Applying to Doctoral Programs:Asking for Letters of Reference
by Laurie Prange-Martin
cc: xadrian - https://www.flickr.com/photos/93374685@N00
Agenda• Who Should Serve as Referees for your
Reference Letters?• What Should your References Letters
include?• Finding it a Challenge to Get those
Reference Letters back? Yes, You Can…• But, before you ask for a reference, what
should you do?• Finally, what added benefits are there to
asking for reference letters?
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Who Should Serve as Referees for your Reference Letters?
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People who have taught you in a credit course within the last 5 years.
cc: Jirka Matousek - https://www.flickr.com/photos/28415633@N00
If you need a current academic reference, you may need to take a course.
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Make sure your academic reference outlines the level of study and how long you were in a
course with the instructor or professor.cc: Tim Swinson | http://timswinson.com - https://www.flickr.com/photos/43409681@N07
People who have directly supervised you at work within the last 2 years.
cc: JD Hancock - https://www.flickr.com/photos/83346641@N00
People you have worked with on a work project.
This is particularly useful if you are applying to a STEM program where lab work will be a
component of your research.
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People who are familiar with your writing and research capacity.
cc: Nukamari - https://www.flickr.com/photos/44926815@N00
If you don’t have paid work experience, people who can write about your experience with a volunteer organization
performing work relevant to your field of study.
cc: wwwuppertal - https://www.flickr.com/photos/54788366@N00
People who can write about your leadership experience in a research or project
management context.cc: Robert Higgins - https://www.flickr.com/photos/37893534@N07
People who can write about your professional expertise in teaching, research, or service (the
3 pillars of being faculty).
cc: followthethings.com - https://www.flickr.com/photos/64914918@N03
What Should your References Letters include?cc: LarimdaME - https://www.flickr.com/photos/51035734296@N01
A frank appraisal of your abilities to undertake a rigorous program of graduate study.
cc: Focus On Your Ability - https://www.flickr.com/photos/71193783@N05
Comments on your scholarly competence and academic ability to undertake advanced
studies in your field.
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Personal qualities that the referee deems relevant to the applicant’s ability to engage in
graduate workcc: Profound Whatever - https://www.flickr.com/photos/8344872@N05
How you compare to colleagues with similar duties and responsibilities, especially when you
went above the call of duty.cc: frankieleon - https://www.flickr.com/photos/23307937@N04
Length of time and the context in which the referee knows you.
cc: Quasimondo - https://www.flickr.com/photos/35468141611@N01
Finding it a Challenge to Get those Reference Letters back?
cc: Mário Tomé - https://www.flickr.com/photos/7498280@N08
Yes, You Can…Put Together a Portfolio of Recent Writings (work or academic) for your references to see what you are capable of, in addition to what they have seen you deliver at
work or in class.cc: jkfid - https://www.flickr.com/photos/47243004@N02
Yes, You Can…Draft the Reference Letter for your Referee, when you are asked to do so by
the person.cc: Jeffrey Beall - https://www.flickr.com/photos/31437555@N00
Yes, You Can…Provide a list of Achievements, Key Phrases, and Other points to jog your
referees’ memory.
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But, before you ask for a reference, what should you do?
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1. Prepare a Information Package with a current academic CV and a small portfolio of
your writing and research work.cc: VFS Digital Design - https://www.flickr.com/photos/58816914@N05
2. A short story about yourself, explaining any changes in grades over the years, telling the story of challenges you have
overcame, and why these experiences show that you have the resiliency required for doctoral studies.
cc: Presidio of Monterey: DLIFLC & USAG - https://www.flickr.com/photos/38345529@N05
3. And that short story about yourself should include your self-identified areas of improvement that you are working on,
which help explains how your plan for doctoral studies fits within your self-development plan.
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3. And how you can handle constructive criticism to revise and improve your work.
cc: jetheriot - https://www.flickr.com/photos/9198432@N02
Finally, what added benefits are there to asking for reference
letters?
(Helpful to think about when you’re procrastinating what can be a challenging task.)
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You are re-connecting with people who will be your colleagues in your future field of
work.
cc: Barry.Lenard - https://www.flickr.com/photos/48540847@N03
Follow-up questions your references will ask will help you clarify other parts of your
application package.cc: a.pasquier - https://www.flickr.com/photos/68362456@N00
So, don’t linger! Email your potential references
right now to let them know you’ll be asking for a letter
soon!
cc: shawncampbell - https://www.flickr.com/photos/59077136@N00
Questions? Comments?Feedback?
Contact me at the Learning & Teaching Centre at Capilano
University [email protected]