I am willing to write letters of recommendation to (a) students who have done good work with me or my graduate students on research projects for at least two quarters, and/or (b) students who received top scores in at least one of my classes.  Either way, I should know you fairly well. The more time you have spent with me doing good research, and the more successfully you have performed in my classes, the likelier I will support you with a letter and the stronger your letter will be.

• I will write letters only for students who waive their rights to read the letter of recommendation. If you do not wish to waive your rights to read your letter, then please do not approach me to write a letter.
• Make your initial request to me at least one or even two months before the deadline.
• Every year I travel from around the end of November through December. For many, that is exactly at the time when letters are due. If you have a deadline around that time, check with me first to see what my travel plans are, and make sure you get me your materials 2 to 3 weeks before I leave, not before your deadline
• Get your materials to me as soon as you are able, at least two to three weeks before I leave for my winter holiday or before the deadline, whichever comes first.

Every year I have several students who make requests for letters of recommendation. Consequently, you must do as much as you can to make my job as easy as possible. For example, if I am mailing the letters myself, give me stamped and addressed envelopes. Give me spreadsheets, deadlines, websites, etc. If there is anything you can do to make my job easier, even if it may require more work for you, do it. Be as organized as you can possibly be. The easier you make my job, and the more organized you are, the happier I will be when I write your letter. You want me to be happy when I write your letter!

In addition to the basic materials that I need to write the letter of recommendation, I am interested in seeing other materials from you that will help me gain a more complete picture of you. Please include as many of the following as you are able in your packet to me:

1. Reminder information about how long I have known you, in what capacity (or capacities) I have known you (e.g., student in my social psychology class, research assistant, advisee)
2. A clear indication of what you need the letter for (e.g., a Ph.D. program in clinical psychology at UCLA, an internship program with the United Nations, a teaching program for inner city youths, etc.). The more information I have about the program, the more easily I can cater the letter to your needs. 
3. Statement of purpose (or any kind of autobiographical statement or essay)
4. GRE scores
5. An unofficial DePaul transcript, with an indication of the courses you took from me
6. Your vita or resume
7. A copy of any of your best papers that you may have written in any of my classes that I (or an assistant) evaluated

It is your responsibility to check with the school / program to make sure that your letters of recommendation have been received. If you wish to send me a reminder notice, do it only once, and do it close to the deadline. Typically, I complete my letters of recommendation close to the deadline. Keep me informed of your application process.  If I am writing you a letter of recommendation, then I am invested in your future. Let me know how it goes, even if your application doesn’t quite have the results you are looking for.