How to request a reference?

March 23, 2008 9:10 AM

Help me write an email requesting an academic reference (for myself).

I am applying to study for an Msc starting this autumn, and I need to supply two academic references.

I have a couple of people in mind who may be able to provide one, and know their email addresses at the university. The thing is, though, I completed my first degree five years ago and I'm not convinced that they will remember me. The classes were quite small, and they would know me if they met me, but seeing my name at the bottom of the email might not be enough to jog the memory. What is the best way to approach this? How much detail about my current plans should I include?

The other thing is that I have left it quite late to apply, and places are filling up, so I need the references ASAP. Would it be completely tactless to mention this, or should I wait until I receive a positive reply?

I am thinking there must be a standard way to word such a common request - so what is it?

posted by cincinnatus c to education (2 comments total)

Does this previous discussion help?
posted by RogerB at 9:43 AM on March 23

Er, yeah, that's very helpful... I should've found that in a search but didn't think to look for the (obvious) Americanisms 'postgrad' and 'recommendation'.
posted by cincinnatus c at 10:42 AM on March 23