Student Letters of Recommendation
If you have taken a class with me, been an advisee, or participated in a university club I supervise, I am generally happy to write you a recommendation letter for graduate school, law school, internships, or jobs. However, letters take time to craft, and I may not always be the best person to write one—especially if we have had limited interactions.
When choosing your letter writers, consider:
- Depth of Knowledge – A strong letter comes from someone who can speak in detail about your work, character, and intellectual potential. Simply earning an A in one of my lecture-heavy courses may not be enough and may result in a more generic endorsement.
- Diversity of Perspectives – Seek recommenders who can highlight different aspects of your skills and experiences.
Timeline and Approach
To ensure you receive the strongest letter possible, please submit your request at least three weeks prior to your earliest deadline. Requests must be made in writing via email (paige.pellaton@unf.edu). I highly recommend following up with an in-person appointment to discuss your application. This allows you to share more about the organization or program you’re applying to and highlight key strengths of your application.
If I’ve agreed to write your letter, please send me:
- Details and due date(s) for the program(s) or job(s) you are applying to.
- Any forms I need to submit with your letter.
- Your application materials, including:
- An updated CV or résumé.
- Your Cover Letter and/or Statement of Interest.
- Your Writing Sample (if applicable).
- Professional details about your other letter writers.
- Information on our prior interactions, such as courses you’ve taken with me or major projects completed under my supervision.
- A brief note on:
- The strengths you believe I can highlight in your letter.
- Any weaknesses in your application and how I might address them, if needed.
Reminders and Updates
Do NOT be shy about reminding me about your due dates as they approach, and please let me know how your application cycle goes! Good luck!