<p>hi everyone</p>
<p>as i am going to ask one of my professors to write me Rec. letter and he is absolutely fascinated with me , i was wondering if somebody could give some hints or samples so that i can convey it i some way (probably indirect) to him because i'm sure although he wants to write very good things he doesnt know what would be the best. could you help me with that ?</p>
<p>What would you think your professor does not know how to write a recco letter? It is usual that they do so each year for students. Are you from overseas? and what area will you be applying for?</p>
<p>It is usual to provide the professor with your resume and your personal statement, I believe. But some don't even want that. One just wanted my kid to answer some emailed questions.</p>
<p>actually, yep ! i'm from overseas and applying to grad schools for (computational) neuroscience and cognitive psychology. besides, i think he does not know how to write well, because he hasnt written for anybody before ! and he is a professor of medical sciences.</p>
<p>Well, I'm not the best person to answer (just parent of a PhD applicant in Math/CS.) But I have seen some comments from professors in that field, who do not like the florid language and superlatives that often come in from overseas. Sometimes those letters will insincerely say that X is the best student who has ever come along. Other than that, they will be forgiving of not-so-great English I am sure.</p>
<p>There is another thread here right now (and many previous ones) that discuss what makes for a good letter. Read them. It is best for your prof to discuss your academic achievements and potential, and to back those assertions up by very specific examples. Taking about other skills, such as teaching ability and ability to work in a group, whatever is germaine, comes after.</p>
<p>Give the professor an outline of your classes and your research and accomplishments to refer to. Good luck.</p>
<p>Depending on the country of origin, rec letters can also err on the side of understatement. For example, "very competent scholar" or in a letter from a British recommender can be translated as "astonishingly brilliant."</p>
<p>But yes, the OP should look at other threads on this topic, and explain the conventions of such letters to his or her recommender. As BrownParent stated, providing supporting examples of claims made is especially important.</p>
<p>Not to coopt this thread, but what do people think of those silly letter of recommendation forms? "Please rate this applicant on a scale of 1-100 in his emotional stability?" "How does this student compare to others in his ability to communicate effectively, on a score of 1-10." "What percentile is this student overall in your experience?" I can only assume that all recommenders indicate top 1% for every measure. Is this true?</p>
<p>belevitt,</p>
<p>I can only speak for myself, of course, but I rarely receive recommendations (and I very, very rarely write recommendations) that tick the top 1% box. And as a DGS, I receive and read dozens upon dozens of rec letters each year. </p>
<p>My reputation is on the line with each recommendation I write, and there are only about a dozen top programs in my field, to which I regularly recommend my undergrad and MA students. If I were to tick the 1% box for any student that was NOT in the top 1% of students I have ever taught, I'd be compromising my effectiveness as a recommender.</p>