Reusable Materials 34: Questions About Letters of Recommendation

Thursdays we discuss how reusable materials help you WOW committees and save time

Shannon was applying for jobs while she went to college. She needed additional money to help pay tuition. She came to us seeking help finding scholarships. She prepared her master application. She developed her themes with 36 value statements. She wrote and refined her reusable essays. She identified 6 people who wrote letters of recommendation. Unfortunately, she failed to prepare the letter writers adequately. They wrote very bland and generic letters that did not impress scholarship committees.

Q: Can I really write the letter for the person I ask?

A: We have discovered that many people you ask to recommend you prefer that you draft the letter. You drafting the letter helps them because you:

• Save them time and effort
• Do it quicker because you write more of them
• Understand your themes and value statements better than the letter writer
• Possess a vested interest in making it right
• Reduce their possible discomfort for not finishing it in time

If you draft the letter, ensure that the person you asked understands that he or she may

• Edit your draft in any way they see fit
• Write an entirely new letter if they wish
• Choose not to give you a letter of recommendation

Q: What formats do scholarship committees want for letters?

We have seen a variety of methods committees want to receive letters. While most want an electronic copy, enough scholarship committees still ask for a hardcopy that you need to request hardcopies to send through snail-mail.

• Hardcopy versions of your letters may be sent in regular envelopes
• Some committees may request the author seal the envelope and sign it across the sealed flap of the envelope

We’re finding more applications ask you paste a letter in a field, rather than attaching letters to applications. Electronic versions should show official stationery. Scan the letter to preserve the logo type, trademark and especially the signature in:

• PDFs
• Rich Text Format (RTF)
• MS Word
• Google drive

Saturday we warn you about unimportant tasks that can distract you from getting money

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