Writing a letter of recommendation to help you apply for study abroad programs, scholarships, fellowships, graduate programs, or jobs, is an important part of my job and I take it very seriously.
Each semester, I write multiple letters for current and former students, often between five to ten. I spend about 1-3 hours to prepare each letter. I want to write a strong letter to support your success, but I need your cooperation to help me do so. Please read the information below carefully.
1. Request Early (At Least 2 Weeks Ahead)
I have multiple responsibilities both within and outside the university, and my schedule fills up weeks in advance. I will only agree to write a letter if I am confident I can allocate the time to do so.
- Rush requests may be accepted only if I have written a similar letter for you before, if minimal updates are needed, and I can fit it into my schedule.
- If you have multiple deadlines (e.g., graduate admission applications, job applications), this policy applies to the earliest one. Please understand that I may not be able to personalize/customize each letter.
Remember, snail mail takes more time.
2. Eligibility for a Letter
I will only agree to write a letter if I am confident I can speak positively about you. You should meet at least one of the following criteria:
- You earned an A or higher in my course
- I am/was your primary advisor
- You are working/have worked directly under my supervision and has received a favorable review
If you are currently enrolled in my class and have maintained strong performance up to the time of request, I may consider writing a letter. Future letters are not guaranteed if your performance declines later in the course.
If you don’t think I know you well enough for a positive recommendation, do not choose me as a reference.
3. Help Me Help You
A strong letter includes specific examples. I will do my best to write such a letter, but I also need your help! I need to know why you are asking me, among other instructors you know, to write this letter.
- Did my class/teaching help prepare you for the position/program you are applying for? If so, tell me, instead of expecting me to guess!
- Did you do particularly well in my course, or receive positive feedback from me? If so, remind me! I have worked with many students, and I may not recall every detail. (Nothing personal!)
4. Submit the Request Form
If you have read and understood the information above, and still believe I am the right person to be your reference, please complete this survey. Some questions are required, while others are optional.
- If this is your first time asking me for a letter — especially if you’re not a current student or supervisee — I strongly recommend completing the optional section.
- If I have written a letter for you before and you need an updated version, please also complete the optional section to let me know what has changed.
In some cases, we may schedule an additional face-to-face meeting to discuss your goals, but please complete this form first.
5. Close the Loop
Please inform me afterward about the outcome of your application, whether it is good news or not.
And please stay in touch! I enjoy hearing from former students.
Nozomi Tanaka 