Sample 4:   Inquiry about a Person
Letterhead  
North Central University
Pemberton Hall  ·   Mills Road  ·   Ames, Iowa 50012
Graduate Admissions  ·   515/555-1908
 
    
Date   March 15, 20xx
    
Inside Address (Use the appropriate courtesy title.)   Dr. Margaret Porter
Management Information Systems
College of Business  
California State University
Long Beach, CA 90840
   
Salutation   Dear Dr. Porter:
   
Begin with the request, and provide any required explanation.   Please use the attached form to give us your opinion of Linda M. Mishall's chances of succeeding in graduate school.  She listed you as a reference on her application for admission and has waived her right of access to your reply.
   
Put specific secondary questions in a numbered or unnumbered list.   In addition to completing the form, your answers to the following questions would help us assess Ms. Mishall's application.  You may use the reverse side of the form or prepare a separate statement. 

  • How long and in what capacity have you known Ms. Mishall?

  • In what ways has she demonstrated superior academic skills?  (Please cite specific projects, papers, examples of class leadership, and similar activities that indicate superior abilities.)

  • What is her attitude toward work and achievement? Did she complete assignments on time? Did her work indicate thorough analysis and thoughtfulness? Did she make good use of her time? Is she courteous in dealing with her professors and fellow students?

  • What characteristics does she possess that you think will enable her to succeed in a rigorous program of graduate study?

  • How would you rate her in comparison with the other students you have taught? How would you rate her chances for success?
     
Request additional information and offer to keep reply confidential when it is possible to do so.   In addition to answering these questions, please send us any other information you think might help us decide about Ms. Michall's application. We will keep your reply strictly confidential.  Because we will complete our review of applicants by May 15, we would appreciate receiving your response by mid-April. 
     
  Sincerely,
     
    Calvin Luther, III
Director of Admissions
  
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