Admissions Advice: Recommendations

Next up for application advice: Recommendations!

One of the most influential yet overlooked element of your application is the recommendation letter. Strong recommendation letters are a crucial part of your application to The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. These letters represent a culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and personal growth by providing insight into your identity as a student, professional, and community member, helping the admissions committee evaluate your fit with Fletcher’s values and missions.

While transcripts present grades, and test scores reflect academic abilities, recommendations give a nuanced perspective of your personality, motivations, and strengths. Admissions counselors are not just looking for academic excellence; they are looking for qualities of leadership and collaboration that will allow you to thrive during your time here at Fletcher. The recommendation letter provides the opportunity to highlight these qualities through personal anecdotes. A teacher or mentor might highlight your passion for learning, ability to think critically, and general curiosity that would not otherwise be evident through a transcript.

The best way to make sure all of this information comes across is to select people who know you personally and/or have worked with you in a professional or academic setting. While it can be tempting to ask the most high-ranking individuals you know, sometimes the better option is to ask a supervisor or professor with whom you have worked closely. Chose instructors who have seen your academic abilities and aspirations up close, supervisors who have seen your work on a day to day basis, or an advisor who knows can attest to your growth.

Lastly, make sure that you are strategic about your recommenders. You should aim to provide a diverse set of perspectives, and avoid overloading your application with too many letters from the same sphere. A well-rounded set of letters shows that you have strengths in various areas. Consider the program you are applying to, and what strengths you think would be most beneficial to highlight. For example, if you are applying to the MIB program, you might want to prioritize a professor or advisor who are familiar with your academic success in business, but a supervisor from a job or internship might be able to attest to your work in action.

Take the time to reflect on who can best represent your unique abilities, and remember to give your recommenders plenty of time to write thoughtful, compelling letters.

’til next time!

Emma Stevens