university recommendation letter phd

How to Write a Letter of Recommendation for Graduate School

When someone asks you to write a graduate school letter of recommendation , it demonstrates that they value your opinion, trust you and believe in your writing skills.

But as flattering as it is to be asked, there is also some pressure associated with crafting an effective and convincing letter of recommendation. After all, the applicant is counting on you to influence the admissions board and highlight their accomplishments, strengths and skill sets.

The good news is, writing a graduate school letter of recommendation is more intuitive than you think. Below, we’ve rounded up all the tips you need to write the perfect letter for anyone in your sphere.

What Is a Letter of Recommendation?

First off, let’s go over what a letter of recommendation is.

A letter of recommendation is a brief, written endorsement needed for certain jobs, programs or schools that details a person’s qualifications for whatever they’re applying for.

It’s written by a trusted and valued source: usually a past employer, teacher, mentor or colleague. In a letter of recommendation for graduate school, the writer describes the person’s skills, their personality and why they’re the right fit for the program. This is all so the institution has confirmation of the applicant’s ability to succeed in the program.

If you don’t believe you’re the right fit to write a student’s recommendation, that’s OK, too. You can politely decline and explain to the student why. You can also offer to help them find someone else who’s a more appropriate choice.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Writing a Letter of Recommendation for Grad School

Once you’ve decided to accept and write the letter of recommendation, take a moment to consider some key questions before you begin crafting your statement.

• What is your relationship like with this person?
• What do you think of their work you’ve seen? How would you describe it?
• What are significant memories you have with them?
• What qualities or strengths does this person have?
• What would you specifically want somebody to know about this person?
• What value would this person bring to this grad school program, and how would they thrive in the field after the program?

What to Ask From Someone Before Writing a Letter of Recommendation

Of course, there is some student information you’ll want to obtain before starting your recommendation. To ensure you’re addressing all the right points and representing them in the best light possible, make sure you ask them the below questions.

The basics . First off, you should find out where this letter is going, to whom it should be addressed, what the deadlines are and how they’d like you to submit it (mail, email, etc.).

Why they want to go to this program and why they are drawn to this school . It’s important to know the motivation behind their graduate school studies: Is it for the love of learning? To get a better job? To switch fields altogether? This will help inform what you write in the letter. Similarly, it’s good to know why a specific school is calling them as well.

Any strengths or qualities they want highlighted . Each person will have different qualities they want you to discuss in their letter of recommendation. If the strengths they mention are ones you agree with and seem relevant to the degree program, definitely include them. You should also ask about what achievements they’ve made that will help them stand out from the crowd of applicants.

Their resume . No one can memorize a person’s entire job and education history. A resume can help remind you of special projects and exemplary work they’ve accomplished in the past, which you can then emphasize in your letter.

What to Include in a Letter of Recommendation for Grad School

There are specific things you should always include in a letter of recommendation for graduate school to make it shine and improve the applicant’s chances of admission.

These are the points that you must undoubtedly touch on throughout your recommendation:

How do you know the applicant? It’s important to describe who you are and how you know the applicant, as well as how long you’ve known them. Personal anecdotes are a must, and they boost your credibility.

Why are they a good fit for the program? Include an explanation for why you think they would specifically thrive in the program. Avoid being vague or general. Dive into why the school would be the perfect fit, and vice versa!

What are their most shining accomplishments? Describe their achievements, especially the ones you’ve personally witnessed. In addition, reference their top strengths and qualities. Again, avoid generalities and use vivid anecdotes.

Can you explain any gaps or discrepancies? A letter of recommendation is often a good time to clear up any troubling parts of the student’s resume or work history — perhaps there was an employment gap or grades dip because they were caring for a sick relative, for example. If you’re aware of any weak spots on their resume from extenuating circumstances, this is the time to note it.

What sets the applicant apart from the rest? Be sure to conclude on a strong note with a very clear, concise recommendation. Highlight what sets them apart from other people, so the program can clearly understand why they should admit this candidate into their college or university.

How to Format and Structure a Graduate School Letter of Recommendation

As for structure, letters of recommendation should not be longer than a page. Start off with a greeting (“Dear [Name]” or “To Whom It May Concern,” if you don’t know the recipient). In the opening paragraph, explain who you are, the nature of your relationship with the student and your overall impression of them.

Within the body of the letter, you can expand on their personality, skills and achievements — along with personal anecdotes — before wrapping up with a final strong and clear recommendation for the applicant.

Then, feel free to add in a polite offer to contact you if they need more information and a formal parting signature. Double-check for spelling and grammar, too, as any mistake could weaken your credibility.

Once you’ve proofread the letter, all you have to do is submit it as instructed and patiently wait for an update from the applicant. Best of luck!

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Graduate School Letter of Recommendation Examples 2022-2023

Grad school recommendation letters are an essential part of every graduate school application package–even in this (almost) post-COVID era of remote work and Zoom classes. Nearly all applications to graduate school still require at least two recommendation letters from individuals who can discuss your abilities, competencies, and personal character in a coherent way and recommend you for admission to graduate school.

Many referees have difficulty writing these recommendations themselves (for language issues or simply because they are busy) and some rely on the applicant to pen the draft of the letter and receive confirmation before submitting it to the graduate school. But regardless of who is writing the letter, there are a few key elements the recommender needs to include to craft a stellar recommendation for their graduate candidate.

Who should write a recommendation letter for graduate school?

Choosing which professors, supervisors, or advisors to request a graduate school recommendation letter from can be somewhat overwhelming. Should you choose someone who does not know you personally but who has connections to your target graduate school? If a famous professor writes you a grad school recommendation letter, will this automatically give you an advantage with the admissions committee? 

In general, graduate recommendation letters should come from people who know you well, who respect you enough to say glowing things about you as a student and researcher, and who hold positions in school or work that are above your own. At least one letter of recommendation should be submitted from a past or current professor or academic advisor. 

Another could be from someone in a slightly different role, including an employer, a research adviser, a senior colleague, or a professor from a different department or kind of class (e.g., a discussion class professor instead of a lecturer). No matter who it is, the recommender should know the applicant and recognize their accomplishments. It also helps if the recommender understands some details about the program to which their candidate is applying.

Here are some guidelines to follow when choosing who to ask for letters of recommendation for graduate school. Select someone who:

• Knows you well and can answer positively. Choose an individual who you have spent time with outside the classroom if possible. They should also be familiar with your career goals and hold a favorable view of you. 
• Has known you for quite a while. A recommendation letter for graduate school carries more influence if the person has known you for months or years instead of months. If you can, find someone who knows you from various contexts, such as a professor who is also your advisor. 
• Can speak to your strengths in relation to your graduate program. Choosing a finance professor to write your recommendation letter for an MBA program would be a good idea because they can write about the qualities that will aid you in pursuing an MBA (qualities you can also include in your MBA essay ) and a broader career in business. 
• Has substantive stories to share about you. Who was fortunate enough to see you succeed in an academic, extracurricular, or professional setting? Having someone write your LOR who has good stories to share about you is certainly going to benefit you more than someone whose class you took with two hundred other students. 

How to Request a Letter of Recommendation for Graduate School

Knowing how to request a letter of recommendation for graduate school can directly impact the quality of the letter your referee writes for you. Show respect and consideration for the time that your recommender is taking to write a glowing review that will get you into graduate school and positively impact the rest of your life. 

With this in mind, it may seem obvious that the very best way to ask for a letter of recommendation for graduate school is to do so in person. While this isn’t possible for all students (due to availability or schedule), it is the best route if you want to ensure that your LOR is not only written on time, but includes all the positive information about you that admissions committees want to see in a graduate candidate. When you cannot ask in person, sending an email is an appropriate second-best option. But remember to always be cordial and polite when making this request. 

What information should be included in a graduate recommendation letter?

Your referral letter should cover a range of skills, from academic abilities to research experiences, to applied experiences in and out of class. As the recommender, your letter should clearly answer some specific questions:

Your letter of recommendation should cover a range of skills, from academic abilities to research experiences, to applied experiences in and out of class. As the recommender, your letter should clearly answer some specific questions:

• What is your relationship with the student?
• Why should the graduate faculty listen to your opinion? (include your status, title)
• What makes this student special? (discuss their characteristics, qualities, traits)
• What specifically did this student do to impress you? (discuss their accomplishments, habits in class)
• What makes this student qualified for graduate school and for this program? (include specific courses or interests of the student in addition to abilities and traits)
• What do you know about the program the student is applying to?

What information does the LOR recommender need from me?

The recommender should be given sufficient time to write (and/or confirm) the letter. If it has been a while since you were last in contact, sending a background information file will make things easier. Include the following information so that the recommender can use a few details to bolster their letter:

• Classes the student has taken with the recommender
• Experiences you have shared
• Transcripts
• Research experience and internships
• Awards and achievements
• Academic/career goals
• Relevant professional experience

In addition to background information, make sure that the recommender has the necessary information to plan the writing in a timely manner and target the letter as much as possible:

• Graduate program application due date
• Copy of recommendation forms (if applicable)
• Instructions for submitting LORs (hard copy, soft copy, or direct to school)
• Details about the program and school the student is applying to

What style of writing should be used in a recommendation letter?

Although the letter of recommendation is more informal than academic writing, you should make sure that your language has no grammatical or mechanics errors and that it is of an academic level that reflects the author’s educational level and qualifications. Apply the following standards to the writing and the essay-drafting process:

• Make your language more personal in tone than research writing.
• Use the active voice and first-person point of view more often.
• Write chronologically, starting from important traits and then moving on to actions and achievements.
• Use lots of details—list course names, scores, and specific achievements of the student.
• Edit your letter before submitting it to the graduate admissions faculty.

How to Write a Grad School Letter of Recommendation Letter: LOR Outline

A well-structured recommendation letter (like any organized essay) will guide the reader logically towards an understanding of why this student is worthy not only of praise but of admission to graduate school. Grad school requires quite a few high-level scholastic attributes that not all students possess, and therefore it is important to focus on both the achievements of the candidate and on their personal character and potential to thrive in a difficult academic environment.

Use this outline as a letter of recommendation template in which to input your candidate’s achievements, skills, and traits. Note that the flow of information moves the reader into greater detail, using form phrases and transitions that increase the readability of the letter.

1. Greeting to the recipient

Dear {Name}, or To Whom It May Concern, To the graduate faculty of the {University / Department}

2. Opening paragraph: position; relationship to the applicant; general assessment of the applicant

It is my absolute pleasure to recommend {Name} for admissions to {Program} at {University}… I am a professor of {area of study} in the department of {department} at {University}.

3. Second paragraph: positive skill or trait; evidence of trait or skill; anecdotes demonstrating this skill

Jane has excellent communication skills. Her written work is both clear and concise, as well as interesting to read…

4. Third (up to fifth) paragraph: Other skills or traits; evidence of character and skills; detailed anecdotes

At a personal level, Jane is a well-disciplined, industrious student with a pleasant personality. She went well beyond the course expectations…

5. Final Paragraph: clear recommendation of the candidate to the specific school or program.

Jane is unquestionably an exceptional candidate for graduate study in {Program Applying for}. Jane’s work in “Developments in Anthropology” suggests that she would greatly benefit from the opportunities for intellectual development provided by a sustained period of graduate study…

6. Closing line: polite offer to be contacted if needed

If I can be of any further assistance, or provide you with any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Letter of Recommendation Template and Useful Phrases

Admission essays often contain template phrases or “form phrases” that allow the writer to plug in their specific information while not spending too much time deciding how to compose every single aspect of the writing. This can be especially useful for ESL authors because conventional expressions used in academic and essay writing can be difficult to learn and memorize. Use the following form phrases to help craft a more professional letter of recommendation.

