EDUCATE YOUR LETTER WRITERS The most effective letters of recommendation demonstrate that the letter writer is familiar with the student’s goals, strengths, weaknesses and qualifications for the specific position. Students need to make it easy for professors to learn these things. Well-informed and on-time letters of recommendation are the product of a successful partnership between a student and a letter writer. Students are responsible for organizing materials that will inform the professor’s letter and communicating effectively with the professor about goals, qualifications, applications and deadlines. This process itself involves many of the important organizational and collaboration skills noted above. When a student has made the letter-writing job as easy as possible for a professor, this will come across in the letters of recommendation. LETTERS ARE CONFIDENTIAL Letters of recommendation are confidential. That is, the applicant does not see the letter at any point. In all but very rare circumstances, letters of recommendation are submitted directly by the letter writer to the institution. In some cases, applicants are asked to formally waive their right to see the letter of recommendation. Confidentiality helps to ensure that letter writers are honest and unbiased in their assessment of the applicant’s abilities and fit for the position.
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