Reference letters

Some of the documents are sent directly from your school to the university. Compiling this information takes time, so it is important to involve your dean and teachers in your study plans in time and well in advance of US university deadlines. It is your responsibility to make sure your school is aware of the deadlines and required documents in a timely manner.

Get reference letters from two or three different people, including at least two teachers who know you well. Sometimes a university will ask for at least one recommendation from a school counselor, such as a dean or mentor. A third letter may be written by an athletic coach or employer. Letters from family members, friends, or acquaintances are not accepted.

You must invite your teachers to upload the letter directly into the university’s central application system (the Common Application or other application system). You send that invitation from your own application form. If you use the Common App, your references should also indicate how they rank you in relation to your classmates in the teacher evaluation. A detailed guide on writing this letter is also available on the Common App website.

Note that the letter should always be written in English. In addition, ask your references to provide original copies of the letter, on school letterhead, with a signature.

In terms of content, it is important that the letter paint a complete picture of your academic skills, personality, and talents. Discuss these points with your references and tell them what topics you would like to see reflected in the recommendation letter. It is your responsibility to inform your references of the university’s admission requirements, deadlines, and other letter requirements.

 

Here are some tips for writing a good reference letter:

 

  • The letters should describe your academic skills, and illustrate them with real-life examples, such as an anecdote about you.
  • A comparison to your peers is also useful: what exactly made you stand out? Suppose you have taken an extra subject, or you have a special talent in the arts — it is useful if your recommender mentions this.
  • The university wants to hear about your talents and past successes, both in school and out of school.
  • American universities would also like to know more about your personality. How do you behave in the classroom? How do you act toward teachers? How involved are you in the school and what shows this? What contribution could you make to an American campus?
  • Where does your academic interest lie?
  • What are your career goals? And what are your teacher’s expectations for your future development opportunities?
  • Why does your professor think studying in America is a good fit for you?