Introducing yourself

• My name is  {Author}  and I have been a Professor of Math at  {University}  since  {date} .
• I write to you today to proudly express my support for  {Student}  in applying to your prestigious university.

Discussing your relationship with the applicant

• I first came to know  {Student}  while teaching him/her in my  {Course Name}  course…
• I was  {Student} ’s thesis advisor during his/her senior year.
• I have known  {Student}  for several years now and can attest to his/her strengths and quality of character.

Discussing the student’s general positive traits

• {Student}  has excellent communication skills and displays them regularly in class discussions.
• He/She is a highly intelligent and competent student who excels in many areas.
• Not only is  {Student}  hard-working and thoughtful, but he/she also demonstrates kindness and generosity towards his/her peers.

Demonstrating evidence of student’s character and skills

• She/he has shown herself/himself to be a true leader who is able to successfully develop plans and implement them in his/her work.
• {Student}  demonstrated his/her independence daily, completing difficult lab exercises by researching outside of class.
• During his/her internship,  {Student}  consistently managed his/her work responsibilities diligently and learned quickly. For example…

Discussing the school/program the student is applying to

• As  {University}  is renowned for its  {Program} , I believe this is an ideal place for  {Student}  to solidify his/her abilities and cement his/her knowledge of  {area of study} .
• The learning environment that  {University}  is famous for creating excellent opportunities in which  {Student}  to apply his/her skills.

Final endorsement and offer to be contacted

• For the above reasons, I am confident that  {Student}  will make an excellent addition to your graduate program, and I wholeheartedly support him/her for admission to your program.
• Thank you for your time and attention in reading my endorsement.

Further Tips for Writing Admissions Essays

• Highlight your self-motivation, competence, and potential in this essay
• Emphasize everything from a positive perspective and write in the active voice.
• Demonstrate through examples; don’t just write that you are a “persistent person”—show it!
• Approach every topic with continuity and focus.

The Final Step: Editing Your Recommendation Letter

As any good writer knows, it takes more than one draft to create a strong and compelling work of writing. After you have written your recommendation letter draft, there is still a lot of room for revision. One way to ensure that grammar mistakes and style errors do not get in the way of a strong letter is to let the admissions experts at Wordvice’s Admissions Editing Services edit and proofread your (of your candidate’s) letter of recommendation or other application essays, raising the chances that your candidate will be admitted to the program of their choice.

With a full suite of professional proofreading services , we edit thousands of admission documents each year for all kinds of authors of academic and admissions documents just like you. Furthermore, our application essay editing services , recommendation letter editing services , personal statement editing services , CV editing services , cover letter editing services , and SOP editing services are tailored to the needs of your specific admissions essay.

For more articles on writing and editing your essays and academic work, visit Wordvice’s Academic Resource page . 

Letters of Recommendation

Instructions on obtaining letters of recommendation

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Before applying, confirm that three faculty members or others qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study have agreed to submit letters of recommendation on your behalf. At least one letter should be from a faculty member at the school where you earned your most recent degree, unless you have been out of school for more than five years. 

Your recommenders must submit their letters through the recommender portal by the application deadline: Harvard Griffin GSAS does not accept letters submitted via email, mail, or a dossier service. 

During the application process, you will be asked whether you wish to waive your right to see these letters. By law, enrolled students have the right to view their letters of recommendation unless they indicate otherwise at the time of application. Learn more about your right to inspect letters of recommendation . 

Can I submit my application before my recommenders submit their letters? 

Yes. Please remember that letters of recommendation must be received by the graduate program’s application deadline. 

How many letters of recommendation can be included in my application? 

Harvard Griffin GSAS requires three letters of recommendation. You may ask additional recommenders to submit letters if you choose, however, it is not guaranteed that the admissions committee will review additional letters. 

What if my recommender is unable to submit a letter in English?

If you have a recommender who is unable to submit a letter in English, they can choose to obtain a certified English translation of their letter. The recommender would need to upload a copy of their original letter in the language it was written, a copy of the English translation of the letter, and verification from the professional translator certifying the translation. Translations must be literal and complete versions of the original record. Harvard Griffin GSAS does not endorse a specific translator or translation service.

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We require three letters of recommendation with your application.

In selecting your recommenders, choose individuals who can provide an overall evaluation of your readiness and potential to succeed as a doctoral student and ultimately as a researcher and professor.

Selecting Your Referees

Our faculty prefers that all recommendation letters be written by academics. They can be your instructors, your advisors, or, in the case of applicants who hold teaching jobs, your colleagues.

In some cases, it may be appropriate to ask nonacademic individuals, as long as they can best speak about your academic abilities.

If you have been out of school for a significant period of time, you may substitute non-academic recommenders of your choice.

Recommendation Requirements

You are responsible for ensuring that all three recommendation letters are submitted online by the application deadline .

Federal law provides, after enrollment, a right of access to letters of reference if retained by the school, and if the right has not been waived; no school may require an applicant to waive this right. You will be asked to read, choose, and sign in regard to your right of access to each recommendation letter.

It is highly inappropriate to draft or write your own letter of reference, even if asked to do so by your referee. If the individual insists on this approach, you should find another referee.

Registering Your Recommenders

You must register your recommender in the online application. Go to the “Recommendation Letters” tab and enter the names and contact information — including a valid email address — for each recommender. You may submit your application after all three recommenders have been registered; you do not need to wait for your recommenders to submit their recommendation letters.

Submitting Letters of Recommendation

Individuals writing letters of recommendation on your behalf are required to submit them through the online application.* Once you register a recommender, he or she will receive an email confirmation with instructions to log in and submit his/her recommendation letter. Once a letter has been submitted, your recommender will receive an email confirming that the submission was successful. Be sure to ask your recommender to use your formal name when writing your recommendation letter.

Check the Status of Your Letters of Recommendation

You can log in to the online application to verify whether all letters of recommendation have been received and to also send your recommenders a reminder if necessary. We cannot guarantee the review of any materials received after the deadline.

*Unless an exception has been made by our office, hard copies of recommendation letters will not be accepted. If your recommender cannot submit his/her letter of recommendation online, contact our office to receive a hard copy of the recommender form.

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• CAREER COLUMN
• 20 July 2020

Writing the perfect recommendation letter

Andy Tay is a freelance writer based in Singapore.

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Undergraduates need them for graduate-school applications; PhD students and postdocs use them to apply for fellowships and jobs; senior scientists often have to have them to apply for awards and promotions. But writing an effective and personal recommendation letter can be time-consuming, especially for academics who must juggle grant applications, manuscripts, teaching and student supervision. And some might struggle to say the right things to support a former employee or student in their career move, while sounding original and unique.

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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-020-02186-8

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Recommendations

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Three letters of recommendation are required for your application.

Choose Your Recommenders

Letters of recommendation should come from academic or professional references who know you well and are qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study. It is strongly recommended that at least one of these letters be from a university professor familiar with your academic work.

Refer to your  graduate program’s website to check whether it offers specific guidance on choosing your recommenders.

Register Your Recommenders

Register your recommenders in the online application as early as possible to ensure their letters are received by the application deadline.

• After you enter your recommender’s information, the application system sends a personalized link to that individual to submit the recommendation online.
• After your recommender submits the recommendation letter, you will receive an email notification.
• You may manage your recommenders on the same Recommendations page where you registered them. This includes sending reminder emails and changing recommenders. You continue to have access to this page after you submit your application.

Note: Departments in the School of Engineering will NOT accept letters of recommendation via Interfolio submission. This includes: Aeronautics and Astronautics, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Management Science & Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. 

Recommendation Form

Each of your recommenders are asked to respond to the following questions:

• Undergraduate students
• Master's level students
• Doctoral level students
• Other (please specify)
• How many years have you evaluated people in this group?
• Approximately how many people are in this group, totaled over those years?
• Second quarter
• Third quarter
• Bottom quarter
• No basis for judgment
• Strongly recommended
• Recommended
• Recommended with reservations
• NOT recommended

Recommendation Letter

The general prompt for the recommendation letter is:

Please write candidly about the applicant’s qualifications, potential to carry on advanced study in the field specified, intellectual independence, capability for analytical thinking, ability to organize and express ideas clearly, and potential for teaching. Descriptions of significant actions, accomplishments, character, and personal qualities related to scholarly achievement are particularly helpful.

The exact prompt displayed to the recommender may differ depending on the graduate program you select.

Refer to your  graduate program’s website  to check whether it offers specific guidance on what recommenders should include in their letters.

Your recommenders must be the sole authors of your letters of recommendation. Drafting, writing, translating, or submitting your own reference, even if asked to do so by a recommender, is a violation of our application terms. You are responsible for informing your recommenders of this policy.

Graduate School

• Request Information
• Recommendation Letters

Recommendation Letters for Graduate School Admissions

Recommendation letters are required by most programs to help determine a student’s qualifications. Check with your specific program for their letter of recommendation requirements.

What Are Recommendation Letters?

Recommendation letters are written by people who know you on a personal, professional, or academic level. They are often written by professors, or co-workers in an effort to demonstrate your qualifications for acceptance into a graduate program at the University of Minnesota. These letters go beyond test scores and GPA to illustrate your experience, skills, character, work ethic, and commitment to your chosen field of study.

How Do I Request Recommendations?

Plan ahead. Your preparation for your graduate school application should include contacting potential recommendation providers. You will then provide their names and contact information as part of your application, and they will submit their recommendation via the same system.   

Waiving Your Right to View Recommendation Letters

When adding recommendation provider information to your application, you will see the following question:

"Do you wish to waive your right to examine this letter of recommendation?"

What does this question mean?

If you check YES: You will NOT be able to view the letters submitted on your behalf, even if you are admitted and choose to enroll at the University of Minnesota.

If you check NO: You will have the right to request your letters upon submitting your application, per the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA). 

Why do we ask this question?

Your recommendation providers and your graduate program will see your response to this question--they both have the right to know whether the information provided in your letter could be accessible to you in the future.

How to Check the Status of your requested Recommendations

If you have not submitted your application yet, view the status of your recommendations on the “Recommendations” page in your application. If you have already submitted your application, you’ll find recommendation status on your Application Status page. In both cases, access your application here.

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Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for PhD Students (with Sample) - Need, Parts, Qualities

Letter of Recommendation for PhD Students: For PhD students, a letter of recommendation is a crucial component of the application documents. While other admissions materials, like transcripts and test results, are factual, a letter of recommendation for PhD students integrates the plans and facts of a CV and statement of purpose. A résumé is a summary of your accomplishments, transcripts are evidence of your achievements, and an SOP describes the significance of the course and your readiness for it. A reference letter for a PhD is an unbiased opinion on everything mentioned above. TOP EXAMS : IELTS | TOEFL | GRE | GMAT Country Guide : UK | Ireland | Australia | Canada

What is the need for a letter of recommendation for PhD students

Types of lors for phd, select the right person to write recommendation letter for phd, letter of recommendation for phd students: qualities to focus on, parts of a lor for phd students, elements of letter of recommendation for phd students.

A PhD application usually requires at least two letters of recommendation for students from their professors. This allows the admission committee to know the applicants as people with skills that would otherwise be difficult to know from their resumes, transcripts and SOP. A letter of recommendation for PhD students should mention at least three qualities of the applicant – a social quality and at least two technical or subject-related qualities.

Moreover, as a PhD is an advanced specialised programme, the subject-related quality should be focused on projects carried out and specialised courses that will aid his/her PhD research. Read the complete article to know all the details about PhD letter of recommendation, PhD reference letter samples, and more.

MET Institute of International Studies BBA Admissions 2024

B.Sc (Hons)/BA (Hons) Business Administration, is an International BBA programme offered at MET Institute of International Studies, Mumbai

Universities inviting applications | Get expert guidance

A recommendation letter for PhD student from professors holds much more importance than those applying for undergraduate or master's courses. Grades and GRE scores play a big role in receiving admission from a university. The LOR for PhD admission is usually the deciding factor when choosing between candidates with similar credentials. Go through the key points to be included in the reference letter for PhD students from the professor to gain an understanding of what it is before you ask your professor to write a PhD reference letter for you.

