Department of Romance StudiesIn order to compete for research grants, students will ordinarily be required to submit letters of recommendations. A proper letter of recommendation requires time to compose thoughtfully. In order to leave the appropriate time to the faculty member to write a strong letter, the student should request one at least three weeks before the letter’s due date. Whenever possible, it is ideal to request such letters well before the beginning weeks of an academic year or a semester, so they can get the attention they need and deserve.
The following materials must be included and submitted in hard copy once the request to write a letter of recommendation has been granted:
- Copy of official transcript.
- Copy of CV or résumé.
- All forms filled out with any information required of the applicant completed by the applicant.
- A brief paragraph stating the course the student’s took with the professor and the student’s particular contribution to that class (including number and title of course and grade received). Any possible details on the nature of the student’s exchanges with the professor in the course of studies. Titles of papers written, their subject and any helpful detail information.
- A brief paragraph stating why the particular professor from whom the student is requesting a letter of recommendation is the appropriate person to write one.
- Any other contact (RA, TA, frequent consultation) the student has had with the professor.
- Address to which to send the recommendation.
- All recommendations the student may need should be requested and submitted at the same time, if possible.
- Any necessary form. Any part of the form that are to be filled out by the student must already be completed before passing them on to the professor.