Letters of Recommendation
Recommendations for Employment, Internships, Study Abroad or Continued Education:
Students who request faculty recommendations for employment, graduate school or other reasons should contact the individual faculty member after completing a recommendation request form, which is available in the department office or click here to download a pdf file of the form. The form will provide the necessary information for a complete and timely response to your request.
Good, well-written recommendations take time. Help us to highlight your strongest points, and to write the best recommendation we can by doing the following:
1. On a separate paper jot down any special achievements, outstanding projects, contributions to class, the art department or school, and any other relevant points which you think may present you in a positive light. Also, write a short description or explanation of each program or job for which you're applying. Address such basic questions as, "What kind of program or job is it?" "What exactly will you be doing in it?" "What are some of your basic career goals or interests that this job or program might meet?"
2. Remember that you are not the only one asking for recommendations; it's not unusual for faculty members to have 15-25 to write at one time. The worst time crunches are at the end of each term and between November 15 and January 15. It is in your best interest to give faculty plenty of time to think about all of your finer qualities and unique characteristics. They can only write about what they personally recall and know about you. So please submit your requests according to the following schedule.
| Deadline |
When you want the recommendation completed
and postmarked or ready for you to pick up. |
| Lead time |
When all necessary materials reach the hands of
the faculty member. |
|
Deadline* Lead time
first week of a term 4 weeks
last week of a term 4 weeks
between Nov. 15 and Jan. 15 October 21
other holidays or breaks 4 weeks
summer May 1
all other times 3 weeks |
*If you have several requests with different deadlines, use the earliest deadline to determine your lead time; faculty members will probably write all recommendations at one time.
3. Faculty members on sabbatical are engaged in focused and intensive research, often away from campus. Consequently they don't normally write recommendations during this time. If, however, you have a special request, please consult the department chair well in advance of the anticipated lead time.