A PhD candidate must provide two letters of recommendation (LORs). Nevertheless, to ensure caution, it is recommended that the candidate should prepare a minimum of three LORs. Various universities may have different requirements for LORs from recommenders.

Academic Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for PhD

Usually, universities require applicants to submit two or three Letters of Recommendation (LORs) for PhD from their previous educational institution. For undergraduate programs, these LORs can be obtained from teachers at your high school, while for masters or PhD, professors from your university can provide them.

Professional Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for PhD

A Professional Letter of Recommendation (LOR) for PhD from a Supervisor differs from an Academic LOR by emphasizing certain content related to the applicant's teamwork skills, industry knowledge, and leadership qualities.

Before asking someone for a recommendation letter for PhD application, you should know whom to ask. PhD is purely an academic degree and therefore you need to have a recommendation letter for PhD from those who can vouch for your academic inclination and strengths. PhD recommendation letter should be written by academicians with whom you have worked or someone who has supervised or taught you. If you are aspiring for a PhD programme or want a lor for PhD post-doctoral research, you should ideally ask your master's project guide or PhD guide to be one of the referees for your letter of recommendation for PhD students.

Your faculty must go through a sample recommendation letter for a PhD from a professor before sitting down to write one recommendation letter PhD for you. Other letters of recommendation for PhD students from teachers and professionals can be taken from persons who are from the same field or specialization in which you intend to do your PhD. You can also take your recommendation letter for doctoral programs from your supervisor who has an understanding of your academic capabilities.

Friends and relatives are not supposed to write your LOR for PhD admission for a number of reasons; first, they do not have first-hand information about your academic capabilities. Second, as they have not professionally or academically worked with you, they would not be able to present relevant information in the PhD letter of recommendation about you. Also, the recommender might not have in-depth knowledge of the discipline you intend to do a PhD. Last but not least, relatives cannot be objective about your qualities. That's why it is not a great idea to take your student recommendation letter from them. So a letter of recommendation for PhD students from teachers, professors, supervisors, coaches, etc., is only applicable.

The person who is writing a letter of recommendation for PhD students would be a professional who has known the applicant academically for no less than one year. The recommender should not only know you as one of the students in the department, but they should also know you as a person, your capabilities as a student, as well as your control over the subject they have been teaching. They should also be aware of your plans.

Recommendation letters for Ph.D. students from supervisors, and professors are very subject-specific. Referees should speak of strong subject knowledge as well as analysis traits. A Letter of recommendation for student should show the student as possessing positive qualities like intelligence, self-motivation, responsibility, and amiableness. Emphasis should be given to passion and dedication as well.

Advanced study like a Ph.D. is often a challenging and demanding program. Therefore, the LOR for PhD admission should also display perseverance, competitiveness and the ability to work independently. Courses and knowledge related to PhD programme-related packages, extra courses, and statistical analysis techniques should be exemplified in the letter of recommendation for the PhD program.

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A student recommendation letter for a PhD will typically be between one to two pages. The document of recommendation letter for PhD student should be well differentiated into 5–6 paragraphs. The LOR for PhD should begin with an introductory paragraph about the recommender and his/her association with the applicant. You must read a PDF of the PhD recommendation letter sample before you ask your recommenders to give you one.

The next 3 to 4 paragraphs in the letter of recommendation for PhD program should outline the different academic and social qualities of the applicant with suitable substantiation. No quality should be mentioned without a suitable example. Finally, the concluding paragraph will sum up the above with a line recommending the applicant for the programme.

Also Read, Best Country to Study Abroad for Indian Students

Below is a LOR for PhD sample from a professor. Candidates can consider it as a letter of recommendation format for PhD and refer to it while writing their LOR for PhD.

Reference letter sample for PhD student

Like there is a letter of recommendation for PhD students from professors, you can also read about PhD reference letter sample pdf, sample LOR for graduate school from coworker pdf, letter of recommendation for PhD in computer science, sample recommendation letter for employee, etc which will give you a fair idea what a recommendation letter is all about.

A recommendation letter for PhD students from a professor or supervisor gives a human touch to the applicant’s profile. A reference letter for PhD student from a professor is the only document that can present the applicant’s social side to the admission committee. Therefore, choose a referee who can not only substantiate your academic strengths but also cite appropriate examples of your social qualities in your recommendation letter for PhD students.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

It is crucial that the person writing your recommendation letter is someone who is familiar with your academic abilities. The most frequent writers of letters of recommendation are academics; professors or supervisors, but, other experts who are familiar with you and have overseen your academic or research work may also be suitable candidates.

The reference letter should be 1-2 pages long with 5-6 paragraphs.

PhD suggestions are highly specialised. Referees should emphasise both analytical skills and in-depth topic understanding. Letters of recommendation for students should highlight their intelligence, initiative, responsibility, and interpersonal skills.

Yes, PhD, postdoc, and scholarship applications typically require two to three letters of recommendation. These letters should come from professors who know your work and can detail your possibilities.

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Data Administrator

Database professionals use software to store and organise data such as financial information, and customer shipping records. Individuals who opt for a career as data administrators ensure that data is available for users and secured from unauthorised sales. DB administrators may work in various types of industries. It may involve computer systems design, service firms, insurance companies, banks and hospitals.

Bio Medical Engineer

The field of biomedical engineering opens up a universe of expert chances. An Individual in the biomedical engineering career path work in the field of engineering as well as medicine, in order to find out solutions to common problems of the two fields. The biomedical engineering job opportunities are to collaborate with doctors and researchers to develop medical systems, equipment, or devices that can solve clinical problems. Here we will be discussing jobs after biomedical engineering, how to get a job in biomedical engineering, biomedical engineering scope, and salary. 

Ethical Hacker

A career as ethical hacker involves various challenges and provides lucrative opportunities in the digital era where every giant business and startup owns its cyberspace on the world wide web. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path try to find the vulnerabilities in the cyber system to get its authority. If he or she succeeds in it then he or she gets its illegal authority. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path then steal information or delete the file that could affect the business, functioning, or services of the organization.

GIS officer work on various GIS software to conduct a study and gather spatial and non-spatial information. GIS experts update the GIS data and maintain it. The databases include aerial or satellite imagery, latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates, and manually digitized images of maps. In a career as GIS expert, one is responsible for creating online and mobile maps.

Data Analyst

The invention of the database has given fresh breath to the people involved in the data analytics career path. Analysis refers to splitting up a whole into its individual components for individual analysis. Data analysis is a method through which raw data are processed and transformed into information that would be beneficial for user strategic thinking.

Data are collected and examined to respond to questions, evaluate hypotheses or contradict theories. It is a tool for analyzing, transforming, modeling, and arranging data with useful knowledge, to assist in decision-making and methods, encompassing various strategies, and is used in different fields of business, research, and social science.

Geothermal Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as geothermal engineers are the professionals involved in the processing of geothermal energy. The responsibilities of geothermal engineers may vary depending on the workplace location. Those who work in fields design facilities to process and distribute geothermal energy. They oversee the functioning of machinery used in the field.

Database Architect

If you are intrigued by the programming world and are interested in developing communications networks then a career as database architect may be a good option for you. Data architect roles and responsibilities include building design models for data communication networks. Wide Area Networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), and intranets are included in the database networks. It is expected that database architects will have in-depth knowledge of a company's business to develop a network to fulfil the requirements of the organisation. Stay tuned as we look at the larger picture and give you more information on what is db architecture, why you should pursue database architecture, what to expect from such a degree and what your job opportunities will be after graduation. Here, we will be discussing how to become a data architect. Students can visit NIT Trichy , IIT Kharagpur , JMI New Delhi . 

Remote Sensing Technician

Individuals who opt for a career as a remote sensing technician possess unique personalities. Remote sensing analysts seem to be rational human beings, they are strong, independent, persistent, sincere, realistic and resourceful. Some of them are analytical as well, which means they are intelligent, introspective and inquisitive. 

Remote sensing scientists use remote sensing technology to support scientists in fields such as community planning, flight planning or the management of natural resources. Analysing data collected from aircraft, satellites or ground-based platforms using statistical analysis software, image analysis software or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a significant part of their work. Do you want to learn how to become remote sensing technician? There's no need to be concerned; we've devised a simple remote sensing technician career path for you. Scroll through the pages and read.

Budget Analyst

Budget analysis, in a nutshell, entails thoroughly analyzing the details of a financial budget. The budget analysis aims to better understand and manage revenue. Budget analysts assist in the achievement of financial targets, the preservation of profitability, and the pursuit of long-term growth for a business. Budget analysts generally have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a closely related field. Knowledge of Financial Management is of prime importance in this career.

Underwriter

An underwriter is a person who assesses and evaluates the risk of insurance in his or her field like mortgage, loan, health policy, investment, and so on and so forth. The underwriter career path does involve risks as analysing the risks means finding out if there is a way for the insurance underwriter jobs to recover the money from its clients. If the risk turns out to be too much for the company then in the future it is an underwriter who will be held accountable for it. Therefore, one must carry out his or her job with a lot of attention and diligence.

Finance Executive

Product manager.

A Product Manager is a professional responsible for product planning and marketing. He or she manages the product throughout the Product Life Cycle, gathering and prioritising the product. A product manager job description includes defining the product vision and working closely with team members of other departments to deliver winning products.  

Operations Manager

Individuals in the operations manager jobs are responsible for ensuring the efficiency of each department to acquire its optimal goal. They plan the use of resources and distribution of materials. The operations manager's job description includes managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and performing administrative tasks.

Stock Analyst

Individuals who opt for a career as a stock analyst examine the company's investments makes decisions and keep track of financial securities. The nature of such investments will differ from one business to the next. Individuals in the stock analyst career use data mining to forecast a company's profits and revenues, advise clients on whether to buy or sell, participate in seminars, and discussing financial matters with executives and evaluate annual reports.

A Researcher is a professional who is responsible for collecting data and information by reviewing the literature and conducting experiments and surveys. He or she uses various methodological processes to provide accurate data and information that is utilised by academicians and other industry professionals. Here, we will discuss what is a researcher, the researcher's salary, types of researchers.

Welding Engineer

Welding Engineer Job Description: A Welding Engineer work involves managing welding projects and supervising welding teams. He or she is responsible for reviewing welding procedures, processes and documentation. A career as Welding Engineer involves conducting failure analyses and causes on welding issues. 

Transportation Planner

A career as Transportation Planner requires technical application of science and technology in engineering, particularly the concepts, equipment and technologies involved in the production of products and services. In fields like land use, infrastructure review, ecological standards and street design, he or she considers issues of health, environment and performance. A Transportation Planner assigns resources for implementing and designing programmes. He or she is responsible for assessing needs, preparing plans and forecasts and compliance with regulations.

Environmental Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as an environmental engineer are construction professionals who utilise the skills and knowledge of biology, soil science, chemistry and the concept of engineering to design and develop projects that serve as solutions to various environmental problems. 

Safety Manager

A Safety Manager is a professional responsible for employee’s safety at work. He or she plans, implements and oversees the company’s employee safety. A Safety Manager ensures compliance and adherence to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines.

Conservation Architect

A Conservation Architect is a professional responsible for conserving and restoring buildings or monuments having a historic value. He or she applies techniques to document and stabilise the object’s state without any further damage. A Conservation Architect restores the monuments and heritage buildings to bring them back to their original state.

Structural Engineer

A Structural Engineer designs buildings, bridges, and other related structures. He or she analyzes the structures and makes sure the structures are strong enough to be used by the people. A career as a Structural Engineer requires working in the construction process. It comes under the civil engineering discipline. A Structure Engineer creates structural models with the help of computer-aided design software. 

