Overview & FAQs

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation ("LOR") are an essential and decisive component of the application process to virtually all graduate programs. Don't wait until you are 100% sure of your plans to start collecting letters! Sophomore year is not too early to start. If you are interested enough in a professional career to be reading this, it is time for you to start obtaining recommendation letters.

The HPPLC Recommendation Service

The HPPLC Recommendation Service provides a safe repository for all letters that students obtain over time from their recommenders. During the application process, our recommendation secretary sends them in a timely manner, to the proper address, in the correct format, with all required signatures, and with the correct forms. This can be a big convenience to applicants. HPPLC retains the original letters for safekeeping.

Asking for letters at IU can be daunting, especially given the prevalence of large classes. HPPLC's Recommendation Service helps take the pain and frustration out of obtaining (and later disseminating) great letters.

The HPPLC file is optional for preprofessional students—it is not required. If you have questions as to whether such a file would benefit you, consult a HPPLC advisor or email recserve@indiana.edu.

How can the HPPLC Recommendation Service help me?

1. It is crucial to request letters while the impression you have made is fresh. DO NOT wait until senior year! The HPPLC Recommendation Service will hold your letters until you are ready to apply-even if this is several years after graduation.
2. To assist recommenders, we have "how to" guides for writing letters, and preaddressed campus mail envelopes for their convenience.
3. HPPLC advisors can read the letters and look for errors: e.g., lack of signature, embarrassing typos, using the wrong gender, referring to the wrong school, etc. Writers appreciate the chance to make corrections.
4. HPPLC will retain your original letters for ten years; longer with notification. It's like having an insurance policy for your letters.
5. There are many more advantages to having such a file. If you think it makes sense for you to WAIT before opening a file NOW, please read this more detailed handout first: Why Should You Use the HPPLC Recommendation Service?

How do I open a file?

Opening a file is quick and easy. Students can drop by the HPPLC office in Maxwell 010 anytime during office hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., M-F)-no appointment is needed; just ask the receptionist. Students who are out of town can still open a file by calling us at 812-855-1873 or emailing recserve@indiana.edu. All current IU students and alumni who may be interested in applying to professional programs should seriously consider opening a file with HPPLC.

For a detailed guide to the HPPLC Recommendation Service, please read A Guide to the Recommendation Service. Note: you will need to read this Guide in its entirety prior to opening a file.

Start Obtaining Letters

Be sure to consult a HPPLC advisor about specific LOR requirements for your area of interest. Check the links at the bottom of this page for more detailed information on your area.

Who should I ask for recommendations?

Professional schools vary somewhat in the combination of letters that they prefer. Click on the link for your area of interest below, and ask your HPPLC advisor for specific details. Most programs want your writers to include professors or AIs who know you well: your study habits, academic strengths, and ability to contribute to the intellectual vitality of a classroom. Anyone with whom you've had a professional relationship can be a valuable source as well (employers, internship or volunteer supervisors, etc.). Letters from "important" people such as politicians, clergy, or friends of the family who are practitioners in your area, are usually of less value unless you have worked for them in some capacity. Seek out direct supervisors who are familiar with your work, as opposed to the titled, more famous person in charge who may not know you well.

Get to know your professors and ask for your letters while they have fresh memories of your work. Don't wait until the last minute to ask for a strong letter of recommendation!

What's the best way to ask for a letter?

It's always best to ask for a letter in person, for example, during a professor's office hours. Ideally, give your writers at least two months notice. When you speak with the professor, bring along supporting documents as described in the HPPLC publication Recommendation Request Letter. The recommender can be more specific in describing your academic abilities if he/she does not have to rely on memory alone.

In general, you should give potential writers a polite way to decline if they are unable to write the type of letter that is needed. Some version of: "Would you feel comfortable writing a strong letter of recommendation for me?" might be appropriate. Hesitations, negative body language, or failure to write after several requests are indicative of someone who is probably not a suitable recommender. Do NOT insist!

For detailed tips on how to ask for a letter, see HPPLC's publication Recommendation Request Letter.

Recommendation Information for Specific Programs

Different professions handle letters differently. Please check your area of interest below and make an appointment to meet with a HPPLC advisor.

• Law
• Medicine
• Other Health Professions
  • Dentistry
  • Optometry
  • Pharmacy
  • Physician Assistant

PLEASE NOTE: ALL COMMUNICATIONS concerning recommendations and questions about the Recommendation Service are to be sent to recserve@indiana.edu.