Letters of recommendation

Read this before writing to me.

A useful letter rests on two things: that I know your work well enough to say something specific about it, and that you give me the materials and the time to say it.

Choosing your referees
Committees want concrete, credible observations about what you can do, and a detailed letter from someone who has read your work closely beats a generic one from someone with a grander title. Ask the people who know your work.

Will I write for you?
Yes. You took a course with me and finished in the top band, you worked with me as a research assistant, or I supervised your thesis.

Probably, if you can show the trajectory. You finished mid-band but improved markedly across the term, and can point to the evidence.

No. We have not worked together, or your work in my course was not strong. A thin letter does more damage to an application than a missing one.

What to send
One email, containing:

1. A short request — two or three sentences on what you are applying for and why you are asking me.

2. The course, the institution, the semester, and your final mark. Include the evidence of improvement if that is the basis of your request.

3. Every programme you are applying to, with deadlines and submission method.

4. Your CV.

5. Your statement of purpose, even in draft.

6. Five to eight bullet points on what you would like me to emphasise: work in my course, methods you used, research or professional experience, where you are heading.

PDFs, named clearly (Surname_CV.pdf). Pre-fill my details on any form before sending the link.

Timing
Write at least six weeks before your earliest deadline, and send the full packet four weeks before.
One reminder in the final seventy-two hours is welcome if you have seen no confirmation.

Pélussin, FRA. April 2021. Chagas-Bastos. Canon EOS 6D Mark II

Fabrício H. Chagas-Bastos, PhD

Department of Political Science
Umeå University
Samhällsvetarhuset, plan 5
Umeå, SWE

Email: fabricio.chagas-bastos@umu.se

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