Highway Engineer

Highway Engineer Job Description:  A Highway Engineer is a civil engineer who specialises in planning and building thousands of miles of roads that support connectivity and allow transportation across the country. He or she ensures that traffic management schemes are effectively planned concerning economic sustainability and successful implementation.

Field Surveyor

Are you searching for a Field Surveyor Job Description? A Field Surveyor is a professional responsible for conducting field surveys for various places or geographical conditions. He or she collects the required data and information as per the instructions given by senior officials. 

Orthotist and Prosthetist

Orthotists and Prosthetists are professionals who provide aid to patients with disabilities. They fix them to artificial limbs (prosthetics) and help them to regain stability. There are times when people lose their limbs in an accident. In some other occasions, they are born without a limb or orthopaedic impairment. Orthotists and prosthetists play a crucial role in their lives with fixing them to assistive devices and provide mobility.

Pathologist

A career in pathology in India is filled with several responsibilities as it is a medical branch and affects human lives. The demand for pathologists has been increasing over the past few years as people are getting more aware of different diseases. Not only that, but an increase in population and lifestyle changes have also contributed to the increase in a pathologist’s demand. The pathology careers provide an extremely huge number of opportunities and if you want to be a part of the medical field you can consider being a pathologist. If you want to know more about a career in pathology in India then continue reading this article.

Veterinary Doctor

Speech therapist, gynaecologist.

Gynaecology can be defined as the study of the female body. The job outlook for gynaecology is excellent since there is evergreen demand for one because of their responsibility of dealing with not only women’s health but also fertility and pregnancy issues. Although most women prefer to have a women obstetrician gynaecologist as their doctor, men also explore a career as a gynaecologist and there are ample amounts of male doctors in the field who are gynaecologists and aid women during delivery and childbirth. 

Audiologist

The audiologist career involves audiology professionals who are responsible to treat hearing loss and proactively preventing the relevant damage. Individuals who opt for a career as an audiologist use various testing strategies with the aim to determine if someone has a normal sensitivity to sounds or not. After the identification of hearing loss, a hearing doctor is required to determine which sections of the hearing are affected, to what extent they are affected, and where the wound causing the hearing loss is found. As soon as the hearing loss is identified, the patients are provided with recommendations for interventions and rehabilitation such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and appropriate medical referrals. While audiology is a branch of science that studies and researches hearing, balance, and related disorders.

An oncologist is a specialised doctor responsible for providing medical care to patients diagnosed with cancer. He or she uses several therapies to control the cancer and its effect on the human body such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and biopsy. An oncologist designs a treatment plan based on a pathology report after diagnosing the type of cancer and where it is spreading inside the body.

Are you searching for an ‘Anatomist job description’? An Anatomist is a research professional who applies the laws of biological science to determine the ability of bodies of various living organisms including animals and humans to regenerate the damaged or destroyed organs. If you want to know what does an anatomist do, then read the entire article, where we will answer all your questions.

For an individual who opts for a career as an actor, the primary responsibility is to completely speak to the character he or she is playing and to persuade the crowd that the character is genuine by connecting with them and bringing them into the story. This applies to significant roles and littler parts, as all roles join to make an effective creation. Here in this article, we will discuss how to become an actor in India, actor exams, actor salary in India, and actor jobs. 

Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats create and direct original routines for themselves, in addition to developing interpretations of existing routines. The work of circus acrobats can be seen in a variety of performance settings, including circus, reality shows, sports events like the Olympics, movies and commercials. Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats must be prepared to face rejections and intermittent periods of work. The creativity of acrobats may extend to other aspects of the performance. For example, acrobats in the circus may work with gym trainers, celebrities or collaborate with other professionals to enhance such performance elements as costume and or maybe at the teaching end of the career.

Video Game Designer

Career as a video game designer is filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. A video game designer is someone who is involved in the process of creating a game from day one. He or she is responsible for fulfilling duties like designing the character of the game, the several levels involved, plot, art and similar other elements. Individuals who opt for a career as a video game designer may also write the codes for the game using different programming languages.

Depending on the video game designer job description and experience they may also have to lead a team and do the early testing of the game in order to suggest changes and find loopholes.

Radio Jockey

Radio Jockey is an exciting, promising career and a great challenge for music lovers. If you are really interested in a career as radio jockey, then it is very important for an RJ to have an automatic, fun, and friendly personality. If you want to get a job done in this field, a strong command of the language and a good voice are always good things. Apart from this, in order to be a good radio jockey, you will also listen to good radio jockeys so that you can understand their style and later make your own by practicing.

A career as radio jockey has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. If you want to know more about a career as radio jockey, and how to become a radio jockey then continue reading the article.

Choreographer

The word “choreography" actually comes from Greek words that mean “dance writing." Individuals who opt for a career as a choreographer create and direct original dances, in addition to developing interpretations of existing dances. A Choreographer dances and utilises his or her creativity in other aspects of dance performance. For example, he or she may work with the music director to select music or collaborate with other famous choreographers to enhance such performance elements as lighting, costume and set design.

Social Media Manager

A career as social media manager involves implementing the company’s or brand’s marketing plan across all social media channels. Social media managers help in building or improving a brand’s or a company’s website traffic, build brand awareness, create and implement marketing and brand strategy. Social media managers are key to important social communication as well.

Photographer

Photography is considered both a science and an art, an artistic means of expression in which the camera replaces the pen. In a career as a photographer, an individual is hired to capture the moments of public and private events, such as press conferences or weddings, or may also work inside a studio, where people go to get their picture clicked. Photography is divided into many streams each generating numerous career opportunities in photography. With the boom in advertising, media, and the fashion industry, photography has emerged as a lucrative and thrilling career option for many Indian youths.

An individual who is pursuing a career as a producer is responsible for managing the business aspects of production. They are involved in each aspect of production from its inception to deception. Famous movie producers review the script, recommend changes and visualise the story. 

They are responsible for overseeing the finance involved in the project and distributing the film for broadcasting on various platforms. A career as a producer is quite fulfilling as well as exhaustive in terms of playing different roles in order for a production to be successful. Famous movie producers are responsible for hiring creative and technical personnel on contract basis.

Copy Writer

In a career as a copywriter, one has to consult with the client and understand the brief well. A career as a copywriter has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. Several new mediums of advertising are opening therefore making it a lucrative career choice. Students can pursue various copywriter courses such as Journalism , Advertising , Marketing Management . Here, we have discussed how to become a freelance copywriter, copywriter career path, how to become a copywriter in India, and copywriting career outlook. 

In a career as a vlogger, one generally works for himself or herself. However, once an individual has gained viewership there are several brands and companies that approach them for paid collaboration. It is one of those fields where an individual can earn well while following his or her passion. 

Ever since internet costs got reduced the viewership for these types of content has increased on a large scale. Therefore, a career as a vlogger has a lot to offer. If you want to know more about the Vlogger eligibility, roles and responsibilities then continue reading the article. 

For publishing books, newspapers, magazines and digital material, editorial and commercial strategies are set by publishers. Individuals in publishing career paths make choices about the markets their businesses will reach and the type of content that their audience will be served. Individuals in book publisher careers collaborate with editorial staff, designers, authors, and freelance contributors who develop and manage the creation of content.

Careers in journalism are filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. One cannot afford to miss out on the details. As it is the small details that provide insights into a story. Depending on those insights a journalist goes about writing a news article. A journalism career can be stressful at times but if you are someone who is passionate about it then it is the right choice for you. If you want to know more about the media field and journalist career then continue reading this article.

Individuals in the editor career path is an unsung hero of the news industry who polishes the language of the news stories provided by stringers, reporters, copywriters and content writers and also news agencies. Individuals who opt for a career as an editor make it more persuasive, concise and clear for readers. In this article, we will discuss the details of the editor's career path such as how to become an editor in India, editor salary in India and editor skills and qualities.

Individuals who opt for a career as a reporter may often be at work on national holidays and festivities. He or she pitches various story ideas and covers news stories in risky situations. Students can pursue a BMC (Bachelor of Mass Communication) , B.M.M. (Bachelor of Mass Media) , or  MAJMC (MA in Journalism and Mass Communication) to become a reporter. While we sit at home reporters travel to locations to collect information that carries a news value.  

Corporate Executive

Are you searching for a Corporate Executive job description? A Corporate Executive role comes with administrative duties. He or she provides support to the leadership of the organisation. A Corporate Executive fulfils the business purpose and ensures its financial stability. In this article, we are going to discuss how to become corporate executive.

Multimedia Specialist

A multimedia specialist is a media professional who creates, audio, videos, graphic image files, computer animations for multimedia applications. He or she is responsible for planning, producing, and maintaining websites and applications. 

Quality Controller

A quality controller plays a crucial role in an organisation. He or she is responsible for performing quality checks on manufactured products. He or she identifies the defects in a product and rejects the product. 

A quality controller records detailed information about products with defects and sends it to the supervisor or plant manager to take necessary actions to improve the production process.

Production Manager

A QA Lead is in charge of the QA Team. The role of QA Lead comes with the responsibility of assessing services and products in order to determine that he or she meets the quality standards. He or she develops, implements and manages test plans. 

Process Development Engineer

The Process Development Engineers design, implement, manufacture, mine, and other production systems using technical knowledge and expertise in the industry. They use computer modeling software to test technologies and machinery. An individual who is opting career as Process Development Engineer is responsible for developing cost-effective and efficient processes. They also monitor the production process and ensure it functions smoothly and efficiently.

AWS Solution Architect

An AWS Solution Architect is someone who specializes in developing and implementing cloud computing systems. He or she has a good understanding of the various aspects of cloud computing and can confidently deploy and manage their systems. He or she troubleshoots the issues and evaluates the risk from the third party. 

Azure Administrator

An Azure Administrator is a professional responsible for implementing, monitoring, and maintaining Azure Solutions. He or she manages cloud infrastructure service instances and various cloud servers as well as sets up public and private cloud systems. 

Computer Programmer

Careers in computer programming primarily refer to the systematic act of writing code and moreover include wider computer science areas. The word 'programmer' or 'coder' has entered into practice with the growing number of newly self-taught tech enthusiasts. Computer programming careers involve the use of designs created by software developers and engineers and transforming them into commands that can be implemented by computers. These commands result in regular usage of social media sites, word-processing applications and browsers.

Information Security Manager

Individuals in the information security manager career path involves in overseeing and controlling all aspects of computer security. The IT security manager job description includes planning and carrying out security measures to protect the business data and information from corruption, theft, unauthorised access, and deliberate attack 

ITSM Manager

Automation test engineer.

An Automation Test Engineer job involves executing automated test scripts. He or she identifies the project’s problems and troubleshoots them. The role involves documenting the defect using management tools. He or she works with the application team in order to resolve any issues arising during the testing process. 

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• How to Get Great Letters of Recommendation for Grad School

If you’re planning to apply to grad school, one of the top items on your to-do list is likely getting letters of recommendation.

But who? How? When? This part of the application process can generate anxiety for even the most confident grad school hopeful.

Don’t worry, we've got your back. With input from admissions experts at the University of Washington, we’ve compiled a list of eight tips for asking for — and receiving — great letters of recommendation. Follow this simple formula and get recommendations that will help your grad school application land in the “yes” pile.

1. Do Your Research

First, read your program’s requirements carefully. Graduate programs typically require you to submit two or three letters of recommendation with your application, but there are variations, depending on the school and type of program.

2. Plan Ahead

Remember to give your recommenders plenty of time to write their letters — a couple months of lead time is not too much! This is especially true if you are asking them to write multiple letters for you (for different programs).

