Getting a Letter of Recommendation from Dr. Hal Kopeikin
These guidelines were written
to facilitate our mutual goal of expeditiously preparing letters of recommendation.
Please read them carefully before contacting me with questions;
I'll be happy to discuss your concerns, but strongly prefer you to first
check below for answers.
STEP 1: PREPARING YOUR TRANSCRIPT
Get me a current unofficial copy of your transcript. Use a highlighter
to indicate all of the courses you took with me. If you're a transfer student,
provide transcripts from places you've done substantial work.
STEP 2: PREPARE YOUR UNOFFICIAL RESUME
I'm looking for an outline-style summary of your background and experiences
relevant to your career plans.
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Include your name, phone number, permanent address and phone.
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Tell me about the graduate programs to which your applying or position
your seeking.
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Indicate when your first letter is due.
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Describe your academic background for the position your seeking (e.g.,
list relevant labs, or classes, with grades) and any relevant extracurricular
experiences (internships, research, jobs, etc.).
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What personal characteristics should we consider in evaluating your potential?
I call this an unofficial resume because I'm not looking for fancy typesetting
or prose. I'd rather a short, typed summary of info I can use portray you
in a positive light. Use clear, pithy phrases rather than paragraphs of
flowing verbiage. Help me know enough about you to write the best
possible letter (your goal) in the least possible time (my goal).
STEP 3: ASK ME TO WRITE YOU A LETTER
Bring your unofficial resume and transcript to my office hours and request
a letter of recommendation. Plan to spend about 10 minutes talking with
me about your interests, preparation, and plans. Sometimes my office hours
get busy, so try to come near the beginning of the hour and bring something
to do or read in case you need to wait.
STEP 4: SET UP A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FILE with the Psychology Department
Upon request, the Psychology Department will create a letter of recommendation
file for you. They will store and distribute letters from me (and other
faculty members). Th Department's instructions are listed on the Psychology
Letters of Recommendation Page. The person in charge of this is can
be reached by email at wwwltrrec@psych.ucsb.edu
STEP 5: GETTING LETTERS SENT
You will receive forms from the graduate programs to which you are applying.
Complete and sign the forms as they instruct. Give completed forms
to the Psychology Department The Department will attach a copy of
my letter and mail them out. Do NOT send the forms to me, not matter
what the forms say. If you have questions about this, bring them
to my office hours. But don't send me forms!
If you have questions about your letter, please contact me by email
or attend my office hours.
I greatly prefer email over phone calls (and the inevitable phone
tag that ensues), but if you must call, my number is 886-0007. I usually
complete letters of recommendation in 30-60 days. The Psychology
Undergraduate Advisor can tell you which letters have arrived, and it's
often easier to check in with her than to contact each of the letter writers.
However, if you want to check with me on the status of your letter, please
use email if at all possible, or stop by my office hours.
UCSB does not pay for long distance calls regarding letters, so please
understand if I call you collect. To save you money, I'll usually suggest
that you call me right back.
I keep a list of letters I'm writing, and ones I've submitted, at http://www.psych.ucsb.edu/~kopeikin/LtrStatus.htm
Please check there before calling or emailing me.
Finally, please remember that, in most cases, I have limited personal
contact with students requesting letters. Hence, your ability to follow
these instructions and the manner in which you do so are part of the sample
of behavior upon which I must rely.
Revised 4/9/98