How to Obtain a Strong Reference Letter (From Me)

I get many requests from undergraduate students for a reference letter to accompany their application for a job, scholarship, graduate school, etc. Each such letter typically requires at least 1-2 hours to write and so I cannot possibly say "yes" to every request. Nevertheless, one of the most rewarding apects of my job is interacting with keen and bright students, and helping them to succeed in their academic and career aspirations.

With this in mind, I will be happy to write a letter for you but only if I believe that letter will actually help you with your application, which normally means that:

• you should have obtained at least a B+ grade in a class that I taught you,

• I know you personally (by name) from participating in my lectures or through conversations outside of class,
  OR
• you have worked closely with me on a research project, undergraduate thesis, summer internship, etc.

To better understand what I'm saying, you should read and compare the following two letters:

              Letter A               Letter B

What are the differences? I think you'll see that:

• A high grade by itself doesn't actually mean very much.
• It's what your prof knows about you, your abilities, or your extra-curricular activities that can have a much bigger impact in a letter.
• After a long period of time having no contact with your letter-writer, you can't expect them to remember clearly any details about you.
• Letter A is vague and boring and will have virtually no impact on the reader's opinion of you. But Letter B has some chance of getting you the position you desire!

In order to maximize your chances of obtaining a strongly supportive letter from me (or any other prof for that matter), you should take preparatory steps long before you actually need it . . . and I mean months or even years in advance. Here are a few things to consider:

1. Think ahead. Cultivate your references: Start planning for your reference letters early on in your studies. As you take courses and meet your profs, think about who you would most like to write a reference for you.
2. Stand out from the crowd: Ask questions both in and out of class. Impress your instructors with what you know and how you think. Aim to perform well in class but (just as important) demonstrate your desire and ability to learn!
3. Get to know your profs: Visit their office hours. Introduce yourself by name and make sure they know who you are. Share your mathematical (or other subject-based) interests and your career or academic aspirations.

4. Give advance warning: Don't leave your letter request to the last minute. Give me at least a few weeks of lead time.
5. Provide supporting information: Send me your CV/resumé, transcript, and other materials that you will submit along with your application. Include the job ad or some other description of the position you are seeking. Be sure to remind me of any deadlines.
6. Tell me about YOU: Make sure I know why you are applying, what your career goals are, and anything specific that you would like me to include in my letter.
7. Be grateful. And stay in touch: Thank me in person or at least in a brief note. Follow up by letting me know whether or not your application was successful. Stay in touch, since you never know when you might want to ask me for another letter.