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Ask Jeremy: Can you share any advice on recommendation letters for fellowship program?

In a recent question, a reader asked me about choosing recommenders for a fellowship application. Specifically, she wanted to know who to use and what they should write about.

See below for the question and below that for my video response.

Dear Mr. Wilson,

It was a real pleasure meeting you at the networking event last week. I intend to take you advice in my quest for success. I read your blog and I have to say that I am truly impressed. Not only it is very well known, but it serves a purpose that I take at heart. Education.

….

As I told you yesterday, I will apply to the (Name) Fellowship Program. I went through the application today. For the letter of recommendation,  I am not sure if I should ask one of my undergraduate teachers, one of my teachers from grad school, or my boss from my last job, what do you think? Also, when it comes to the personal statement, I was wondering if I should focus on my work experience or on my life experience from my home community.

Any advice would be helpful. I look forward to hearing back from you soon.

See below for my video response.

2 Comments to Ask Jeremy: Can you share any advice on recommendation letters for fellowship program?

Michelle
January 6, 2013

I followed this approach for recommendations when applying to MBA programs and I was successful.

Now I’m applying for fellowships and scholarships to pay for school. I didn’t anticipate needing so many more recommendations. After receiving recommendations from busy managers for my MBA applications, I don’t want to bug them for more. (I already promised them I didn’t need anything else.) Especially because it would be difficult to reuse their previous letters. I’ve resorted to asking secondary recommenders. While they weren’t my first choice, I think they should be ok for the scholarship applications. I just wish I had the foresight to plan for this when I was selecting MBA recommenders.

I wish I looked at the big picture when selecting and managing recommenders. A simple search for scholarships would’ve shown me I needed recommenders beyond the MBA application.

Jeremy C Wilson
January 24, 2013

@Michelle Very true. Scholarship applications, fellowship applications, and even job applications always took more time than any of us thought. In most cases, we all wish had more time and resources. Hopefully your applications turn out well.

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