![]() A supervisor or work mentor can talk about your experience in the field and your work ethic. For the other(s), you may want to include someone who knows you professionally or from some kind of work that you do.Ī professor who knows you well can speak to your academic and career goals-and your strengths in the classroom. Usually, though, of the two or three letters you submit, one or two should know you in an academic setting. Do Recommendations for Graduate School Have to be From Professors?Īgain, first and foremost, follow whatever guidelines the school you’re applying to is providing. Most of the letter should detail why they recommend you for the program, with a couple of broad statements and a few supporting details. Three to four nice paragraphs should suffice, hitting the highlights without bogging the reader down with fluff or hard-to-follow stories.īasically, your letter writers should very briefly introduce themselves, say how they know you and then make the case for you. But, generally speaking, use the same rule of thumb for a letter of recommendation as for a resume: Stick to one page. How Long Should a Recommendation Letter Be for Graduate School?Īlways follow the guidance given by the school you are applying to. It also means your letter won’t be forgotten in the end-of-semester rush. Don’t take it personally if they do! Some people might feel that they don’t know you well enough to give an accurate review, and others might just be too swamped to add another item to their to-do list.Īsking early enough will give you plenty of time to approach a backup if your first choice doesn’t pan out. Meanwhile, you can get a sense of whether they have any hesitation in recommending you. You’ll want to talk in person, if possible, so that they can ask you questions. ![]() That means asking to meet with them about six weeks in advance. When Should I Ask for Grad School Recommendations?Ī good rule of thumb is to give your letter writers at least a month’s notice. This way, they can bolster your submissions without echoing them. Provide your letter writers with a copy of your admission essay and resume so that they are prepared before they start writing. They underscore the attributes that make you a match for the program to which you are applying. Good letters cover your personal qualities and the accomplishments and experiences that make you stand out from others. What they should do is validate and expand on the information you are providing. They shouldn’t repeat the same things you use in your personal essay. They don’t need to rehash which classes you took or what your GPA is. Your letters should provide information not found elsewhere in your application. What Should a Graduate School Recommendation Letter Include? You want letters that are accurate, authentic and on time. But grad school letters of recommendation round everything out, giving a subjective glimpse of how others see you-your qualities, your competencies and your potential.Įven though you won’t be the one writing these letters, it’s still important to understand how to facilitate the process. Test scores and transcripts provide an objective measuring stick. Much of that illustration comes from you: You’ll be writing your essay and putting together your resume. The Ultimate Guide to Grad School Letters of RecommendationĪn application to graduate school should paint a picture of who you are.
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