Two letters of recommendations are required. If you completed your undergraduate degree within the past three years, at least one letter must be from a professor at your undergraduate institution. For those who completed an undergraduate degree over three years ago, you may opt for professional references from a recent supervisor or colleague. Character references or letters from relatives or friends are not acceptable.
Your recommenders should know your interests in our program and how they fit with your career path and goals. If possible, we suggest you give them at least three weeks advance notice to complete your recommendation. When they receive the recommendation link, they will be asked to rate you on a few competencies that are important to our program, such as work ethic, integrity, problem-solving, writing skills, etc. We also list a few attributes we want them to discuss in their letters. We suggest selecting recommenders that are able to attest to these qualities about you.
Should you waive the right to see your Letters of Recommendation?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) gives you the right of access to the contents of any recommendation letters, unless you specifically waive that right. The option to waive or not to waive your right is on our form, so your recommenders will know what you request.
That said, many graduate schools prefer confidential letters, which means you’ve waived the right to read the recommendations. These evaluations are considered more candid and accurate. It is up to you to consider the pros and cons of keeping or waiving your right, but you should make the same decision for both recommendations.
