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These and more resources are part of pdf series:ALL THE GRE, GMAT and IELTS Preparation Material You'll Ever Need!Introduction: Applying for graduate school can be tedious and nerve-wracking, and perhaps the worst step is getting good recommendation letters. But the process can be survived, and I can tell you how.Unfortunately you can't write your own recommendation letters (wouldn't be ethical), but if you get started early during your senior year of college and stay focused and organized, you will find that you can substantially influence what goes into the letters your references write, and the ultimate strength of those letters.I have seen more than 1,000 recommendation letters,so perhaps I can offer some tips to help you get the best recommendation letters possible for graduate school applications.WHY do you need strong recommendation letters?At many institutions, recommendation letters--usually three are required - are just as important in graduate school admissions process as your undergraduate GPA and your scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).The letters provide the admissions committee with proof of some of the things you will declare on your resume and in your "Statement of Purpose" essay required by most schools. If you've cultivated relationships with professors at your school, their subjective appraisal of your skills and traits will go a long way toward helping you get admitted to graduate school.Often selection committees will use the numeric figures (GPA, GRE) to make initial cuts in the applicant pool, and then, during the most intense phase of the competition (and it is intense), the committee will look to your recommendation letters for convincing endorsements. Most programs also have a form that your references must fill out, answering short questions about your potential for successful grad school coursework, and then the recommenders are asked to rank you in comparison to other students they have taught over the years. Don't worry, this isn't as bad as it sounds.Just so you know, graduate schools look for:Intellectual development through collegeAptitude for independent thinking and researchAnalytical abilities and writing skillsLeadership or creative qualitiesYour references need to support their comments with anecdotes or specific examples of your performance as an undergraduate.That kind of specificity of detail makes for good,convincing writing. If the professor can offer only generic bromides such as "she was a fine student, never missed class and was always punctual and attentive," then admissions committee members will recognize that this professor doesn't know the student very well.WHEN should you ask for recommendation letters?You will find that many graduate schools set an application deadline in November or December.These are hectic months for professors. The semester is driving toward an end, the holidays loom ahead and term papers and final exams are streaming in, waiting to be graded (and you thought only the poor students suffer end-of-semester stresses). So, anticipate these pressures and ask for letters early - in September.Leave the writers at least three weeks to prepare the letters.Two weeks might force the writers to do a shoddy rush job, and four weeks might tempt them to doze off and forget where they put your application forms. Three weeks seems about right. It always strained my patience when a student sprinted into my office, splashed a half dozen application forms across my desk and asked, "Professor, could you please do these grad school reference letters for me by, maybe,uh, like, next Monday."I always stifled my impulse to reply, "Yes, maybe, uh, like I will do that just as soon as I finish sticking your skinny neck under a guillotine!" But I knew the letters were important, so I always agreed to do my best to help students meet deadlines, figuring that was part of why the university paid me.Because professors tend to be preoccupied with their own academic work, it's a good idea for you to remind them, gently, about one week before your application deadline,that you need them to finish your letter. Remind them again, as the deadline closes in. Most professors will respond to that prodding in a friendly fashion. They know their letter is essential, and they once went through the same anxiety-producing process of tracking down letters and preparing portfolios and so on. Be assertive in a friendly way, until you know their letter is in the mail.The key to the whole process of getting the best recommendation letters for your graduate school application is for you to get started early; carefully organize your materials so that you can orchestrate what each letter-writer discusses; and be sure to place into their hands enough specific information that their task will be made easier and their letter will be far more effective once it reaches the hands of grad school officials.Who can write the best recommendation letters for you?You do not necessarily want to seek out your department's most prestigious professors to write you letters. Instead, find those who can comment specifically on who you are as a person and student. Schools won't recognize a professor's name, but they will recognize his or her passion for your future.It helps if the professor has taught graduate classes, and can compare your potential to the abilities of his or her own previous grad students. Often the instructor who knows you best is a grad student who has taught you in a course, but you are better off finding veteran professors who have experience writing recommendation letters. If you have completed an internship -especially one related to the graduate field you wish to pursue - then ask for a letter from the person who supervised that internship (an editor, an office manager, a research scientist you assisted, etc.). While not necessary, it would help if that person has a graduate degree and thus understands what grad school requires of students. You would be wise to include only one reference who is not a professor.Give careful thought to the individuals you choose to write your recommendation