PhD & MFA: Letters of Recommendation
Graduate Information
How many letters of recommendation are required?
Three letters of recommendation are required for all PhD programs in the GRS. Please refer to our Application Requirements and Deadlines page for more information. Please remember that letters of recommendation should be in English and written by faculty members in your proposed field of graduate study who are familiar with American higher education.
How are recommendation letters submitted?
The online application requires that all applicants list the names and professional email addresses of their recommenders. The recommenders will receive an email with a link to the recommender portal where they will submit their recommendation. Once submitted, it will be automatically added to the application.
Can I list my recommender's personal email address?
No. You must list the recommender’s professional email address in the application. We must be able to trace the email back to their University, company, or organization. We do not accept recommendation letters sent from a Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, etc. account.
Should I wait to submit my application until all recommendations have been received?
No. The applicant does not need to wait to submit their application until the recommendations have been received. The recommender portal is a separate system. Recommendations will be matched to the application whether it is still in progress or already submitted. However, the application must be complete by the application deadline. This includes the recommendation. If the applicant is missing an recommendation, they must follow up with their recommender directly.
Will you accept letters of recommendation mailed from my university’s career center, letter service, or Interfolio?
No. We cannot accept letters of recommendation that are received in any manner besides the online application system. We are unable to access or receive letters from Interfolio.
Can my recommenders still submit their recommendations after my application has been submitted?
Yes. Recommenders can still access the evaluation portal after the applicant has submitted their application and paid the fee. Please note all credential materials must be submitted prior to the application deadline.
Can letters of recommendation be faxed or e-mailed to the Admissions Office or to the department?
No. We will not accept emailed or faxed recommendations as official credentials for your application. Recommenders must submit an online recommendation. An email request will automatically be sent to your recommenders once you have saved an online recommendation. Please advise your recommender to look for this email in their inbox, as well as their spam or junk-mail folder, as emails do occasionally get filtered out.
How do I resend an email request to my recommender?
To resend an email request to your recommender log into your application via the Applicant Portal, go to the Program Materials page for your program, and select the Recommendations tab. Click the edit button (denoted by a small pencil) for your recommender’s name, change any information as needed such as the due date, and then click ‘Resend this Recommendation Request.’ If you encounter any issues, please contact Application Services/Applicant Support at grs-info.bu@liaisoncas.com or at 857-304-2002 (open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm ET).
Can I get copies of the documents I submitted as part of my application?
No. All credentials, including transcripts and reference letters, submitted in support of an application become property of Boston University. Neither originals nor copies may be returned.