Faculty Resources: How to Assist Your Students with Fellowships and Scholarships

Letter of recommendation tips from the National Association of Fellowship Advisors:

• Balance your praise and criticism
• Do not agree to write letters for students or alumni who you do not know well enough or if you do not have a positive opinion of their work and ability.

The dialogue might go something like:

‘Six years have passed so I do not think that I will be an effective evaluator.’

‘I have not seen you in situations that allow me to adequately assess your ability as a…(researcher, writer, teacher, etc.)’

‘I feel that the fellowship selection committee would more favorably look at a recommendation from a professor that you had multiple times, advised you on research projects, etc.’

• Know the scholarship or fellowship requirements.
• Address the goals of fellowship in your letter.
• Add in specific examples to validate praise.
• Partner with the student on the process by reviewing their personal statement and resume, briefly interviewing them about their interests, and inviting the student to do a self-evaluation.
• Letters should be one to two pages single-spaced unless otherwise advised.

Know the Fellowships

• Target your best and brightest students early.
• Mentor students on potential research topics.
• Join the Fellowship Committee.

Offer to conduct mock interviews for students. The OCS can help you with equipment, space for the interview, and potential questions.

Compiled from NAFA Conference Summer 2005, workshop presenter: Joe Schall