Besides being considerate, giving your recommenders an early heads-up also leaves them ample time to produce a strong letter. If you ask someone a week before the deadline, it shows a (possibly annoying) lack of planning on your part. Plus, it’s possible they won’t be able to turn it around in that timeframe.

3. Identify the Right Recommenders

You should know your recommenders well and have a good working relationship with them. They need to be able to speak to things like your work ethic, professionalism, writing ability, lab and/or research skills, readiness for grad school and what you can contribute to the program.

While former professors are an obvious choice, don’t assume all your recommendations need to come from that category. “That’s a common misconception,” says Crystal Galván, a graduate adviser in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences at University of Washington Bothell. “A campus staff member or program director that you worked with directly might be a great choice, too.”

What if you’ve been out of school for a while and don’t have any academic contacts? If that’s the case, you can often substitute professional references for academic ones, says Galván. But explain this choice in your statement of purpose, and don’t be afraid to reach out to the graduate program for any special instructions.

Just like for academic recommendations, make sure your professional recommenders know you and your strengths well. It might be tempting to ask someone like your company’s CEO, but that approach can backfire if they can’t provide specifics.

“It should be someone who knows your work performance and can talk about it — whether that’s a supervisor, a peer or even a client,” says Randell Hernandez, who has served as the director of admissions for the Executive MBA program at the UW for the last 15 years. “For an MBA program, for example, I think current and former managers are probably the best sources for recommendations.”

4. Communicate Intentionally

Once you have your list of possible recommenders, it’s time to reach out. Schedule a meeting (virtual or in-person) to discuss your request.

Seem unnecessary? Galván explains why it’s a vital step. In this meeting you can:

• Discuss more fully why you’re interested in graduate school in general, and these programs in particular.
• Explain the process and the timeline, and talk about next steps.
• Open up the lines of communication and answer any questions they might have on the spot.

If you can’t meet one-on-one, email works too, according to Galván. But she also suggests that you pay attention to how they respond to your request.

“If the person hesitates when you ask them for a letter, then it’s probably better to ask someone else,” she says.

Hernandez agrees. “The challenge with letters of recommendation is that once you ask the person to do it, you lose control of the process,” he says. “So I always advise applicants to choose their recommenders with care.”

5. Prepare a Portfolio

Whew! Once your recommenders are on board, the next step is to supply them with materials that will make their task easier: a digital or physical portfolio.

The portfolio should include copies of:

• Key application materials, including program descriptions and deadlines
• Your personal statement
• Your resume and/or curriculum vitae (CV)
• A writing sample
• Your unofficial transcripts
• Anything else that could help your recommender write a strong letter

If you want to handle this task digitally, a good option is to place the materials in a dedicated folder on a service like Google Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox.

6. Explain Any Academic Dips or Gaps

Everyone understands that life isn’t always predictable. If you’ve experienced hardship — such as the death of a family member — that has impacted either your academic record or your career trajectory, it could be helpful to let your recommender know about it. This allows them to help explain the circumstances.

“For students who had a difficult quarter or semester (or two), it’s helpful for admissions committees to learn about the reasons why, especially as many graduate programs are moving to more holistic admission processes,” Galván says. “Your recommender can help address these gaps in their letter and serve as your advocate.”

7. Follow Up

It’s OK to follow up with your recommenders as the deadline approaches (these are busy people, after all). Many graduate programs give you the option of sending a reminder directly through the application portal, according to both Galván and Hernandez.

“Our portal at the University of Washington has that feature embedded in it,” Galván says. “It’s nice because it allows you to avoid that uncomfortable conversation if you feel anxious about the situation.”

Email or phone reminders are fine too. Better to risk being a little bothersome than to have a recommender completely forget about your request!

8. Remember to Say Thanks

Good manners count! Don’t forget to send your recommenders a thank-you note after they submit the letter and your application is complete. This gesture goes a long way toward maintaining a good relationship, and it’s quite possible you’ll have to call on this network for further help down the road.

And be sure to let your recommenders know the outcome of your application! Even if you weren’t accepted, they’ll appreciate the follow-up.

Take a Deep Breath, Then Move Forward

If you follow all these tips, you can relax — you’ve done your part. The rest is up to the recommender.

Want to discover more helpful content about grad school? Check out our go-to guide for applying to graduate school for links to additional articles.

• Graduate School

For more career tips and industry trends,  visit the News & Features section  of our website, and subscribe to our email list. To learn more about UW Professional & Continuing Education certificates, specializations, degrees and courses,  explore your options  or contact us .

David Hirning

David Hirning is an accomplished writer and editor with extensive experience in both tech and higher education. He began his career in journalism, then spent over a decade as an editor at Microsoft, where he worked on Encarta Encyclopedia and related reference products.

David worked for six years as a full-time writer and content manager at UW Professional & Continuing Education. He also operated his own editorial consulting business, with stints at leading companies like Amazon and Expedia, and taught English for two years in Costa Rica.

David has served as an instructor for the UW Certificate in Editing program and as a teaching assistant for the UW Certificate in Storytelling & Content Strategy. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Stanford University and a Certificate in Literary Fiction from the UW.

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Letters of Recommendation

What this handout is about.

Producing an effective recommendation letter involves strategy, research, and planning. This handout is designed to introduce recommenders to some best practices for writing effective recommendation letters.

Deciding whether to write a recommendation

Recommendation letters are likely to receive close scrutiny, and sparse or non-specific recommendations may negatively impact an application. If a recommender is unable or unwilling to produce a recommendation that speaks directly to the individual applicant and position, the selection committee or potential employer may interpret this negatively. If you do not feel that you could provide a positive or detailed recommendation, it is okay to decline!

There are several reasons why it may be appropriate to decline a request for a recommendation:

• You may not feel comfortable writing a positive letter, either because you have no information about the student or because they did not perform well enough in a class or position.
• You may feel you are a “bad fit” for the student’s application. For example, if your field of expertise is completely unrelated to the student’s area of interest, you might advise the student to ask recommenders with more relevant backgrounds.
• You may feel that you lack the necessary credentials to offer a compelling recommendation. For example, graduate student instructors may feel as if they cannot credibly endorse their students’ graduate school applications. Thus, students may be directed to faculty to write letters instead of graduate students.
• You may know that you will not have time to write and proofread a strong letter before the student’s deadline.

Consider setting up a meeting. This will give you an opportunity to ask about the applicant’s academic background, professional goals, and reasons for applying. It may help to clarify whether this is a one-time request, or whether you are being asked to serve as a recommender for several applications. It’s a good idea to request to see the applicant’s resume, CV, personal statement, or other components of the application. Each of these can give you a sense of the applicant’s goals and help you decide if you would be a good recommender. These items will also allow you to tailor your letter appropriately if you decide to write on the applicant’s behalf.

Confidentiality and protected information

Many applications invite applicants to waive their right to view a letter of recommendation. Confidential letters of recommendation may be viewed as more credible than letters that applicants can access.

You should be aware of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and your institution’s FERPA-related guidelines when writing recommendation letters. FERPA prohibits disclosure of protected student information such as grades and attendance without the student’s prior written consent. Students who want you to address protected information should specify which records you may disclose, the purpose for which the disclosure is being made, and to whom the information may be disclosed. You can read more about FERPA here: https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html .

Writing strong recommendations

After committing to write a recommendation for an applicant, gather information about the opportunity to which they are applying. Besides asking the applicant about the organization, you may also want to reach out to someone in your own professional network who may know something about the audience or take some time to do your own research. Here are some questions to consider:

• What are the organization’s values and priorities? Some organizations state this information explicitly on their websites and other publications, and this can help you tailor your letter to directly address the audience’s top concerns.
• What information does the audience want to learn from you? Some institutions will ask you to answer specific questions about the applicant in your letter. Knowing these in advance will give you more time to talk with the student about any information you may need.
• How is this opportunity a good fit for the applicant? Referencing special features and benefits offered by a position shows that you’ve done your homework, which can add to the weight of your recommendation by demonstrating that you are willing to invest extra work in your student’s success. You will also be able to speak to the applicant’s fit for the position in greater detail.

Keep in mind that nearly all recommendations contain a positive appraisal of an applicant’s abilities and character, and it costs recommenders almost nothing to offer general and unsubstantiated praise of an applicant. Letters that claim an applicant is “the best student I’ve ever worked with” or “the hardest working employee I’ve ever had” are likely to meet with skepticism, unless the writer includes specific evidence to back up these claims. Even letters that contain genuine praise may come across as form letters unless you can speak to unique evidence about the student that corroborates your positive assessment.

Many different kinds of information may constitute evidence in a recommendation, and it is up to you to determine what would be most convincing to the audience. Here are some guidelines for what you may want to include or avoid:

• Do describe your relationship with the applicant. Say how long you’ve known the applicant and in what capacity. This information helps the audience understand how well you know the applicant. For example, sharing that you’ve advised a student for three years and taught them in two senior seminars demonstrates that you know your applicant better than a recommender who has only recently met the student or who has only taught the student in a large lecture class.
• Do include quantitative data about a student’s performance in a class or an employee’s performance in a position. Because raw grade point averages or other performance metrics are sometimes difficult to translate across different contexts, try to rank students against other students. For example, rather than saying “Judith received an A in my class,” aim for evidence that tells the audience how Judith’s performance compared to her classmates’: “Judith was among the top 5% of students in her large lecture class.” (Remember, if you do include specific grades in your letter, you must have written consent from the student as per FERPA.)
• Do compare applicants to students who have been placed into other positions. A statement like, “Over the past five years, other students with undergraduate research experience similar to Amer’s have been accepted to graduate programs at X, Y, and Z,” gives the audience a sense of where Amer stands in a wider population of successful students. Including comments like these also indicates that you have a good sense of what makes an applicant successful.
• Do mention the applicant’s personal and/or intellectual strengths as they pertain to the application. For example, it may be helpful to emphasize a study abroad applicant’s open-mindedness. Again, include appropriate evidence for this claim, which may involve discussing or even directly citing the student’s written work in your class.
• Do explain why you think the applicant is a good fit. Selection committees are often interested in hearing how students would contribute to the intellectual and professional climate of their institution. Given your experience with the student, help the audience see the type of employee or scholar the student will be: “Casey’s research experience in early-modern Arabic poetry would make them an ideal addition to Professor Seif’s Syrian cultural archival project.” If possible, mention the position/school/fellowship by name. This proves that you’ve taken enough interest in the letter to target it for each recipient. It will not always be possible to tailor recommendations to each program; for example, many postgraduate programs are moving to common applications that send the same letters to all programs to which students apply.
• Don’t shy away from discussing the applicant’s weaknesses —but only if those weaknesses are likely to already be on the audience’s radar. For example, you may have insight into why your student received an uncharacteristically low grade in your class during their final semester that could alleviate an audience’s concerns. You may draw attention to the applicant’s growth as well as the potential for continued growth in the new position. Keep in mind, however, that recommendation letters are expected to be positive in tone, so proceed with caution when discussing applicants’ weaknesses. Specifically avoid commenting on personality traits or other topics that are irrelevant to the application.
• Don’t rely on generalizations, clichés, or platitudes. Every good applicant will be “dedicated,” “hard-working,” and “enthusiastic.” Praise like this is likely to appear in dozens of other letters for other applicants, so you need to say more to help your applicant stand out. Include specific examples to support these descriptors. Convey the unique strengths of your student, especially any that you believe speak directly to the audience’s interests or values. Also pay special attention to any language that may inadvertently convey gender or other biases. For example, some studies have reported that language that pertains to effort (rather than accomplishments), personal life details (rather than relevant professional information), and emotional capacities (rather than academic or professional ability) more frequently appear in recommendations for women than for men. Focusing on traits that are demonstrable with evidence and germane to the program or position to which the student is applying is the best way to avoid implicit bias in your letters.
• Don’t include too much information about you or your class. Although some brief background information about the context in which you know the student is appropriate, do not spend so much time discussing course or assignment details that the letter is no longer focused upon the applicant.
• Don’t offer tepid praise or left-handed compliments. Half-hearted comments are almost guaranteed to attract the wrong kind of attention. Although you may honestly report that your student “completed all course assignments on time” or “was an adequate writer,” the audience will likely interpret these phrases as veiled criticism. Avoiding tepid praise is more difficult than it seems. After you’ve finished writing the letter, read over it with a critical eye and try to assume the worst of the student. Do any of your sentences invite uncharitable interpretation?
• Don’t simply summarize the applicant’s CV or resume. As with tepid praise, simply reiterating what the audience already knows from other parts of the application implies that you either don’t know or don’t care enough about the applicant to offer your own appraisal. It is appropriate to highlight a special component of a student’s resume and explain why you believe this aspect of the student makes them a great candidate, but don’t waste your opportunity to offer your own valuable endorsement by simply listing the applicant’s accomplishments.

