Letters of Recommendation

Letters of Recommendations: Points of Reference

Graduate School recommendations really come into play when an admissions committee is trying to decide between you and one or more other candidates. Most departments will request three to five letters of recommendation.

Who should you ask for letters of recommendation? At least one letter, and preferably two or more, should come from faculty members in your major field. You may also wish to obtain a recommendation from a professor in an unrelated discipline (perhaps your minor field) in order to show the breadth of your academic interests.


These guidelines can give you the edge: 

• Choose recommenders based on their ability to evaluate your academic and/or work performance in a strong manner from personal observation. Determine who will be your best advocates.

• Develop these relationships semesters before you need the letters.

• Schedule an appointment to request the letters from your recommenders early in the fall semester.

• Make them aware of your reasons for going to graduate school and your interest in specific programs. Ask if they would be comfortable making a strong recommendation for you to graduate school. Listen for any reticence.

• Let your recommenders know when you will submit your applications so they can send the reference letters at the same time. Give them at least a month in which to write the reference and ask them to meet a deadline.

• Provide them with all of the necessary forms, plus addressed and stamped envelopes, if appropriate, and your background information. Identify key points that you would like to emphasize.

• Follow up to ensure that letters have been completed and sent within an appropriate timeframe.

• Include your recommenders’ telephone numbers on applications. More than ever, admissions officers are inclined to place a phone call to a recommender for more details.

• Reference letters can be confidential or non-confidential. Admissions officers may give more credence to a reference if you have waived your right to read it; you will need to decide the advantages or disadvantages of either choice.

• Be sure to thank your references and keep letter writers apprised of your progress and outcomes.