Advice
Tips for Securing Strong Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are an important part of your grad school application. They give the admissions committee a chance to learn more about you from someone who has worked with you in a professional or academic setting and can speak to your strengths, accomplishments, and potential for success in graduate school.
What We Look For
Wagner accepts letters from professional or academic references, and we prefer one of each. If you've been out of an academic setting for some time, two professional letters are also welcome. For Executive MPA applicants, two professional letters are preferred.
If you're getting ready to apply, here are a few tips to help you secure strong recommendations:
- Choose your recommenders thoughtfully.
When deciding who to ask, focus on people who know you well and can speak specifically about your skills and experiences. This could be a supervisor, professor, mentor, or someone else who has worked closely with you. A detailed, personal letter that includes examples of your work and contributions will always have more impact than a generic one. Never ask a friend or family member to write a recommendation letter for graduate school. - Share your goals.
Your recommenders may know you well, but they might not know why you're applying to grad school or what your long-term goals are. Share with them what inspired you to apply, what you hope to accomplish, and why you're interested in the program. Consider sharing your resume or personal statement as well. These documents can help your recommender get a better sense of your experiences and goals so that they can write a more personalized recommendation. - Ask for permission before you add a recommender to your application.
Before you enter someone's information into your application, make sure you've asked if they're willing to write a recommendation for you. At Wagner, recommenders are automatically contacted as soon as you enter their contact information in the application, and you don't want them to be caught off guard. Asking ahead of time is courteous and lets them know whether they have the time to write you a strong letter. - Keep track of the deadlines.
Once your recommenders have agreed to write for you, be sure they know when their letter is due and give them plenty of time to complete it. As the deadline approaches, a friendly reminder can also be helpful. Remember, although your recommenders are submitting the letters, you are ultimately responsible for making sure that all materials are received on time.
By choosing your recommenders carefully, giving them plenty of notice, and providing the information they need, you'll make it much easier for them to write a letter that highlights what makes you a great candidate.
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