A - Yes. In fact it increases the member's prospects if more than one person submits a letter. However, the support letter should not be a "me too" type of letter, but should be able to stand on its own merit as a nomination letter. Also, be careful that you don't tip off the candidate by asking others to write support letters. Remember, the candidate isn't supposed to know he or she is being nominated!

A - It depends on the award. For the Outstanding Service, Honorary Member, and Bicking Awards, the nomination letter might need to be several pages long to cover all the accomplishments. The Science, Conservation, Spelean Arts & Letters, and Certificate of Merit awards may not need to be quite as long--typically no more than three pages. See similar questions...

The ideal recommender knows you and is known (by reputation, position, or previous contact) to the admissions committee. We prefer to have letters of recommendation from a faculty member/instructor who knows your capabilities. Recommendations from employers or work supervisors should be as specific as possible about what you have accomplished. Recommendations from peers are usually of less value. See similar questions...

If possible, it is a good idea to have at least two of your letters come from people who can attest to your academic qualifications and promise. Character references are also acceptable, but they should be from people who have known you in some professional capacity.These letters are most valuable if they discuss specific qualities you possess and have exhibited on the job. Avoid letters from family members, neighbors, and personal friends. See similar questions...

Your letter of recommendation must be written by a UCI, School of Humanities faculty member or TA, with whom you have worked. You should ask someone who knows your intellectual interests and academic profile. You would be wise to provide the writer with a copy of your transcript and information about the internship program. Also, do not wait until the last minute to request your letter of recommendation. See similar questions...

A - A good nomination letter is one that is filled with "meat" and not "filler." In other words, the letter should present hard-hitting facts, results and accomplishments that paint a clear picture of what the candidate has done and why he or she is deserving. Your candidate may be the most deserving, but if your letter is short and weak, they may not get fair consideration. Remember, the committee member has to vote based on what they read in the nomination letter. See similar questions...

Always choose junior or senior year teachers who know you well and like you a lot. We require one letter from a humanities or social science teacher and one letter from a math or science teacher. Junior, or senior, year teachers are important because they are able to describe your intellectual abilities as they are today rather than as they were when you were much younger. See similar questions...

Answer: No. A letter of support must be submitted by someone other than the nominator. Letters must also be written by different individuals, not the same person. Answer: No, such additional information will not be considered. However you may mention this information in the narrative. See similar questions...

You should select references who are able to explain why you would be a good addition to a research group. Anyone who could comment on your skills in the laboratory, creativity, problem solving abilities, motivation, ability to handle complex scientific literature and concepts, etc. would be a good choice. Recommendations from individuals with a science research background are likely to carry more weight than recommendations from those with less understanding of biomedical research. See similar questions...

There are a couple of things to remember when writing a letter of recommendation. First, explain the situation in which you know the student. Describe the class they took and the projects they completed. The letter should be experience and performance oriented. Secondly, be very professional. Use letterhead and a high quality word processor instead of hand writing the letter. In answer to the second question, it does not have to be confidential. See similar questions...

Do everything you can to make sure the writer knows about you, your project, and IFW. Don't just ask them to write a letter blindly. Put in writing for them what you are applying for and why. You might even offer (depending on who you ask) what types of things you'd like in your letter. See similar questions...

Again, letter writers need to be able to add to your application. They need to address your ability to cope with stress, deal with your peers, handle multitasking, punctuality, etc. Medical school admissions committees couldn't care less about whether or not you will make a good doctor because you watched a quadruple by-pass. See similar questions...