TEM #043: Get that faculty letter of recommendation.

May 24, 2024

Happy Friday!

If you're planning to apply to graduate school this year and will need a faculty letter of recommendation - this is your sign to email them next week.

Why?

This may be a broad brush stroke, but college faculty who are not teaching over the summer may fade into the email mist from June until early August when they're ready to prepare for fall classes.

Today I'm highlighting how to ask faculty for a letter of recommendation (even if you don't need it for a few more months).

This week’s highlights:

• Your education affirmation

• How to ask faculty for a letter of recommendation

• What faculty are actually doing all day

• What’s your burning question right now? 🔥

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Education affirmation.

"Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher." - Japanese Proverb

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How to ask faculty for a letter of recommendation.

Depending on their schedule, the faculty member(s) you're planning to ask for a letter of recommendation may be less available over the summer.

They're not necessarily gallivanting across the world - although some do - but they may be intently focused on research versus administrative tasks like letter writing.

This could mean that they'll check email less frequently, or only respond to high-priority emails from their university or leadership... and not really for letter of recommendation requests.

If you'll need a letter of recommendation this fall, the best time to reconnect with a faculty member and ask if they'd be willing to write one (in a few months) is now.

Keep reading for tips on:

• how to ask for a letter of recommendation

• what information to provide to ensure it's a strong letter

• how to follow up and ensure it's submitted on time

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Fun fact.

What do faculty do when they're not in the classroom? A lot, actually.

A few examples:

• conduct research

• write and publish scholarly articles

• attend conferences

• serve on university committees

• advise students

• develop new classes or update their program's curriculum

• assist with recruitment and admissions

• participate in training (ex. instructional design or DEI work)

So if you don't hear back via email right away, this is why.

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What's your burning question right now? 🔥

As an avid reader of The Education Mindset, you’re one of my favorite people whose input I value most* (next to my 98-year-old grandma, Betty).

* Before you check out for the long weekend, can you reply with one (1) question you have about grad school right now?

I’m preparing this summer’s newsletter and will cover everything you need to hear most 🎓

Thanks for being here, have a fun and safe holiday weekend!

Dr. Jena

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** Whenever you are ready, here are 4 ways I can help **

If you’re thinking about graduate school 🤔

If you’re ready to apply this year 😃

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