Introduction
Grades and test scores are significant constituents when assessing college applications, however, they are not all present to impress admission officers. When admission officers evaluate prospective students, they consider both the hard factors (grades and scores) and the soft factors (extracurricular activities, interests, sample writings, statement of purpose or motivation letters and references, or recommendation letters). Do Universities care about references?
Of course, they do. An academic reference, also called an academic letter of recommendation is a type of written recommendation that commends a person’s character, abilities, and potential.
Why Do You Need References?
What exactly is the importance of a reference letter? You need one because it gives a third-person judgment and impression about your candidature. It talks about your characteristics and qualities as a person and relevant traits necessary for a student. It affirms admission officers of your abilities as a student.
Who Can Be Your Referee?
Your referee can be anyone among your lecturers who have taught or anyone you have worked with within an academic setting- could be during an Academic Internship or Academic Research. A lot of people are worried about how to get a professor to write them a reference letter. Here is the good news; it doesn’t necessarily have to be a professor. Your recommendation letter can come from any of your lecturers or someone familiar with your academic work.
Steps To Picking An Academic Reference
- Figuring out who to ask. Reminisce about your college lecturers who can attest to your character and capabilities. Who is familiar with you and your works and who is familiar with the field you want to study?
- Ask your selected references before you make any applications. You can send them an email or put a phone call through to them. Do not let them receive a call for a recommendation letter before you tell them. Ask first! Give them a heads up.
- Provide necessary and required information. Your referee may want to know more about you, and share information with them. You can also meet up and discuss intensively, details concerning the recommendation letter- will they receive an email, are there specific questions to answer in the letter, when is it due, is it to be submitted through an online system, a mail, or an envelope, etc.
- In case you have been out of school for a while and you are not finding it easy to reach your lecturers, in this scenario, you can use a non-academic referee. However, keep in mind that your non-academic referees cannot be your friend or family member; they must be someone you met in a professional setting. It is also best that you have work experience related to your application.
- Do not forget your manners. Approach referees respectfully and do not forget to say a word of appreciation. Let them know you appreciate and value their efforts and help.
Are There Universities That Do Not Request References?
Yes, there are a few universities that do not request for letter of recommendation. These include; Liberty University, Grand Canyon University, etc. These universities would rather use a straightforward approach and some prefer work experience or your motivation letter or essay. Having said that, universities need to know that you take education and learning seriously and that you will not drop out as a result of your laziness. All top universities request for Letter(s) of recommendation. In some cases, it might be just one reference letter that will be requested.
Do Universities Check References?
While it might be true that many universities do not contact referees at all, you can never tell when they will check and when they will not. Also, in a case of an application that looks too good, they are most likely to check with the referees. If you want to be on the safe side, get your referees honorably and diligently.
Conclusion
When preparing to enroll in a graduate school, ensure you prepare financially, mentally, and academically. Get all requirements ready and one of these requirements is a well-drafted letter of recommendation from either an academic or non-academic referee as it may apply to your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many Letters of Recommendation are required?
This may vary from university to university. Some request for one, some for more, and some for none.
2. Must all Referees submit online?
Depending on the system of application, referees can be required to submit recommendation letters online, as a mail, or as a hardcopy document.
3. Can Referees be changed after the Submission of the Application?
No. Upon submission of the application, corrections or changes cannot be made. It is usually advised that you double-check your applications before submission.
4. My Referee hasn’t completed their Recommendation. What can I do?
Please, send your referee a reminder through mail or call. You can also send a reminder from your application page.