letters.They could determine your future.Most professors will not take the responsibility of writing a letter for you if they anticipate giving you a negative appraisal. But don't let a "no" depress you. That person may be fighting a deadline for a book; she may be caring for sick family members; she may have a crumbling marriage; she may be overwhelmed with committee work; she may feel that she doesn't know you or your work well enough to write a good letter; or she may believe that you really should be applying for a job flipping burgers at the Dairy King. Don't spend five seconds worrying about this situation. You are better off finding a reference who is sanguine about your future in grad school. Move on to your next choice.How should you ask for a recommendation letter?E-mail your professors and request a meeting to discuss your grad school plans. Ask in a tactful but direct way, "Professor, would you be able to write a strong recommendation letter when I apply to grad school?" Try to determine from their response if they will give you lukewarm or enthusiastic support.What do your letter-writers need from you?Here's where you can seriously influence the contents and effectiveness of the recommendation letters.First of all,try to arrange it so that the letters complement rather than merely echo one another. This can be achieved in part through selecting which particular items you give each reference before they begin writing, and helps tell more of a complete story about you.Have one professor write about the quality of your research and term papers, and perhaps have him mention any study abroad experiences; have another address your oral communication skills, leadership abilities, moral character and personality; have a former internship supervisor talk about your work habits, the nature of your internship, your motivation, and what you contributed to the company or organization where you interned. If you worked to help finance your way through college, this last individual could mention that. You might simply make a bulleted list of the specific things you'd like a particular letter-writer to address, and add are quest: "If you can, please discuss these topics in your letter."Make sure your references fully understand your career goals.Talk to them about this, and give them a copy of your "Statement of Purpose," where you further elaborate on your professional objectives. Try to "aim" your letter-writers specifically toward the kind of graduate program you're seeking. If you are applying for grad study in biology, for example, you will want one of your writers to lay special emphasis on your experience as a lab researcher. If you are seeking a grad degree in psychology, you might want extra space to be devoted in a letter to describing your interpersonal abilities. And then provide information and samples of your work that will help your references illustrate what they will be writing about you.You are, in effect, helping to create your own profile, offering a more balanced portrait of who you are.Trust me, the professors will welcome your help (writing good recommendation letters takestime, and can be a challenge even for skilled writers). The more prepared my students were,when they requested a letter, the easier my task was, and the more effective my letter was.Let's say you want me to write a recommendation for you. Here is a helpful list of things you can prepare for me and your other references:A copy of your resume and perhaps of your transcript (the latter doesn't have to be official, it can just be a photocopy).A cover sheet highlighting salient details of your academic life - Which of my courses did you take, and when? What grades did you receive in each class? What is your overall GPA? What is your GPA in your major field? Did you take a minor, and if so, how will it enhance your graduate studies? This cover sheet could also contain that list of things you want me to be sure to address, in the letter.A term paper or long examination that I have graded (I cannot recall something I wrote on your paper two years ago, so jog my memory), or a story you wrote for the student newspaper, or a report you wrote after a semester's research in a laboratory.A copy of your personal "Statement of Purpose" essay that you will submit with your application. (I may wind up critiquing your essay, and helping you make your statement more compelling. This essay also should help me further understand why you have decided to go to graduate school, and in what field, and in preparation for which career.)A well-organized series of files, one for each graduate school where you will be applying.Each school will ask that I fill out a form, evaluating your potential for success in grad school. Before you give the form to me, fill out the portion that pertains to you (usually at the top of page one). Be certain that you write on the outside of each file which school is involved, where I am to send my letter (cite individual names, titles, if you can), and what my deadline is. Professors can be world-class procrastinators, they can be as fuzzy as cotton boll, and they often stay so immersed in their research and lectures that they cannot tell you what day it is. Help them - stress the deadline.If I am mailing the letter,give me a stamped, addressed envelope. If you are going to pick up my letter and mail it with your packet, I will seal it and write my name across the seal (grad schools require that). More and more schools are requesting online recommendations. Be sure I know which of your potential schools do that, and give me the proper URL, so I can find your electronic file and post my letter. For each file dedicated to one of the schools where you're applying, make it clear to me how that grad program differs from the others.Computers make it easy for professors to tailor their recommendation letters to fit the specific graduate program the student is pursuing.Make certain I have your telephone number and e-mail address, in case I need furtherinformation.Include a stamped self-addressed postcard bearing this message--"Please mail this card to me when you receive this letter" and I