Asking for Recommendation Letters for Multiple Grad School Applications

Question

I would like to apply for many math PhD programs in order to maximize my chance of success.

My main question is how should I ask for recommendation letters. In particular, should I ask for a generic letter (in the sense that it's addressed to "the admission committee") to use for all my applications? Or should I ask for multiple letters from the same person for every university I want to apply to (presumably the letters have the same content, except maybe in who it is addressed to)?

Also, most PhD application deadlines are in December. But I finished undergrad at the end of last year. Should I ask for these letters now so as to not increase the time between when the professors know me and when they write the letter (this may mean I'm sending a letter dated February in November), or should I ask closer to the deadline around November this year?

Answer 1

I'm going to give an answer based on my experience in the US, so it may not be applicable in other countries but:

1. Whether your recommenders use a generic letter is not a decision you get to make. You tell them where to send the letter, but at least in the US, you do not get to see it, and all you know about it's content is what they tell you. I would let them use their judgement about how to personalize it, though if there is something you think would particularly important at one school vs. another, it's a good idea to mention this to them.

2. Similarly, when they write the letter is not something you have control over. In all grad school applications I've seen, the application is electronic and the recommender directly submits via a link that's generated when you fill out your application. They'll know when the deadline is, and will probably be annoyed if you try to insist that they write their letter months before the deadline. If you're applying to a place that still uses paper, submitting the application months before the deadline when your paper application isn't there is just asking for trouble.

What does make sense is to write your recommenders now, and say "I wanted to let you know that I'll be applying for graduate school in November, and I was hoping you would be willing to write me a recommendation. I wanted to let you know relatively early since I know that by fall it will have been a while since I graduated." Don't hesitate to remind them about interactions you've had, or about anything you think would look good in the letter. Professors often have to write many such letters, and if you put your good qualities at their fingertips, they're more likely to end up in the letter.

EDIT: Looking this over, I think I could have been a little more concise. Providing your recommenders with info is a very good idea; that's why I suggest that you do email them now. They can write a better letter if they know what you plan to do and if you remind/tell them about your accomplishments, etc. But when you ask someone for a recommendation, you can't really micromanage. You need to say where the letter needs to go and when the deadline is, but there's not much else you have control over. It is unfortunate that memories fade (though they'll fade less if you give a reminder of your existence now), but that's how it goes. That's just the price you pay if you don't apply to a Ph.D. right as you finish your degree.

Answer 2

I like the idea of asking now, while you are still fresh in the minds of your professors.

If you already know where you'll be applying, and the number of schools is relatively low (say, three or less), then there's no harm in asking for three letters. Once you get much more than that, though, it might be better to ask for a generic letter from each professor. I know I wouldn't want to write six different versions of essentially the same letter.

I would think that admissions committees are used to seeing fairly generic letters. So long as the content speaks well of you, I don't think it'll be counted against you if the letter is generic. (If that assumption is wrong, though, hopefully some folks will chime in here and let us know.)

Answer 3

Get a generic letter starting with "To Whom it May Concern", and send copies of that with your applications.

I think in many universities, you need to apply early. So you may start applying and see if the university accepts those recommendation letters, because as told by Ben Webster, some universities may send the professor an electronic letter with a link or it may be a pre-formatted form of recommendation letter, which should be filled by the professor.

But even if you apply a few months later, professors will not forget you and give you the recommendation letter in the way it is required.