Asking for a Letter of Reference

The Huffington Post published an article a few years back giving college students some ideas about things they might want to ask their professors and also topics from which they probably want to steer clear. Today’s question that you might want to ask your instructor: can I count on you to write me a good reference letter?

I’ve had many students ask me to write a letter of reference over the years and this can make for a very awkward discussion in some cases. A letter of reference means that this instructor is putting their reputation on the line and vouching for you as a good, hard-working student and human. So before you even ask for a letter of reference, here are some things to consider:

·         Do you know the instructor well enough to ask for a letter of reference? If you don’t have a solid professional/academic relationship with your instructor, you shouldn’t be asking for a letter of reference.

·         Are you involved with research conducted by your instructor? If so, it’s definitely appropriate to ask for a letter of reference. If an instructor trusts you enough to have you work in their laboratory or doing research with/for them, then you have built a professional repertoire with them.

·         Have you worked on out-of-class projects with the instructor? This gives your instructor a basis on which to know and observe you outside of the classroom where your true personality and nature can shine. In this case, you can absolutely ask for a letter of reference.

·         Are you a good student? If you consistently miss class, score poorly on exams, or don’t submit homework, you probably don’t want a letter of reference from that instructor. Letters of reference typically come in a sealed envelope and you won’t be able to read them yourself, so if you’re not a good student you can’t trust that the instructor will give you a positive letter of reference.

As you can see, asking for a letter of reference should really be the culmination of a relationship that you have nurtured and developed with your instructor(s). Doing your best work and being friendly with your classmates and instructors will build the community you will need to not only be successful in your classes, but also in your pursuit of internships, co-ops, and jobs! Do your best work and it will always reward you!

Kelley