will drop that card into the envelope with your letter. That way, you can track the letter, and you need to do that until you know that all your letters have landed in the right hands.WHERE should copies of your recommendation letters be stored, for later use?Once your references have finished your letter, you might ask that they send a copy to your campus "Career Services Center," where you can establish a confidential credentials file. It can contain all your recommendation letters, a copy of your transcript and resume and other materials. Career Services (under whatever name, on your campus) will send out copies of your letters whenever you need them.You might also explore setting up a credentials file through a Web-based file management service called "http://Interfolio.com." Once your credentials go online (including your recommendation letters, resume, writing samples, your "Statement of Purpose," whatever you need there), anyone whom you authorise can go and view your materials. Once you register with Interfolio, your reference letters can be sent there electronically, by professors and others, and often this saves them a lot of trouble. Interfolio offers an affordable way of sending your materials out to grad schools, and Interfolio will send out your portfolio either by UPS or electronically to whatever destinations you identify. The site assures confidentiality, and even you cannot access are commendation letter if a professor has asked that it be kept confidentialMost recommendation forms will ask you to sign a voluntary waiver that means you are surrendering your right to view the recommendations written on your behalf. Many professors feel uncomfortable writing an open letter, and some even balk at doing so, if you don't waive your rights to view the letters. Some grad school selection committees may weigh lightly any non-restricted letters in your application. So, waive your rights to read the letters. You can generally trust that letters produced by those who have agreed to help you will be positive (and,again, you can help see to that, by giving your references plenty of help once they agree to write a letter).So,now what?Well, now you owe a debt to each person who wrote a letter recommending you. Send each a Thank You note("I know how busy you are, and that your time is valuable, so I really appreciate your help...," etc.). This is a thoughtful gesture. This is also smart politics. You may need another such letter or assistance from the same references later. Speaking from 40 years of experience, I can tell you writing recommendation letters never got easier for me. More often than not, I spent two hours marshalling my thoughts and all the details into a persuasive letter.Like most professors, I wanted my students to succeed. Nothing made me happier than to have a student drop by to tell me that he or she got accepted at a good graduate school.I write a blog here: GREKindly bestow it some look if you find time to read more such things:)Regards

1)The Start.There are some strict timelines that need to be followed to be able to apply in time. Ideally the process begins about 15 months before the targeted semester.For example, for students targeting Fall-2016 semester should ideally begin the exercise by March-April '15. Starting early can spend enough time on each application and prepare the documents asked by each University. In case you are applying for a financial aid, it is very much advisable to send your applications early. Some Universities have a early deadline for students who are applying for financial aid.You will need to look for a lot of information on various Universities and the programs they offer.Fortunately there are forums and websites that can help in this exercise. I'll name a few that helped me a lot in getting the information.EDULIX: Edulix is a wonderful forum and a website that is a must for any MS aspirant.At edulix, you have different forums for different phases. Its like moving from one forum to other as you keep on progressing with your applications. You'll find many aspirants like you discussing various programs, Universities,etc.US NEWS Rankings: US News ranks all the Universities on many parameters and disciplines.Access to latest rankings and other plethora of information requires a subscription. You have extensive search features and school information on many streams like CSE, ECE etc. It lists the average GRE cut-off for each school, average admit/reject ratio and website links of admission page of various Universities.University website: University website is the best place to get information on the various programs, researches and admission details for a specific program. You may create a excel document that will have the application deadlines and other basic information of various Universities you are interested in. Later you can use this excel to trim your list of Universities.Universities in USA are mainly classified into Public and Private Universities. There are some subtle differences between them. However, for prospective applicants, it hardly makes a difference whether a University is Private or Public.Generally, Public Universities are (much) cheaper than Private ones. There is no distinction in the quality of education. There are some very good public as well as private Universities in USA. The annual tuition fees depends on the University. It is generally low for public Universities and more for private Universities. Living expenses include house rent, food, books, insurance, mobile/internet and other Leisure activities. These expenses vary a lot from place to place.If you are in a suburban area like SUNY-Buffalo, the total cost will be much lesser than what you'll spend in place like NYU in New York.Bank Loans: Most banks offer educational loan schemes. Loan Processing takes ample of time. Make sure you plan your loan needs well in advance.Teaching assistantship (TA), Research assistantship (RA), Graduate assistantship (GA)Various assistantships are available once you have arrived at the University. However, you need to find out what is the aid scenario in a particular University. In most Universities, the TA and RA are