Jan 26, 20215 min read

How to Ask for Letters of Recommendation

Updated: May 10, 2021

In this post, we'll be detailing how to ask professors, veterinarians you've shadowed, research lab PIs, and others for letters of recommendations, along with templates for emails.

Step 1: Figure out who you want to ask for a letter of recommendation

Many DVM programs accept 3 letters of recommendation, with some accepting up to 6. Having 6 letters of recommendations doesn't necessarily mean that your application is stronger than it would be if you had 3, remember that it's quality over quantity. Try to think of a list of people who you think would be important for your own development as well as those that work in fields that are relevant to your career interests and that you will be working closely with. This may be a research lab PI, a professor you really admire, your boss at work, a family friend who works in the industry you're working in, or really anyone who you think will write an accurate portrayal of who you are beyond the grades and test scores.

Make a list of at least 6 people you'd like to ask, as it's good to follow through with them in the case that others are unable to write you a letter of recommendation. This step is the most important, because the people who write your letters of recommendation are ultimately the people that allow your application spot to get to know you. It is crucial that these letters reflect who you are, as they allow for the programs you're applying to a chance to envision you on their turf.

Step 2: Develop relationships with those you plan on asking for letters of recommendation

Before asking someone to write a letter of recommendation, you want to develop a relationship with them so they can write personalized compliments about you in the letter. For professors, this may look like regularly attending office hours or participating frequently in lecture, and then emailing them at the end of the quarter asking to meet to discuss class content and more. Many professors are willing to set up meetings with students for letters of recommendation, but be sure to do this well in advance to prevent interrupting their own schedule. For a veterinarian you are shadowing, this may look like just talking to them often while working (i.e. if you are prepping an animal for surgery, which can be viewed as a menial task, try to start off with some small talk about how their day as been and go from there). For a research lab PI, this may begin by asking more about the research that they do and what got them interested in it.

Regardless, the most important aspect of developing this relationship is making sure to show them that you genuinely care about developing this relationship, and that you're not just doing it to get a good letter of recommendation -- they're cool people! As your relationship starts to develop more, branch from talking about their interests to your own, whether it's any hobbies you're particularly interested in, like hiking or painting, or what your own career goals are and how you're planning on achieving them. Try to mention how you're accomplishing your goals and not just your goals themselves; this shows that you aren't just a thinker, but you're a doer. A letter of recommendation is a way for schools or employers to get to know you beyond your application -- it's a way for them to see you as a person, and see how good of a fit you'd be for them.

Step 3: Ask for a letter of recommendation

After you've developed a strong relationship with the person you want to write you a letter of recommendation, and your application cycle is around the corner, it is time to ask. This is often the most nerve-wracking step for many students, as you're worried the person may say no. To guarantee that they will say yes, some really important things to consider are: time and the strength of the relationship. Ask your potential writer at least 6-8 months prior to when you need the letter of recommendation. Often time, the letter writers, such as professors, write letters of recommendation for many students, so they need adequate time to get to know each student and then write the letter of recommendation. Be sure to specify when you need the letter of recommendation by, and what the letter is for.

Here is a template you can use to ask a professor:

Dear (name of person you're asking, be sure to use Dr. when appropriate),

I hope this email finds you well. My name is (First name Last name) and I am currently a (year of study) year studying (major) at (name of university). I would like to to thank you for a wonderful quarter in (class name), my knowledge in (subject) has significantly grown since taking this class; I specifically enjoyed learning about (your favorite topic covered in class) because it directly correlates to my interest in (list how it relates to what you're applying to or what you found interesting). I could not have learned this without your expertise, and would like to thank you for your support throughout the quarter. Office hours were incredibly helpful in allowing for me to succeed in this course and gain the most out of the quarter. It was wonderful getting to know more about your research in (professor's interest) and the steps you took to get there.

I am currently applying to (school/company) to be a (job position/student). This application is incredibly important to me as it would allow me to pursue my interests in (field interest). I was wondering if you would mind writing a letter of recommendation for this application, as having you vouch for my (ability, i.e. work ethic) and (another ability, i.e. customer service) would greatly strengthen my application. I have also attached my resume for additional talking points, and would love to meet and discuss this further. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

(First name Last name)

Here is a template you can use to ask a veterinarian you're shadowing:

Dear Dr. (last name of veterinarian you're shadowing, or first name if you're on that level with them),

I hope this email finds you well. I would like to to thank you for a wonderful work experience at (clinic/hospital), my knowledge in the veterinary field has significantly grown since joining you; I specifically enjoyed learning about (your favorite aspect of working there) because it directly correlates to my interest in becoming a practicing (vet field career interest). I could not have learned this without your expertise, and would like to thank you for your support throughout this time. Working under you was incredibly helpful in allowing for me to gain the most out of this opportunity. It was wonderful getting to know more about your work and the steps you took to get there.

I am currently applying to (school/company) to be a (job position/student), and am currently a (year of study) year studying (major) at (name of university). This application is incredibly important to me as it would allow me to pursue my interests in (field interest). I was wondering if you would mind writing a letter of recommendation for this application, as having you vouch for my (ability, i.e. work ethic) and (another ability, i.e. customer service) would greatly strengthen my application. I have also attached my resume for additional talking points, and would love to meet and discuss this further. Thank you for your time and consideration.