Prof. Somalwar's Policy for Writing Recommendation Letters
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                     Aug 2005

Although I am always happy to see you, you don't have to go out of
your way to see me to ask for a letter.  A request by email or phone
is perfectly fine.  If you need to mail or fax the relevant material
to me, my address and other particulars appear below.  Also, if I am
not around, feel free to slip the material under my office door or
drop it off in my mailbox on the 2nd floor in Serin Physics Building
on Busch campus.


Please allow sufficient time (no less than two weeks, but no more than
six weeks before the deadline) for me to write the letter.

I will need the following material from you:

   i) The blank letter form and/or appropriate instructions from the recipient
      institution. These instructions should clearly mention the deadline for
      receiving the letter.

  ii) A properly addressed stamped envelope to send the letter. Write your name
      in the lower left corner, but leave the return address area blank
      for me to fill in.  Note that it is my firm policy to mail the letter
      DIRECTLY to the recipient institution regardless of any instructions 
      from the institution to the contrary.

 iii) A copy of your Statement of Purpose (normally required by the recipient
      institution), preferably in electronic form by email.

  iv) (Optional) A copy of your Curriculm Vitae or resume, etc. Again,
      electronic transmission is preferred.


Please fill out the relevant information (such as your name etc) on
the letter form.  Be sure to sign the waiver that guarantees the
confidentiality of the communication. I DO NOT write a letter unless
the "right to access" waiver has been signed by you.

Finally, please send me an email message (see below for address)
approximately one week before the deadline confirming that you have
indeed already applied to the institution. I will then send the letter
and send a confirmation to you by an email reply.


Good luck and don't forget to tell me if your application was successful!


Sunil Somalwar
Professor, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
Rutgers University
136 Frelinghuysen Road
Piscataway, NJ 08854

Campus Mail :  Somalwar / Physics / Busch

Email: somalwar@physics.rutgers.edu
Phone: 732-445-0745
Fax: 732-445-4343