Tips on applying to graduate school

Submitting your letters of recommendation

As part of your application for graduate admission, you may be asked for letters of recommendation. Within the application, you will need to provide the contact information of individuals who can create and submit an electronic letter of recommendation for you. Some programs will also indicate the criteria they want for recommenders (e.g., e.g., current or former supervisor, etc.).

Once you submit your application and application fee, your recommenders will receive an email notification that they have been asked to submit a recommendation electronically. You should notify your recommenders ahead of time that they will receive an email from ASU. There is no need for you to gather physical letters of recommendation, as the entire process is completed online.

5 tips for letters of recommendation

1
Gather the contact information for your recommenders such as their name, institution and their email address. You will need to enter this information in the application so be sure to have a good email address for each recommender.
2
Give your recommenders plenty of time to create a strong letter of recommendation. Start the process well before the application deadline for your program.
3
Give your recommenders some information about the program and why you are interested in the program. You can also share your personal statement with them.
4
Find someone who can speak to your ability to succeed. For non-academic recommenders, use supervisors or colleagues who can attest to your skills, knowledge and contributions at work and will offer strong letters.
5
Be sure to keep an eye on the recommender tab on your student portal through My ASU. Once your recommenders have submitted their recommendations, be sure to recognize the time they spent supporting your application and send them a thank you note.

Have questions?

Be sure to touch base with our Enrollment Advisors for additional support or tips on completing your application.

Call 866-277-6589