Guidelines for Requesting a Letter of Recommendation for Graduate Programs

Update 10/30/24
I am now limiting my letter of recommendation (LOR) writing to students with whom I have a substantial, multi-class or multi-project relationship. Participation in the Data Science Clinic alone is no longer sufficient to receive a letter. This decision is largely due to shifts in the impact of LORs in the age of Generative AI. Additionally, I reserve the right to reconsider any LOR request if a student engages in unprofessional behavior, such as visiting my office without an appointment, sending repeated requests without allowing reasonable response time, or attempting to meet during a class they are not enrolled in.

Update 10/30/24

I am now limiting my letter of recommendation (LOR) writing to students with whom I have a substantial, multi-class or multi-project relationship. Participation in the Data Science Clinic alone is no longer sufficient to receive a letter.

This decision is largely due to shifts in the impact of LORs in the age of Generative AI. Additionally, I reserve the right to reconsider any LOR request if a student engages in unprofessional behavior, such as visiting my office without an appointment, sending repeated requests without allowing reasonable response time, or attempting to meet during a class they are not enrolled in.

If you’re considering asking me to write a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for a graduate program, please be aware of these essential guidelines:

Timing and Preparation

Advance Notice: I require a minimum of 30 days’ notice prior to the first application deadline.
Complete Application Packet: A request for an LOR must be accompanied by a full application packet, which includes:
- An up-to-date resume.
- Your most recent transcript.
- A well-crafted Statement of Purpose.
- A list of the schools and programs to which you are applying.

If you cannot provide these materials at least 30 days before the first deadline, I will not be able to write the letter.

Quality of the Letter

Acquaintance Level: The strength of the LOR is directly related to how well I know the applicant.
- Minimal Acquaintance: If our interaction was limited to a single class or academic term where you performed well, my ability to write a detailed and impactful letter is limited. Such letters are typically brief and less impactful.
- Extensive Interaction: If we have had multiple interactions (e.g., you were a teaching assistant, I was your mentor, you attended multiple courses I taught, etc.), the letter will likely be more substantial and compelling.
Experience: The strength of the LOR is also proportional to the experience itself. If I worked with you in a way that was not a positive experience for me such as you disappeared for a month or were just unpleasant or unprofessional these will not yield strong letters.

Before asking me to write a letter, consider whether I am familiar enough with your academic and professional achievements to write a strong recommendation. Feel free to discuss this with me for an honest assessment.

Considerations for Research-Focused Programs

Research Background: While I hold a PhD, I am primarily a practitioner and not actively involved in academic research. This is an important consideration because:
- PhD Programs: For PhD applications, especially at top-tier universities, a recommendation from an active researcher will carry more weight than one from a practitioner like me.