Letters of Recommendation Advice??

Psych_to_Nurse · Mar 18, 2011

I was in your same position last year and had the exact same concerns. Basically in the end I just tried to make everything as organized/simple as possible. I gave each recommender a package which included: (1) a letter explaining what I'm doing and why I'm doing it (2) a table that listed each school, the type of letter required (whether it was a form, online, or a basic letter), the due date, and any other notes (3) my personal statement (4) resume (5) each schools specific letter forms (6) stamped/addressed envelopes.

Each one of my recommenders was actually very surprised and pleased with how organized everything was, so I think that made up for the amount of work I was asking them to do. I know it's overwhelming and nerve racking, but I think all you can do is try and make it as easy for them as possible and they will probably be pretty willing to work with you.

Good luck! :)

ADEcstatic · Mar 18, 2011

I agree with everything Psych_to_nurse said!

FNPHopeful2012 · Mar 18, 2011

Thanks! So, is all of that information such as type of letter, forms, etc. not available until the actual application is released? I will have to wait until June before I have them? If that's the case, I might just give a heads up to the people I want to give me a letter of recommendation so that they can expect to see it in June or something.

Thank you!!

Psych_to_Nurse · Mar 18, 2011

It depends on the school. Some schools have all this info on their website with links to the required forms, but for other schools you may have to wait until they post the application for the next term. Either way, I don't think it is a bad thing to give your recommenders a heads up. The only other advice I have for you is to give them ample time to complete the letters but not TOO much time. I would say 3 months at the most, anymore time and they may put your letters a side and forget about them until you remind them, and then they may be rushed. Just my thoughts...

dedicatedone · Mar 24, 2011

I too am in your position. In fact I am meeting with one of my last reccommenders in the next few days to explain the whole situation. Knowing that certian applications are due as early as September and go all the way until January, I went a head and researched multiple schools to see how/what they wanted in their reccommendation form. Like you said, some want letters while others want an actual form filled out. Every single school is different (of course they couldn't make it THAT easy). I too put together a packet that included the most common questions (around 13) that most, if not all, schools asked in one way or another. I also attached several different reccommendation forms for my recommenders to review (that way they can also see the caliber of schools I am applying to and make it a point to be articulate in their writing) along with my resume.

Once they have completed the questions in the packet, we agreed that together we would tailor/edit the responses to fit each reccomendation form as this was the best way to get all of the information the schools needed. I agreed that I would not alter what they specifically said but would assist to ensure the question had been answered on each form.

Though a little backround info may help. Before I handed them my packet I opened up in our discussion how honored I would be if they would write a reccommendation for me. Explaining to them why they are the best person to write this really makes a difference when it comes time to write their response. I warned them that this is no ordinary reccommendation and they could say no if they wanted. It was then I handed them this packet and explained to them the importance/role they have had in my success and would like their further support. Not one of them have declined my request and all are actively writing responses over time. Though 6 months is a long time for a reccommendation notice/request, it is neccessary in our situation to get ourselves as best prepared to submit applications in a timely manner. Best of luck to you in your journey! Trust me, by getting organizing everything for your reccommenders is truly a blessing for them. It makes a HUGE difference. They will thank you.