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The Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, and Gates-Cambridge
Scholarships have similar, but not identical, goals and
criteria. Suggestions for people writing letters of
reference for each of these fellowships appear below. Give a copy of
the relevant guidelines to each of your letter writers.
Rhodes
Marshall
Mitchell
Gates-Cambridge
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Take Your Cues From The Fellowship
Information and Application
Analyze the fellowship’s purpose and criteria, and choose
recommenders accordingly. How many references will you need?
Which letter writer will fill which role? Take seriously any
instructions to select letter writers who can speak to
particular criteria. If in doubt about who to ask, consult
the Graduate Fellowships Coordinator or the Faculty Advisor
for that fellowship.
A
helpful letter of recommendation reveals qualities that
don't show up on transcripts or resumés. To give letter
writers further insight into your intellectual and personal
character, consider providing them with written responses to
questions such as:
Why do
you want to ....? (study at Oxford, go on a Fulbright year
to teach English in Korea, etc.)
What in
your background prepares and qualifies you for the
scholarship or fellowship you are seeking?
What are
your goals five, ten or twenty years from now?
What
experiences have you had that reveal your leadership,
creativity, motivation, and other qualities relevant to this
particular fellowship?
What do
you like to do in your spare time?
Try For A Mix Of Recommenders, And Tell Them Their Roles
Your letters collectively should present a thorough and balanced picture
of you with respect to the criteria for this particular
fellowship. Tell each letter writer why you selected him or
her, what you’d like them to address, and who else will
write from a different angle.
Ask At The Right Time And Place
Make an appointment at least a month in advance of the
deadline to sit down and discuss why you are applying for
this award, and how it fits into your longer-range plans. Tell potential recommenders
why you have selected them. Provide information to remind them
of the work you did under their supervision, as well as
general information about the
fellowship, and the current draft of your application.
Seek their advice as you revise—these should be the people who
know you best, and who can help you most.
Leave Room For A “No”
Ask each potential recommender if he or she can write the
kind of letter you need.
If a person seems reluctant after you have
provided all relevant information, accept this and move on.
If someone is too busy to write a detailed letter, or does
not know you well enough, their letter will probably not
be helpful to your candidacy.
Provide All Necessary Information And Equipment
Provide in writing instructions about where to send the
letter,
including the deadline and whether this is for postmark or
arrival, number of copies needed, whether a sealed
envelope signed across the flap is required, etc. Give the
letter writer a stamped addressed envelope if the
recommendation is to be sent directly to the fellowship
source.
Follow Up
Check to make sure the letter has been sent before the
deadline, and give a gentle reminder as necessary. Send
thank-you notes after everything has been submitted. |
