How to Get Recommendation Letters for Grad School

Recommendation letters are a critical part of the graduate school application. If you are planning on applying to grad school, think about who you will ask for letters of recommendation well before you begin preparing your graduate school application. Make contact with professors during the first two years of college and develop relationships, as you will rely on them to write recommendation letters that will land you a spot in the graduate program of your choice. Every graduate program requires applicants to submit recommendation letters. Dont underestimate the importance of these letters. While your transcript, standardized test scores, and admissions essay are vital components of your graduate school application, an excellent recommendation letter can make up for weaknesses in any of these areas. Requirements A well-written recommendation letter provides admissions committees with information that isnt found elsewhere in the application. It is a detailed discussion, from a faculty member, of the personal qualities, accomplishments, and experiences that make you unique and perfect for the programs to which youve applied. A helpful letter of recommendation provides insights that cannot be gleaned by simply reviewing an applicants transcript  or standardized test scores. Moreover, a recommendation can validate a candidates admissions essay. Whom to Ask Most graduate programs require at least two—and more commonly three—recommendation letters. Most students find choosing professionals to write recommendations difficult. Consider faculty members, administrators, internship/cooperative education supervisors, and employers. The people you ask to write your recommendation letters should: Know you wellKnow you long enough to write with authorityKnow your workDescribe your work positivelyHave a high opinion of youKnow where you are applyingKnow your educational and career goalsBe able to favorably compare you with your peersBe well-knownBe able to write a good letter No one person will satisfy all of these criteria. Aim for a set of recommendation letters that cover the range of your skills. Ideally, letters should cover your academic and scholastic skills, research abilities and experiences, and applied experiences (such as cooperative education, internships, and related work experience). For example, a student who is applying to a Master of Social Work program or a program in clinical psychology might include recommendations from faculty who can attest to her research skills as well as recommendation letters from faculty or supervisors who can speak to her clinical skills and potential. How to Ask There are good and bad ways of approaching faculty to ask for a letter of recommendation. Time your request well: Dont corner professors in the hallway or immediately before or after class. Request an appointment, explaining that youd like to discuss your plans for graduate school. Save the official request and explanation for that meeting. Ask the professor if he knows you well enough to write a meaningful and helpful recommendation letter. Pay attention to his demeanor. If you sense reluctance, thank him and ask someone else. Remember that it is best to ask early in the semester. As the end of the semester approaches, faculty may hesitate because of time restraints. Also be aware of common mistakes students make when requesting recommendation letters, such as asking too close to the admissions deadline. Make the request at least a month ahead of time, even if you dont have your application materials composed or your final list of programs selected. Provide Information   The best thing that you can do to ensure that your recommendation letters cover all areas is to provide your recommenders with all the necessary information. Dont assume that they will remember everything about you. For example, a professor might remember that a student is exceptional and an excellent participant in class but may not recall all of the details when she sits down to write—how many classes the student took with her and extracurricular interests, such as being active in the psychology honors society.  Provide a file with all of your background information: TranscriptResume or curriculum vitaeAdmissions essaysCourses youve taken with each recommending professorResearch experienceInternship and other applied experiencesHonor societies to which you belongAwards youve wonWork experienceProfessional goalsDue date for the applicationCopy of the application recommendation forms (if a paper/hard copy letter is required and if the forms are provided by the institution)List of programs to which you are applying (and have them send email requests for recommendations early, well before the deadline) Importance of Confidentiality The recommendation forms supplied by graduate programs require you to decide whether to waive or retain your rights to see your recommendation letters. If you decide to retain your rights, remember that confidential recommendation letters tend to carry more weight with admissions committees. In addition, many faculty will not write a recommendation letter unless it is confidential. Other faculty may provide you with a copy of each letter, even if it is confidential. If you are unsure of what to decide, discuss it with a college adviser As the application deadline approaches, check with your recommenders—but dont nag. Contacting the graduate programs to inquire whether your materials were received is also appropriate. Regardless of the outcome of your application, send a thank you note once you have determined that faculty members have submitted their letters.