Letters of Recommendation: Strategies for asking & drafting PLUS samples

[@LaurenValdez]

Vote on what my next video should focus on? Put your answer in the comments: A) How to overcome a low GPA B) Before and after STEM Statement of Purpose C) 1500 word and 500 word STEM SOP D) Other - tell me what you'd like to see

[@prabhdeepkaur2109]

Definitely A

[@paolamirihara7283]

a, please:D

[@kamalikannan3857]

A and C

[@nicholasebereonwu007]

1500 and 500 word STEM SOP

[@AttyVico]

Please A

[@fernandoolivetti5548]

I LOVED the first sentence of the video: "The truth about letters of recommendation is that they don't matter as much as you think they do..."

[@fernandoolivetti5548]

I'm a doctor applying for a masters degree in International Health and this was awesome to watc! Thank you

[@LaurenValdez]

Glad it helped!

[@miquelsounds]

OMG Lauren, first of all thanks for this content. I was looking for tips because I'm currently applying for a bunch of universities and I was starting to feel a little overwhelmed, but now I feel much better. Thanks for your kind words and your excellent explanation.

[@ridhammodh2601]

Thank you so much for these points, It helps so much when someone like you who has been on admission committee speaks about what actually they are looking for!...Keep such videos coming!

[@RKHTY]

Super helpful! Thanks Lauren

[@ClanCoimbra]

What a informative video! Thanks Lauren! Complete and straight to the point. Congratulations!

[@LaurenValdez]

Glad it was helpful

[@Kikifu_90]

Thank you for all the videos on grad application!

[@evissima107]

Thank you so much for these tips, Lauren! It's so weird for me to ask for these type of letters, because I have low self-esteem and I tend to think they'll write mediocre or bad things about me, even worse if I have to write "good" things about myself, but I guess I just need to get the letters done, so... Thank you so much for your help!!

[@LaurenValdez]

That's a common feeling. Don't worry about it too much. Just go for it. Always ask if they can write a strong letter of recommendation and they can always decline if they can't do it.

[@claritzarodriguez5776]

So helpful. Thank you so much!

[@itsbetzz]

Hi Lauren, I was wondering if you could talk a bit more about diversity statements - with maybe a couple more samples? Thanks!

[@LaurenValdez]

I have one video where I go through an example ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXnFg2V4j79nhJo ) , but more content is to come! Make sure to subscribe and if you are on my email list you will be the first to know about new resources. landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/i0p4x3

[@ortigaliyevmuhammadjon]

Thank you I got plenty of things that I stuck

[@vikaskumarsahni7213]

Very interesting so informative for us . Thanks a lot to you💐

[@ashik.billah108]

Hello Lauren. Thank you very much for your videos. I'm applying for a materials science Ph.D., and my first two recommenders are set - my undergrad thesis supervisor and a research advisor from a government lab (I was a research intern in his lab). Now, I'm torn between asking a geologist (I worked with materials science related instruments in his lab), or an assistant professor to vouch for my academics. I have good relation with both of them, and I'm not sure if a professor or researcher recommendation would better boost my profile. P.S.- My CGPA is above the average.

[@manjalebbie7984]

Can I write a recommendation letter for myself?

[@delvionhatsave]

muito obrigado

[@Truly1Tom]

Dor my part I've read letters and resumes where the people "walked on water" and "raised the dead" (like Lazarus)! All I ask of my recommnders is that they tell the truth about my academic bona fides and that I do my work tonthe best of my ability.

[@brownyshmurds6576]

Hi Lauren, due to Covid and an injury, I have taken most of my undergrad online. I am now getting ready to look for grad schools and am finding a lot of them want several LoR’s. What would be the best way for me to find good references if I’ve been unable to build good/in-person relationships with professors or instructors?

[@hans6682]

Hi Lauren, thanks for the tips! Just a question: if I don't waive my right to review the LOR, how badly will it hurt my chances?

[@sandermarkunzo4538]

Is it okay to show the recommendation letter when you are in interview?

[@Kmulat]

Thank you for this, where can I find the samples?

[@1gordonhuang]

Good thing i wont need to ask my recommendations to mention gre score rn that its waived😂

[@ronalds271]

Recommendation letters matter more than you think.

