HSS Food and Nutrition

Guidelines for Obtaining Recommendations

Revised January 2, 2009

Be complete and professional with your request for a recommendation.

1. Prepare a Request Manila Envelope addressed to the professor you are requesting a recommendation.
2. Submit it at least one month before the recommendation due date.
3. But submit as soon as you know you need a recommendation. Omission of data will only delay a reply because this data will be requested again.

BEFORE you make the request, read and comply as necessary to the information on the ADA Internship Tips web page and the below hints.

Request Manila Envelope Content [Address to the professor and send or deliver the Request Manila Envelope to the HSS Department Administrator Ms. Laura Greger.]

1.      Print a Cover letter for the Envelope requesting a recommendation and what you need from the professor. Provide the same letter on the CD or Flash Drive (see below).

2.      Provide enough paper copies of forms, other than the ADA Recommendation Form 2004, to cover all programs and place any blank electronic forms in PC format on the Request CD or Flash Drive.

3.      Provide paper copies of any required signed (your signature) release, such as the first page of the ADA Recommendation form, and recommendation forms to be placed in sealed envelopes.

4.      Provide enough PRINTED pre-addressed envelopes: stamped if professor is to mail them directly.

5.      Submit on the Request CD or Flash Drive, all the required information in Word 97-2003 document (*.doc) format. Paper submission is not sufficient. It will include:

1. A Cover letter requesting a recommendation and what you need from the professor.

                                                              i.      Make clear statements of any special requirements for each program for which you want a recommendation and their time frames for submission. Certain Internship programs want specific comments in specific areas. State any that are known for each program.

                                                            ii.      Include the URLs for each program.

2. An Official Resume including all work experiences with specific tasks and contributions.
3. A Supplemental document covering:

                                                              i.      Relationships with facility or supervisors, fellow students and co-workers pertinent to the recommendation.

                                                            ii.     Third Person statements about your maturity, initiative, adaptability, self-confidence, communications, leadership, motivation, responsibility and problem solving skills, and work with specific detailed examples.

                                                          iv.      Third Person discussion of your performance skills as well as ability to apply learning with specific detailed examples.

                                                            v.      A list of special/additional activities/organizations with detail of participation and dates not included in the Resume. Leadership positions are particularly important.

4. A separate document with complete names with titles and official mailing addresses including ZIP codes to whom the recommendation letters are to be addressed in addition to the PRINTED pre-addressed envelopes.
5. GPA, times on the Dean's List, etc.
6. Download and use the Word document version of the ADA Recommendation Form 2004 to fill in the following and save to your Request CD or Flash Drive:

·        Name:

·        Date of Graduation:

·        Provide a suggested DETAILED Third Person NARRATIVE write-up for the Strengths. Include prime work experiences, organizations, volunteer work, etc. Explain why you should be selected.

·        Provide a suggested DETAILED Third Person NARRATIVE write-up for the Qualities that Require Further Development:

 Hints: Internships and other positions are getting even more competitive and are looking for the few who standout among all their applicants.

1. State what you actually did. It is not enough to say you were a member of the SDA. What did you do? Even when you do not have a leadership position [which is always better], tell how you worked on a committee, what research reports you did, ideas you presented that were implemented, etc. Specific statements of accomplishment are necessary to show that you are different from others who are mere members.

2. A typical example of what programs want is well stated by the criteria for the Massachusetts General Hospital. Look it up and cover these points for any program, as well as any program specifics for where you want to apply.

• Overall Preparation, Self-Direction, Self-Direction, Ability to Perform Under Pressure, Interpersonal Skills

• Selection criteria are based upon conceptual ability quality of written and oral expression, ability to master new information and skills, ability to understand complex new theory and ability to translate theory into practice.

For a Recommendation from Adjunct Professor Wylan Ganote:

1. Send an e-mail stating you would like a Recommendation and will provide the Request Manila Envelope at a specified date to be no later than one month before your submission due date.

• Make sure this message and any future messages have your name and the words “Internship Recommendation” in the message subject so it can readily identified.

2. Send or deliver the Request Manila Envelope to the HSS Department Administrator Ms. Laura Greger addressed to Wylan Ganote HSS Adjunct Professor, by your specified date.
3. Make sure the package is complete.

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