not immediately available and you may have to wait upto one year to get any of these assistantships.Tuition Waivers: The University can waive off part of your tuition fees if it finds your academic record good enough.On-Campus Jobs: The international student visa permits work on campus on a part-time basis for upto 20 hours per week. The positions include student helpers at the university bookstore, campus post office, dining halls, supervisory roles at graduate housing office, etc. The students are paid on an hourly basis and the money earned is usually sufficient to cover one’s living expenses.On-Campus job scenario differs from place to place. You need to check with the existing students for the availability of jobs on campus.2) GRE & TOEFLGRE is conducted round the year. ETS conducts GRE. GRE is conducted at various prometric centers around the globe.Generally, most Universities require students to write GRE General Test. The GRE Subject Test is a special requirement for Ph.D or for students who want to change their Undergraduate stream.Since MS is concerned more with science/technology aspect than with literature programs, the Universities will normally expect a basic criteria fulfillment in various sections of TOEFL. The basic idea is that you need to clear the cut-off limits of TOEFL for various Universities. While a great TOEFL score will not turn an average application to a promising one, a low score will not hamper your prospects either (so far as it is above the cut-off specified by the University).Having said that, you should never ignore the importance of TOEFL exam. A good score in TOEFL will benefit you for your TA (Teaching Assistantships) applications and other positions where English proficiency is required. TOEFL is a reflection of your complete English command, so make sure you give it sincerely.3) SOPYou will have to pay special attention to draft your Statement of Purpose. Your Statement of Purpose is a reflection of your goals, aspirations, academic highlights, co-curricular achievements and your enthusiasm for higher studies. Be very meticulous in framing your SOP. It is something that the professors are surely going to read. You need to highlight all your strong points and also explain (in short) the reasons of any shortfall in your application.4) TranscriptsA transcript is an official copy of a student's academic record. It is issued by the University on demand. Generally Universities charge a fee for each copy of the 'Official Transcript'.Transcripts are one of the most essential documents that are required by Universities where you are applying for admission. You'll need to send your transcripts by post (courier) to University admission office. Your application will not be processed until the University has your transcript.Some Universities ask for 2 copies of transcript (one for the graduate school and one for the department). You should always apply for more transcripts than the number of Universities your are applying for. Normally if you are applying for 10 Universities, you should get around 15-16 transcripts.5) RecosLetters of recommendation are another action item where you need to be very proactive. You may have to spend a lot of time for this activity. You need to identify the professors (or supervisors at work place) whom you’ll entrust with this responsibility. You’ll need to tell them well in advance and seek their approval for the same. Ideally for MS programs, most Universities ask for 3 recommendations. Some restrict you to 2 while a few allow even a fourth recommendation.6)ResumeYou'll need to write a well drafted resume to be sent along with the applications. Some Universities get it uploaded on their online application while some ask to send it along with the additional documents that you send via courier.By now, resume writing must not be new to you. There are thousands of websites what tell you how to write a good resume. Basically, your resume for your MS application should clearly capture all your academics, academic related achievements and significant co-curricular activities. Also mention your work experience (if any) and the kind of work you have done.7) Shortlisting UniversitiesYou need to do a lot of research on the Universities before you can come-up with a list. By the time you are preparing your list, you might have given your GRE and TOEFL. You’ll have to make a rational decision as to what are your chances in various Universities that you are evaluating. You'll have to evaluate the department and program ranking of the University and whether the researches and courses align with your interests.The number of universities to apply to depends on your profile, your personal mindset, and the money that you have kept aside for application. Generally an application for MS will cost you anywhere between Rs.5000 to Rs.8000 (All inclusive of the application fee, courier cost, GRE/TOEFL reporting fee, transcript fee and other small expenses).Most people I saw in various forums apply to about 8 to 12 Universities in general.Generally people have a simple logic of choosing Universities. You need to divide your list into 3 categories of :Ambitious – The ones that are your real dream Universities, but you think they are a bit unapproachable given the profile you have.Moderates – The Universities which you believe that you have a fair chance of getting in. You have researched that people of similar profile have gone through such Universities before. But you still cannot be very confident of an admit.Safes – The Universities that you are confident that you should get a call from.8) Application ProcessYou need to go to the admission websites of the University and look for the 'Prospective Students' or related link. Carefully study the requirements/deadlines and other admission related information for your program. Whenever you are browsing the admission website of a University, note down various deadlines, requirements, links (URLs), online application link, institution code for GRE/TOEFL and other admission related information. By doing this you may not require to search this critical information all over again when required later.Some