Your recommendation letters are one of the few parts of your application that come from someone else's voice — make sure that voice is compelling.
Who Should Write Your Letters?
- Academic referees: professors who taught you a relevant course and can speak to your intellectual abilities
- Professional referees: supervisors who can confirm your leadership, impact and work ethic
- Community leaders (for some scholarships): someone who can speak to your character and community contribution
How to Ask
Approach referees at least 6–8 weeks before the deadline. Never send a last-minute request. Share your scholarship brief, your CV, your personal statement draft, and a bullet-point list of the qualities the scholarship values — make it easy for them to write a strong letter.
What to Include in Your Request Email
Be specific: "I would value a reference that highlights the data analysis project I led in your Advanced Statistics course in 2023, and my initiative in forming the student research group." The more concrete you are, the more targeted the letter will be.
Follow Up Professionally
Send a polite reminder one week before the deadline. After the decision, always write a thank-you note — win or lose.