TEM #010: The right person + the right time.

September 1, 2023

You made it. It’s Friday!

A glorious 3-day weekend awaits. Let’s get to it.

This week’s highlights:

• Your education affirmation

• How to ask faculty for a letter of recommendation

• Action steps for the next week

• Australia and the moon 🌕

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Education affirmation.

I am in control of my progress.

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On the Blog.

How to Ask Faculty for a Letter of Recommendation ✍️

Asking for a letter of recommendation can be one of the most nerve-wracking aspects of the graduate school application process.

Getting a good letter of recommendation is as much about strategy as it is about your relationship with the faculty member.

If you ask the right person, at the right time, and give them the right information, chances are you will end up with a great letter for your application.

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Application Action Steps.

Choose your own adventure 🚁

1. Thinking about school in the future?

   • If you went to college and are planning on graduate school eventually, stay in touch with 1-2 faculty members until you apply

   • How? Email a 2-paragraph life update once per year (yes, it really is that easy)

   • A student I taught years ago sends annual updates and I love reading them; if they ever ask for a reference or recommendation in the future it will be the most detailed, enthusiastic letter I’ve ever written
     

2. Actively applying later this year?

   • After you meet with the people who will write your letters of recommendation, email this information for quick reference when they write:

     • Your resume + personal statement (try to write it soon)

     • A few sentences about why you’re pursuing this degree, what strengths you’ll bring to the program, and how the degree will help you achieve your career goals

     • A list of points you’d like them to highlight (examples: a project you did or anything that relates to your academic abilities - even if it’s research in your job)

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Fun fact.

Australia is wider than the moon.

🤯

Moon diameter = 2,159 miles.

Australia diameter = 2,485 miles.

(Keep this in your back pocket for small talk during grad school interviews).

Bonus: More moon trivia from NASA.

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Thanks for reading, get excited for big news in the coming weeks.

Enjoy your holiday weekend!

Dr. Jena

p.s. Have a coworker, friend or mentee thinking about graduate school? Forward this email so they can sign up here for The Education Mindset and get on track to apply.

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