In our previous post, we shared a recent email sent by the Purdue Krannert School of Management admissions team to potential applicants that dispels many common letter of recommendation myths. We have pasted this email again below, highlighted some key points in red, and would like to address these points so that you can ensure that your letter of recommendation is as persuasive as possible.
Dear Applicant,
You’ve tracked down your old boss or coworker, reminded them (perhaps a few times) that you’re under a deadline. Then you’ve collected them and sent them in. But does our admissions team actually read all those letters?
Absolutely. In fact, they’re an incredibly important part of your application. We place a significant value on what your colleagues have to say about your work ethic, interpersonal skills, and leadership potential.
The recommendation letter is unique because it is one of the only components of the application that is not in direct control of the applicant. Strong recommendation letters are written by someone who knows you well and can articulate your strengths as well as the areas in which you can improve. We prefer recommendation letters come from a professional (as opposed to a personal) contact, preferably a direct supervisor. We also prefer the letters be as detailed as possible, offering specific examples illustrating your qualifications.
It’s also important to know that we strongly discourage letters of recommendation from anyone who does not know the applicant well – even if they are a person of prominence. On occasion, we will call references if we have any questions about an applicant or would like additional information about anything written in a letter of recommendation.
As always, we are here to help. Contact us anytime with questions or to speak with an admissions program manager.
Sincerely,
Andrae Sailes
Associate Director of Admissions
Purdue MBA & Master’s Programs
Typical Question: Letters of recommendation are not very important right? They cannot improve my chances of being admitted, can they?
Answer: Letters of recommendation can make a huge impact if they can convince the admissions committee that the applicant possesses some of the key attributes that graduate programs highly value. The email above specifically lists work ethic, leadership and interpersonal skills as attributes that Purdue emphasizes; but this could also include adaptability, self-confidence, creativity, analytical and problem solving skills, among others. As the Purdue admissions officer mentions, they prefer to hear real life examples that can give them a clearer picture about the applicant’s performance and talents. Does this mean that the recommender should provide 6-7 stories to prove that the applicant possesses 6-7 different strengths? Of course not! But if the applicant displayed significant leadership potential and analytical ability while leading a difficult research project, or if the applicant came up with an incredibly creative idea to solve a problem at work, the recommender should definitely describe this story in detail, highlighting the skills the applicant displayed in the process.
This is why advance preparation is needed. Don’t assume that your recommender remembers the details of every project you have worked on and all of your accomplishments as a student or employee. Do meet with the recommender, tell them about your application strategy and remind them of your accomplishments and the projects that you have worked on. This will ensure that your letter of recommendation is as complete and persuasive as it can possibly be.
Typical Question: I heard that my recommendation letter should not exceed one page – is that true?
Answer: There is a persistent rumor that a recommendation letter must not exceed one page, because if it does, the admissions committee will consider it too long, too burdensome to read, and ignore it. The Purdue email above should dispel this myth. In that email, it emphasizes that they “…prefer the letters be as detailed as possible….” Basically, if a letter was limited to one short page, it probably would not contain much detail and certainly would lack examples that demonstrate the applicant’s abilities. Thus, tell your recommender to feel free to exceed one page if they wish (but to follow any formatting instructions the school has provided).
Typical Question: I’m planning to choose a recommender with an impressive title (like my company’s CEO, who doesn’t really know me) – that’s the best choice right?
Answer: No! If we had $1 for every time an applicant asked this question, we could probably buy a luxury German sedan by now! Admissions officers at top universities consistently indicate their preference to hear from someone who is intimately acquainted with your professional or academic abilities. Not only will submitting a letter of recommendation from someone who doesn’t know you well not help you application, but it could actually be detrimental, as the admissions office will seriously question your judgment.