Universities follow a rolling process of applications. Rolling process means that the University will not wait for the deadline to begin its application evaluation. Universities with rolling process of admission will evaluate applications as and when they come. If they find an application suitable, they'll send the offer. In such cases, sending a application early will definitely improve the chances. In some other Universities, where they start processing the applications only after the deadline, I don't think there is any substantial advantage in send the applications early.However, as a principle, you should never wait for the deadline and send/submit application as soon as possible. This will help them to check whether all aspects of your application are complete and they can revert back to you in case something more is expected. You should always leave enough time for such contingencies.For students who are applying for financial aid from University, it is imperative to send applications very early. In fact, most Universities have a separate early deadline for students applying for aid.A application for MS in a US University consists of various elements. I'll discuss the most common requisites of an application below:GRE Score reporting: In almost all cases you'll have to report your official GRE scores to the University. Universities won't accept the photocopy of your GRE scorecard. You need to report the scores directly from ETS. Score is reported by calling the phone numbers given at the GRE websites. You will require the Institution code and the department code of the University before you call. Keep your GRE registration number and credit card details ready when you call. You will need to key in the CC number on the IVRS. Each additional score will cost $20.TOEFL score reporting: TOEFL scores are also required in almost all the Universities. The information at the admission website will specify whether TOEFL is required or not. You need to log in to your iBT profile at the TOEFL website to order additional reports.Statement of Purpose/Resume: Most online applications facilitate uploading the SOP and Resume on the online application itself. Otherwise you'll require to send them with the courier packet. In case you are uploading your resume, you can also append scanned copy of various certificates to the resume.Letters of Recommendations: You will need to send your letter of recommendations. Most online applications now-a-days allow LORs to be submitted online. Submitting LORs online is easy and convenient for student as well as professors.Financial documents to be sent with applications: Some Universities ask some financial documents to be sent along with the application. These documents maybe custom documents/forms that are to be filled and sent back with bank seal etc. Basically they may ask for financial proof for some amount of money. Most students who will avail loan for their studies are not in a position to send those documents at this time. Ideally you should send authentic proof of whatever amount that is possible.The application packet to be sent via post: There are a few documents that are to be sent via post. Transcripts, LORs (in case you are sending written ones), Resume, SOP etc. are a few documents that are sent via post. Basically whatever documents/proofs that aren't uploaded in the online application are sent via post.In case you are applying to 8-12 Universities, you may find it difficult to track the progress of all the applications.A application is considered complete by the University when it has received all of the following:Application Fee (remitted online via Credit card or through bank draft)Online application (duly submitted).SOP, Resume etc. submitted online or sent via postal mail.Transcripts (sent via post)Letters of Recommendations(sent via post in case of paper LORs or received from Professors in case of online LORs)GRE and TOEFL score reports from ETS.9) The waiting time.After you've sent your last application, the impatient wait for results ensues. Please mind that some Universities send results really late while some will keep you in waitlist for long. In case you don't hear a decision from the University, just email or call the concerned admission officer. In my opinion, calling is always a better option that email. Some Universities are really lousy in responding to emails.If you get an admit, you are good to go. If you get multiple admits, your decision to choose a University must solely depend on the faculty and the courses that you'll take there. It should also depend on the financial aspects if it is a concern for you. Further, you should also take into consideration the weather of the place where your University is. You should not choose Universities in places of extreme cold if you are allergic to cold weather.Once you have decided your University, send them a letter of acceptance stating that you accept the offer. It is also important that you intimate other Universities that you won't be joining them. This really helps them to manage their wait list better and issue offers to waitlisted students.10) The Visa InterviewThe basic things that you'll need to carry on the day of interview are listed below (Note these may change over time and may be different for different consulate)Essential Documents:1) Passport2) DS forms (signed)3) I-20 (signed)4) GRE & TOEFL score cards5) Degree Certificate6) SEVIS fee receipt7) HDFC Visa fee receipt (Only the consulate copy)8) Appointment letterThis is normally not enough. You'll also need to have documents to prove your finances for the entire period of study. This includes your tuition, living expenses, books etc. While the consulate doesn't give any specific guidelines on what kind of documents it requires, generally original bank documents, sponsor certificates etc. is what they'll expect.11) Fly for MSIts important that you have planned about the few initial days at US. You should know where are you going to stay for the initial couple of days and how and when will you get your permanent accommodation.Many graduate students in US stay on off-campus housing. There is no 'hostel' concept in