Reference Letter Requests

Many current and former students may wish to ask for a letter of reference for a job.  In this challenging job market, please understand that I cannot accommodate every request for a reference letter -- approximately 30 students graduate every quarter, and the job market has been tight for about a year...you do the math...

I have developed some guidelines for requesting a letter from me.  Please refer to these before submitting your request to me:

• If you were not a student in my clinical group (i.e., I did not supervise you), please ask your clinical instructor instead.  There is only so much I can write about your classroom behavior.
• Please submit your request in writing (e-mail is acceptable) a MINIMUM of 2 weeks before the needed date.  Please remember I may need more time at certain busy times of the quarter.
• If a reference request requires something to be downloaded, printed, etc. (such as those for Stanford), YOU need to do the downloading and printing, and completing all sections of it that you are able to.  For example, the Stanford reference form requires a student release signature on the first page -- please complete this and submit it to me along with the other required pages.  After doing this, please deliver the form to my office.  We will then arrange a time for it to be picked up.
• I do not write "to whom it may concern" letters.  Each letter I write must be addressed to an individual (name, credentials, title) with hospital name and full address, including zip code.  Some hospitals do not ask for reference letters -- they prefer to have applicants complete the hospital form.  Until asked for a letter, please do not request one from me.
• When you request a reference from me, please make it easier on me by reminding me of the following information (so I don't have to look it up): unit where you precepted, preceptor's name, start and ending dates of your preceptorship, NCP topic, and inservice topic.

Thanks for following these guidelines.  I appreciate your attention to detail in answering each and every question PRIOR to your reference letter request.  I truly wish you all the best.