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Instructions to applicants: Please give this letter, along with a COPY of your essay and waiver of right of access form, to each referee.

To the Referees of Applicants for the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Internship Program in Environmental Studies: The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) seeks to provide opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students for research training and participation within its facilities under the supervision of members of its professional staff. The person named is applying for a position with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center's Internship Program. The student's essay, application and transcripts, accompanied by two supporting letters, will be reviewed in confidence by members of the Center's professional staff. Your careful assessment of this student will help us to maintain high standards in our internship program. We are sincerely grateful for your cooperation. Please include the following information in your referral: How long and in what capacity have you known the applicant? On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being the best), how would you rate this applicant? Your estimate of the applicant's aptitude, academic performance, academic background, research potential, motivation to participate in our program, career goals, general character, and stability. Please Note: Applications lacking a letter of recommendation on the stated deadline (November 15 for spring, February 1 for summer, June 1 for fall) will not be reviewed for a position in the SERC Internship Program. Please let the applicant know if you will be unable to submit a letter by the deadline date, so that he/she may be able to find another referee and not lose their chance to be considered in the program. Please mail your evaluation to: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Attn: Dan Gustafson, Fellowship Coordinator P.O. Box 28 Edgewater, MD 21037-0028 or Email (with applicant's name in subject line) to: SERCintern@si.edu

The information given in all submitted recommendation letters will be confidential ONLY if the applicant has approved the following waiver.

In accordance with the Family Rights and Privacy Act of 1974,

I (applicants name), ___________________________________________, hereby freely and voluntarily waive my right of access to any information contained in this recommendation and agree that the statement shall remain confidential.

Applicant Signature: ___________________________________________________

Date: ________________________________

Applicant Name:

Last_____________________________________________

First ______________________________________________

Middle____________________________________________

Academic major(s)/minor(s): _________________________________________________________

Name of reference person: _________________________________________________________

Position and title: _________________________________________________________

All materials must be RECEIVED before __________________________________ (applicant fill in date).