Formatting recommendation letters

After you’ve decided what to write in your recommendation, you will need to decide how to write it. How long should the recommendation be? Should it be written on official letterhead? To whom should it be addressed? Will the letter submitted electronically, or will it be mailed?

Length: Just as there is sometimes no prescribed length for application essays, there is no standard length for recommendation letters. Most recommendations tend to be around 1 to 1.5 single-spaced pages long, although some may be longer if you have a lot to share. Business and law school recommendations tend to be briefer than graduate school recommendations. In general, try to strike a balance between writing too little (which suggests you have nothing to say about the applicant) and writing too much, which may be annoying to audiences who are reading dozens or hundreds of recommendations for a single position.

Letterhead: When possible, write recommendations on official letterhead and sign them using a handwritten signature. Producing letters on official letterhead both adds to your credibility as a recommender and demonstrates that you care enough about the applicant to put finishing touches on your endorsement. This may include sending an envelope with your signature across the seal. Some application programs ask recommenders to compose or paste their recommendations into online forms. In these cases, you would not submit the letter on formal letterhead. Learning in advance how you will need to submit your recommendation can help you avoid unnecessary work and accurately gauge the time required to submit your letter.

Salutation: Address recommendation letters as specifically as possible. If the applicant is applying for a position within a firm or office and you know who will receive the letter, address the letter to that person, like “Dear Dr. Anderson.” If you don’t know who, specifically, will receive the letter, address the recommendation to the target audience, like “Dear Fulbright Committee”. Avoid vacuous salutations like “To Whom it May Concern.” Also avoid informal greetings, including those you might use in an email or other correspondence, like “Hi,” “Hello,” “Good afternoon,” etc. “Dear” is the standard formal salutation in English.

Closing: End the letter with a simple closing word or phrase like “Sincerely,” “Regards,” or “Cordially” or by thanking the audience for considering your endorsement. Avoid personal and emotive language. If you would be willing to answer any additional questions the institution or employer may have about the applicant, it is appropriate to invite them to contact you before closing the letter.

Letters of recommendation inform the decisions of admissions committees, employers, funding agencies, and other organizations who are trying to choose between multiple candidates. Your efforts to create strong letters make a difference.

If you commit to writing a letter of recommendation, follow through. Keep track of deadlines and start early, as you may discover that you need additional information from the student or institution, and you will want to have time to request this information and incorporate it into your recommendation.

Finally, consider whether you are willing to do more than write a recommendation. Students may need help with other parts of their application, such as statements of purpose or writing samples. Since you likely have insight into what graduate programs or employers are looking for, you are in a unique position to help applicants with these other materials as well.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Brown University. n.d. “Writing Letters of Recommendation.” Fellowships and Research. Accessed July 2, 2019. https://www.brown.edu/academics/college/fellowships/information-resources/writing-letters-recommendation/writing-letters-recommendation .

Madera, Juan M., Michelle R. Hebl, and Randi C. Martin. 2009. “Gender and Letters of Recommendation for Academia: Agentic and Communal Differences.” Journal of Applied Psychology 94 (6): 1591–99. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0016539 .

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. n.d. “How to Write Good Letters of Recommendation.” MIT Admissions. Accessed July 2, 2019. https://mitadmissions.org/apply/parents-educators/writingrecs/ .

Stanford University. n.d. “Writing Letters of Recommendation.” Teaching Commons. Accessed July 2, 2019. https://teachingcommons.stanford.edu/resources/teaching-resources/how-evaluate-students/writing-letters-recommendation.

Yale University. n.d. “Writing Letters of Recommendation.” Fellowships and Funding. Accessed July 2, 2019. https://funding.yale.edu/faculty-staff-recommenders/writing-letters .

Trix, Frances, and Carolyn Psenka. 2003. “Exploring the Color of Glass: Letters of Recommendation for Female and Male Medical Faculty.” Discourse & Society 14 (2): 191–220. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0957926503014002277 .

Whitaker, Manya. 2016. “Tips for Writing Recommendation Letters.” Inside Higher Ed , December 2, 2016. https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2016/12/02/how-write-stronger-letters-recommendation-students-essay .

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Letters of Recommendation

The Graduate School requires three recommendation letters in support of your application (Applications for Graduate Liberal Studies require only two recommendation letters). Your recommenders must submit their letters of recommendation electronically via the online recommendation system.  

We strongly discourage requesting more than three recommendations unless you are asked to do so by the department to which you are applying. Rather than improving your chances of admission, an excessive number of recommendation letters may actually cause application reviewers to view your file unfavorably.

Should you receive and accept an offer of admission, your recommenders may be asked to verify their authorship of the submitted recommendation letters.

How to Submit

In the Recommendations section of the online application, choose "Add Recommender" to enter the contact information of your recommenders, including their e-mail addresses. Each recommender will then receive an e-mail that includes a link to an online recommendation form. This is the form the recommender will use to upload a letter in support of your application. We ask that you provide professional email addresses for your recommenders if possible. Recommendations sent to a general email account (Gmail or Yahoo, for example) will be more closely monitored in our application credentials review process.

Requesting Recommendations

Request letters of recommendation from people best qualified to attest to your capacity for graduate work. We prefer to have academic references representing your major field, though we realize that there are situations where this may not be possible. In such circumstances, seek out people who can comment on qualities that will be relevant to your academic pursuits, particularly research.

Frequently asked questions about letters of recommendation

How to Request a Grad School Recommendation Letter

Letters of recommendation are a crucial part of any grad school application. They help admissions officers see beyond test scores and connect the dots about who you are and why you will be a strong fit for their program. But how can you ensure that the letter submitted on your behalf will impress admissions and help you stand out from the crowd?

Read on to explore some of the best tips for requesting a graduate school recommendation letter.

How to Ask for a Grad School Recommendation Letter

Requesting a letter of recommendation may seem daunting, considering how big of an impact it could have on your future. To navigate the process successfully, follow the steps below. 

1. Understand the application requirements.

For most graduate programs, you’ll need two or three letters of recommendation. Be sure to check the application guidelines for each graduate program you’re applying to. In addition, specific programs will stipulate if your letters of recommendation should be from an academic or professional reference, which might include your manager or colleagues. Take the time to understand precisely what each program is looking for before reaching out to recommenders.

Additionally, it can be helpful to review the degree program website and talk with an admissions officer to get a clear sense of the program requirements and what attributes or academic skills are most valued within the program. You can later share these insights with those writing your recommendations. 

2. Choose your recommenders carefully.

After exploring the guidelines for letters of recommendation for your particular program, it’s important to review who you might consider asking to attest on your behalf. You may consider requesting a letter from a professor, faculty member, researcher, employer, mentor, or even a peer with who you have a positive relationship.

What matters most is that you engage someone who: 

• You’ve worked with directly for a meaningful amount of time
• Can speak to your specific strengths
• Will describe how these strengths will serve you well in the graduate program

“You don’t just want a letter that says you’re a hard worker, but one that demonstrates [the]  ways that you are a hard worker,” says Mallory Leiendecker,  a ssociate director of enrollment at Northeastern University . “Admissions officers want to know how you would benefit their program, so you want letters that will help bring that to life.”

Interested in learning more about Northeastern’s graduate programs?

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3. Frame your request.

How you present your request for a letter is just as important as who you ask. Carefully consider your plan and be sure to “show genuine appreciation to recommenders for helping you,” Leiendecker says. 

Be Thoughtful in Your Approach

Writing a letter of recommendation is a big favor, so be sure that you approach asking from a respectful, formal, and grateful place. 

One way to bridge this conversation is by asking for a brief meeting with them. You can walk them through how much you value your experiences working with them, how their input will be significant to your application, and what you hope to achieve from the graduate program.

What’s more, be sure to clearly state in this conversation why you chose them specifically to write a letter for you. Perhaps they helped you learn essential skills, or they inspired you to pursue a particular area of study. No matter the reason, they are more likely to feel connected to your request if they know there’s been a lot of thought and time behind your decision.

If possible, try to hold this conversation in person. If you can’t, aim for a video or phone call instead. Although email is efficient, it often leaves room for interpretation in messages. With an ask as crucial as this, your contact must know how important this is to you and how thankful you are for their consideration.

Provide an Easy “Out” for Recommenders

Receiving lukewarm letters of recommendation can actually do more harm than good. To avoid this problem, consider framing your request to potential recommenders in a way that allows them to politely decline if they don’t feel their insight will be impactful. Ask if they would feel “comfortable writing you a letter of recommendation that will highlight your particular strengths.” That way, if they aren’t likely to write a glowing recommendation, they have an opportunity to bow out gracefully.

If they do deny your request at this stage, consider it a gift; you will still have an opportunity to find someone else who will write an impactful letter on your behalf, and you can avoid including a generic recommendation in your application.

Be Considerate of Their Time

Professors and other professionals receive countless requests for letters of recommendation, so it’s best to give your contact plenty of lead time to write yours. Generally, it’s a good idea to ask for recommendations at least one month or more in advance of the application due date. Leiendecker explains that “t he worst thing you can do is wait until a few days before the deadline on something that’s this important.”

If possible, you may also want to build in some buffer time to your request and ask them to provide the letter a week or two before the actual deadline. That way, even if your recommender faces an unexpected obstacle or delay, you can still ensure your materials are submitted on time.

4. Make the request.

To help ensure that your request gets completed on time and to your standards, be sure to provide your recommenders with everything they may need to write a letter on your behalf. 

Set the Stage

Set the stage for recommenders by explaining why you selected this particular graduate program and why you feel you’re a good fit. Gently guide recommenders to ensure each letter of recommendation:

• Describes how the recommender knows you and your work
• Outlines how and why they anticipate you will be successful in the program
• Provides specific examples that illustrate your top attributes

Providing your recommender with a bulleted list of highlights relating your experience to the program’s requirements can be incredibly helpful as they work to tie what they know about you and your work ethic to the specifics of this program.

Leiendecker explains:

“If you provide recommenders a format for the letter and points to think about, that can help get you a better letter . Be very clear about what you need from them and what the admissions committee is looking for. A personal letter that connects the program with your work and your professional goals will have the highest value. ”

Make it Easy for Recommenders

Whether you make your initial request in person or in writing , be sure to follow up and provide any relevant information the recommender may need to craft their letter. Depending on the situation, this might include:

• The university name
• The college name 
• The program name
• Your application
• Your statement of purpose
• Your college transcripts
• Any additionally required essays or statements
• Your research work highlights
• A list of any awards and honors you’ve received
• Your resumé
• The letter submission deadline
• Instructions for submitting the letter
• Your contact information (so recommenders can reach out to you with any clarifying questions)

Providing these materials upfront will remind the reviewer of your most important skills and help add color and context to each letter. 

