How Many Letters Do I Need?

Most professional schools will include a required quantity of letters of recommendation (sometimes referred to as letters of evaluation) in their application requirements.

Who Should I Ask to Write a Letter?

A letter of recommendation can be seen as a reference to your potential for success as a professional student. It can also speak to your intellectual curiosity, leadership and professionalism. As you are deciding who to ask for a letter, consider your relationship and what they might say about you.

A good letter of recommendation includes information that cannot be learned from other parts of your application. Letters may be required from specific sources, such as faculty members, professionals in the field, or other individuals. Faculty members are often preferred, especially those you've taken multiple courses from or who you've worked with closely.

How Do I Ask for a Letter?

After you have identified a possible letter writer, you should reach out to them in a professional manner through email or a scheduled meeting.

Be sure to identify and confirm the program(s) you're applying to, and provide any information needed to compose the letter. It may also be beneficial to provide the letter writer with your resume or CV, transcripts, or other portions of your application materials for reference.

Letter writers may also find these resources helpful:

• AAMC Guidelines for Writing a Letter of Evaluation
• ADEA Tips for Writing an Effective Letter of Evaluation
• LSAC Letters of Recommendation 

When Do I Ask for a Letter?

It's important to provide letter writers with sufficient time to compose and submit the letter before the deadline. You should also consider their schedule and responsibilities. For example, if you're asking a faculty member, it may be best to avoid asking them during finals week as many faculty members are busy grading at that time of the year.

What if They Say “No”?

If they say no, there could be several reasons for their choice to decline. It could be that they would not have enough time to compose a strong letter. Or, it could be that they do not know you well enough to compose a letter that would benefit your application. It is important to have an alternative letter writers in mind as backup options.

It can be beneficial to meet with them to learn about their choice to decline. You may gain important feedback that will be helpful as you select other potential letter writers or continue the application process.