The Graduate School Advance to a Higher Degree

Recommendation Letters

The Purdue Graduate School application allows applicants to select up to three graduate campuses and/or majors per application. If you are applying to more than one graduate program, we highly suggest you contact your recommendation providers and encourage them to write all-inclusive letters of recommendation that support your suitability for all graduate programs listed on your application.

Unless otherwise noted within the Graduate Program Requirements Web page, three (3) letters of recommendation are required for degree-seeking applicants. If you choose to apply to more than one campus and/or graduate major, the graduate program that requires the highest number of letters of recommendation will establish the minimum number of letters of recommendation to be submitted.

Your references should be persons who can assess your academic potential such as faculty members, academic staff, supervisors, industry leaders, employers, or advisors.   The Purdue University Graduate School strongly encourages you to provide reference email addresses that are affiliated with an academic institution, professional organization, or employer.

When you create an online application to the Purdue Graduate School, once you click “Send to Recommender,” your recommendation providers will receive an email with instructions on submitting their recommendation online.

The Purdue University Graduate School strongly encourages you to provide an email address affiliated with an academic institution, professional organization, or employer. Once the online recommendation is submitted the graduate program to which you applied will have access to view your online recommendation.

If you waive your right to examine your recommendation, you forfeit your right to request a copy of your recommendation letter.  If you do not waive your right, you have the ability to request a copy of your recommendation letter.  Some recommendation providers may be reluctant to submit a recommendation on your behalf if you do not waive your right to view the letter.

For recommenders wishing to complete a paper recommendation, please send the following recommendation form (PDF).

Not all programs use the default form above. Please consult the Graduate Program Requirements Web page for recommendation letter requirements. If your program indicates that it uses a separate recommendation form, a link to that form will be provided by the graduate program.

For additional information, please visit our Letter of Recommendation FAQ.

How to Apply Apply Now Request Information

Ernest C. Young Hall, Room 170 | 155  S. Grant Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2114 | 765-494-2600

© Purdue University | An equal access/equal opportunity university | Copyright Complaints | Maintained by The Purdue University Graduate School

If you have trouble accessing this page because of a disability, please contact The Purdue University Graduate School.