5. Follow Up

It’s understandable to feel a bit shy about following up with recommenders. Still, if done politely and appropriately, this is useful in ensuring letters are written and submitted on time—and that they are the best reflection of you.

Review the Letter in Advance

If possible, consider politely asking recommenders if they can send you a copy of the letter before they submit it. This way, you’ll know what was written and potentially have more control over the process. If the letter is meandering or doesn’t hit the salient points you’re looking for, there may be an opportunity to tactfully ask if the recommender would mind making a few minor changes before sending in your letter.

Just remember to remain polite, receptive, and grateful for their time and energy throughout the process, and limit requests for edits or re-writes to one or two maximum.

Remember:  Some programs ask if applicants want to waive their right to review recommendation letters submitted on their behalf. Be sure to consider whether or not you’ve chosen to waive this right before requesting to review the letter with your recommender.

Provide Respectful Reminders

If you haven’t heard from recommenders as you get closer to the application deadline, it’s a good idea to make a polite inquiry several weeks before your application due date. There’s no need to pester them, but it can be helpful to send one gentle reminder confirming that they plan to write a letter and asking if they have any questions or points you can provide some insight on as they work. 

Hearing from you may be the prompt they need to get to work or follow up and ask for further input. The opportunity to answer any follow-up questions may even negate the need to ask for a copy of the letter ahead of time and allow you the opportunity to provide some input or feedback during the writing stage.

6.  Share Your Success

Send a note of gratitude as soon as recommenders write you a letter. “A thank you note goes a long way,” Leiendecker says. “Also, if you get into the program, write to recommenders letting them know and thanking them for their role in your success.” 

Want more tips and advice for applying to grad school? Explore our related articles . 

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• Letter of Recommendation FAQs

All letters must be submitted by your provider online. There are no exceptions to this policy.

• PhD/Master's Application Process
• Admissions - Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does the letter of recommendation process work?

When you fill out an application, you will be asked to enter contact information for your recommenders. Your recommenders will then receive a notification email with instructions for uploading their letter. Please note:

• Letters of recommendation will be automatically attached to your application as soon as they are submitted. 
• You may view the status of letters of recommendation within your application or from your Application Status Portal.

Q: How many recommendation letters are required?

The number of letters required varies by application type.

• For degree programs, three letters of recommendation are required. (To a maximum of five).
• For non-degree programs, two letters of recommendation are required.

Q: One of my recommenders wishes to submit the recommendation for me in paper form only. Is that OK?

Unfortunately, no. We will only accept letters submitted online.

If your recommender is only willing to provide a paper letter, you may want to consider a different recommender, as paper letters will not be considered. 

Q: Can I add a recommender after I submit my application?

From your Application Status Portal, you will be able to remind, add, or exclude a recommender. This feature is no longer available once the minimum required number of recommendations (3) has been received. 

Q: Can I delete a recommender?

Yes, you may “Exclude” a recommender from within your application or on your Application Status Portal. 

Q: I started an application last year and requested letters of recommendation that were submitted. Can those letters be attached to the new application I will be preparing for this coming year?

Unfortunately, no. You will have to identify your recommenders again in your current year application. Your recommenders will have to submit recommendations again.

Q: Will Yale GSAS accept letters of recommendation from a dossier service such as Interfolio?

Yes. We will accept letters of recommendation from Interfolio or other dossier services that have the ability to upload a letter directly to our online recommendation system on behalf of a faculty member. In such cases, please enter the dossier service-specific email address provided by the recommender when adding a recommender for your application.

Please be advised that dossier services generally will not fill out optional questions on our recommendation form, including ratings of your Academic Performance, Intellectual Potential, and Motivation for the Proposed Program of Study.

Paper letters and emailed PDFs are not acceptable. 

Q: I have been out of school for some time. May my recommenders be those who can attest to my professional work?

Yes; however, we suggest that at least one recommendation should originate from a faculty member of the last institution you attended as a full-time student. This is not mandatory and may not be feasible if you have been out of school for a number of years.

Q: One of my recommenders did not receive an email or is having trouble accessing the online recommendation system.

Once you enter your recommender’s information (including email address) and select “Send to Recommender,” an email is automatically generated and sent to your recommender. If your recommender does not receive the email, it is possible that their email provider is blocking the email. You may try resending the email or excluding the recommender and adding them again with a different email address. 

Q: Is there a deadline for letters of recommendation?

Recommenders may upload letters after the program deadline. We will add their letters to your application for review as soon as they arrive. Some programs begin reviewing applications right away, so it is best for recommenders to submit letters as soon as they are able. Please note that we only accept letters uploaded online; we do not accept mailed or faxed letters of recommendation.  

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The Purdue Graduate School application allows applicants to select up to three graduate campuses and/or majors per application. If you are applying to more than one graduate program, we highly suggest you contact your recommendation providers and encourage them to write all-inclusive letters of recommendation that support your suitability for all graduate programs listed on your application.

Unless otherwise noted within the Graduate Program Requirements Web page , three (3) letters of recommendation are required for degree-seeking applicants. If you choose to apply to more than one campus and/or graduate major, the graduate program that requires the highest number of letters of recommendation will establish the minimum number of letters of recommendation to be submitted.

Your references should be persons who can assess your academic potential such as faculty members, academic staff, supervisors, industry leaders, employers, or advisors.   The Purdue University Graduate School strongly encourages you to provide reference email addresses that are affiliated with an academic institution, professional organization, or employer.

When you create an online application to the Purdue Graduate School, once you click “Send to Recommender,” your recommendation providers will receive an email with instructions on submitting their recommendation online.

The Purdue University Graduate School strongly encourages you to provide an email address affiliated with an academic institution, professional organization, or employer. Once the online recommendation is submitted the graduate program to which you applied will have access to view your online recommendation.

If you waive your right to examine your recommendation, you forfeit your right to request a copy of your recommendation letter.  If you do not waive your right, you have the ability to request a copy of your recommendation letter.  Some recommendation providers may be reluctant to submit a recommendation on your behalf if you do not waive your right to view the letter.

For recommenders wishing to complete a paper recommendation, please send the following recommendation form ( PDF ).

Not all programs use the default form above. Please consult the Graduate Program Requirements Web page for recommendation letter requirements. If your program indicates that it uses a separate recommendation form, a link to that form will be provided by the graduate program.

For additional information, please visit our Letter of Recommendation  FAQ .

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If you have trouble accessing this page because of a disability, please contact The Purdue University Graduate School .

/images/cornell/logo35pt_cornell_white.svg" alt="university recommendation letter phd"> Cornell University --> Graduate School

Recommendations.

References are a required part of the Graduate School application. Students must submit the names and contact information for their references directly on the application. These faculty receive an email with a link to an online form to complete the reference. Referees can upload or type directly into the text box provided.

Number of Recommendations

Most fields require two or three letters of recommendation. Please check field admissions requirements for your proposed field.

Recommenders

Ph.D., M.A., and M.S. applicants:  Letters must be submitted by faculty members from your current or prior academic institution who are acquainted with your academic work. If you haven’t been a student for some time, check with your prospective field to see whether recommendations from someone familiar with your professional performance might be acceptable instead.

Applicants for professional master’s degrees: Letters may be submitted by faculty members or those familiar with your professional performance. Contact your field for specific guidance.

Your Rights

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 allows you to review letters of recommendation submitted on your behalf after you enroll at Cornell University. You can waive your right to inspect your recommendations by checking “waive access” below each recommender’s address and before you submit the request. Waiving your right lets your recommenders know that you will not view their letters and lets the review committee know that your recommenders have provided their candid and truthful support.

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Requesting Letters of Recommendation

What admissions committees look for in a recommendation letter.

After the writing sample, one of the most important parts of an application to a doctoral program is your recommendation letters. Together, these letters help to paint a picture of the kind of student you have been and the kind of student and colleague you are likely to be in the future. The purpose of this page is to offer more detail about letters of reference.

The general guidelines: you should prepare for at least three letters of recommendation, and

• Ask for your letters well in advance of your deadlines
• Send your recommenders any additional application materials that might help them write a strong letter for you.
• Make sure you let your recommenders know specific things that you’d like them to speak about in their letters (e.g., your research or your teaching abilities)

Because these letters are so important, you’ll need to consider carefully whom to ask to write a letter for you. In most cases, these will be from professors in whose classes you’ve done well, or with whom you have a particular connection (e.g., you did an independent study with them, or they’ve mentored you). But it’s not necessarily the case that any professor will do. As you think about whom to ask to write a reference letter, consider the points below.

• Rank and connection to the university: It’s impossible to know what a particular admissions committee looks for in terms of seniority, tenure status, etc. However, a general guideline is that you’d ideally like at least one person with a long and deep familiarity with higher education, admissions processes, and the general profile of graduate students applying to PhDs. This experience can often give a recommender a particularly broad perspective that committees appreciate.
• Area of specialization: This is one of the most important aspects of selecting recommenders. A committee will want to know whether someone with extensive research and publications in the student’s interest area judges their potential to be excellent. So, a less-senior faculty member in your area of interest may be a far better recommender than someone who works in a different area but has been around longer.
• Setting aside the important issues of interest areas and personal characteristics, talents, or skill sets outside of the discipline, what admissions committees are usually looking for in a candidate is someone who already has a significant understanding of the literature in which they intend to specialize; has a general understanding of professional norms in the field; has been very successful in coursework (where “successful” means A-level work); has original, important ideas and perspectives; and is ready or close to being ready to write articles suitable for publication. So, the strongest reference letter would give evidence for each of those claims, and you should choose references who can write strongly in these areas.
• Finally, in particular cases you may want to ask an unusual recommender candidate to write you a letter addressing a particular skill. For example, if you are expert in an instrument, a language, a form of community engagement, etc., that person can make the case for you that this is a serious area of commitment in which you are already prepared to do work – not just something you’re using to puff up your application.

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Admission Requirements

The M.S. in Artificial Intelligence for Business program Our 30-credit AI-focused programis a swift route for professionals to enhance their skills and progress in the field of business and AI. Our goal is to train professionals who can use AI strategically, across all aspects of business, but also do so while being mindful of ethical and regulatory issues that entail AI implementation in business.  

Steps for admission in the M.S. in Artificial Intelligence for Business program.

Candidates may be required to participate in an admissions interview.

1. Apply for the program online.

Get the process started by applying online. You can pay the $50 application fee using your credit card or bank account.

Tip: The earlier you apply and submit a completed application, the faster you’ll receive an admission decision. If you’re admitted to the program, you can register for classes early, increasing your chances of getting the classes you want.

2. Request your transcripts.

Request your official college transcripts as soon as possible, as they can take time to print, prepare and mail. The Office of Admission requires original transcripts from all universities you’ve attended. FAQ:   What is the typical GPA range for newly admitted students?  Most students admitted to our program hold undergraduate cumulative GPA's between 3.0 – 4.0 and come from all academic majors.  

Note:  If you attended a non-U.S. institution, you must provide the official transcript and a transcript evaluation with a course-by-course analysis conducted by a transcript evaluation service such as World Education Services . In addition, an English proficiency test is needed for non-native English speakers.  In some cases, this requirement may be waived.  We ask for TOEFL scores of 79 or IELTS 6.0. Contact our international admissions  for details. 

Tip: It’s easiest to have the institution send your transcript directly to us (see step 6). However, if a transcript must first be mailed to you and then forwarded to us, do not break the seal upon receipt.

3. Submit one letter of recommendation

One recommendation letter is required for candidates with a GPA less than 3.0.  It should come from someone with the ability to evaluate your academic aptitude and/or professional experience, such as a professor, supervisor, project partner, or mentor.

Candidates with a GPA above 3.0 are not required to submit a letter of recommendation but it is welcomed.

