Tips on getting recommendation letters

Will your letter writer submit their letters on time? Have they received the emails requesting their letters? Should I remind them to submit their letters?

Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

If you’re applying to graduate school, chances are you’ve applied to quite a few programs (e.g., it’s not uncommon to apply to tens of programs for graduate school). You may wonder how your letter writers can keep track of all the (tens of!) letter requests coming their way. There is an easy solution! For each recommendation letter writer, share with them an editable web-based Google spreadsheet (or Microsoft or Apple) with the following columns:

1. University name
2. Program name (since you may apply to multiple programs at one school)
3. Letter deadline (include time zone)
4. Letter request method (These days, it should all be via “email”)
5. Letter request sent? (You will add “yes” for a program after you’ve initialized the request)
6. Letter submitted? (Your recommendation letter writer will add “yes” for a program after they have submitted their letter)

By having such a spreadsheet, both you and your letter writer are on the same page regarding the status of the letter submission. No more wondering if the letter for a program has been submitted — simply check the spreadsheet. Similarly, your letter writer won’t need to ponder how many schools they need to submit to or worry about missing any — they can also just check the spreadsheet!