Please bear in mind that the better a professor knows you the more valuable will be the letter she can write for you.  If you have been in a large lecture course of mine, consider whether another professor who taught you in a smaller class would be a better option.  If you feel I am the best choice, email me your initial request or stop by my office hour, at least two weeks before the due dates for the letters.

Then please collect all your documents and give them to me at the same time in *one* folder.  Give me hard copies, do not email any materials to me.  I need: 

1.  FORMS: any instruction sheets and blank recommendation forms for each program you are applying to.  Fill in any information required from you and also fill out my title, address, etc. if needed.  Use a highlighter pen and/or post-its to mark the due dates for each letter.  Here is my info:

 3.  YOUR APPLICATION MATERIALS: copies of whatever application documents you are submitting to the programs.  These show me how you are describing your strengths so that I can highlight these same qualities in my letter.

 4.  C.V. PLUS TRANSCRIPT: which includes any work experience, your courses and grades, languages, any prizes or honors.  If you do not have a c.v. already, don’t worry about making it neat, just give me this information in some readable form.  Your courses and grades can be from an unofficial transcript.

5.  YOUR STRENGTHS AND GOALS: a short memo of bullet points from you about you, that gives me information not in your c.v.  If you are applying to graduate school, this should include your admission test scores (GRE, GMAT, LSAT) if the scores are not elsewhere in your packet.  This is a chance to tell me all of your strengths and accomplishments.  For instance, what was your greatest accomplishment in the past year?  Why do you want to study abroad (for example) and what are your goals for your time away?  If you are applying for study abroad, the programs often ask if a candidate will be able to adapt to a different culture, so include any international travel, living abroad, or other multicultural or international experiences.

 6.  WEBPAGE ADDRESSES: Send me an email with the webpage address for each program you are applying to.  This helps me see the qualities the program is looking for in a candidate.  It also helps with cutting and pasting addresses into letters.  If the program has no webpage, put its mailing address in the email.

7.  I will email you when I have sent out your letter(s).  If you haven't heard from me 5 days before the due date for the letter, it is your responsibility to email  me and remind me about the due date :).

Good luck!