Laura L. Lovett

To request a letter of recommendation:

As an undergraduate, I attended UCLA, a research university with, at that time, 35,000 students on campus. I understand how difficult it can be to make one's way through a large school and feel like your professors know enough about you to write robust letters of recommendation. I feel fortunate to teach at Pitt because I personally believe that I have not met a professor on campus here who does not care profoundly about teaching and connecting to students. Toward making sure that this perception of how important you are to me is clear in the time constraints and confines of applications for your future endeavors, I ask you to fill out this form and attach any pertinent information. You can send this to me electronically, or deliver it in person at my office.

First:

Contact me by email or better yet come see me in person so that we can discuss the request.

Second:

Send me via email the following information:

1. Deadline for the letter:
A letter of recommendation typically represents a commitment by me of around 3 hours' time and I need some scheduling leeway to secure a block of time for such an endeavor. Please try to give me at least two weeks' notice. If circumstances are unusual or unique, sometimes I can do something more quickly, so ask.

2. Your Name, Degree(s) and Year of Graduation:

(a).If Undergrad: Major(s), Minor(s), Certificate(s) or Emphases: (b). If Graduate: Department, Major Fields, Minor Fields, Teaching Fields

3. Name of Program/Prize/Fellowship or Position for which you need the letter:

4. Class(es) you have taken or are currently taking with me, including semester, year and grade. (If you had a Graduate Assistant, please include that name and section time.)

5. To whom should I deliver the letter? ____ To an address (include the link , if it is an online application) ____ To you in a sealed/signed envelope ____ To a particular office or service collecting recommendations.

6. Briefly describe the organization/institution/program to which you are applying, and what you plan to do with that organization/institution/program. How does this program fit with your short-term and long-term plans for yourself? Is there anyway that anything you thought about or worked on in any of my classes or office hour discussions helped you to clarify this goal? If so, let me know because this is an important way to personalize my letter.

7. How did you get interested in this area? Is there something in your background, education, or personal experience that this program/scholarship/fellowship/position appeals? What is it?

8. I strive to write each student the strongest letter possible. A strong letter speaks to the specific strengths and accomplishments of the student, integrates the student's classroom performance with other aspects of his/her/their experiences, and speaks to the specifics of the positions for which he or she or they is applying. To help me craft the strongest letter possible, please list or describe any particular elements of your experience, extracurricular activities, ideals, or qualifications that you think it might be helpful for me to mention or emphasize in the letter of recommendation.

Third:

ATTACH RESUME OR CURRICULUM VITA, FORMS, AND ANY OTHER MATERIALS THAT YOU THINK MIGHT BE USEFUL TO ME IN CRAFTING A ROBUSTLY COMPELLING LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FOR YOU.

Fourth:

I will get your letter sent in time, but it never hurts to check in with me a few days before the deadline, unless you have received a notice that your letter has already been submitted.