Please follow the directions on this page carefully. They are the last impression I will have of you before I
write your recommendation.
I cannot write a recommendation for you without the following information
the forms from the school(s) or company(ies) to which you are applying
a list of the courses you've taken with me
a copy of your c.v. (curriculum vitae), or resume. You should list
- all paid jobs you have held and a description of your duties
- all volunteer positions and description of duties
- any honors you have received
- any clubs/organizations you belong to (on campus or off)
- your GPA, and your GPA in your major
- skills (languages you speak, programming languages you know, etc.)
a statement of purpose or list of career goals
(optional) If you have a paper or project that you’re particularly proud of, it would help me to read that.
Tips:
Be sure that you fill out and sign the top of the form(s) you give me.
Where it says "I do/do not waive my right to inspect this reference" consider what the impact of your checking "I do not" has. The school/company that receives the recommendation will take it less seriously if they think you have not waived the right to see it.
I normally send recommendations on MSU stationary through MSU’s mail service, so I don’t need a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope), but check with your other references on this. Providing a SASE is considered the correct thing to do.
If the recommendation is to be returned to you, provide an envelope larger than standard size in which I can return it.
Ask for the recommendation at least two weeks before it is due.
Be careful in choosing whom to ask for a reference. If you are a good student and/or if I know you well through advising or other contacts, I can write good things about you; otherwise not. It is also often reasonable to ask an employer or volunteer coordinator to write a reference. While they usually can't attest to your intellectual skills, they can comment on important issues like your reliability, flexibility, initiative, etc.