Letters of recommendation provide independent verification of your qualifications and fit for one of our graduate programs. Depending on the program for which you apply, you may be asked to submit, one, two, or three letters of recommendation.
Why do I need Letters of Recommendation?
For our graduate programs, letters of recommendation are an opportunity to get third-party verification of whether you are qualified to start your studies in the program. Well-written letters help us determine:
- How you have developed and applied your skill set in a way that might be applicable to your program of interest.
- How your personality and character could fit into our program, particularly for cohort-based degree programs.
- Any other relevant information about your professional and academic past that could enhance your application.
Who Should Write my Letters of Recommendation?
For your graduate school application, letters of recommendation can come from your professors, colleagues, and even employers. Ideally, choose recommenders who know you well, and who can provide an independent account of your qualifications for the program to which you are applying.
Some of our programs may have more specific requirements for the professions of individuals who should write your letters of recommendations. Contact the graduate coordinator for your program of choice for clarification and guidance on which potential recommenders make the most sense for your application.
How do I Request Letters of Recommendation in My IUP Graduate Application?
Our admissions software allows you to request letters of recommendations online. However, you can only go through this process if you have already submitted your application and paid your application fee. Follow these steps:
- Log in to your IUP Admissions Profile.
- Click on Apply Online on the top right of your screen.
- If you have not submitted a graduate application, click Start a New Graduate Application and follow the process (including paying your application fee).
- Your letter of recommendation requirements and request form will only appear once you submit your application form and pay the application fee.
- Under My Applications, find the application for which you want to request a letter of recommendation, and click on View in the Supplemental Items column.
- Scroll to Requests, and click on the red Start button for the letter of recommendation you want to request.
- Type in the name and email of your desired recommender, as well as the program for which you are applying.
- Use the text entry space to add any personal comments you want the recommender to see. Typically, this includes an explanation of why you are reaching out.
- Click Submit Request.
The recommender will receive an email prompting them to provide a letter of recommendation directly to our Admissions software. In the meantime, you will be able to follow the status of your request on the same page where you submitted the request, and send a reminder or cancel the request if the recommender is non-responsive.
For any questions about the process, please contact us directly. If you have a physical printout of your letter of recommendation, you can send it to IUP's Admissions Office at the information below.