Applying to Graduate School

Letters of Reference

Letters of reference provide committees with additional perspectives on your past performance and future potential. Consequently, when asking an individual to write a letter, consider who can comment specifically on your skills and abilities related to your chosen career area. Keep these tips in mind when arranging your letters:

• Request letters only from people who know you well enough to write strong letters of support; you may wish to arrange a meeting with the writer to discuss your future plans for an advanced degree.
• It is best to request letters when your work habits, skills and interests are fresh in the writer’s mind.
• Consider the range of possible writers, and which writers might best serve your purposes. Writers could include faculty, teaching assistants, past employers, or supervisors from volunteer and leadership experiences.
• Allow enough time for the letter to be written, keeping in mind that you may be one of several graduate school candidates requesting a letter from a particular faculty member.

One way to ensure that you have the necessary letters at the time of application is to open a Reference Letter File at The Career Center. Visit us on-line or in person to learn more about setting up a file.