Hi, I’m a sophomore from Ukraine, currently majoring in Physics. I’m going to make an attempt to transfer to some US university. Now, I would like to know if a professor from another university is eligible to write a recommendation letter for me. The thing is that I’m working with a prominent professor in the field of Mathematics who knows me well, therefore I think it would be great if he wrote me a letter of recommendation. But will it be acceptable? Or should I get concerned with getting a recommendation from my current university. I understand that it probably depends on university but I just want to read some of your thoughts about it. Thanks
If you’re working with this professor, then it’s fine. As long as you have an official academic/professional tie to your recommendation letter writer, you’re good. However, a lot of schools want recommendations from professors that taught you. You may want an extra professor that taught you who’d be willing to write you a recommendation letter.
^
To add onto what the user said, every IVY university and USC require letters of recommendation from a teacher you’ve had. This may be true for many other universities as well.
However, some universities do have supplemental letters of recommendation, so you could ask your teacher that you’re working with for that. Supplemental letters are not the same as requirements however.
The universities specifically tell you whether they will accept a letter from non-academic sources. If you are a non-traditional student or have exceptional circumstances that would prevent you from obtaining an academic letter, you can always email the admissions office to request a substitution – sometimes they will grant it and sometimes they will not.