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Your professors are in the best position to write about your abilities. Since initiative and independent thinking are the hallmarks of a good graduate student, you need to display these characteristics at the undergraduate level, and you can do that by asking intelligent questions in class, discussing your exams with faculty during OFFICE HOURS, and seeking advice about your future career. In addition, seeking out opportunities to do undergraduate research is a great way to begin building relationships with professors and more importantly, you will gain insight on graduate level work. Keep in mind, you should approach faculty in whose classes you have exhibited quality work. Make the application process as easy as you can for your recommender(s). Some questions to think about when asking faculty members to write letters are: How well do your letter writers know you? How do you think they feel about you and your work? Can they write a strong letter? If you have been out of school for a while, you should contact faculty members by phone, e-mail, or, if possible, in person to remind them of who you are and to discuss your plans. Putting Together your Portfolio Compile the following into a nice binder for each recommender: After submitting your Portfolio, be sure to: UCSC's Career Center's Graduate/Professional School Reference Letter Service (GRLS) is a convenient service for graduate and professional school applicants and those who write letters of recommendation. Original letters of reference are kept for five years for a flat service fee of $50. The Career Center will also mail letters of recommendation to graduate and professional schools with no additional charges.
I AM INTIMIDATED BY MY PROFESSORS, HOW DO I APPROACH THEM?
ORGANIZING YOUR LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Graduate Record Letter Service ($50)
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