Writing a Recommendation Letter for Graduate School (with Sample)

It is unethical to write recommendation letters on one’s own behalf, so the recommendation letters must come from people who know the person well. If a student deserves one, the majority of professors are more than happy to write a recommendation letter for them. 

This is just the professor’s way of showing a good student some extra attention, and most of the time they are more than pleased to do so.

Most applications require 3 recommendation letters

Three recommendation letters are typically required for college and university application packets. These letters are equally as significant as the graduate program application itself. 

It supports a person’s character and academic standing as a student by providing written evidence that the things they claim on their resume are accurate.

The last thing a university wants when reviewing applicants is someone who is unprepared for the difficulties of a more advanced degree. When it comes to the last stages of selection, they will take these letters into consideration.

To obtain the proper letter from a professor, it is beneficial to establish a solid working relationship with them. These letters could be the deciding factor in a student’s ability to enroll in a graduate program when it comes to a graduate school application.

Final Selection Process

The universities will make cuts in their candidate pool throughout the final selection process using the GPA (Grade Point Average) and the GRE (Graduate Record Examination). The recommendation letters are used once students have finished the first steps of the procedure.

deadline for applications

For most colleges, the application deadline is often in November or December. Unfortunately, the end of the semester and the beginning of the busiest season of the year, the holidays, make this a busy time for professors. It could be challenging to receive a recommendation letter at this time.

Starting to get these letters months beforehand is the greatest method to ensure that the application is submitted on time. By getting started early, this step of the application process will be taken care of. Start requesting letters in September and give professors around three weeks to complete them in order to give yourself plenty of time.

Professors are busy, so it might take some prodding from the student to get these letters. It is not unusual to give a kind reminder that the letter is overdue. Till the letter is mailed, be sure to follow through effectively.