Dr. King's Policy for Writing
Letters of Recommendation

1. Don't leave forms under my door or in my mailbox without asking me first. I'll throw them away.
2. I must have three weeks' notice before the letter is due. NO EXCEPTIONS! I can't drop everything and write a letter for you at the last minute because you didn't plan ahead.
3. You must supply me with the following:
   • A copy of your resume or vita.
   • A copy of your transcript.
   • A statement of why you are applying to these programs and what your goals are.
   • A list of courses you took from me, when you took them, and the grade you got.
4. If there is a form for me to fill out, you must fill out the part you are supposed to fill out. That is usually at the top of the form and will include your name and the name of the program you are applying to. I will not fill out this part for you.
5. You must supply me with the full name of the program you are applying to IN WRITING.
6. You must supply me with a clear statement of when the letter is due IN WRITING.
7. If I am to mail the letter directly to the school or program (internship or whatever), you must supply me with a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
8. If I am to return the letter to you, you must supply me with an envelope in which to do so. If I have to mail it to you, then you must supply me with a stamped, self-addressed envelope in which to do so. That envelope should be large enough to hold the enclosed letter in its envelope. Otherwise, your letter of recommendation is going to be folded to fit.
9. In either of the above cases, you should make it clear where I am to send the letter IN WRITING.
10. You must waive your right to review the letter.
11. I reserve the right not to write a letter for you.
    • You should think very carefully about who you ask to write letters. This is especially true if you are applying to a graduate program. Generally, what grad programs want is not a recitation of your grades. They can see that on your transcripts. They want to know if you handed in assignments in a timely manner, showed up for class, participated in class discussions, took exams when they were scheduled without making excuses, and so on. They want to know about your ability to do graduate work, to work well with others, and about your dedication to this career. They want to know not that you sat through a class and got an A, but whether or not you were enthusiastic about the material, appeared to enjoy learning, and did more than was required of you, because those things will surely be expected of you as a grad student. You should choose someone who knows those things about you and can express a favorable opinion.
    • It is a very bad idea to ask someone to recommend you who has heard you complaining, making excuses, and generally blaming others for your failings. (And if you are lucky enough to be asked on an interview, for crying out loud, take responsibility for your own actions!) True, faculty members are occasionally unfair, and students do sometimes get a raw deal, but it doesn't happen as often as we hear students complaining about it. Grad programs often ask letter writers to address this point specifically.
    • Grad programs always want to know about your speaking and writing skills. If you have not taken the opportunity to develop these during your undergraduate education, you are not a good candidate for admission into grad school.
    • I won't lie for you. When I write a letter of recommendation, it reflects on me and on Coastal if you do not live up to what I write. I will tell it as I saw it. If you were habitually late for class or did not attend often, if you missed exams or wanted make-ups or extra credit more often than once, if you missed handing in assignments or handed them in late, if you missed appointments or showed up late, that's what I'm going to say in the letter.
    • The programs always ask letter writers how well they know the applicant. If I don't know you well or don't remember you, that's what I will say.
    • If you are applying to a Ph.D. program, you should have the credentials that will make you a successful applicant. That generally means a high GPA (3.4 or above), honor society memberships, research experience, and some sort of work or volunteer experience in the field to which you are applying. You should also have high GRE scores, generally above 1200. The program may say their minimal requirements are lower than this, but the people who will be competitive for admission will probably meet or exceed these standards. If you don't, you are wasting your time and money applying.
    • Masters programs are often easier to get into, but not always.
12. The end of the semester is usually a bad time to ask for letters. Faculty are often overwhelmed with other duties at this time, and they are especially overwhelmed with requests for letters that were made in a more timely manner. I may agree to write you a letter under these circumstances, but it will go on the bottom of the stack, and I will get to it when I get to it.
13. Fall break, Christmas break, and Spring break are breaks for me, too. You are probably not looking forward to doing schoolwork over a break. I'm not either!
14. About one week before the letters are due, you should check with me to make sure I haven't forgotten. (Hey, I'm an old guy, and it's a good day when I don't leave the house in the morning in my slippers!) I will not consider this to be rude. In fact, sometimes I will be glad for the reminder!
15. I certainly wish you well in your endeavors.

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