Stanford Letter of Rec

Transfer Students
1

<p>Hey everyone, </p>

<p>I was wondering what qualifies as a Letter of Rec for Stanford? I asked a few months ago but no one seemed to have an answer. This is what it says on the site: </p>

<p>"We require two instructor evaluations and we strongly request these letters come from instructors who have taught you in academic courses in college. The best advice we can give, as you choose teachers to write these evaluations, is to choose people who like you and who will share unique examples of your academic strengths and personal qualities.</p>

<p>We will accept a maximum of two college instructor evaluations. At least one of the evaluations must be from a college instructor. We prefer that you have a professor complete your college instructor evaluation form, especially if you are applying with two or more years of college work."</p>

<p>So do I HAVE to have 2 instructors? I can I have 1 instructor and someone else (like an internship supervisor, etc.)?</p>

2

<p>You will want 2 LORs from academic sources… so professors and/ or TAs.</p>

3

<p>Are we required to do 2? I only ask that since it first says we require 2 and then a maximum of 2.</p>

<p>I’m only close enough to one teacher where I feel that I would get a worthy recommendation.</p>

4

<p>Your best bet is probably to call Stanford, and then plan accordingly. </p>

<p>I don’t think this applies to you: “If you have been out of college for several years, you may substitute one work reference in place of one faculty evaluation.” What about getting to know a professor this upcoming/ current term? </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

5

<p>You need 2. They put the “maximum” of 2… because some applicants think it would be great to send several, and they simply don’t want to be inundated with that. At one info session, I remember the Stanford admissions person saying that someone sent a rec from their dentist saying they had great teeth. Imagine!</p>

<p>Of course, you can send only 1… but it will either mean they disregard your app as incomplete or count it against you compared to other applicants. Not a good plan.</p>

<p>If you are a freshman, having one from a prof and one from your internship supervisor might not be too bad. If you are a sophomore, not being able to come up with 2 prof/instructor recs doesn’t look too good. However, if your supervisor rec is going to be absolutely outstanding… maybe that’s what you should do. It’s a judgment call.</p>