RL 通常需要大学教授出具。能为自己争取一份言辞恳切、内容详实的推荐信无 疑可以为自己的申请加分。
Step 1:提出请求
如何请老师写推荐信呢? 最好当面提出，这样可以得到老师最直接的答复。 如果没有机会，发邮件也可以。后者的好处是自己可以深思熟虑，组织好语言， 避免与教授面对面的紧张和尴尬;坏处是可能许久得不到回复。
请求邮件
邮件标题:Applying for a recommendation letter --[Your Name]
“开门见山”是明智的做法,直接提出你的需求也是正文中要坚持的内容 正文:
最初的思路是:
1. 先感谢老师在课堂上付出的时间，表示自己收获很大;
2. 其次说自己打算申请某某大学的研究生项目; 3. 最后表示希望教授能为自己写一份推荐信。
其实这是一个完全错误的顺序。有人玩笑说，西方人读东方人的信函要从下 往上读，不然完全不知所云，因为来信真正的目的往往出现在最末尾。 这样说 不是毫无道理。东方人重含蓄，西方人喜直接，这是东西方思维习惯上的迥异。 所以尊重西方人的习惯，最终成文的顺序正好相反，颠倒成 3.2.1。
这是我给老师的第一封邮件:
Dear Dr. [Surname or full name],
【说明来函目的】
My name is xx and I have taken part in your course “xxx” (Group J). I appreciate your inspiring teaching which helps me to get an A. I am writing to ask if you would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for me.
【解释需要推荐信的原因】
I am planning to apply for the graduate program MA in xxx in USA this year. So it would be of great help if I could receive a letter of recommendation from you in support of the application. To help you get to know more about me, I also send the personal statement, resume and transcript.
【写明 deadline and how you will follow up】
I am going back to China at the end of this week. Please let me know if you are willing to write me a recommendation letter and I'd be glad to come to your office.
【表示感谢】
Now the time as a college student here is about to over. Thank you for the time and assistance you offered us. It was a great pleasure to take part in your course.
Best regards, xxx
【注】解释两件事:
1. 我在邮件里一般都要附上成绩单和个人陈述的要点和个人简历,让推荐人 飞快的了解你的经历，而且要申请的项目是什么。这样教授可以很快的跟你提供 的信息和申请的目的来确定他写作的内容，而且了解在推荐信里应强调你哪方面 的能力，最终有一个非常 strong 的推荐信。
2. 那么这些文件是以附件形式还是正文形式发送呢?这是申请中的老问题。 有一个基本的原则是:如果收件人用的是 hotmail、gmail 之类的邮箱，则可用附 件形式发送;如果是公司、学校的邮箱则在正文部分粘贴为佳，以避免这类邮箱 不支持附件。
Step 2:等待回复 :
Dear xxx,
Thank you for your e-mail. Sure, I can write the letter of recommendation for you. Also, once you've made your final list of applications, I also would like a
checklist, so I can make sure I've gotten them all out. I usually write
15-20 letters per year, so I've got a lot of experience in this.
Good luck
and I hope you enjoy the rest of the summer.
Best
Step 3:感谢推荐人 当你最后和老师确定了申请最后别忘记再次发邮件感谢，这不仅仅是一种
good manners,更重要的是在未来的学术领域我们很可能还会需要他们的帮助。保 持联系，告诉推荐人申请的进展;如果最终获得 admission，更应和自己的推荐人 分享这份欣喜。
我的感谢信是这样写的:
Dear Dr.xxx
I would like to thank you for taking the time and effort to write the letter of recommendation for me. I am truly thankful for your support.
(Major studies)gives me great pleasure and so did your course. I appreciate the way you teach and enjoyed the discussions in the class. After this summer term, I become even more determined to further my study in this field.
I want to let you know how much your recommendation letter means to me. It will open doors and provide opportunities as I start this next stage of my life. I will keep you updated about my progress in application. Thanks again.
Best regards, xxx
