Professors: How to ask for a letter of recommendation for Grad School?

Question

I just graduated this May with a B.A. in English and have now decided to go to Grad school for Communications. I would like to email three of my past Eng. professors for letters of recommendation, but don't know how I should word my emails. Any tips that advice that anyone has on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi! Congrats on your decision to further your education. The decision is an investment of time and resources that will pay itself off many times over in the future.

I would concur with the previous responders that it may be more personal to give a quick call or visit to your former professors. Be sure to ak them if they feel comfortable in giving you a strong recommendation for graduate school. Ask them to be honest with you and if they are unable to give you a strong recommendation you need to know this. This is essential information for you as an applicant.

Once they agree to provide you with a recommendation tell them you will provide them with a summary sheet. This sheet should include the courses you took with them, the grade you received, and anything notable about your class projects, participation or interaction. You will also want to provide them with some background such as your resume to demonstrate any additional paraprofessional internships or leadership experiences you may have that perhaps they do not know about. Sometimes this information is on your resume.

Finally on the summary sheet you provide them, tell them what program/school you are applying to. Also note if you would appreciate them commenting on anything specific. Something like, "I know Boston U's School of Communication pays particular attention to group roles. I would appreciate it if you would mention the roles I played in our small group projects in your class where you observed me in the roles of encourager, gatekeeper and information giver."

In summary, make sure you...

1. Ask if they are comfortable providing you a strong recommendation. If not, thank them for their honest feedback and move on to someone who can.

2. Provide them with a sheet that will remind them of their direct experience with you as well as information about your background and any specific skills/information that you would appreciate them mentioning.

Good luck!

Answer 2

If you could, talk with them in person. It shows you care enough to show up. Otherwise, a phone call can do it if the school you went to school far away from where you are at now
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I wouldn't e-mail them until after you get them to agree to writing a letter.

E-mail gives the impression that you spammed every one of your professors in a pathetic attempt to get them to write a letter

When you talk with them, just say something like "I really thought that you would give an accurate impression of a student who would do well in grad school, and I admired your ability to word things." or something that makes them feel like you want them to give a letter.
Being sincere counts.

Answer 3

I went on to get a higher degree seven years after undergrad. I went there and found out their office hours and did a walk-in visit and asked them in person.

It worked.

Have the name and address of whom they are to write, and to be nice, you might want to supply a stamped envelope with the address already on it. I find that many if not most institutions still like snail mail better.

Answer 4

Just ask them, for most of them it isn't a big deal. But it may be better to email them first and then drop by later out of latent respect. They may be able to give you some solid advice while they're at it.