Tips on letters of recommendation for grad school

Graduate school letters of recommendation provide the admissions committee with another perspective on your skills, academic and professional performance and personal character. Typically, you will need to provide two to three letters of recommendation and you should start planning for them early.

Follow these tips to ensure you have the best letters of recommendation possible:

Early stages• Develop and maintain positive relationships with professors and your employers or internships (supervisors) early on in your college career.• Try to assemble an array of people who can attest to different aspects of your professional and academic qualifications. For example, a professor or two, a former internship/lab supervisor or a mentor.

When asking for letters of recommendation• Ensure that you only ask professors who know you and your work well, and who think highly of you. If you’re a senior, don’t ask a professor you had sophomore year and haven’t spoken to since. Try to also ask professors from whom you’ve received high grades.• Once you’ve decided, reach out to writers as early as possible. Professors and other professionals are extremely busy, so allow them ample time to craft your letter. At least one to three month’s notice before the deadline is ideal.• When approaching letter writers, provide them with as much information as possible. Detail which of your strengths and past projects you’d like them to highlight. Provide them with copies of your most recent résumé, descriptions of the programs to which you’re applying and copies of relevant projects. Doing so will allow them to tailor their letters and highlight your fit.

Once you’ve asked• Once letter writers have said “yes,” make sure they are aware of the deadlines. They will also appreciate being provided with a stamped, addressed envelope or the URL and instructions for submission.• Waive your official rights to seeing these letters in the future. Confidential letters are likely to be taken more seriously by the admissions committee.• Be sure to send thank you notes – either handwritten or emailed.• Keep your recommenders updated and let them know of your acceptances so they can celebrate with you!

While you cannot control the content of your letters of recommendation, you can control how smooth and easy the process is for your letter writers. Choosing strong letter writers will allow you exert positive influence on what goes into your letters. Start early, put time into your letters and it will all pay off in the end!