Letters of Recommendation
I often write grad school/fellowship letters of recommendation for students who have done well in my class(es) or have worked in my lab as a research assistant. In order for me to write a letter, I need to have advance notice and the following items at least two weeks before the deadline:
- A list of each school (and department) or fellowship you are applying to, and the deadline of the reference letter for each application. It is easiest for me to get this information and do all the reference letters for a student at once, although I understand that this is not always possible due to the spread of deadlines.
- Your statement of purpose. If the statement is substantially different for each fellowship/graduate school, I'll need multiple statements. At the minimum, I need know if you are interested in an MS or PhD, whether you want a research assistantship or are just going to take classes, what topic you would like to study (e.g., robotics, fluid dynamics, MEMS etc.), and any other information appropriate for specialized fellowships or internships.
- A transcript (should include grades, but does not need to be official).
- The reference form (if it exists) for each school/fellowship you are applying to. If there is no reference form, a description of what is requested in the letter is needed.
- Addressed, stamped (is appropriate) envelopes that will be sealed with my signature across the seal. Note that the letters should remain sealed, whether they are sent to you or directly to the school or fellowship office. Some schools/fellowships have online reference forms/letters, which is fine.
I encourage students to come talk to me as they begin the application process. I would be happy to advise on the chances of getting into a particular school or getting a particular fellowship. In addition, I can give you feedback on your statment of purpose. Note that I may decline to be a reference if I feel that I don't know you well enough to write an a appropriate letter or if I cannot recommend you. Personalized letters, which require some previous interaction with the student, are the most effective.
Allison Okamura