Recommendation Letters

From GersteinInfo

(Difference between revisions)
Jump to: navigation, search
Line 9: Line 9:
** Draft of letter should be written in a "generic" way so that specifics (i.e. for what the letter is intended) is at the top of the letter (if at all) and is easily modified. (See below.) You might flag modifiable bits in yellow.  
** Draft of letter should be written in a "generic" way so that specifics (i.e. for what the letter is intended) is at the top of the letter (if at all) and is easily modified. (See below.) You might flag modifiable bits in yellow.  
** The specifics of your accomplishments are important. "He's a great guy" usually doesn't make much an impact. Make sure to specifically refer (by name or citation) to work you've done -- e.g. papers, computer projects, and talks. Draft should (obviously) be written from Mark's perspective.  
** The specifics of your accomplishments are important. "He's a great guy" usually doesn't make much an impact. Make sure to specifically refer (by name or citation) to work you've done -- e.g. papers, computer projects, and talks. Draft should (obviously) be written from Mark's perspective.  
-
** Mark will edit the draft (often considerably) and send it in confidence to his assistant. (Do '''not''' send drafts ahead of time to assistant as this confuses things.)
+
** Mark will edit the draft (often considerably) and send it in confidence to Lori. (Do '''not''' send drafts ahead of time to assistant as this confuses things.)
-
* Submitting letters through the '''ASSISTANT'''
+
* Submitting letters through the '''ASSISTANT''' (Lori)
-
** Send an upload link for the desired letter to '''piaa ([at]) gersteinlab.org'''.  The assistant will upload the pdf of the generic letter to the provided link.
+
** Send an upload link for the desired letter to '''piaa ([at]) gersteinlab.org'''.  Lori, the assistant will upload the pdf of the generic letter to the provided link.
*** When sending reference details with your application use '''piaa ([at]) gersteinlab.org''' as Mark's contact details. Do '''not''' enter Mark.Gerstein ([at]) Yale.edu in any web form. See http://contact.gerstein.info for more information on the former address. '''It is unlikely that your recommendation will be filled on time if you do not use the piaa address. '''
*** When sending reference details with your application use '''piaa ([at]) gersteinlab.org''' as Mark's contact details. Do '''not''' enter Mark.Gerstein ([at]) Yale.edu in any web form. See http://contact.gerstein.info for more information on the former address. '''It is unlikely that your recommendation will be filled on time if you do not use the piaa address. '''
*** Also send all correspondence to '''piaa ([at]) gersteinlab.org'''.  
*** Also send all correspondence to '''piaa ([at]) gersteinlab.org'''.  
** Mark does not check off boxes on recommendations as a matter of policy
** Mark does not check off boxes on recommendations as a matter of policy
-
** You should make sure you provide exact upload links and letter due dates to both Mark and his assistant.
+
** You should make sure you provide exact upload links and letter due dates to both Mark and Lori.
*** Special coordination is required for submission of hard copy letters, or use Interfolio (see below).
*** Special coordination is required for submission of hard copy letters, or use Interfolio (see below).
Line 26: Line 26:
*** Interfolio can send hard copies of digitally submitted letters.
*** Interfolio can send hard copies of digitally submitted letters.
** Make an account on Interfolio at https://www.interfolio.com/
** Make an account on Interfolio at https://www.interfolio.com/
-
** When making letter requests, it is imperative to use the '''piaa ([at]) gersteinlab.org''' as the contact for both Mark and the administrative assistant (Lori).
+
** When making letter requests, it is imperative to use the '''piaa ([at]) gersteinlab.org''' as the contact for both Mark and Lori.
* '''MODIFICATIONS''' to the base letter
* '''MODIFICATIONS''' to the base letter
-
** Modifications to the confidential version can be done through email or phone between you and the assistant, where one can indicate changes to the top paragraph without compromising the confidentiality of the letter. If you've flagged specific things in the generic draft (above) in yellow, it should be easy to indicate what to change.
+
** Modifications to the confidential version can be done through email or phone between you and Lori, where one can indicate changes to the top paragraph without compromising the confidentiality of the letter. If you've flagged specific things in the generic draft (above) in yellow, it should be easy to indicate what to change.
-
** If you feel it's necessary to do '''substantial''' re-edits, you should go back to the draft sent to Mark (see above) or ask Mark to send you a draft he feels comfortable sending. You should '''not''' request the currently used draft on file from Mark's assistant. You should then send this modified draft back directly to Mark at '''piaa ([at]) gersteinlab.org''' as the new base letter.
+
** If you feel it's necessary to do '''substantial''' re-edits, you should go back to the draft sent to Mark (see above) or ask Mark to send you a draft he feels comfortable sending. You should '''not''' request the currently used draft on file from Lori. You should then send this modified draft back directly to Mark at '''piaa ([at]) gersteinlab.org''' as the new base letter.
* Queries from the recipient of the reference letter
* Queries from the recipient of the reference letter
-
** If the recipient of a reference letter has additional simple queries (e.g. duration of employment, exact type of position), these may be able to be answered through Mark's assistant. The assistant will need to get Mark's permission before answering.
+
** If the recipient of a reference letter has additional simple queries (e.g. duration of employment, exact type of position), these may be able to be answered through Mark's assistant. Lori will need to get Mark's permission before answering.

