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CCLC's Recommendation Letters File
Recommendation letters will be a key part of your graduate school
application process. In order to make that process easier for you, the
Career and Community Learning Center provides a service we call Rec
Files. We store and mail academic recommendation letters to the schools
you choose. The start-up fee includes 3 mailings. Stop by CCLC's 135 Johnston Hall office for more information or
to set up your file.
How Does it Work?
One of the great things about
this service is that we do a lot of the work for you. To open a Rec
File, you just need to stop by CCLC's 135 Johnston Hall office to pay
the $30 start-up fee. (Payment note: We do not accept credit cards, only cash or check). After that, you find people willing to write you strong
recommendation letters and have them submit the letters to our office.
When all the letters have been submitted, you can request us to mail
them to any schools. Your first 3 mailings are included with the initial fee—additional mailings are $5 each.
What are the Benefits of Using this Service?
- The people writing your letters are probably busy people. The
Rec File service allows them to write just one copy of the letter, even
though it may be used by you multiple times.
- The confidentiality of your letters is guaranteed.
- There's no risk that you'll lose your letters.
- It's one process you don't have to organize yourself!
- If you'd like a letter updated, we'll request an update from the
letter writer. That way you'll always have up-to-date letters on file.
- We provide you with an info sheet that you can pass on to the
letter writer. It provides tips for writing effective recommendation
letters.
Who Can Use This Service?
Our Rec Files service is open to all undergraduate students at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. (For other services, please note that we are the CLA career services office.) If you are applying to law schools, we do not recommend that you use the Rec Files service. For law schools, you are required to send recommendation letters through LSDAS, so it will save you time and money to do that and not use an intermediary service. Find more info in our pre-law section.
Open vs. Closed (Confidential) Rec Files:
Your
file can either be open or closed. If it's closed, or confidential, we can tell you who
has submitted letters to your file, but we can't show you the actual
letters. If your file is open, you can read the recommendation letters.
We recommend a closed file, as many grad schools prefer to receive
confidential letters. Note that even with an open file, you cannot
remove copies of the letters from the CCLC office.
How Long Do You Keep My File?
Rec Files are maintained for 5 years from the last date of activity.
If you want to keep it open longer, call CCLC to extend, though note
that most schools prefer to receive recent letters.
How Do I Request You to Mail Out My Letters?
When
you want us to send your recommendation letters to a school(s), you
need to submit a written request form or letter. You can submit the
request form by mail or in person to our 135 Johnston Hall office.
Download a PDF of the form here. Note that after the first 3 mailings, you must also submit $5 per mailing request. (Payment must be by cash or check.)
If you send us a request by letter, rather than via the form, please submit the following information:
- Your name
- Your work and/or home phone numbers
- Your signature
- The name of the letter writer(s) and the month and year in which each letter was written
- The name and complete address of the school(s)
Do not request a mailing for any letters that have not yet been submitted
to us. Such requests will not be processed. Please wait to submit
requests until all requested letters are in your file.
Who Should I Ask to Write My Letters?
Strong, well-written letters
of recommendation are important. They are a primary selection tool in
the grad school admission process. Therefore:
- Letters
of recommendation should be written by people who know you well from
work, internship, volunteer, student group, or classroom
experiences. Coworkers, supervisors or faculty members are good
choices. Family members are generally not appropriate.
- Approach people you think will give you glowing recommendations.
Ask the person up front if s/he can write you a strong recommendation.
- Request the letters now, when people are most familiar with your strengths and abilities and remember you easily.
- For more suggestions, stop by our 135 office to pick up the following handouts: Helpful Tips for the Applicant, and Helpful Tips for the Recommender. If you're applying to Medical School,
see Helpful Tips for the Recommender (Medical School).
- For more tips and details about CCLCs's Rec File service, see our Rec File brochure (PDF).
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