Gonzaga University Career & Professional Development Updated Aug 26, 2022
TIPS FOR REQUESTING LETTERS OF
RECOMMENDATION
Leers of recommendaon, also known as reference leers, are oen used to support one’s candidacy for
graduate school. Below are some consideraons when requesng leers.
WHO SHOULD I ASK?
• Follow the specic requirements for each graduate program. In some instances, you may be asked to secure
mulple leers of recommendaon.
• Ask individuals who have supervised or evaluated you in an academic or professional seng. In addion to
professors, this may include a work supervisor, advisor, or volunteer coordinator. Avoid personal references
(family, friends) unless the applicaon specically indicates that is acceptable.
• Choose a recommender who knows you well and can write a strong leer over someone you perceive as
being in some posion of status or importance but does not know you as well.
• If you are requesng mulple leers, think about the dierent voices of support and how, as a group, they
discuss important aspects of your professional and academic life.
WHEN SHOULD I ASK?
• Approach your evaluators early and ask if they feel comfortable wring a strong and supporve leer of
recommendaon for you.
• A minimum of 1 month is opmal, but give as much advance noce as possible. You are more likely to receive
a “yes” to your request and an increased chance of a quality, personalized leer.
• When requesng leers from faculty, keep in mind that toward the end of the semester they may be
burdened with grading nals as well as wring leers of recommendaon for other students.
• It may be acceptable to ask within a shorter meframe if you know the person has already wrien a leer they
can easily modify for you to use with a new applicaon to a dierent school.
HOW SHOULD I ASK?
• If possible, try to arrange a face-to-face meeng. Ask if the faculty member is comfortable endorsing you as a
candidate for the opportunity to which you are applying, and follow up with an email. If a face-to-face meeng
is not possible, a phone call or well wrien email is appropriate.
• Make sure you state precisely what you are requesng: a general leer of recommendaon that can apply to
mulple opportunies or a leer of recommendaon for 1 specic graduate program.
• Explain why you are asking this individual to write you a leer, and if there is anything in parcular you hope
they cover in the leer. This can help the evaluator focus their comments on what is most relevant for this
opportunity.
WHAT SHOULD I INCLUDE IN MY REQUEST?
• Share a brief descripon of the program to which you are applying. A recommender can write a beer leer
if they can speak specically to the relaonship between your skills and experiences and the opportunity you
seek.
• Send your resume or curriculum vita (CV), which helps provide details about your background.
• Again, be sure to menon the reasons why you have asked the individual to write a leer for you and any
addional guidance on what you hope they will discuss.
• Include a rm deadline and instrucons about how the individual should submit the leer. Typically these
leers are condenal and therefore the evaluator submits the leer directly to the applicaon portal.
Career & Professional Development • careers@gonzaga.edu • 509-313-4234 • careers@gonzaga.edu
HOW SHOULD I FOLLOW UP?
• Send a gentle reminder about your request as you approach the deadline.
• Express your gratude. Wring a quality leer of recommendaon takes me and eort, so be sure to thank
those who are willing to help you reach your goal.
• Remember to update your recommender on the eventual result of your applicaon. In the excitement of
acceptance it’s easy to forget to do this, but it is deeply rewarding for those who have supported you.
SAMPLE EMAIL REQUEST
The email below serves as only a suggested format or framework for requesng a leer of recommendaon. Be
sure to include the appropriate details and informaon for your situaon.
Dear Dr. Bulldog,
Thank you for agreeing to write a leer of recommendaon to support my applicaon to graduate school. To
recap our earlier conversaon held during your oce hours, I am planning to apply to Biochemistry PhD programs
at ABC University, X State University, and the University of Z with the goal of enrolling in the fall of 2023.
I believe you are a great person to speak to my preparedness for graduate school because you have served
as my academic advisor for the past four years and also as the primary invesgator for my most signicant
undergraduate research experience. Specically, I am hoping you can address:
• The increasing trend in my overall GPA due to seeking help and developing beer study strategies
• My collaborave spirit in the classroom and in the lab
• Research skills, such as my suggesons as how to beer categorize the data samples we collected from the
eld in order to more eciently process results
I have aached a copy of my current CV, which will hopefully provide you with a comprehensive view of my key
accomplishments and experiences.
The applicaon deadlines are approaching later this month, and I would be grateful if you can submit your leer
of recommendaon no later than November 15. Over the next couple of days, you should receive an email from
each of the 3 schools with direcons as to how to submit the leer directly through their applicaon portal.
Please let me know if you feel comfortable wring a leer of recommendaon to support my candidacy for
graduate school. I am happy to answer any quesons or provide addional informaon that can help you in
wring this leer.
Thank you for all you have done for me and for taking the me to consider this request.
Sincerely,
Spike Zag
Career & Professional Development • careers@gonzaga.edu • 509-313-4234 • careers@gonzaga.edu