Revision as of 17:38, 20 January 2015

  • OVERVIEW
    • To help Mark write as good a letter as possible, he would appreciate if you could draft a "generic" initial letter -- the base letter.
    • After the base letter is written and approved by Mark, you can coordinate submission with Lori through piaa ([at]) gersteinlab.org.
    • If many letters are being sent, it may be best to use the Interfolio service to help coordinate submission.


  • Preparing a DRAFT of the base letter
    • First write a draft in consultation with Mark
    • Draft of letter should be written in a "generic" way so that specifics (i.e. for what the letter is intended) is at the top of the letter (if at all) and is easily modified. (See below.) You might flag modifiable bits in yellow.
    • The specifics of your accomplishments are important. "He's a great guy" usually doesn't make much an impact. Make sure to specifically refer (by name or citation) to work you've done -- e.g. papers, computer projects, and talks. Draft should (obviously) be written from Mark's perspective.
    • Mark will edit the draft (often considerably) and send it in confidence to Lori. (Do not send drafts ahead of time to assistant as this confuses things.)


  • Submitting letters through the ASSISTANT (Lori)
    • Send an upload link for the desired letter to piaa ([at]) gersteinlab.org. Lori, the assistant will upload the pdf of the generic letter to the provided link.
      • When sending reference details with your application use piaa ([at]) gersteinlab.org as Mark's contact details. Do not enter Mark.Gerstein ([at]) Yale.edu in any web form. See http://contact.gerstein.info for more information on the former address. It is unlikely that your recommendation will be filled on time if you do not use the piaa address.
      • Also send all correspondence to piaa ([at]) gersteinlab.org.
    • Mark does not check off boxes on recommendations as a matter of policy
    • You should make sure you provide exact upload links and letter due dates to both Mark and Lori.
      • Special coordination is required for submission of hard copy letters, or use Interfolio (see below).


  • Making letter requests through INTERFOLIO: Recommended for multiple letters
    • Interfolio is a service that allows one to request and store letters of recommendation from an advisor.
      • The service takes one generic letter and automatically addresses it to the appropriate institution.
      • Interfolio can send hard copies of digitally submitted letters.
    • Make an account on Interfolio at https://www.interfolio.com/
    • When making letter requests, it is imperative to use the piaa ([at]) gersteinlab.org as the contact for both Mark and Lori.


  • MODIFICATIONS to the base letter
    • Modifications to the confidential version can be done through email or phone between you and Lori, where one can indicate changes to the top paragraph without compromising the confidentiality of the letter. If you've flagged specific things in the generic draft (above) in yellow, it should be easy to indicate what to change.
    • If you feel it's necessary to do substantial re-edits, you should go back to the draft sent to Mark (see above) or ask Mark to send you a draft he feels comfortable sending. You should not request the currently used draft on file from Lori. You should then send this modified draft back directly to Mark at piaa ([at]) gersteinlab.org as the new base letter.
  • Queries from the recipient of the reference letter
    • If the recipient of a reference letter has additional simple queries (e.g. duration of employment, exact type of position), these may be able to be answered through Mark's assistant. Lori will need to get Mark's permission before answering.
Personal tools