So, you want a letter of recommendation…
I’m happy to write a letter of recommendation in support of your application for a job, internship, law school, graduate school, or a scholarship if you’ve earned at least a B+ in my classes. If you’re requesting a letter from me, I ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:
Most importantly, give me enough lead time and clearly stating the deadline by which you need the letter. This means getting in touch with me at least two weeks before your application is due. In general, the more lead time you provide, the stronger your letter will be as I will need some time to review your supplemental materials and incorporate sufficient detail in my letter.
You should also provide me with the following information so I can tailor your letter appropriately. Having access to all of this information will help me draft a stronger and more comprehensive letter in support of your application.
A copy of your academic transcript or at minimum a list of the classes you’ve taken with and the grades you earned in each class
Your cover letter/statement of purpose (if required for your application)
Your resume
As we get close to the deadline, don’t hesitate to nudge me! I promise you won’t be bothering me if you send me a gentle reminder that your letter is coming due.
Keep me posted. I want to know if you were accepted and what your plans are.
Finally, say thank you to all of the folks who help with your application.
For Honors thesis advisees:
I’m generally able to serve on Honors thesis committees for students researching in the broad fields of US politics and government; political history; social movements; social policy; American law; and leadership. I have particular expertise in American political development; the politics and history of the 1960s; the history of development of the American welfare state and the safety net; and social activism around issues of civil rights. If your topic doesn’t fit neatly into these categories, you can absolutely still reach out! I may still be able to provide some assistance or at least point you to a faculty member who better suits your research interests.
When I work with students as their primary adviser, I will require that we meet at least every two weeks (and probably more often during the early stages of your project) to discuss your progress. I require my advisees to submit drafts of their work on a regular basis so that I have sufficient time to provide edits, feedback, and commentary. I’ve put together a resource with some general advice for potential advisees (much of this is borrowed from my estimable colleague Dr. Kristin Vekasi) that is available here. If, after reading through this, you don’t think we’d be a good fit, that’s fine! I just want you to know what I expect of my advisees.
Writing an Honors thesis is not an easy task, and you should be prepared to make your thesis research and writing a regular part of your schedule. While you may be able to crank out an essay for a class at the last minute, I can promise you that you won’t be able to produce a defense-worthy thesis in a matter of days.