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Many professors, specifically in China, wants students to provide at least a template (half-written letter). In US, is it similar? I've read an article from Harvard Business Review website saying that it is better to enclose a template. https://hbr.org/2010/04/how-to-ask-for-a-reference-let-1-2 I think HBR is a credible source for US professional practice?

However, I am afraid that this practice would seem really creepy to some most honest professor. For example, I once informally ask a professor if he wants a template. He decisively refuses.

After that experience, I never mentioned about a template in US. However, later, some professors (in US) asked me in a vague way that they want a template. So I am kind of confused. What is the default way?

Here are my options:

  1. Include the well-written template letter along with my materials (he might be insulted)

  2. Mentioning that I am going to include a "narrative list of accomplishment in third person tense", along with my PS and CV. I would also mention that this is just to save his time and minimize his trouble; it is not to force him to write me in this way. If he does not refuse, then I send him all documents. If he explicitly says that he does not want the "narrative essay in third person tense", I would just have him writing the letter or switch that guy.

  3. Ask the professor directly if he wants a template letter written (he might be insulted but he might just think that I am ignorant)

High GPA
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2 Answers2

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Asking for a template letter is bad practice, albeit probably not uncommon in some countries.

Generally speaking, I'd avoid volunteering any template, and if the professor asks for one, think carefully whether you really want a letter from them.

When you ask for the recommendation letter, just include your CV, possibly a transcript of your exams, and then ask the professor if they need further information. This may be similar to your point 2, but avoids suggesting a narrative.

You don't specify your field, but I think the above is sufficiently broadly expected in STEM fields (in my experience, even those who ask for a template, frequently recognize that it's bad practice). Therefore, I definitely disagree with the author of the linked HBR article.

Points of view similar to mine, if not even stronger, can be found elsewhere on this site. See for example:

This very detailed answer from Pete L. Clark

This comment from JeffE

Massimo Ortolano
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  • https://hbr.org/2010/04/how-to-ask-for-a-reference-let-1-2 I think HBR is a credible source for US professional practice? – High GPA Nov 20 '19 at 03:58
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    @HighGPA See my addition. – Massimo Ortolano Nov 20 '19 at 07:06
  • Would you be offended if the student is proposing to send you a "narrative list of accomplishment"? – High GPA Nov 20 '19 at 07:30
  • Any application where this letter of recommendation will be used will also contain the CV and the transcripts. So if the letter is just a summary of these two it is not very helpful. Some additional information can make the letter much stronger, the question is how to communicate it in an ethically impeccable way. – quarague Nov 21 '19 at 07:57
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Writing a template letter looks ethically questionable to me but it is perfectly reasonable to give the professor some guidance as to what you want written in the recommendation letter. The ideal way is to have a 1-on-1 talk but if that is not feasible you can also provide some written notes.

Giving the professor the base information like your CV and transcripts is good start, but a good letter should contain more than can be seen from your grades. So something like your list of accomplishments would be useful. I would put this extra informaton in bullet points or some similar format so that the professor can't just copy and paste and has to actually write a letter for you.

quarague
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