What happens when you exclude a letter of recommendation?

If the original recommendation was previously submitted, it will not be included with your application, so please only exclude recommendations you no longer want to have considered. If possible, please let your recommender know that you are excluding them so they do not try to submit a letter to an inactive link.

What if a letter of recommendation is optional?

Ultimately, an optional letter of recommendation can make a difference in your application if it complements your existing recommendation letters and adds valuable information about your skills, experiences, and character.

What happens if you are missing a letter of recommendation?

Candidates with no letters are not reviewed. Unless a candidate was internal, a candidate missing two letters is often not reviewed.

Is it okay to not have letters of recommendation?

The good thing is that there are plenty of graduate schools that do not require a letter of recommendation. Reaching out to any prospective graduate schools and fully understanding their requirements for the application process will help you find the ones where a letter of recommendation is not as valued.

Does it look bad to not waive right for recommendation letters?

Confidentiality is expected—both by recommenders and college admissions officers—and refusing to waive your FERPA right gives a negative impression to all parties involved. Instead of fretting over the FERPA waiver, do the work to secure great letters of recommendation in the first place.

SJC Application Series #5 | Avoiding a bad recommendation letter

Do letters of recommendation really matter?

While recommendation letters are just one of many application components, they are a unique and particularly critical part of completing a full personal and academic profile and require strategic planning.

Can you be sued for a bad letter of recommendation?

In an employment situation, the new employer to whom the recommendation was provided may bring suit. In some cases, even third parties may sue based upon matters contained in or omitted from letters of recommendation provided to the new employer. The most common basis for suit by disappointed applicants is defamation.

Is it better to waive my right for recommendation letters?

Waiving the right to see your letters of recommendation can help ensure that the admissions process is fair for all applicants. It prevents those who have access to their letters from having an advantage over the other applicants who may not have a review option.

Is 2 recommendation letters enough?

Familiarize yourself with the different requirements among schools and pay close attention to their instructions. Most colleges will ask for up to three letters of recommendation, so keep that in mind and don't overdo it.

What happens if my teacher doesn t submit my recommendation letter?

If you have an additional recommendation letter available, have your guidance counselor submit it for you along with a note explaining what happened. Hopefully the college will understand.

Will I ever be able to read my letter of recommendation?

Only you can decide whether or not to waive your right to inspect letters of recommendation. If you are uncertain, you may wish to ask the advice of people you know and trust (e.g. faculty, current graduate students, etc.).

Who should not write a letter of recommendation?

Even though the team captain of your favorite club may be able to concretely highlight how you've been an asset to the squad, if they are your peer, they should absolutely not be writing your college letter of recommendation.

Can you submit primary without letter of recommendation?

You can submit your application without LORs, so you may need them slightly later than the rest of your materials. However, as stated before, most schools will not consider your application complete until the expected letters are received, so you don't want to overly delay submitting your letters of recommendation.

Do you only need one letter of recommendation?

In general, most colleges will require or suggest one to three letters of recommendation. Be sure to carefully review the guidelines for each application.

Do universities check recommendation letters?

The majority of letters of recommendation are written by someone that is affiliated with a school. In some cases the individual that has written the letter is contacted and questions are asked about the individual that is recommended in the letter. They can call the person.

Is 5 REC letters too much?

The number is basically professor-dependent.

While one professor might happily write 5 letters another might prefer to write only 1 or 2. Because this letter probably won't need to be customized for each program, some professors will be wiling to send 10 or more letters but others might decline such a request.

Is 4 letters of rec too many?

Recommendation Letters. Most graduate schools require 3 letters of recommendation. However, you should double-check how many each school requires, and do NOT send more than asked for. Sending too many letters or information not requested by the school, can actually HURT your candidacy.

How long should you give someone to write a letter of recommendation?

Ideally, give the person three to four weeks, but never less than two weeks to complete the recommendation. Most faculty and staff are very busy and have numerous recommendations to write, so you want to be courteous.

Is it rude to read a letter of recommendation?

Usually not, no. Letters of recommendation anyone writes for you are assumed to be confidential, so that the writer can be honest. This was changing when I left the world of reading/writing references, with teachers, former employers, etc. often giving me a copy of what they wrote, whether or not it was all praise.

What not to say in a letter of recommendation?

What does a bad recommendation letter look like?

The letter lists duties expected of any student, but is vague and does not give specific, accurate details about skills or attitudes, communicating that the letter writer knew the student well. There is also no comment on the quality of the student's work.

Do employers look at letters of recommendation?

References and/or letters of recommendation are usually a necessary part of your job search.

How valuable are letters of recommendation?

While letters of recommendation are just one part of your application, they do play an important role in the college admissions process. These letters provide admission representatives with valuable information that's not necessarily obvious from your college application alone.

Is it rude to ask for more than one letter of recommendation?

If you have a strong relationship with the professor, where they know you well and can speak confidently about your strengths and achievements across different areas, then asking for multiple recommendations is generally fine. In fact, it can be a compliment to the professor, showing that you value their opinion.

Can teachers say no to recommendation letters?

Unlike your school college counselor, teachers are not expected to write letters of recommendation for their students. If a teacher appears reluctant to write you a letter, do not insist on it.