Letters of Recommendation & Transcripts

Recommendations
Usually, two or three letters of recommendation will be required for admission into a graduate program.  Check with the institution of your choice for their policy.  They may require the recommendations to be from faculty members, however, some schools may specify a mix of faculty members and others who know you well. 

When choosing a reference, you should look for someone who has a high opinion of you, knows you in and out of class, is familiar with your goals, and has worked with or taught a large number of students.  This person should be someone whose opinion will be held in high regard.

Before listing a reference, ask them if they feel they know you well enough to write a strong reference for you.  Request the written reference at least one month prior to the application deadline and provide your references with self-addressed, stamped envelopes.  In addition, give them any supporting material, such as a resume or copy of your application essay, which will facilitate their ability to write your recommendation.

Institutions will generally give you a choice of making your recommendation confidential or non-confidential.  Discuss this option with your reference writer.  If you make it confidential, you will give up your right to review that recommendation. Typically, institutions will give additional credibility to a confidential recommendation, therefore it is advisable to waive your right to see the recommendation.  If it is non-confidential, you will have the right to see the recommendation.  Some of your references may provide you with a copy of the letter voluntarily. The decision to have your recommendations confidential or non-confidential is up to you, but this decision must be made before the letters are written.