Guidelines for Students Requesting Letters of Recommendation

1). If you are requesting a letter of recommendation, it is essential that you have taken at least one, and hopefully more, of my classes. If I'm unfamiliar with your academic work, I won't have much to say about you in a letter of reference. If you did not do particularly well in my class, you may want to consider whether it is in your best interest for me to write a letter for you.

2). You should choose a reference from someone who knows you well. If I don't know you but you took my class, the best I can do is report your grade and relative standing in the class. Work hard to get references from those who know you best.

3). If there are any forms to be included with your letter of recommendation, make sure to complete the entire form except for my evaluation, my signature, and the date. When requested, all of the following must be completed on all copies of the forms before you give them to me:

Name: Steven Greene
Title: Associate Professor
Address: Department of Political Science
NCSU
Box 8102
Raleigh, NC 27695
Phone: (919) 513-0520
Fax: (919) 515-7333
E-mail: shgreene@ncsu.edu

4). Make sure to sign all waivers of your right to read letters of recommendation, if there are any. This is important so that the people who read it know it is entirely confidential and objective.

5). With the relevant forms, include as many of the following items as possible: an unofficial transcript; a résumé; any statements of purpose or personal essays you will be including with the application; and a paper written for my class. In addition, provide me with a short note explaining what you are applying for and outlining any information that might be relevant to my letter, even if you already have told me these things verbally.

6) If you need more than one recommendation, please place them together in a clearly labeled folder and provide a summary of the deadlines.

7). I do not need an envelope-- the Political Science department provides envelopes and postage. However, address labels with the appropriate address filled out would be greatly appreciated.

8). Please give me your materials far enough ahead of the due date so that I can give your letter the time and care that it deserves. This means a minimum of two weeks before the deadline. At busy times of the year, that may not be sufficient, so please plan ahead.