Carleton-funded fellowship applications require recommendations. Your recommenders will be asked to evaluate the project you have proposed and assess your ability to undertake it. You want the recommendations that support your application to be positive and help the review committee to decide to fund your project! Here are some things to consider in choosing a recommender:

  1. Is the potential recommender a Carleton faculty or staff member? Recommenders from inside Carleton are likely to know a little bit about the fellowships process and about what we expect, know how you compare to other Carleton students, and have the advantage of being known to the review committee. It’s fine to have one recommender from outside of Carleton if they are really appropriate for the project you are proposing.
  2. Is the potential recommender qualified to comment on the project (are they in the appropriate discipline, do they have the appropriate experience, etc.)?
  3. If the potential recommender has taught you, did you do well in the class(es)? Think about grades, improvement you showed over time, and other ways they might have evaluated or gotten to know you (did you go to office hours, for example)?
  4. If the potential recommender is your advisor, have you had enough interaction with them that they can really comment on you and your application?
  5. If you’ve worked for the potential recommender (as a research assistant, TA, Writing Consultant, etc.), have you performed well in that capacity (met deadlines/been reliable, worked well with others, etc.)?
  6. If the potential recommender taught you on OCS, will they have good things to say about your attitude, flexibility, interpersonal skills, or other aspects of your personality and behavior that affect what impression you will make as a representative of Carleton (on a fellowship)?
  7. If you’ve received feedback of any kind from your potential recommender, what was it and how have you responded to it?

Once you know that you want to ask someone for a recommendation, do it as early as possible and communicate with them to share drafted materials; meet with them if they request a conversation about your application or your request; and be responsive and respectful in your interactions with them.

If you’re curious about recommendations for national/international fellowships, we also have a guidance page to help you!