Letters of recommendation are an important part of any application. While your transcript can tell the selection committee some things about your performance in class, your recommenders will be able to put a human element into your application by describing your personal and mathematical strengths and weaknesses and will be able to compare your abilities to the abilities of all the other students whom they have taught. For many people reading applications, letters of recommendation are more important than your grade point average.

You should ask professors who know you well academically; they will be most able to describe your uncanny ability at finding just the right example to explain a difficult concept to your peers or to defend your natural ability in mathematics despite the B- you earned in a course. Make an appointment with each professor you would like to ask to write for you to discuss your application; leaving a request for a letter in a professor's mailbox is not only discourteous but also dangerous if that person may be going out of town. You should take into account that some professors may be on leave during your senior year.

Draft the cover letter and personal statement for your application before meeting with your recommenders. Read the description of the position carefully. What aspects of your background make you a strong candidate? Why do you want this particular position? Which of the places to which you are applying is your first choice? Why?

You should also be prepared to discuss with your recommenders any of the topics below which pertain to your academic experience. Some professors will wish to have only a conversation with you, while others may want you to prepare an informal resume to which they can refer when writing your recommendation. Your informal resume may include any of the following:

• Phone number, email, or address in case your professor wants to contact you.
• Short- and long-term career goals.
• Math and math-related coursework: include term, grade, instructor, and any special contributions such as independent projects or class presentations.
• Honors, awards, or scholarships.
• Relevant work experience and extracurricular activities; interpret "relevant" in a broad sense: include work or activities which illustrate your scholarly potential, leadership, energy, motivation, and dedication to your field.
• Math-related activities such as Research Experiences for Undergraduates, the Budapest Semesters in Mathematics, or summer math programs: give information about where and when the activity took place, who the director was, what you studied, and the results.
• Independent Studies or Independent Research: include the term, instructor, intent, and results (books or papers read, talks given, papers written).
• Presentations, publications, or other evidence of your ability to communicate mathematics: include talks you've given within or outside your department and articles you have submitted for publication, such as those resulting from an REU or independent research.
• Professional meetings that you have attended.
• Your specialized math interests.

You should provide your recommenders with the forms that they need in an organized manner. On one sheet, write a list of all positions for which you are applying, complete with addresses and deadlines (indicating whether they are postmark or receipt deadlines). Fill out all the information on the forms that you can, such as name of applicant and recommender. Provide addressed, stamped envelopes with any necessary forms tucked inside the envelope. Finally, place copies of your application materials, the list of deadlines, and the forms in manila envelopes or folders emblazoned with your name and hand-deliver them to your professors.