Recommenders

Getting Great Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation are an important component of your scholarship or fellowship application. These tips will help you get great letters.

Whom do you ask?

  • Check the criteria first. Do they require writers have the title of professor? Do they want an advisor, a community member, or a work supervisor? 
  • Think about who knows you best. Fellowships committees would rather get a detailed letter from someone they don’t know than a generic letter from a VIP.

When do you ask?

Early! Aim to give recommenders at least one month before the deadline. Less than two weeks is a risky bet.

How do you ask?

  • Ask politely, ideally in person. Make an appointment. Ask in your own words: “Would you be able to provide a strong letter for me?”
  • Provide information:
    • Tell the writer why you are asking them.
    • Did an aspect of the course inspire you to choose your major? Does the scholarship relate to a project you worked on for the course?
    • Create a bulleted list with details on how you know the writer: When did you meet? What courses did you take? How else did you interact?
    • Give them a copy of your resume or CV and, potentially, essay drafts or a copy of your student academic summary.
    • If you’re applying for multiple awards or programs, give them a full list including deadlines and submission details.
  • You should waive your right to read the letters. Confidential letters are preferred, and in some cases required, by fellowship foundations. 
  • Send a polite reminder and thank you a week before the deadline.
  • Follow up later thanking them and letting them know the results!

Notice: Remember, letter writers need to submit letters via the KU campus online letter of recommendation form, so provide this to your writers via email as a follow-up to your conversation.

Common Concerns and Questions

Writing recommendations is part of a professor’s job, and following these tips will help professors write an effective letter.

  • You can always email the Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships at curf@ku.edu with questions or for guidance on choosing and preparing recommenders.
  • You should never draft your own letter. Providing the information above helps prepare the writers to do the job themselves.