[@LaurenValdez]

Yeah I need to update this video with some more context, like a bad or mediocre LOR can get you rejected, and a really excellent LOR from someone well known in the field can get you accepted if you are in a maybe pile. When I made this a few years back, I was mostly focused on people who worry that they don't have anyone to write a LOR

[@AttyVico]

Hello Ma'am, what to do if the applicant applying for scholarships, who wants to pursue Master's Degree is 5years graduate of BS Mechanical Engineering, the professors barely hard to find. A fan from the Philippines. Please advice

[@iranjackheelson]

What happens if you want to apply for the PhD lab that you're currently getting your research experience in as an undergrad? Does the PI write to himself/herself...?

[@LaurenValdez]

Talk to the PI and see if they suggest you have another writer or if they can submit it. Generally the letters go to a committee, so many people will be reviewing it.

[@thinkalinkle]

Nice video, thanks. This seems to be a little more focused on master's admissions, right? I'm currently prepping for PhD applications and everyone I meet has told me the importance of LoR's when it comes to PhD's.

[@LaurenValdez]

Yes with a Ph.D. there are a couple things that are important. You want to reach out to professors in the departments you are applying for since they often are selecting students they want in their research groups and they often have a set amount of funding for Ph.D students which determines who gets admitted. You also want LORs that can vouch for your abilities. The best LORs in a Ph.D are people who the admissions committee may have heard of, so other leaders in the field.

[@AttyVico]

Hello Ma'am Lauren, what to do if the applicant applying for scholarships, who wants to pursue Master's Degree is 5years graduate of BS Mechanical Engineering, the professors barely hard to find. A fan from the Philippines. Please advice

[@muhibbulhaq9977]

Hello I just had a few queries regarding the candidate who is eligible to provide me with a LOR. 1) If the LOR is from a mentor who taught me during my high school ( A levels to be specific) and he also guided me during my professional examinations ( He HIMSELF is a CFO of a company, but I didnt work in this company), will that be a wrong step for applying for a Masters program in the USA? 2) Does the referee has to be someone with whom I have worked with, or can he be a part of the same professional body ( Like CA,CIMA, etc. ) under which I am currently employed ? (say a Chartered Accountantancy Firm) ?

[@LaurenValdez]

There are no hard rules for who can write you an LOR (as long as it's not a family member). Both those options can work. It's more important that you have someone who knows you well write an LOR than someone who doesn't know you well but has a certain title. It's also best to have a diversity of letters like 1 academic, 1 professional, 1 from volunteer, etc. If possible, have an LOR from someone who can speak to your ability to be successful in the masters program, like someone who is familiar with the field.

[@muhibbulhaq9977]

@@LaurenValdez thank you for the pointers. 😊

[@cirokrklec2927]

7:12

[@muhammadhabiburrehman1153]

Im an international student currently studying computer science and I want to apply for MIT masters program. Kindly tell about CV or resume in the letter of recommendation and who to ask for it as an undergraduate student!!

[@LaurenValdez]

Can you clarify, are you applying to be an undergrad at MIT or are you currently an undergrad student?

[@muhammadhabiburrehman1153]

@@LaurenValdez Im an undergrad student in my country, not in MIT but I want to apply for MIT masters program..please held me with the steps specially CV/RESUME and recommendation letter

[@prabhdeepkaur2109]

Hey, how to write your own LORs? Like my professors have asked me to draft a LOR and told me that they'll modify it. So how to sound authentic and not boastful

[@LaurenValdez]

Refer back to 6:30 in the video. I make a basic outline of where to start, and more tips. You are just writing a rough draft for your professor to modify.

[@princequaicoe2065]

A

[@yohaan.kukreja1191]

I just graduated from design school (B. Des), during university we can choose what we want to work on and thus mould our portfolio in a certain way for grad school. But after graduation I'm assuming working takes up most of the day, leaving very little time for our postfilio. Now onwards, since all my projects will be decided by the studio I work at, how would you suggest moulding my portfolio so as to make it parson's (or any other good design school) worthy

[@LaurenValdez]

I'm not that familiar with putting together design portfolios. I suggest you ask the programs you are applying to, reach out to mentors or your colleagues. and reach out to students who are currently enrolled at Parsons on Linkedin.