Letters of recommendation (LORs) are a key component of your graduate school application. A strong one can provide meaningful support, while a lukewarm one can really hurt your chances of admission. In this blog post, we’ll answer two questions: who should write in support of your PhD application, and how can you make sure your LORs are as good as they can be?

How to Choose the Best LOR Writers

• Select recommenders who are familiar with your abilities and have a background that mirrors your interests. It is important to select LOR writers who not only know you well but also have known you for a reasonably long period of time. Select individuals who can comment specifically and knowledgeably about your abilities. It is helpful if you have stayed in touch with your recommenders since you studied or worked with them. You should select recommenders who are aware of your interests, skills, and strengths.
  
  In addition, choose individuals who are knowledgeable about you and your potential. The more closely the writer’s background aligns with your intended field of study, the better. You should select faculty members to write the majority of your LORs for PhD programs. Some programs will specify how many of your letters should be from academic recommenders. 

• Consider both employers and internship supervisors. If you have relevant work experience, you can ask a current or previous employer to write an LOR on your behalf. In it, they should focus on your research potential. You could also ask your internship supervisor to be a recommender if the type of work you did as an intern is related to your intended field of study.
  
  
• Confirm their ability to deliver a strong recommendation. When you approach potential recommenders about writing a letter in support of your application, ask whether they feel they could write a strong, positive letter. This provides a gentle way for a hesitant recommender to decline. They can admit that they don’t think they know you well enough to do so (or you might sense their hesitation), and then you can move on to someone else who can and will.

How to Help Your Recommenders Write Strong LORs

• Share relevant information and materials. It is important to provide information and materials to your recommenders that will help them write the strongest letter possible. These can include your resume, samples of work you produced for their class (for faculty members), or a list of job accomplishments (for supervisors). You should also share your current research interests with the letter writer, as well as a list of the schools and specific degree programs to which you are applying. You can also send them a link to Accepted’s ten tips for LOR writers. Provide all these materials at one time in an organized manner. 
  
  
• Make time to meet. Offer to meet with your recommender to discuss your plans and goals.
  
  
• Provide submission instructions. Be sure to give your recommenders information on the process of submitting their LOR to each school. Most graduate schools use online systems for their LOR submissions, in which the letter writer fills out a form and uploads or attaches a written statement. You give your recommender’s contact information to the schools you’re targeting, and the schools will send your recommenders details on accessing the online form. Ask your recommenders to check their spam folder for the LOR emails, just in case.
  
  
• Set a reasonable deadline – and then follow up! Agree with your recommender on a timeline of at least several weeks to complete their letter. If you are asking a faculty member, be aware of the academic calendar; the final weeks of the semester are often very busy. And remember that professors sometimes go on sabbatical, which means they might not be available at certain times. A few days before the agreed-upon deadline, send a reminder to your letter writer.

Say “Thank You!”

Always remember to follow up with a thank-you note to your recommenders. Hopefully, you can write them another thank-you note after you get in, sharing the good news!

Choose your PhD LOR writers wisely, and then ensure they have all the materials they need to construct strong letters that will represent your greatest strengths. We can help! Schedule a free consultation to discuss your LORs or any other aspect of your PhD application.

Formerly the associate dean for career and community service at Lesley University, Alice Diamond has an extensive background in career and admissions advising for undergraduate and graduate students. She has expertise in working with candidates applying to top graduate degree programs, including ones for clinical and counseling psychology, social work, public health, public policy, education, expressive arts therapy, and environmental studies. Want to work with Alice? Click here to get in touch!

Related Resources

• What You Need to Know About PhD Admissions, a free guide
• Applying to PhD Programs: When, Where, How, and Why?
• Get Accepted to PhD Programs in the Humanities, Accepted’s Admissions Straight Talk podcast Episode 568