Get Referred, Get Recommended

Everyone gets nervous asking for them, never knowing exactly who to ask, when to ask them, and patiently ancitipating that final nod of approval and gracious acceptance by the individual asked.

Getting personal recommendations can be a daunting task at first, but can be a rewarding experience in the end. The tricky part that people often find is figuring out the “right” people to ask for these letters of high praise, that essentially are words that place you on a pedestal and recommend you for acceptance into a school, program, or even a job.

Do not be afraid to ask a teacher in whose class you did not receive your highest mark. Sometimes grades do not reflect the most accurate and complete performance of your efforts in a class, and if a teacher with whom you had a good relationship knows this, then the letter they write will speak for themselves.

Additionally, getting a letter from a close family friend may be your best bet for someone who is the most qualified to evaluate your character and personality outside of an academic setting and provide a recommendation for a fellowship. Yes, their words will be biased, but you can reduce this by giving them the right instructions.

Finally, getting a letter from an employer at the end of an internship will provide you with the most compelling statement for a future employer of a job that might separate you from the pack, pending you perform to the best of your abilities during the internship period.

Letters of reccomendation can be considered extensions of the references that you are often required to list for jobs when applying. Try your best to form tangible relationships with your professors, academic counselors, or even advisors of extracurricular activities you are involved in during the course of your undergraduate career.