Spotlight – Writing the letters of recommendation
How can you make sure your letter of recommendation is exceptional?
The first goal is to set up a meeting with the member of staff that will write your letter of recommendation. Most academic staff are busy so making sure you get quality time in their diary is important.
You need to be clear on what programs you wish to apply for. It is your job to make sure the referee writes a good letter - on time. You will need to chase them at least once a week, to make sure it is completed.
Remember that many teachers try to catch up on work during the holidays or at weekends, so a meeting on a Friday will be a good bet.
You will need to think of maybe one other reference, see if you can carry out some voluntary work and ask if they would be a reference for you? You should select your writers carefully. Will they say great things about you? Will the recommend you for the program? Be careful about getting a family friend to write a letter for you as the admissions may not view this as creditable as academic staff. The admissions department will expect letters from different key people so be sure that that person will write the best things about you. |