Letters of Recommendation

If you are applying to graduate school or seeking employment, you may need letters of recommendation. Below are a set of questions I am often asked. Providing the information I request in a timely manner make it possible for me to write the strongest letter for you. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Frequently asked questions:

• How much time do you need?

In order to find time in my schedule to research and compose a letter, I need to have sufficient advanced notice. I require at least four weeks advance notice of the earliest deadline. If you do not provide this much notice, I may not be able to complete the letters on time. Since this may reflect badly on me, I may not agree to write such a letter.

• What do I need to provide?

You need to give me the following information:

• Addresses for each letter and their due dates. An ascii file with blank lines between each address would be great.
• Any forms that institution wants me to fill out. These usually include an option for the applicant to waive rights to the content of letters.
• An essay describing you and why you are applying to graduate school. In this essay, you should include information about your extracurricular activities at Hamilton or elsewhere, and any achievements, honors, or awards you have received. If you have already graduated, this is a good place to tell me everything you have been doing since you left. You might also consider attaching your resume since this contains much of this information.
• All standardized test scores you will be reporting. If you have done well on these exams, I can use that information to write a stronger letter. If you haven't, I need to know so I can write the strongest letter in that context.
   
• Where do you send letters, to me or the institution?

I only send letters to the institution. Some programs ask the applicant to collect the letters, but they are always willing to accept letters directly from the recommender.

• Do you submit letters electronically?

No. Although many schools are moving to electronic letters such as e-mail or web page submission of text, such systems are inherently less secure and expose letters to modification, searching, and especially archiving. Due to the sensitive nature of these letters, I am not comfortable submitting them electronically. I only write paper letters. All schools accept them.

• Do I need to provide envelopes and postage?

No. Your letter will go out on Hamilton letterhead. The College pays for the postage.

• How will I know that you have completed the letter?

I will send you an e-mail telling you I have sent the letter. If you haven't heard from me, the letter hasn't been sent. It is in your interest to remind me as the date approaches.