Recommendation Letter Requests

If you would like a recommendation letter, send the following to katherine stjohn AT hunter cuny edu:

• Your full name (and any name changes),
• The course and semester for which I was your instructor,
• Your resume,
• A description (and webpage link) to the program to which you are applying,
• Any required forms for the program (with your sections and signature completed),
• A brief description of why you are applying to the program, and
• The deadline for submitting the letter.

If I have written a letter for you in the past, I can usually send a new letter via email within a week.
For new letters or those that must be submitted on paper, allow at least two weeks.

If this is the first time you are requesting recommendation letters, here are some things to consider:

• When choosing someone to write a letter for you, consider how you did in the class: Did you do well? Did you attend and participate in class? Your letter will be stronger if the instructor can talk about how engaged and how well you did in the course.
• A standard question on the form is: how long have you known the applicant and in what capacity? When possible, choose a letter writer who has taught you in multiple classes or has been a mentor over several semesters.
• Choose your letter writers to fit the application. For example, if you are applying to divinity school to become a minister, there are questions about your religion and faith on the recommendation form which a computer science professor cannot answer. Similarly, if you are applying for graduate school in the sciences, your swim instructor will probably have difficulties discussing your ability to complete academic work.
• If applying to a doctoral program, a standard question of a letter writer is how well will the student perform. This is difficult to answer if the letter writer is still a doctoral student (many CUNY adjuncts and teaching assistants are currently working on their doctoral degrees). In this situation, try to find letter writers who have doctorates or a strong research background.
• Consider waiving your right to read the letter. This allows the letter writer to write a more open letter and is viewed more favorably by the institutions requesting letters.
• If someone who you ask for a letter suggests that you ask someone else, do so! This suggestion comes up when 1) letter writers do not have time to complete the letter, or 2) think someone else would be able to write you a stronger letter.