most of the US Universities (more so for graduate students). Read ahead if you are going for a off-campus housing.There are two ways people do it:Some students arrange their accommodation from India itself. Mostly, there are realty companies that handle apartments. Your seniors can let you know which realty company is good enough and can be trusted. So, normally students who have identified their group of roommates search apartments online and view the location and connectivity. You can also see the pictures of the interiors. Once they find it good enough, a deal with the realty company can be reached. Some companies require some amount of initial deposit. Some will book it for you and you can make the deposit once you arrive.Some students ask their friends or seniors to go and have a look at the house they've identified and based on the feedback they proceed with the formalities.Many students are uncomfortable in finding and fixing a deal online. One may also not have identified his/her roommates and hence this exercise is not possible before landing. Most universities have a very active graduate students associations that will help you find your temporary housings.Contact your seniors for any such facility in your University or ask your seniors directly if you can stay with them. You'll definitely find very helpful seniors who'll help you out with your initial temporary accommodation.Once your temporary accommodation is fixed, you can arrive there and start looking for a permanent apartment.There are a couple of things that you'll need to do once you are there.Search for a house:If you haven't yet finalized the house, this should be your priority number 1. House search can be tiring and frustrating at times. It always is. But fortunately, it'll last only for a maximum of 4-5 days. So, make sure you see as many houses as you can and find the best deal.Mobile Phone:Unfortunately you cannot get a 'real' postpaid connection until you have a decent credit history here and that takes time to build. I say 'real' because there are a couple of plans here which may function like post-paid but are not really post-paid.Study Well, keep stress away and have fun:You are there to study. Most probably you'll experience a very different and challenging academic experience. You'll get immensely busy and you'll need to work very hard. Make sure that you work hard and don't let stress overwhelm you. Remember that plagiarism and cheating are dealt with utmost strictness in US academic culture. Don't ever try to indulge in cheating or plagiarism. A simple incident can throw you out of University.You'll sometimes get stressed due to work load, specially during your first semester when everything is new and you are still adjusting to the new place and environment. Just persist and keep performing. This is something that everyone has to go through and it will pass. Don't let homesickness and stress to come between you and you goals.Not only you'll learn your course, but many other facets of life. You'll appreciate the helping nature of Americans and learn being more polite. You'll also start appreciating India in many ways. All in all you'll have a great learning experience that will help you evolve.

These and more resources are part of pdf series:ALL THE GRE, GMAT and IELTS Preparation Material You'll Ever Need!Introduction: Applying for graduate school can be tedious and nerve-wracking, and perhaps the worst step is getting good recommendation letters. But the process can be survived, and I can tell you how.Unfortunately you can't write your own recommendation letters (wouldn't be ethical), but if you get started early during your senior year of college and stay focused and organized, you will find that you can substantially influence what goes into the letters your references write, and the ultimate strength of those letters.I have seen more than 1,000 recommendation letters,so perhaps I can offer some tips to help you get the best recommendation letters possible for graduate school applications.WHY do you need strong recommendation letters?At many institutions, recommendation letters--usually three are required - are just as important in graduate school admissions process as your undergraduate GPA and your scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).The letters provide the admissions committee with proof of some of the things you will declare on your resume and in your "Statement of Purpose" essay required by most schools. If you've cultivated relationships with professors at your school, their subjective appraisal of your skills and traits will go a long way toward helping you get admitted to graduate school.Often selection committees will use the numeric figures (GPA, GRE) to make initial cuts in the applicant pool, and then, during the most intense phase of the competition (and it is intense), the committee will look to your recommendation letters for convincing endorsements. Most programs also have a form that your references must fill out, answering short questions about your potential for successful grad school coursework, and then the recommenders are asked to rank you in comparison to other students they have taught over the years. Don't worry, this isn't as bad as it sounds.Just so you know, graduate schools look for:Intellectual development through collegeAptitude for independent thinking and researchAnalytical abilities and writing skillsLeadership or creative qualitiesYour references need to support their comments with anecdotes or specific examples of your performance as an undergraduate.That kind of specificity of detail makes for good,convincing writing. If the professor can offer only generic bromides such as "she was a fine student, never missed class and was always punctual and attentive," then admissions committee members will recognize that this professor doesn't know the student very well.WHEN should you ask for recommendation letters?You will find that many graduate schools set an application deadline in November or December.These are hectic months for professors. The semester is driving toward an end, the holidays loom ahead and term papers and final exams are