Destination US: Know how to receive, submit reference letters

Students should start planning letters of recommendation (LORs) collection process much in advance of their application deadlines

In the last column, while discussing EducationUSA’s third step (Complete your Application) for master’s applications to US universities, we focused on the role and importance of letters of recommendation (LOR), from whom to seek these letters, and the number of letters usually required by US universities.

We will continue the discussion today and talk about the process that a student should follow to receive and submit the LORs. Like other aspects of a US university application, students should start planning the LOR collection process much in advance of their application deadlines. It is especially important to give reasonable time to the references to write a good letter.

While approaching academic or professional contacts for reference letters, the student must share instructions with the reference from the institution where they are submitting the application. In addition, it is important that the references are up to date on student’s most recent profile, including any projects they have pursued, internships, or work experience, and their intent to apply for the master’s programme and the selected university. Therefore, the student should also share with the reference their resume along with a copy of their draft personal statement that they plan to submit with their application.

The submission process for LORs to US institutions is completely digital. Once the student starts to fill his/her online application, in the section on reference letters, they will be asked to submit the name and email address of their reference(s). Once this information is submitted by the student, an automated message is sent by the university application portal to the references’ email account with a link to upload the reference letter. The reference can either write the letter online in the link provided or upload it as an attachment. Students should make sure to inform their references after submitting their contact information in the online application and also send a thank you note once the reference has uploaded the recommendations.

In rare circumstances, an institution may request hard copies of reference letters from students. In such cases, student should ask the reference to print their recommendation on letterhead, seal it in an envelope, sign across the flap, and hand it over to the student. Student may then post this letter to the address provided by the US institution along with other application documents.

Lastly, while completing the section on reference letters, student will usually be asked about the confidentiality aspect of the letters. LORs are expected to be confidential and so students should generally waive the right to read the letter.

Next week, we will discuss another aspect of the US university applications for master’s programmes.

Monika Setia (Regional Officer and EducationUSA Adviser at the United States-India Educational Foundation based at the U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad)

Q&A:

Q. My son is currently in 2nd year B.Tech programme here in India. Is he eligible to transfer to a US university?
– Sridhar Reddy

A. While many students begin their undergraduate (bachelor’s) programmes in the United States at the freshman level (1st year), some students may choose to transfer from one institution to another. This could either be from an institution in the student’s home country to a US institution or from one US institution to another.

There are certain eligibility criteria that a student needs to meet for the transfer process. If a student is currently enrolled in an Indian institution and interested in transferring to a US college/university, he or she should have completed at least two years or four semesters of study at the current institution. In addition, the student should have achieved a certain level of academic performance set by the institution (measured by GPA or grades). Students must check specific transfer requirements, eligibility criteria, and credit transfer policies of the institution where they want to transfer to ensure that their transition is a seamless one.

Q. What is the difference between public and private universities in the US?
– Anasuya

A. State colleges and universities, also called public universities, are founded and subsidised by US State governments to provide low-cost education to residents of that State. These universities tend to be very large and generally admit a wider range of students than private universities. State university tuition costs are generally lower than those of private universities. International students, as well as those from other US States, are considered out-of-state residents and therefore pay a higher tuition than residents of the State in which the institution is located (although tuition is still generally lower than that of private universities).

Private colleges and universities are funded by a combination of endowments, gifts from their alumni, research grants, and tuition fees. Tuition fees tend to be higher than State universities, but there is no distinction made between State and non-State residents. Private universities are usually smaller, some may have religious affiliations, and some are single-gender schools.

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