interests that highlight qualities not covered in other sections. These include life experiences, cultural insights, or accomplishments demonstrating leadership, resilience, or passion. ]

Unique anecdotes make your application memorable and add a humanizing element to my letter. I can use these stories to illustrate your character, passions, and ability to bring a fresh perspective to your field. These details often resonate strongly with admissions committees or employers, helping your application stand out.

Examples:

• You overcame significant obstacles, such as balancing full-time work with your studies, which showcases your determination and time management skills.
• You participated in a cross-cultural exchange program, developing a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives and the ability to work in global teams.
• Your interest in environmental sustainability led you to organize a campus initiative to reduce laboratory waste.

Feedback for Me

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[ Share any specific points you’d like me to emphasize or avoid in the letter. Let me know how I can best support your application by aligning my letter with your goals and the recipient’s expectations. ]

Your feedback ensures that my letter aligns with your goals and presents your background’s most relevant and impactful aspects. By tailoring the content to your needs, I can make the recommendation as effective and cohesive as possible, strengthening your overall application.

Examples:

• Request that I emphasize your teamwork and leadership skills from a particular project, such as your role in leading a successful group research initiative.
• Suggest focusing on your technical expertise, such as your proficiency in coding for bioinformatics or your experience with machine learning applications.
• Ask me to avoid mentioning a particular experience if you feel it’s already well-covered in your statements or if it’s less relevant to the opportunity.