Sample Recommendation Request Emails for PhD Program Applications
As referenced in Season 1, Episode 4 of The Psychology PhD Podcast.
Sample Letter to PI (from Volunteer Research Assistant Who Primarily Worked with PhD Student Supervisor):
Dear Prof. [Potential Recommender’s Name],
I hope this message finds you well!
I am writing because, thanks to your guidance, I have decided to apply to psychology PhD programs this fall. As a friendly reminder, I am a volunteer research assistant working with [Supervisor Name] to investigate [Topic of Current Project]. As I mentioned when we met during your office hours last month, I am fascinated by [Broad Topic], particularly [Specific Topics], and I hope to study these topics as a graduate student.
To this end, I wanted to ask if you would be willing to write me a strong recommendation letter. As you consider this request, please find attached a spreadsheet of programs to which I plan to apply, letter submission deadlines, and faculty of interest. I have also attached rough drafts of my personal statement and CV, as well as a copy of my current transcript.
Many thanks in advance for your consideration, Prof. [Name]. Please let me know if you have thoughts or questions on this request.
Best regards,
[Student Name]
Sample Letter to PhD Student Supervisor:
Hi [Potential Recommender’s Name],
I'm applying to some graduate PhD programs this cycle and I'm wondering if you're willing to write me a letter of recommendation. I am mostly applying to social psychology programs to study [Topic #1], with only one of the programs being a clinical program to study [Topic #2].
I am thinking of combining yours with [PI’s Name], since I have taken some classes with him. The deadline is [Date].
Please let me know if you're willing! I know it has been quite a while since we worked together, so I'd be happy to provide a refresher or anything else if you need. If you're willing, I will also provide more details about the programs I'm applying to and my CV.
Thanks!
Warmly,
[Student Name]
Sample Letter to Course Professor:
Dear Prof. [Potential Recommender’s Name],
I hope this message finds you well!
I am writing because, thanks to your sage advice, I have decided to apply to psychology PhD programs this fall. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your recommendation to consider pursuing this path this year.
To this end, I wanted to ask if you would be willing to write me a strong recommendation letter. As you consider this request, please find attached a spreadsheet of programs to which I plan to apply, letter submission deadlines, and faculty of interest. I have also attached rough drafts of my personal statement and CV, as well as a copy of my current transcript.
Finally, I thought it might be worth mentioning that my other letters are from my supervisors in the [Lab #1 Name] and [Lab #2 Name] Labs, so yours will be my primary letter from a professor whose class I have taken. If you are considering different items to highlight and agree with this perspective, it might be worth noting items like my deep interest in [Topic Covered in Professor’s Class That Aligns with PhD Interests], my ability to think critically about the theories we studied in your course, or my ability to lead a scientific presentation in class.
Many thanks in advance for your consideration, Prof. [Name]. Please let me know if you have thoughts or questions on any of this.
Best regards,
[Student Name]