Letters of Recommendation Hallmark Awards

STEPS TO GETTING A GREAT RECOMMENDATION LETTER Recommendation Letter Packet Requesting a Letter Being Interviewed After the Letter is Submitted Workshop Exercise

RECOMMNEDATION LETTER PACKET (1/2) Purpose of Recommendation from your source Why are you applying for this specific award, scholarship, admission to a specific university, or position? Criteria for award, scholarship, admission, or position To whom the letter should be sent and if it is electronically

RECOMMNEDATION LETTER PACKET (2/2) Your Major Your GPA Activities including student organizations, volunteerism, and leadership positions Your educational and professional goals Short biography Curriculum Vitae or Resume for this specific recommendation

RECOMMNEDATION LETTER PACKET What should my recommendation packet look like? Checklist found in Workshops on www.alphagammapialumni.org See Packet Handout

REQUESTING A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION (1/2) Ask your professor, advisor, or employer at least two (2) weeks in advance of the due date. Ask them courteously. Typically, professors, advisors, and employers have just as crazy schedules as you do, but in most cases they are willing to write a recommendation letter.

REQUESTING A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION (2/2) Speak with the writer directly about the due date. You may need to ask more than one person for the same recommendation. The letter writers may find it helpful to have a short interview with you. This will help them get to know you a little bit better and in turn give them the opportunity to tell the recipient what is special about you.

BE KIND WITH TIME The people you’ll ask to write recommendation letters are just as busy as you are. They have family, school, volunteerism, and work too. Give them time to write a thoughtful letter of recommendation by being thoughtful to them.

BEING INTERVIEWED Come to the interview prepared to answer questions If the interviewer doesn’t know what Phi Theta Kappa is provide them with information about the society Bring an extra packet to the interviewer, even if you already provided one to them Dress at a minimum in business casual for Phi Theta Kappa, you are not only representing yourself, but the society as well

BE THAT PERSON Be the person who not only says, “Thank You” in person, but also writes a handwritten note (NOT AN EMAIL) or gives your recommendation writer a small token of your appreciation.

EXERCISE (10-15 Minutes) Write your own recommendation letter. If you think it is hard imagine how it is for your professor, advisor, or employer. Will this letter be for: Hallmark Awards? Scholarships? Admissions? Criteria: Tell us why you deserve to get the award/scholarship/admission. We know it is hard, but please write it in the 3rd person. Include information you would put in your Letter of Recommendation Packet.

EXERCISE RESULTS

WORKSHOP INFORMATION Letters of Recommendation Alpha Gamma Pi Alumni Association of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society of Two-Year Colleges Created: Summer 2017 This text was created for the members of the Alpha Gamma Pi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society of the Two-Year College. The Alpha Gamma Pi Alumni Association of Phi Theta Kappa presents this workshop to continue to uphold the purpose of Phi Theta Kappa and provide continuing fellowship by supporting the people, programs, and the priorities of Phi Theta Kappa, as well as Austin Community College. The Alpha Gamma Pi Alumni Association hopes that this workshop will inspire your sense of leadership and encourage you to take a step towards expanding your educational goals. Jennifer Palmer-Lee – President Katherine Wong – Vice President Katherine Lyon – Treasurer Garrett Staas – Parliamentarian Jeannie Schaefer - Historian www.alphagammapialumni.org © 2017 Alpha Gamma Pi Alumni Association