Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation (LoRs) are crucial components of graduate school applications! They provide external validation of a candidate’s qualifications from individuals who can assess their academic and professional capabilities. Most programs require 2-3 LoRs.

Who Should You Ask For A Letter Of Recommendation?

An effective letter writer should possess a strong understanding of you and your goals AND have:

• evaluated you academically in an upper-level course (especially a professor), OR
• earned the degree you are seeking in your graduate work and can speak to your qualifications, OR
• supervised you in a job/internship aligned with the grad program (ideally they also have an advanced degree).

How Should You Ask For A Letter Of Recommendation?

When requesting a letter of recommendation, it’s important to be respectful of your recommender’s time and preferences.

• Personal Approach: Whenever possible, schedule a brief meeting or visit their office hours to discuss your request in person. This demonstrates your respect and commitment.
• Provide Context: Share relevant information about the graduate programs you’re applying to and explain why you believe the recommender is a strong fit.
• Offer Assistance: Ask if they’d like you to provide any additional materials, such as your resume, personal statement, or specific points you’d like them to emphasize.
• Discuss Timeline: Inform them of the application deadlines and inquire about their preferred timeline for writing the letter. Offer to send reminders if needed.

By following these guidelines, you can increase your chances of receiving a strong and timely letter of recommendation.

LoR Checklist

1. Identify potential recommenders: Select 3-5 individuals who can strongly support your application.
2. Request letters early: Ask top choices to write letters 4-6 months before the deadline, providing them with necessary context.
3. Provide support materials: Offer recommenders your resume/CV, personal statement draft, program information, academic records or unofficial transcript, and/or any specific requests.
4. Waive review right: Allow recommenders to write candid letters by waiving your right to view them.
5. Follow up: Check on letter status a few weeks before the deadline and send thank-you notes afterward.
6. Maintain relationships: Inform recommenders of your decision and express gratitude for their support (thank you notes are encouraged).

Planning Gap Year(s) and Future LoRs:

Before Graduation:

• Discuss graduate school aspirations: Mention your interest in pursuing grad school to professors during your undergraduate years. Not only will this pave the path for you to later ask for letters, it will give you the opportunity to build relationships and ask questions about graduate school pathways.
• Ask about letter preferences: Ask them if they prefer to write a letter ahead of time for you to keep on file or if they prefer to wait until you are ready to apply to programs.

After Graduation

• Maintain relationships: Keep in touch with professors after graduation to stay memorable. Be mindful of how much time has passed and consider reintroducing yourself – providing key information about yourself to refresh their memory.
• Provide updates: Share information with professors about any new experiences relevant to your graduate school application (research, jobs, volunteer opportunities, leadership roles, etc.) .
• Revisit letter preferences: Ask professors about their preference for letters. Would they like you to use the letter you kept on file from graduation (if applicable)? Do they have time/capacity to draft a letter that includes your most updated information?
• Offer to provide additional information: Ask professors if they would like a copy of your current resume/CV, draft of your personal statement, information about the program(s), academic records or unofficial transcript, and/or anything else that might support their letter.