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Preparing Letter of Recommendation

Graduate School > Applicant Forms > Letters of Recommendation

Applicants | Online Application

Instructions for Preparing Letter of Recommendation

For Applicants:

1.      Applicants must have at least three (3) letters of recommendation submitted as required documents for graduate application. At least one letter should be from a professor in your undergraduate major or your proposed field of graduate study.

2.  Recommendations can be submitted either online (preferred) or by postal mail using sealed envelope, as explained below.

• Online Recommendation: Applicants may initiate online letter of reference for their recommenders by login in to "Manage Supporting Documents" section on the web. Once the applicant specifies the name, designation and contact information of a reference, that person will automatically receive an email about instructions on how to submit a recommendation letter online. The recommendation should be submitted within the application deadline. Please note that, the recommender must have internet access for this option.

• Postal Mail: Letters of recommendation should be sent directly to the Department/Program using the addresses listed here, or returned to the applicant in a sealed envelope to be hand delivered or mailed to the department by the applicant. Applicants should provide this information as well as the instructions stated below to each individual recommender.

• Online Recommendation: The recommender will receive an email from the Graduate School informing him/her about the request for recommendation from the applicant. The email will provide further instructions on how to proceed with the online recommendation.
• Instructions for Submission through Postal Mail:
  • Letter of recommendation must be printed on official letterhead.
  • In your recommendation, please include the name of the applicant, how long you have known the applicant and in what capacity. Also comment on the applicant’s strengths and weaknesses for graduate study, intellectual ability, ability to work with others, writing/speaking ability, teaching ability (if applicable), and other relevant accomplishments. 
  • The Letter of Recommendation must be signed and dated by you (the reference). Please include your contact information and the institution and/or department with which you are affiliated. Indicate the applicant's name on the outside of the envelope.
  • Letters of recommendation should be sent directly to the Department/Program using the addresses listed here, or returned to the applicant in a sealed envelope to be hand delivered or mailed to the department by the applicant.
  • For Political Science applicants, recommenders should use this form for their recommendations.