Many professors spend a significant percentage of their time writing letters of recommendation for students, current and former. I am happy to do so; my students work hard and I am happy to acknowledge their strengths. I realize I wouldn’t be where I am without several busy people taking time to write letters for me, so I feel obligated to do the same. Because I take the time to know my students, in most cases it is easy for me to write a letter expressing a personal view of the student. Occasionally, though, the circumstances present a real challenge. I do the best I can, but the best letters are those that reflect anecdotes and personal details that don’t come through on a transcript. The following is a list of my suggestions on how to get good, personal, and detailed letters of recommendation written for you, by any professor or professional contact.

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• Let your professor get to know you. Simply showing up in class, doing well on exams, and writing good papers are not enough. Often I have “A” students that I barely know. All I can write about is their performance on tests and papers, which is already conveyed to the Admissions Office/Employer in the transcript. This is worse if the student doesn’t get an A. It is easy to let a professor get to know you: just go see them during office hours, suggest lunch or coffee, and even chatting before and after class can be helpful. Some of my best letters have been written about a meaningful conversation I had with a student during office hours that had nothing to do with our course. See the Guide to Office Hours.

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• Class participation is only the first step. One way your professor can start to get to know you is through strong class participation. It is not the only way, and it isn’t enough, but it is a start.

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• You don’t need an “A” to get a good letter. Some of my favorite students received average grades in my course. But because I got to know them outside of class, I could appreciate all their strengths and write meaningful letters. I include this point so you don’t think all we care about is grades, and to reinforce how important it is to get to know your recommender.

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• Provide ample notice. Give your recommender enough time. I suggest a month if possible, but at least two weeks. Writing letters isn’t our only job.

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• Provide information. Always attach a copy of your resume so we can see what else you do beyond class. If it has been more than a year since you were in the professor’s class, it is helpful to remind them of the semester you were enrolled. Bonus points for reminders of (or attaching copies of) important work for the class. Did you write a good paper? Complete an interesting project? Remind the professor of those details. 

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• Ask right after your class is over. I prefer to write letters while you are fresh in my mind. It allows me to recall anecdotes, rather than just look at my grade sheet. The letter will still be good months later when you apply.

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• Keep in touch. If I knew you well when you were in my class, but you come to me two years later, and I haven’t spoken to you since it will be challenging to remember the type of personal details that make a good letter. Stop by during office hours, meet me for coffee, and send an email once in a while. I saw some intern extraordinaire on the Today Show the other day; she said she gets in touch at least three times a year with all her professional contacts. Think of your professors the same way. I have former students who email me once a year like clockwork. Social media helps too!

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• Let your recommender know the results. Nothing is more frustrating than spending your free time writing letters of recommendation for a student, and never hearing back from them again. We want to know where you got in, and what your plans are. If we didn’t care, we wouldn’t write the letter. A simple email would suffice, although a visit is nice.