Letters of Recommendation

Professor: Erika L.C. King
Email: eking@hws.edu
Office: Lansing 304
Phone: (315) 781-3355

Please give me plenty of time to write a recommendation for you. The more time I have, the better the recommendation can be. If I have agreed to write a recommendation for you, please give me

an unofficial copy of your transcript,
a copy of your personal statement (if applicable),
all necessary forms, and
addressed HWS envelopes without stamps (ask Ann Warner or Laura Sposato in Eaton 104 for the envelopes; you need to address them).

The last two items should be given to me in a folder or envelope. The first two items can be sent to me via email or included with the latter items in paper form in the folder/envelope.

Furthermore, at least two weeks before the first letter is due, e-mail me (eking@hws.edu) your answers to the following questions (the more details the better):

What is your name, year, and major?
For what are you applying (e.g., scholarship, graduate school, summer research experience)? List the programs/schools to which you are applying, together with due dates.
How long have I known you (years and months), and what is my relationship to you (instructor, advisor, etc.)? For what classes have I had you, what final grades did I assign you, and how did you distinguish yourself in my classes? Have you been a TA for me? If so, for what classes and when?
How would you describe yourself? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? Your response to this question is very important to me, so the more details the better.
What are some of your academic and nonacademic accomplishments?
What makes me particularly qualified to write a letter for you? What makes you particularly qualified for this position/honor/award?
What are your long term goals and will this position/honor/award help? If so, how?
Additional comments (have you participated in an REU or other summer research program, had an interesting job or hobby, etc.?).

Although I know the answers to many of these questions, it is helpful to have all the information in one place. The hope is that your work on these questions will help me write a better recommendation letter for you and also that it might help you write a better application. Please send me e-mail reminders as deadlines approach. Good luck!

Note that the ideas and format of this website are taken from Michael Orrison's article in the May/June 2006 issue of the Newsletter of the Mathematical Association of America, FOCUS.