Instructions for Students Who Need a Letter of Recommendation from Dr. James Wood

James M. Wood, Ph.D.

Department of Psychology, UTEP

Each year I am asked to write many letters of recommendation for students, usually when they are applying to graduate schools.  This is a job I'm happy to perform.  However, it can be an enormous task.  For example, in one year that I counted, I wrote a total of over 100 letters of recommendation for 23 different students.  And most of these letters had to be sent out during the same one-month period!  To help me deal with this job, I ask students to do the following:

(1) Please provide me with a brief (2-page) written statement that covers the following topics.

(a) Your career goals.

(b) A list of the schools that you are applying to, and the TYPE of programs that you are applying to.

(c) Your current GPA, and your GPA in Psychology

(d) Your GRE scores (if you haven't taken the GRE, state when you intend to take the test)

(e) A list of the courses that you’ve taken with me, including the year and semester you took the course, and your grade.

 (f) A brief (2-3 sentence) description of any research in which you've participated.

 (g) A brief description of any relevant volunteer work that you've done.

 (h) A brief description of any work experiences that might be relevant as I write your application.

 (i) Any other personal information that might be relevant (i.e. have worked full-time while going to college;  have special interest in working with elderly; etc.)

 (j) A phone number and e-mail address where you can be reached.

 You don't have to write a polished essay -- Most of the information doesn't even have to be in complete sentences.  The point is to help me write a really good, well-informed letter about you that accurately reflects your hopes and abilities.

 (2) For each letter that you ask me to write, please provide a stamped envelope, addressed either to yourself or to the relevant graduate program (the application form usually indicates what you are supposed to do).  Be sure to write the address on the envelope: don't leave it blank!  Attach each envelope to the relevant application form with a paper clip before giving it to me.  Also, each envelope should indicate what graduate program it is for (if necessary, you can write the name in very small letters in a corner on the back of the envelope).

 (3)  Be sure to read and fill out each letter of recommendation form before giving it to me.  For example, there are usually spaces to write your own name, the name of the program you're applying to, and my name.  Also, there's almost always a section that asks you to "waive" the right to read my letter.  Be sure to fill all this out.  I prefer that you waive the right to read my letter.  If you feel uncomfortable about this, please discuss it with me beforehand.

 (4) If possible, give me all your requests for letters of recommendation at the same time, in a large envelope or folder.  I ask that you give me these requests 1-2 months before the deadline.  If you give me requests at the last moment (that is, less than a month before the deadline), I may not be able to write and send them on time.  So be sure to plan ahead.

 (5) Suppose that after giving me all the requests in a large envelope, you discover that you need letters to one or two more schools.  That's o.k.  When you make such "late requests" however, I ask that you do the following:

(a) put them together in a new big folder or envelope;

(b) include a short written note that says something like "Dear Dr. Wood, Would you please send additional letters to the following schools....  Thank you. Sylvia Student."  I know this sounds obvious, but several students have dropped off requests for new letters of recommendation without signing their names!  With 23 students asking for letters at the same time, it's hard for me to remember everything unless it's put in writing.

(c) Again, be sure to include those stamped, addressed envelopes.

 (6) After you've written up the information requested in step 1 above, I will want to meet with you for a brief interview.

After that, if I've agreed to write your letters, there is no further need to call me or talk with me personally about writing additional letters.  Instead, it's usually simpler just to drop off an envelope with a note in my mailbox in the Psychology office.

 (7) If you get into a program for which I've written you a letter, please drop me a short note saying so!  It really helps if I have a written record of your success!

 (8) You might try following similar procedures with your other professors too!  They will really appreciate your consideration, if you make the letter-writing process easy and well-organized for them.

 (9) Good luck applying.  I look forward to helping you with letters of recommendation, or in other ways.

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