<p>I was wondering what you should include in your package to your recommenders. I've heard of people giving them a seemingly ridiculous amount of information and was wondering what was really necessary for your packet. I am thinking of including: deadlines for all of my schools, a copy of my resume/CV (on that note, how exactly is a CV different from a resume. I've been told that resumes should not exceed a page, does the same apply to a CV?), and the filled out forms/envelops for the recommendations (eg writing my name on the form). Some people have said that they will include a draft of their statement of purpose. Unfortunately, I'm still working on my first draft of my SOP and I want to give my stuff to my recommenders early (hopefully by the end of this month) b/c some of them are really really busy, so do you think it would be okay if I did not include my SOP. I have also heard of people submitting program descriptions of all their schools and highlighting the most relevant portions...is stuff like that really necessary. Am I forgetting anything majorly important in my list of things for the packets? </p>
<p>A CV (here in the US) is an academic resume. In other words, non-academic employment is normally omitted on a CV, and research and other academic accomplishments are highlighted.</p>
<p>The packet you plan to provide is sufficient, but an SOP would make it much easier for your recommenders to tailor your letters to reflect or complement the manner in which you present yourself. I advise you to draft an SOP, and include it in the packet. You said yourself that you won't be asking for recs until the end of this month -- surely a week is enough time for you to compose a draft.</p>
<p>In my opinion, the program descriptions are completely unnecessary, particularly if your recommenders are in your intended discipline. In other words, they likely already know these programs better than you do.</p>
<p>Two (or sometimes three) double-spaced pages. </p>
<p>Content:
Describe the background you have in your intended academic subspecialization, focusing on research accomplishments, but also including relevant languages.
Describe your academic goals, and your intended career trajectory.
Identify why THIS program is appropriate for you.</p>
<p>1) CLEAR deadlines for each school- PUT THEM IN ORDER. Clarify which schools will have them do an online recommendation (like Embark) so they don't miss it in their overflowing inbox.</p>
<p>2) A doc file of my draft SOP</p>
<p>3) CV (It's alright to put in some work experience so the profs know you did other things while in undergrad). It can be more than one page long- usually BA students have less than 2 pages. I listed Education, Work/Research Experience, Areas of Interests, Languages, Study Abroad, and ECs, highlighting only my leadership positionsm and Awards. The CV can vary field by field- mine involved a lot of history and emphasis on languages and understanding other cultures.</p>
<p>It is normal practice to ask for them all at once. As a matter of fact, asking for them one by one has the potential to be quite annoying.</p>
<p>I've written as many as seven or eight for one student. In my field, more than that would indicate that the student did not do sufficient research in selecting appropriate programs.</p>
<p>But higher numbers might be more common in different fields -- I have no idea.</p>
<p>going from a public high school in texas where i had the same teachers for 2-3 courses is very different than approaching a professor at an ivy league university </p>
<p>i guess i’m just intimidated…since i’m not the BEST student (gpa/EC wise). although i do plan on applying to masters programs that are non-ranked and have lower admission standards.</p>
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