I know it’s been a while since you've been on Blackboard or Canvas, enrolled in classes, or had a meeting to discuss your study plan. You may be wondering if you can do this and apply to graduate school when you haven’t filled out a college application in years.
Applying to graduate school after five or more years out of the classroom can feel daunting, especially when securing letters of recommendation. Many prospective students worry about where to begin and whether anyone can provide a meaningful endorsement for their application. If this resonates with you, you’re not alone.
Common Concerns About Letters of Recommendation:
I want you to check every box for any of the statements below you’ve thought or said:
I don’t have any recent academic contacts.
My professional connections can’t speak to my ability to handle graduate-level work.
Will my letter writers understand what admissions committees are looking for?
I’ve been out of school so long, will my letters even matter?
These concerns are valid, but the good news is that graduate programs understand many applicants bring unique professional and personal experiences, even if they’ve been out of the academic world for a while. Whether you’ve been homeschooling, working in a corporate environment, or pursuing other professional endeavors, those experiences can add value to your application and inform compelling letters of recommendation.
You should seek within yourself and write down why you want to pursue a graduate degree at this point in your life. If you are feeling stuck, read the next section for examples.
Why Pursue Graduate School Now?
For many returning students, graduate school represents an opportunity to:
Advance in their current career. Many industries value advanced degrees for leadership roles.
Pivot to a new field. Graduate school can lead to a career aligned with one's passions or values.
Reignite intellectual curiosity. The desire to continue learning and growing can be a powerful motivator.
Set an example for their children or community. Some pursue further education to inspire the next generation.
Gain the credentials needed to pursue entrepreneurial or consulting ventures.
I know you’re wondering how to get a letter of recommendation that will unlock one or many of these opportunities. I have 5 tips to help you get letters of recommendation that decision-makers will want to read regardless of your current employment status.
5 Tips for Securing Letters of Recommendation That Interest Decision Makers
Tip 1: Identify the Right People
Think beyond professors. Supervisors, colleagues, or mentors who can vouch for your work ethic, leadership skills, and intellectual curiosity are excellent choices. If you’re a homeschooling parent, consider asking co-op leaders, fellow educators, or coordinators who can speak to your organizational and teaching abilities. For corporate professionals, supervisors, or team leaders who have witnessed your problem-solving, communication, or project management skills are ideal.
Look at the program's values and find the people who can speak to it.
Bonus Tip: You may not like it, but here’s the truth. In Ph.D. programs, decision-makers value the opinions of other faculty members, especially those with a doctorate. Therefore, you might have to pay for or audit a graduate school course to establish credibility, build relationships, and showcase your readiness for graduate school.
Tip 2: Provide Context and Support
Please share why you are applying to graduate school and how their letter can help.
Supply your resume, personal statement, and details about the program so they can tailor your letter to align with your goals. Offer specific examples they can highlight, such as a successful project you led or an initiative in which you demonstrated key relevant skills that resonate with the graduate program.
Please paint the picture and bring the supplies so that they can create a masterpiece. On page 71 of my book, “20 Questions to Answer Before You Apply to Graduate School,” I provide a template that you can use to make this happen.
Tip 3: Reach Out Early
Give your recommenders ample time—at least four to six weeks—to write a thoughtful letter. ES, I SAID 4-6 weeks. You are going to be left saying, please help me? hey will reply to you
Schedule a meeting or call to discuss your request and explain why you chose them.
Last-minute requests reflect poor professionalism and convey that you don’t respect the person’s time.
Bonus Tip: My wife, an assistant professor, talks with me about the random emails she gets from students she doesn’t remember or who request things at the last minute. Like many faculty members, she's a procrastinator, so you must give them time.
Tip 4: Help Them Understand Graduate Admissions
Many letter writers outside academia may not be familiar with what graduate admissions committees look for. If your recommender is not currently working in higher education, you will need to highlight qualities that graduate education generally values, such as:
Intellectual curiosity
Ability to handle rigorous coursework
Leadership and teamwork
Communication and analytical skills
Never assume people know what you do. Be specific about your requests and shared information.
Tip 5: Express Gratitude and Follow Up
Acknowledge the time and effort your recommenders are putting into helping you. Send a thank-you note and update them via email on the outcome of your application.
Recommenders love to get updates and tell people about your story or theirs; your success in getting into graduate school is their success. Who wouldn’t want to cheerlead and brag about helping the next inventor, author, manager, CEO, CFO, CMO, veterinarian, lawyer, educator, etc. they helped get into graduate school?
Be sure to ask for a copy of the recommendation before you, or they hit submit. You need to know what people are writing, and this ensures that it reflects the value this degree will provide.
Overcoming Confidence Challenges
It’s natural to feel uncertain about asking for recommendations, especially if you worry that your chosen letter writers cannot speak to your academic abilities. But remember: graduate admissions committees value diverse experiences and perspectives. A well-written letter from someone who knows your character, work ethic, and ability to contribute meaningfully can carry significant weight.
No faculty or decision-maker wants to read a nasty letter of recommendation. Here are four examples of what makes a nasty letter of recommendation:
Vague and Generic Language – A letter that lacks specific details about the candidate’s skills, accomplishments, and character, using phrases like “They are a great person” without examples.
Lack of Enthusiasm or Weak Endorsement – A lukewarm recommendation that uses phrases like “I suppose they would do fine” or “I don’t know them well, but they seem capable.”
Too Short or Superficial – A letter that is only a few sentences long and does not provide meaningful insight into the candidate’s abilities or qualifications.
Negative or Unprofessional Tone – A letter that includes criticism, backhanded compliments, or inappropriate personal details undermining the applicant’s chances.
By carefully selecting and preparing your recommenders, you'll be well on your way to obtaining the endorsements that will strengthen your application and advance your educational journey.
Letters of recommendation are essential to your graduate school application and can be arranged early and efficiently. It's important to recognize that you won't gain admission to graduate school without the assistance, guidance, and expertise of others.
Many individuals who have been out of school for some time struggle to gain admission because they are reluctant to seek help; additionally, some may fear feedback, leading to documents and emails filled with typos, grammatical errors, and poor sentence structure. These mistakes can significantly diminish your chances of acceptance.
I want to ensure that all your hard work pays off and that you don’t face denial due to avoidable issues. I. I encourage you to set up your Graduate School Success Call, during which you and I will review and provide feedback on your email requests for letters of recommendation. We can also discuss your plans for graduate school in a 30-minute session. Click here to schedule a time.
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