Examples should include details of your work history, thoughts on your competence as an employee, an explanation of why they think you’d be a successful MBA candidate, description of you academic ability, etc. Ask the writers to put their letters of recommendation in sealed envelopes with their signatures on the back flap.

Give those individuals who are writing your letters of recommendation at least two weeks—but preferably a month—to complete the task. This allows them to take their time and communicate their thoughts and recommendations of the likelihood that you will succeed in the program.

4. Prepare and submit your resume.

5. write your personal statement..

Your personal statement is important, so take your time writing it. Clearly tell us more about your background and interest and how the University of Baltimore M.S. in Cybersecurity Leadership program will assist you in achieving your academic and professional development goals. You can submit your essay with your online application or submit it at a later time.

Tip: Make sure your essay is well written and exhibits a high level of academic and professional competency. Again, don’t forget to proofread for grammatical and spelling errors.

6. Mail or email materials.

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[email protected]

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• Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering >
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• MS & ME Admissions

Master's Programs Admissions

Our MS, ME and certificate programs provide advanced study which allow students to gain mastery as a practitioner in a specialized area within ISE.

On this page:

Fall Admission

• February 15: Full consideration
• We accept applications on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Spring Admission

• October 1:  Full consideration

Admissions Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree in engineering or a related technical field, such as math, physics, behavioral sciences or health sciences. Appropriate academic background varies by graduate specialization.
• A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) for all undergraduate work undertaken during the last two years of the applicant's studies. 
• GRE scores are optional for both MS and ME program admissions.
• We will also consider demonstrated practical engineering experience and demonstrated leadership skills

In addition to the above requirements, each entering student is expected to be skilled in a number of specific areas. Proficiency is required in mathematics through the level of multivariate calculus, probability and statistics considered from a calculus point of view, and computer programming. These requirements must be satisfied prior to admission. Students whose backgrounds have not adequately prepared them to enter the graduate curriculum directly may be asked to take appropriate undergraduate courses. Credit for these courses will not be applied toward the minimum number of hours required for the MS/ME degrees. In exceptional cases, the department may admit an applicant who does not meet all these requirements; in such cases, the department will set special performance criteria for continuing in the program.  

Application Materials

Application form.

All domestic and international students must apply online for the MS/ME programs.

Application Fee

A non-refundable application fee of $85 must be submitted for each graduate application before it will be reviewed. You can pay the application fee in your Application Status Portal via credit card. The link to pay your application fee will appear shortly after you submit your application. If you have an issue with your application fee, please contact [email protected] .

We do not offer application fee waivers for our programs. Only US Military/Veterans and their spouses and participants in special programs such as Americorps, McNair Scholars, EOP, HEOP, SEEK, or Project 1000 are eligible for an application fee waiver. Program participants must also be a US citizen or permanent resident. There are no exceptions. If you are eligible and requesting a waiver, please contact [email protected] with documentation of your military service or program participation.

Materials Checklist

Personal statement.

Your application package must include a brief statement of purpose describing your background and your academic and career goals. The Personal Statement can be typed into the space provided on the application or uploaded electronically to the application.

Transcripts

Unofficial copies of transcripts are to be uploaded to your online application. Official transcripts are not required at the time the application is submitted. If an applicant is accepted and decides to attend our program, official transcripts will be requested at that time.

Letters of Recommendation

Recommendation letters are  not required  for MS/ME applicants and are recommended only for students who do not have an undergraduate engineering degree or other exceptional circumstances.

While we will accept letters from professional sources, we strongly prefer three letters of recommendation from professors who are acquainted with your academic interests, achievements and abilities.

Requests for letters of recommendation will be emailed to your recommenders upon submitting your application form. Recommenders can submit their recommendations online. Once submitted, they are automatically uploaded to your online application.

Did you know? UB's graduate application process is paperless and saves more than 200,000 pages of paper each year!

Please DO NOT send hard copies of materials unless specifically asked.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

GRE scores are optional for MS and ME program admissions. Please note: the GRE may be required for some scholarship/fellowships.

English Language Proficiency

International applicants are required to provide proof of English proficiency. The exam results must be dated within two years from your proposed date of admission and remain valid upon entering the term for which you applied. The University at Buffalo has a minimum TOEFL score requirement of 550 (paper-based) or 79 (internet-based). On IELTS, UB requires an overall score of 6.5.

Sending ETS Scores Please send your GRE or TOEFL results to the University at Buffalo electronically from ETS by using institution code 2925 (no department codes necessary)

Information and arrangements to take the GRE and TOEFL exams can be made by contacting the Educational Testing Service (ETS) . It is strongly recommended to make test arrangements early in the year so sufficient time can be allowed for the results to be reported before our application deadline.

International Student Financial Form

All international applicants must submit a completed financial form. Answer all questions thoroughly. An I-20 cannot be issued without this form and supporting documentation showing necessary funds for each year of intended study (two years for a master's program; five years for a PhD program). This information can be uploaded to your online application. If you have any questions, please email us at  [email protected] . We will be glad to assist you in any way possible. 

Financial Aid

If you are interested in financial aid in the form of a teaching assistantship or research assistantship, please check the appropriate box on your application form. No applicant will be considered for financial aid until the application is complete and the applicant has been admitted. For more information, visit or contact the Office of Financial Aid .

Application Deadlines

The Graduate Admissions Committee will consider applicants whose application packages are complete by the following deadlines:

For Fall Admission:

• February 15 - Full consideration

For Spring Admission:

• October 1 - Full consideration

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Sunday, April 28

Previous issues, submit a tip.

Faculty, students, and community members speak out in support for two arrested grad students

Students sit and listen during Gaza solidarity sit-in.

Louisa Gheorghita / The Daily Princetonian

This story is breaking and will be updated as further information becomes available.

On April 27, 145 faculty and postdoctoral researchers sent a letter to top University administrators, calling for “the immediate and full reinstatement” of Achinthya Sivalingam GS and Hassan Sayed GS, the two graduate students arrested early Thursday morning at the beginning of the Gaza solidarity sit-in in McCosh Courtyard. The two students remain barred from campus, but have been permitted to return to their non-dormitory housing that is owned by the University.

The letter also demands “that any and all punitive measures taken against the students be immediately reversed and expunged from their university and public records,” and calls for the University to “provide a public and transparent accounting of how disciplinary measures are going to be taken with students moving forward.” 

“I appreciate the outpouring of support I’ve received from students, faculty, and community members, my alma mater Northwestern, friends across the world, and family. Professors offered places to stay in the half-day where I was evicted and had nowhere to go,” Sayed wrote in a statement to the ‘Prince’ on Saturday, saying that hundreds of people have been contacting the University to drop legal and disciplinary charges against him and Sivalingam.

“A university cannot simultaneously uphold its supposed ideals of free expression and speech while forcibly and arbitrarily barring students from campus, evicting them from housing, and threatening academic consequences for exercising those very rights,” he added.

The letter was sent to University President Christopher Eisgruber ’83, Provost Jennifer Rexford, Dean of the College Jill Dolan, Vice President for Campus Life W. Rochelle Calhoun, Dean of the Graduate School Rodney Priestley, and Dean of the Faculty Gene Jarrett.

Sayed’s Ph.D. advisors, Pietro Ortoleva, professor of economics and public affairs, and Leah Boustan, professor of economics, told The Daily Princetonian that they will continue to help Sayed with his research. 

“We have been in contact with Hassan, and we will continue to meet him regularly off-campus to ensure that he can proceed with his research,” Ortoleva wrote to the ‘Prince.’ 

According to a post by Princeton Israeli Apartheid Divest (PIAD) on X, Sivalingam and Sayed were released by 9:02 a.m. Thursday morning. The post claimed they were “charged with trespassing and getting EVICTED from their on campus housing.”

“We shouldn’t have zip tied you so tightly” cops tell our students. They’re being charged with trespassing and getting EVICTED from their on campus housing. pic.twitter.com/y67nspCNM7 — Princeton Israeli Apartheid Divest (@PtonDivestNow) April 25, 2024

“It seems like it’s a very trivial thing to arrest him,” Aamir Shabbir, Sayed’s father, told the ‘Prince’ on Friday morning. “I think, in my opinion, Princeton University administration also needs to rethink their policy. Are they just trying to bully or intimidate by making these two arrests and send a message or [is there] a deeper issue here?”

The two students were given five minutes to collect their belongings. While the post from PIAD, which had 72k views as of 1:25 a.m., claimed that the two students were evicted, University Spokesperson Michael Hotchkiss clarified that the students would be permitted to return to their housing, as the bar did not extend to non-dormitory residences.

“The University has not evicted anyone today. Under University protocol , Public Safety may initially accompany students barred from campus (regardless of reason) to their University housing to collect whatever belongings they require in the short term, until the specific terms of their bar from campus are determined by the designated administrator,” Hotchkiss wrote.

Christopher Catalano, vice president of Graduate Student Government (GSG), wrote in an email to the ‘Prince’ that the student government is “in communication with the administration of the Graduate School.”

He stressed that the GSG acknowledges the ability of the administration to “generally set the conditions of protest activities permitted on campus,” but expressed that “based on the information publicly available, we are not aware of a credible threat these students would pose to the safety of the campus community which would require they be barred from campus.”

Catalano also referred to the GSG Executive Board recommendations in his email, which reads, “If punitive actions must be pursued, the setting of Student Conduct proceedings is a far more appropriate forum than lodging criminal charges. The housing contracts of these students must be honored. These students be permitted (sic) to return to campus.”

Student protesters also received support from faculty, many of whom are affiliated with Faculty for Justice in Palestine (FJP). At least 12 faculty have spoken at the sit-in so far. These professors include: Ruha Benjamin, professor of African American studies; Max Weiss, associate professor of history; Behrooz Ghamari-Tabrizi, professor and chair of the Department of Near Eastern Studies; Dan-El Padilla Peralta, associate professor of classics; Augustín Fuentes, professor of anthropology; Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, professor of African American studies; Mitch McEwen, assistant professor at the School of Architecture; Tehseen Thaver, assistant professor of religion; Joshua Guild, associate professor of history and African American studies; Zia Mian, senior research scholar and co-director of Princeton University’s Program on Science and Global Security; Gyan Prakash, professor of history; and Ikaika Ramones, assistant professor of anthropology.

Assistant professors are appointed for a   three year term , after the second of which they are terminated or promoted to full professorship.   Associate professors are also appointed for three-years, after which their service  is terminated, continued without limitation, or promoted to full professorship . Full professors and some associates professors have tenure . 

Miriam Waldvogel is an associate News editor and the investigations editor for the ‘Prince.’ She is from Stockton, Calif. and often covers campus activism and University accountability.

Christopher Bao is an assistant News editor and the accessibility director for the ‘Prince.’ He is from Princeton, N.J. and typically covers town politics and life.

Olivia Sanchez is an associate News editor for the ‘Prince.’ She is from New Jersey and often covers the graduate school and academic departments.

Editor‘s Note: This piece has been updated to include comment from Sayed.

Correction: This piece has been updated to correct a quote from University spokesperson Michael Hotchkiss regarding the allegations of eviction, clarify tenure policies, and Professor Ruha Benjamin's role. The ‘Prince’ regrets these errors. 

USG holds eleventh-hour emergency meeting, statement on Lawnparties to come

With day four of the sit-in beginning, USG had yet to officially gather to discuss the demonstration. The ‘Prince’ spoke to non-voting attendees and USG Senate members, some of whom expressed frustration at the lack of action, and others who chalked the night’s events up to the execution of procedure.

Day four of ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment’ at Princeton

Sunday marks day four of the Princeton sit-in in solidarity with Gaza. Lawnparties activities are set to take place — follow for live updates.

Day three of ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment’ at Princeton

Saturday marks day three of the Princeton sit-in in solidarity with Gaza. Protesters remained on McCosh Courtyard through the night — follow for live updates.

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