streaming in, waiting to be graded (and you thought only the poor students suffer end-of-semester stresses). So, anticipate these pressures and ask for letters early - in September.Leave the writers at least three weeks to prepare the letters.Two weeks might force the writers to do a shoddy rush job, and four weeks might tempt them to doze off and forget where they put your application forms. Three weeks seems about right. It always strained my patience when a student sprinted into my office, splashed a half dozen application forms across my desk and asked, "Professor, could you please do these grad school reference letters for me by, maybe,uh, like, next Monday."I always stifled my impulse to reply, "Yes, maybe, uh, like I will do that just as soon as I finish sticking your skinny neck under a guillotine!" But I knew the letters were important, so I always agreed to do my best to help students meet deadlines, figuring that was part of why the university paid me.Because professors tend to be preoccupied with their own academic work, it's a good idea for you to remind them, gently, about one week before your application deadline,that you need them to finish your letter. Remind them again, as the deadline closes in. Most professors will respond to that prodding in a friendly fashion. They know their letter is essential, and they once went through the same anxiety-producing process of tracking down letters and preparing portfolios and so on. Be assertive in a friendly way, until you know their letter is in the mail.The key to the whole process of getting the best recommendation letters for your graduate school application is for you to get started early; carefully organize your materials so that you can orchestrate what each letter-writer discusses; and be sure to place into their hands enough specific information that their task will be made easier and their letter will be far more effective once it reaches the hands of grad school officials.Who can write the best recommendation letters for you?You do not necessarily want to seek out your department's most prestigious professors to write you letters. Instead, find those who can comment specifically on who you are as a person and student. Schools won't recognize a professor's name, but they will recognize his or her passion for your future.It helps if the professor has taught graduate classes, and can compare your potential to the abilities of his or her own previous grad students. Often the instructor who knows you best is a grad student who has taught you in a course, but you are better off finding veteran professors who have experience writing recommendation letters. If you have completed an internship -especially one related to the graduate field you wish to pursue - then ask for a letter from the person who supervised that internship (an editor, an office manager, a research scientist you assisted, etc.). While not necessary, it would help if that person has a graduate degree and thus understands what grad school requires of students. You would be wise to include only one reference who is not a professor.Give careful thought to the individuals you choose to write your recommendation letters.They could determine your future.Most professors will not take the responsibility of writing a letter for you if they anticipate giving you a negative appraisal. But don't let a "no" depress you. That person may be fighting a deadline for a book; she may be caring for sick family members; she may have a crumbling marriage; she may be overwhelmed with committee work; she may feel that she doesn't know you or your work well enough to write a good letter; or she may believe that you really should be applying for a job flipping burgers at the Dairy King. Don't spend five seconds worrying about this situation. You are better off finding a reference who is sanguine about your future in grad school. Move on to your next choice.How should you ask for a recommendation letter?E-mail your professors and request a meeting to discuss your grad school plans. Ask in a tactful but direct way, "Professor, would you be able to write a strong recommendation letter when I apply to grad school?" Try to determine from their response if they will give you lukewarm or enthusiastic support.What do your letter-writers need from you?Here's where you can seriously influence the contents and effectiveness of the recommendation letters.First of all,try to arrange it so that the letters complement rather than merely echo one another. This can be achieved in part through selecting which particular items you give each reference before they begin writing, and helps tell more of a complete story about you.Have one professor write about the quality of your research and term papers, and perhaps have him mention any study abroad experiences; have another address your oral communication skills, leadership abilities, moral character and personality; have a former internship supervisor talk about your work habits, the nature of your internship, your motivation, and what you contributed to the company or organization where you interned. If you worked to help finance your way through college, this last individual could mention that. You might simply make a bulleted list of the specific things you'd like a particular letter-writer to address, and add are quest: "If you can, please discuss these topics in your letter."Make sure your references fully understand your career goals.Talk to them about this, and give them a copy of your "Statement of Purpose," where you further elaborate on your professional objectives. Try to "aim" your letter-writers specifically toward the kind of graduate program you're seeking. If you are applying for grad study in biology, for example, you will want one of your writers to lay special emphasis on your experience as a lab researcher. If you are seeking a grad degree in psychology, you might want extra space to be devoted in a letter to describing your interpersonal abilities. And then provide information and samples of your work that will help your references illustrate what they will be writing about you.You are, in effect, helping to create your own