Breadcrumb
Letters of Recommendation
Graduate programs typically require two to four letters of recommendation. Be sure to follow the program’s instructions for submitting these letters. Many schools have an additional form that goes along with the letter, and they may prefer the letters be sent directly to the school.
Decide whom you’d like to ask to write a recommendation letter on your behalf. Choose someone who knows you well, and who knows about your academic abilities and interests.
A general guideline is to find someone who knows your academic work (a professor or current graduate student ) and someone who knows you professionally (a supervisor, boss, co-worker or someone you volunteer for). Asking friends, family or political figures is generally discouraged and should only be used as a last resort for a third letter.
The best recommendations come from people who know you well. Get involved early and make yourself known. Find ways to get involved in class, meet with professors during office hours and volunteer to take on projects or research. Looking for activities you are interested in, like student organizations or opportunities in your academic program, is a great way to get involved and meet staff.
If possible, set up a time to meet with your recommender so you can ask if they can write a positive letter for you. This is particularly helpful for faculty and staff, so they have a chance to speak with you and discuss your graduate plans. Think about why you are interested in graduate school, how well the recommender knows you and what you’d like them to emphasize in their letter. If you are unsure how well the person knows you, or you believe they may not write you a strong letter, you may want to consider finding someone else.
After you ask someone to write you a letter, send a follow-up email to your recommender with all the necessary details. This is an important step and allows you to share what you’d like emphasized in your letter of recommendation.
Here are some things to include in your email:
- Details about the graduate program.
- Anything you’d like them to include in your letter of recommendation: academics, work ethic, interests, etc.
- An unofficial transcript. This can help professors remember when you took their class and how you did.
- Your current resume.
- A draft of your statement of purpose.
- The recommendation form.
- Instructions for submitting the letter.
- Due dates. Give your recommender at least one month’s notice to write the letter.
Use PrivateFolio to collect, manage and deliver confidential letters of recommendation. As an online file management service, PrivateFolio allows you to solicit, manage and send confidential letters of recommendation along with other documents and credentials.
This is helpful for storing all your letters and application materials so they can be used at a later time. For example, let’s say you plan to take time off between your undergraduate and graduate programs. You could ask for letters of recommendation now, and use PrivateFolio to store generic letters from professors and send them out when it’s time to apply.
While PrivateFolio is not affiliated with Career Services or the University of Colorado Boulder, CU Boulder affiliates can receive a $20 credit when they sign up for an account using the code CU BOULDER and their CU email address.
Send a follow-up thank you to those writing letters for you. This is a great way to thank people for taking the time to write your letter of recommendation. Send the note a few weeks before the due date to help remind them to write the letter by the deadline you gave them.
Personal Statement
Most programs require a personal statement or statement of purpose. This is a narrative about who you are and why you’re interested in graduate school. Here are some tips to help you prepare your statement.
Carefully follow the instructions for the statements. Some are very structured and others are more open-ended. It is important to follow all directions and to follow page-length guidelines.
Begin by brainstorming ideas and reflecting on your experiences. Consider how your experiences have prepared you for graduate school, and what you hope to gain. Many students find it helpful to create an outline at this point to highlight some of their key thoughts.
Great statements read as stories, capturing the reader and stating clearly the intent and purpose. Keep in mind that the committee will have your transcript and your resume, so you don’t need to repeat those details. Instead, provide a few concrete examples as you share more about your background and interests in your statement.
Be sure to include why you are interested in the school you are applying to. What is it about the program, faculty, classes or philosophy that you think would make you a good fit?
Share your statement for review and ask for feedback from multiple sources. Professors, advisors, friends and family can all provide good insight into your essay. Visit the Writing Center for feedback on grammar and sentence structure.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to writing statements. For more ideas, read through samples to explore different ways to write an effective statement. The CU Boulder Library has a number of books and resources.