Stage 6 · Lesson 5 of 9
Recommendation letters and how to ask
Most programmes need two or three , also called reference letters. These usually come from professors who taught or supervised you, and sometimes from an employer for experienced applicants. A strong letter comes from someone who knows your work closely and can compare you with other students.
It does not need the most senior name. Ask in person or by a short email six to eight weeks ahead. Make it easy for them.
Send your CV, your draft statement, a list of programmes with deadlines and submission links, and a short reminder of the work you did together. Send a polite reminder a week before each deadline. Never write the letter yourself, even if asked to draft it.
Common trapasking late, or choosing a famous who barely remembers you.
A question to check yourself, an AI practice session and 1 cheat sheet entry come when you add the roadmap to your account. Add it
Resources for this stage
Start with· follow one of these
- GuideFreePurdue OWL: Graduate School Applications
Purdue University Online Writing Lab
A free, practical guide to statements of purpose and personal statements from a university writing lab
- CourseFreeGoogle Technical Writing Courses
Google
Short free courses that make your statement and proposal clearer and tighter