profile, offering a more balanced portrait of who you are.Trust me, the professors will welcome your help (writing good recommendation letters takestime, and can be a challenge even for skilled writers). The more prepared my students were,when they requested a letter, the easier my task was, and the more effective my letter was.Let's say you want me to write a recommendation for you. Here is a helpful list of things you can prepare for me and your other references:A copy of your resume and perhaps of your transcript (the latter doesn't have to be official, it can just be a photocopy).A cover sheet highlighting salient details of your academic life - Which of my courses did you take, and when? What grades did you receive in each class? What is your overall GPA? What is your GPA in your major field? Did you take a minor, and if so, how will it enhance your graduate studies? This cover sheet could also contain that list of things you want me to be sure to address, in the letter.A term paper or long examination that I have graded (I cannot recall something I wrote on your paper two years ago, so jog my memory), or a story you wrote for the student newspaper, or a report you wrote after a semester's research in a laboratory.A copy of your personal "Statement of Purpose" essay that you will submit with your application. (I may wind up critiquing your essay, and helping you make your statement more compelling. This essay also should help me further understand why you have decided to go to graduate school, and in what field, and in preparation for which career.)A well-organized series of files, one for each graduate school where you will be applying.Each school will ask that I fill out a form, evaluating your potential for success in grad school. Before you give the form to me, fill out the portion that pertains to you (usually at the top of page one). Be certain that you write on the outside of each file which school is involved, where I am to send my letter (cite individual names, titles, if you can), and what my deadline is. Professors can be world-class procrastinators, they can be as fuzzy as cotton boll, and they often stay so immersed in their research and lectures that they cannot tell you what day it is. Help them - stress the deadline.If I am mailing the letter,give me a stamped, addressed envelope. If you are going to pick up my letter and mail it with your packet, I will seal it and write my name across the seal (grad schools require that). More and more schools are requesting online recommendations. Be sure I know which of your potential schools do that, and give me the proper URL, so I can find your electronic file and post my letter. For each file dedicated to one of the schools where you're applying, make it clear to me how that grad program differs from the others.Computers make it easy for professors to tailor their recommendation letters to fit the specific graduate program the student is pursuing.Make certain I have your telephone number and e-mail address, in case I need furtherinformation.Include a stamped self-addressed postcard bearing this message--"Please mail this card to me when you receive this letter" and I will drop that card into the envelope with your letter. That way, you can track the letter, and you need to do that until you know that all your letters have landed in the right hands.WHERE should copies of your recommendation letters be stored, for later use?Once your references have finished your letter, you might ask that they send a copy to your campus "Career Services Center," where you can establish a confidential credentials file. It can contain all your recommendation letters, a copy of your transcript and resume and other materials. Career Services (under whatever name, on your campus) will send out copies of your letters whenever you need them.You might also explore setting up a credentials file through a Web-based file management service called "http://Interfolio.com." Once your credentials go online (including your recommendation letters, resume, writing samples, your "Statement of Purpose," whatever you need there), anyone whom you authorise can go and view your materials. Once you register with Interfolio, your reference letters can be sent there electronically, by professors and others, and often this saves them a lot of trouble. Interfolio offers an affordable way of sending your materials out to grad schools, and Interfolio will send out your portfolio either by UPS or electronically to whatever destinations you identify. The site assures confidentiality, and even you cannot access are commendation letter if a professor has asked that it be kept confidentialMost recommendation forms will ask you to sign a voluntary waiver that means you are surrendering your right to view the recommendations written on your behalf. Many professors feel uncomfortable writing an open letter, and some even balk at doing so, if you don't waive your rights to view the letters. Some grad school selection committees may weigh lightly any non-restricted letters in your application. So, waive your rights to read the letters. You can generally trust that letters produced by those who have agreed to help you will be positive (and,again, you can help see to that, by giving your references plenty of help once they agree to write a letter).So,now what?Well, now you owe a debt to each person who wrote a letter recommending you. Send each a Thank You note("I know how busy you are, and that your time is valuable, so I really appreciate your help...," etc.). This is a thoughtful gesture. This is also smart politics. You may need another such letter or assistance from the same references later. Speaking from 40 years of experience, I can tell you writing recommendation letters never got easier for me. More often than not, I spent two hours marshalling my thoughts and all the details into a persuasive letter.Like most professors, I wanted my students to succeed. Nothing made me happier than to have a student drop by to tell me that he or she got accepted at a good graduate school.I write a blog here: GREKindly bestow it some look if you find time to read more such things:)Regards