It’s grad school application time, which means writing recommendation letters for our students. In the past, I’ve struggled to find a formula that works well for different students and situation. Of course, it depends on how well I know the student and how strongly I can recommend them*. Something that has worked well for me is to ask students to give me background info on themselves and the opportunity to which they are applying. I used to ask for this in the form of a resume and personal statement, but decided it might be easier/less intimidating for them to simply answer some questions in a survey.

In general, I love using google forms. I find them incredibly easy to put together with a variety of question types. The data are also super easy to analyze compared to the free versions of popular survey software (I’m looking at you, survey monkey!). We also use the google suite of programs at NEIU, so it seamlessly fits in.

Here are the questions I include in my form:

• Full name
• Email address (I also use the feature to collect addresses within forms)
• What is the purpose of this letter? (Med/professional/grad school, scholarship/award, internship, job application, other)
• What is the name of program to which you are applying? If a webpage exists, please provide a link.
• When is this letter due?
• What are the instructions for this letter (e.g. where it should be sent, link to program webpage).
• Why are you applying for this opportunity?
• What are your future goals/plans? Describe how these plans are important to you.
• In my letters, I like to demonstrate a student’s excellence by giving examples of positive interactions of how that student works with me and others. What are your most memorable moments from taking my class/working together?
• Please list any school activities, organizations, groups, or teams in which you have been or are currently involved.
• Please list any jobs or positions you hold either at NEIU or elsewhere.
• Describe your involvement in any civic, community, church, and/or service-related activities.
• Please list any offices you have held, awards, or honors you have won.
• Tell me briefly about any outside hobbies or interests you have that you have not already listed. What specifically about these activities is interesting to you?
• What do you view as your greatest strengths?
• What do you view as your personal challenges/weaknesses? What are you doing to overcome or compensate for these weaknesses?
• Is there anything else you’d like me to know that you haven’t already mentioned?
• What is your GPA?
• When do you expect to graduate from NEIU?

I’m also happy to send out a copy of the form to individuals, just send me an email!

*A colleague/friend once gave me this advice: if a student who I cannot in good faith strongly recommend asks for a letter, I tell them that I can write a “letter of reference” that will state the basics without the superlatives (e.g. how I know them, what they did in class, etc).