Strong letters typically come from close working relationships with faculty. I will
usually only write for students that meet at least one of the following criteria:
A good letter takes a a great deal of time and effort to write. Therefore, you should
approach me as soon as possible with your request — at least three weeks before the
letter is due. You should also provide me with as much information as you can to help
me write a good letter for you.
If I agree to write on your behalf, I ask that you give me a final version (not a rough
draft) of any essays or statements you are planning to submit with your application.
The qualifications for graduate schools or REUs tend to be fairly similar,
and I know what they are looking for. However, if you are applying to a specialized program
or for a particular scholarship or fellowship, it is best if you give me a details of
the program or award together with a description of what criteria they use to judge
applications. (These criteria are typically stated somewhere on their website,
advertisement, or application.) Finally, it is also useful for me if you provide
me with a copy of your resume or CV.
If you wish to request a letter of recommendation from me, the best way to do so is in
person so that we can discuss the matter face-to-face.
Undergraduates that wish to learn more about the purpose and etiquette of letters of
recommendation can read the Guidelines
for Requesting Letters of Recommendation available on my list of
Resources for Math Majors.