Role of Letters of Recommendation in U.S. University admissions

Letters of recommendation (LORs), also known as reference letters in the Indian context, provide a fresh, independent evaluation of the applicant from someone who has observed the student in academic and/or professional contexts.

Hyderabad: We continue our series on essential components of the graduate-level applications to U.S. universities. Last week, we discussed the importance and the framework of the personal statement in highlighting each applicant’s unique story. This week we continue our discussion on another component of the graduate application packet – letters of recommendation.

Letters of recommendation (LORs), also known as reference letters in the Indian context, provide a fresh, independent evaluation of the applicant from someone who has observed the student in academic and/or professional contexts.

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Through LORs, admissions committees seek to gauge an applicant’s “fit-ment” for their educational institution and programs of study through the eyes of the referees (recommender). Therefore, it is crucial for applicants to request LORs from individuals who know them well and can effectively articulate both their academic and scholarly abilities, as well as their personal qualities.

While the requirements for reference letters may vary by department and/or institution, generally universities request two to three letters of reference as part of the master’s application. Students may take the letter either from an academic contact (such as their college teacher/professor) or a professional contact (such as their supervisor/project leader/client) if they have some work experience. Some institutions may require two out of the three letters to be taken from academic contacts.

If applying to the master’s program right after their bachelor’s studies, students may choose one or two lecturers/professors of relevant courses along with the school counsellor or adviser of their project/internship as their referees.

However, if the applicant is working or has worked in the past, depending on the requirements of the university, they may take one professional and two academic recommendations from lecturers/professors from the bachelor’s program who have taught them relevant courses. It is important that students carefully read the instructions related to reference letters provided on the website of the shortlisted universities before they request their letters from referees.

LORs are not just the responsibility of the referees. Students should inform the referees about their latest achievements, including any projects, internships, or work experience, as well as their intention to apply for a master’s program at the chosen university. The student’s resume and a draft of their personal statement also provide a summary of the student’s overall profile as well as their specific academic goals and reasons to choose a university and recommenders can review these documents before they draft their LORs. Students should also provide ample time to the referees so that they are able to craft strong letters of recommendation.

Usually, the submission process for LORs to U.S. institutions is digital and students are asked to provide the name and email address of their referees in the reference letter section of their application. The university application portal then sends an automated email to the referees containing a link to upload the reference letter. Referees can either compose the letter directly online or attach it as a file.

Students should notify their referees after submitting their contact details in the application and express gratitude with a thank-you note once the letters have been uploaded. On the rare occasion that an institution requires hard copies of LORs, students should ask their referees to print the recommendation on official letterhead, seal it in an envelope, sign across the flap, and give it to the student to be sent as part of the application packet or send it directly to the university – based on the process prescribed by the university.

Lastly, when filling out the reference letter section, students will typically be asked about the confidentiality of the letters. As LORs are meant to be confidential, students should generally waive their right to read them.