University of Rochester Mathematics Department

Paul Pearson

University of Rochester
Department of Mathematics
Hylan Building Office 811
RC Box 270138
Rochester, NY 14627-0138 USA

Email:   
Phone:   (585) 276-3117
Fax:   (585) 273-4655


Letters of Recommendation


Strong letters of recommendation establish credibility of the applicant and recommender and then convey through specific examples how the applicant exemplifies the personal qualities and selection criteria required by the program or award.

I will gladly write a letter of recommendation for you if I know enough about you to recommend you for the program or award, and if I feel I can be emphatically positive in support of your application. I may politely refuse to write you a letter of if I recall little more about you than recorded grades, or if I do not have the time or material to write a good letter.

If you are taking a course from me right now and you know that you would like me to recommend you for a program or award in a semester or a few years, please tell me now so that I can write down detailed information about your performance and our interactions that will be included later in your letter of recommendation.

If I have agreed to write a recommendation for you, please give me a folder containing:

  1. A copy of your transcript (an unofficial transcript or grade list is fine). Please include a written note, signed by you, that says that you have agreed to release your transcripts to me. This is to comply with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. Please include the names of professors for your math courses.
  2. A copy of your resume/curriculum vitae and personal statement, if applicable.
  3. Any brochures, print-outs of websites, or links to websites that have a description of the program, its selection criteria, and submission information.
  4. All necessary forms or web addresses of online forms. Some forms have waivers or parts that you must fill in and sign---please do so before giving me such forms.
  5. Information on how to submit the letter:
    • For paper submissions, please go to Hylan 915 and ask department secretary Hazel McKnight for University of Rochester Math Department envelopes. Address the envelopes to each program you are applying. You do not need stamps.
    • For online submissions, please e-mail information on where to submit the letter (a particular web or e-mail address) and any special instructions. Tell me if PDF file format is not acceptable.
  6. (Optional) One or two homework assignments, quizzes, or exams that display outstanding work such as a creative solution or a great overall performance. Feel free to add comments (in a different color or on post-it notes) to highlight specific things.

Furthermore, at least two weeks before the first letter is due, e-mail me your answers to the following questions. Remind me of personal interactions we've had and experiences that illustrate the qualities you would like me to bring out in the letter. Even if I know you well, my memory my fail me, so the more specific details and examples you can give, the better.

  1. What is your name, email address, phone number, graduation year, and major?
  2. List the complete name of each program or award to which you are applying together with due dates. Give the earliest due dates first and distinguish between "postmarked by" and "must arrive by". Also, give any special submission information, such as specific e-mail or web addresses for electronic submission. If possible, find out the name of the individual who chairs the selection committee, and share this with me so I can personalize the letter.
  3. How do I know you (as an instructor, academic advisor, research advisor, teaching assistant, etc.)? How long have I known you (years/months) in each capacity? For what classes have I had you as a student or TA? What semester and year were these classes? What final grades did I assign you? How did you distinguish yourself on homework, quizzes and exams, or during class, recitations/workshops, and office hours? Give some specific examples of what I know about you and your strengths either from your work or from our personal interactions.
  4. What makes me qualified to write a letter for you for this particular program or award? What do I know about you (your background, your training, your strengths) that makes me the right person to address the selection criteria of the program or award to which you are applying?
  5. What makes you qualified for the program or award to which you are applying? If possible, provide specific examples of links between past performances and the selection criteria of the program or award.
  6. What distinguishes you from all other applicants? Give specific examples of important things that make you uniquely qualified for the program or award.
  7. How would you describe yourself? Don't be modest. What are your talents and abilities, and when and how have you exhibited them?
  8. What are some of your academic and (if relevant) nonacademic accomplishments? Have you won honors or awards? If so, what does the honor represent and how selective is it? Put your accomplishments into context.
  9. Do you have other experiences that are relevant to your application (prior summer research, special programs, etc.)? Point out any particular items on your resume or transcript that I may be able to explain or amplify in your letter.
  10. Is there anything in particular that you would like me to emphasize in the letter of recommendation? Is the program or award looking for any particular attributes or qualifications?
  11. What are your long-term goals and will this program or award help? If so, how?

Please send me e-mail reminders as deadlines approach and do not stop until you receive an e-mail from me confirming that I have sent the letter. Feel free to chat with me about ways to strengthen your application and other ways you can make the letter writing process go as smoothly as possible for you and your letter writers. Good luck!

See also the following guide to requesting letters.