Recommendation letters

General

  • You must give me at least 4 weeks’ notice when requesting a letter of recommendation. You may ask me for a recommendation by email and do not need to schedule a separate meeting to discuss.
  • If you have any questions, feel free to email.
  • Assume that unless you hear from me, I have not sent out a recommendation letter. Please email me 7 days prior to the due date to remind me, and again 2 days prior.

Undergraduate students

  • For undergraduates applying for fellowships or graduate school, please provide me with the following items in a single email:
    • Transcript(s) with your grades (unofficial is fine)
    • Resume & personal statement that you submit for graduate school
    • A draft letter (approximately 1-2 pages) detailing your interactions with me and providing your own recommendation for yourself. Be as specific as possible and use full sentences. Help me to highlight your strengths.
    • List of the schools that you are applying to. How did you decide on those schools?
    • Exact (if known) or approximate dates the letters are due.
    • Any submission details (email addresses, links to web portals, etc…).

Graduate students

  • For graduate students, please provide me with the following:
    • Resume
    • A draft letter (approximately 1-2 pages) that details your interactions with me and how would you recommend yourself. Be as specific as possible and use full sentences. Help me to highlight your strengths.
    • Summary of research: current papers and work in progress (1-2 paragraphs each)
    • Other talking points of teaching, RAs, conferences, presentations, etc. (approx. one page). Use full sentences in the third person.
    • When are the recommendation letters due? 
    • Work with the economics staff member who is assigned to job market administration to make sure my letters are submitted.