Editing User:Benjamin Mako Hill/Letters of recommendations
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== "What do you need from me?" == | == "What do you need from me?" == | ||
Full disclosure: It takes me 1-3 hours to produce a letter for a single program and 10-15 minutes to customize the letter for each additional program you apply to. I got where I am because | Full disclosure: It takes me 1-3 hours to produce a letter for a single program and about 10-15 minutes to customize the letter for each additional program you apply to. I got where I am because lots of people wrote letters for me and I'm happy to do this to help you out too! Writing a strong letter is joy and I ''love'' doing it. That said, there are a number of things you can do to make this process as fast and smooth and possible: | ||
* '''The first deadline''' — this is the most important thing for me to know because it is the time I must write a letter. | * '''The first deadline''' — this is the most important thing for me to know because it is the time I must write a letter by. | ||
* Provide me | * Provide me a detailed list of the positions you are applying for. One helpful approach many students do is to create a spreadsheet using Google Sheets with a row for every program/job you are applying to. I need at least the following information: | ||
** The program name/address to whom I should address my letter | ** The program name / address to whom I should address my letter | ||
** Information on how I will submit the letter (almost always online these days; sometimes | ** Information on how I will submit the letter (almost always online these days; sometimes program will only request the letter themselves if you make onto a shortlist) | ||
** The deadline for each specific program | ** The deadline for each specific program | ||
** A link to the | ** A link to website the program you are applying to so I can know what sort of program you are applying to. | ||
** Notes about anything you would like me to emphasize in my letter (e.g., skills or background you know they are looking for). | ** Notes about anything you would like me to emphasize in my letter (e.g., skills or background you know they are looking for). | ||
** Anything else I need to know (e.g., is there a page or word limit for letters?) | ** Anything else I need to know (e.g., is there a page limit or word limit for letters?) | ||
** A final quick note: if you ensure I have editing access to the sheet, I will create a column and mark things as done as I submit them. | ** A final quick note: if you ensure that I have editing access to the sheet, I will create a column and mark things as done as I submit them. | ||
* Please ensure that you only request letters from me for programs or places you are ''actually'' going to apply. For example, make sure that you satisfy any prerequisite requirements. It's OK to start with a broad list | * Please ensure that you only request letters from me for programs or places you are ''actually'' going to apply. For example, make sure that you that satisfy any prerequisite requirements. It's OK to start with a broad list but please narrow things down before the ''first'' deadline or let me know that you are still unsure about applying to a particular program (e.g., by marking things clearly in your sheet). | ||
* Typically, application websites will create submission URLs once you start | * Typically, application websites will create submission URLs once you start your application and enter your recommenders information. Please do this for all programs you are applying to ''before'' the first deadline. This way, I can submit all my letters at the same time I produce the first one. This is more efficient for me and it's useful for you too since it means that all my letters will be finalized as soon as the first one is. | ||
* Please provide me with as much contextual information about yourself as | * Please provide me with as much contextual information about yourself as you can. A draft of a statement of purpose, your current resumé or CV, your academic transcript, papers you have published, lists of your hopes and dreams, and so on, are all really helpful for me! | ||
== "I need some information from you for the application." == | == "I need some information from you for the application." == |