Academic referee
A teacher or supervisor who knows your course work. They can speak about how you learn, handle feedback and work with others.
Suits you when you are applying soon after finishing a course.
Letters of recommendation: how to brief your referees
A good letter comes from someone who knows your work. This page covers who to ask, what to give them and what to ask the college.
The referee writes the letter, not you and not us. We do not write, edit or review letters. Next: SOP guide, admissions support and search colleges.
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The letter is the referee's, not yours
Their words, their opinionThe letter is the referee's, not yours
A letter of recommendation is a short statement from someone who has taught or managed you. It tells the college what you are like to work with.
It only carries weight if it is the referee's own opinion in their own words. Nobody else should draft it, including you, an agent or us. We help you plan who to ask and check what the college requires. The referee writes the letter; we submit it with your application with your approval.
Your job is to choose the right people, give them what they need and be kind about their time.
Who to ask
Pick people who can describe specific moments, not only your grades.
Who to ask
Who to ask
Pick people who can describe specific moments, not only your grades.
Professional referee
A manager who saw your work first hand. This suits programs where experience counts, or when you left study some time ago.
Who to avoid
Someone with an impressive title who barely knows you, or a relative or friend.
Specific beats impressive
A short letter from a person who knows you is better.
In what order
Start early. Referees are busy, and they are doing you a favour.
In what order
In what order
Start early. Referees are busy, and they are doing you a favour.
- Step 1
Read the requirement
Check how many letters the program needs and what kind.
- Step 2
Ask in person or by a short message
Ask whether they are comfortable writing a strong letter. Accept a no politely.
- Step 3
Send the pack
Include the deadline and the exact way the college collects letters.
- Step 4
Follow up once, kindly
A short reminder before the deadline is fine. Do not pressure anyone about what to say.
- Step 5
Check your own file
Make sure your SOP, CV and transcripts tell the same story as your referees will.
If you cannot explain a claim in an interview, do not let anyone put it in a letter.
Honest letters from people who know you are the only kind worth asking for.
Read the SOP guideGive each referee a short pack
Give each referee a short pack
Give each referee a short pack
A referee who has your details can write something specific. Put it in one email or folder.
- A short note on the program and why you chose it.
- Your CV and a list of the courses or projects you did with them.
- The deadline, and how the college wants the letter sent.
- The link or instructions from the college, copied exactly.
- A thank-you, and an offer to answer questions.
Your request note: the shape
Your request note: the shape
- GreetingSay who you are and how you know them.
- The askAsk if they are comfortable writing a letter for you.
- The programName it and say in a line why you chose it.
- DeadlineGive the date and how the college collects letters.
- ThanksOffer to answer questions and to share the pack.
What to ask the college
- How many letters does this program need?
- Do you want academic referees, professional referees or either?
- Do referees upload directly, or do they email you?
- What email address do you accept for a referee?
- What is the deadline for letters, and is it the same as for my application?
Do and don't
Do and don't
Do and don't
Do
- Ask people who have seen your work first hand.
- Tell them your goals so they can speak to them.
- Give them plenty of time and a clear deadline.
- Say thank you, and tell them the result later.
Don't
- Write the letter and ask them to sign it.
- Ask anyone to say things that are not true.
- Use a personal email address in place of a teacher's work address without asking the college.
- Send two referees the same wording to copy.
Questions about letters
Independent advice
Study Master Canada provides education counselling and, with your approval, prepares and submits your college applications. We do not give immigration advice or prepare immigration applications. Regulated immigration work, including study permit applications, appeals, spouse work permits and PR pathways, is handled only by a licensed RCIC partner, Visa Master Canada, when you retain them directly. We are not affiliated with any government.
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