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Discussion

How Do I Request for a Letter of Recommendation?

I just graduated from my ADN program. I am in the process of putting my portfolio together. I wasn't an "A" student but, a "B" average student as the program was so rigorous.

How do I request for a letter of recommendation?

Also, should I email or call the instructors or drop a letter in their office or do all? I don't want to harass them.

Should I draft a copy and ask them to revise it as necessary to make it easier for them?

Thank you so much in advance!

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    • Expert

    If it is reasonable to see them in person, then ask them in person. If that's not reasonable (e.g. They don't have office hours in the summer, etc.) then a phone call would be nice. However, if you had a good relationship with them, an e-mail will suffice. I've gotten such requests via e-mail and have not minded it at all.

    In fact, I prefer to get such requests by e-mail as it gives me a chance to gather my thoughts and review the student's performance in my class before answering whether or not I will write the reference letter. It can be harder to say "No" when caught off-guard in a face-to-face conversation.

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    no draft

    Write or email. State: " I am now seeking employment and would be so appreciative if you could write a letter of recommedation for me, to be part of my portfolio".

    Also ask: "Can I count on you to give a verbal recommendation if an employer should contact you?"

    They know what is inferred, no need to get into further details. If you have a good face shot include it in the email so they can separate you from the others (assuming you do not know the instructor really well).

    GOOD LUCK!!!

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    In person or on the phone in fine. Email would be acceptable if that's your only way of communicating with them.

    "Hi, Professor X. I had a question for you. I really enjoyed working with you in Med-Surg clinical last semester, and I think you had a good opportunity to learn a lot about my abilities as a nurse. Would you be willing to write a letter of recommendation for me to bring to my job interviews? Yes? Thank you very much. Would two weeks be enough time for you to complete this? Great. Here is my address so that you can mail me a copy when you're done. Thank you again!"

    Do NOT write a draft for them. A letter of recommendation should be written by the person providing the recommendation- NEVER by the person asking for the letter. That's just like you writing the letter yourself and putting someone else's name of it. Chances are your instructors have written many letters of recommendation and their wording and format would be much better than what you would come up with anyway.

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    the professors that have written mine have asked me to email them to remind them - after I've asked them in person...

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