Choose well

Request recommendations from those who know you, since they will be better equipped to write a compelling recommendation for you.

Ask your potential recommender, “Do you feel comfortable to write me a recommendation letter for this particular position or scholarship? rather than “Will you write me a letter of recommendation?”

This is a better approach and gives them a way out if they don’t.

Most of the universities/scholarship providers have the recommendation type in their websites. You should be clear about the type of your recommendation and should know who can write the best recommendation letter for that particular position/scholarship/program. For example: 

• For graduate/professional school, for scholarships, academic internships, and research assistantships -Faculty member might help you for a recommendation addressing your academic accomplishments and experiences.
• For non‐academic position (i.e., a summer job) – counselor, T.A., current or former supervisor would be better option. 

Start early

Ideally, give the person three to four weeks, but never less than two weeks to complete the recommendation. Most faculties and staffs are very busy and have numerous recommendations to write, so be courteous and give them time to write it properly.

Provide full information

Often, faculty and mentors will need some specific information from you in order to write an effective recommendation.

• About the position/program/scholarship/etc.
• The name of the position/program/school/scholarship/etc. and a description or brief relevant information about it.
• The name and title of the person who will receive the completed letter.
• The address or website.
• The date by which you need the recommendation.
• Your complete statement of purpose (if possible), or a statement of why you are interested in this particular position/program/school/scholarship/etc. and how it specifically fits into your short/long‐term goals.
• Your up‐to‐date resume, which includes specific items (e.g., research experiences, leadership, courses taken, published manuscripts etc.) that you would like to be mentioned in your recommendation letter.

Last of all, Be gracious

You need to say thank you to the person who wrote your letter of recommendation and communicate with him/her later on.

Written by 
Naina Mozaffar
Mentee
Women Support Initiative Forum
&
Bangladesh Society of Women in Public Health