| An extremely important aspect of getting into | | | | possible for your required letters of recommendation. |
| college or graduate school is acquiring the best | | | | So who should you ask for a letter of |
| letter(s) of recommendation. This is a vital piece to | | | | recommendation? As mentioned above, find the |
| your application puzzle since it allows schools to | | | | people you are absolutely sure will provide a great |
| gauge your academic performance and interpersonal | | | | recommendation. Don't approach a college professor |
| skills from a viewpoint other than your own. You can | | | | whom you've spoken to once in your life. Find |
| say you're the greatest thing since sliced bread, but | | | | someone you have an actual relationship with. This |
| having the opinions of others will allow schools to | | | | will not only benefit you, but also the recommender. |
| determine if your the right person for their institution. | | | | Asking for a letter from some random professor will |
| So what is required in a letter of recommendation? | | | | be difficult for them since you could just be another |
| The requirements vary from school to school. Some | | | | student asking for help. That means their letter won't |
| will ask you to simply provide three letters of | | | | be high quality. They could wind up just using the |
| recommendation from people other than your friends | | | | generic, "Student X came to class on time everyday |
| (usually college professors or work supervisors). | | | | and performed all required coursework." That's not |
| Others will provide a recommendation template with | | | | the type of recommendation you want. Granted, it's |
| a set of questions they'd like your references to | | | | not bad, but you want someone who is capable of |
| answer. | | | | talking about you in glowing terms and can provide |
| The required number of recommendations also varies. | | | | true insight into your personality and work ethic. |
| Usually, schools will ask for at least two but | | | | Regardless of who you ask to write a letter of |
| sometimes more. If the school you're applying to only | | | | recommendation, make sure you provide them with |
| requires a couple of letters, don't try to impress | | | | your application. They are a great way to set you |
| them by compiling five or six recommendations. | | | | apart from other applicants and can even be a |
| Remember, quality is always better than quantity. | | | | deciding factor into whether or not you're accepted. |
| Instead, focus on getting the two best people | | | | |