Frequently Asked Questions

References

Can a family member write a letter of recommendation for me?

No. Letters of recommendation should not be written by relatives.

What if I don't know of anyone to write a professional or academic letter for me?

You may ask someone familiar with your personal situation and/or academic goals, such as an employer, a co-worker, a counselor, or a volunteer supervisor. Choose references who you are confident know you well enough to write a positive, personalized letter.

Can I submit letters of recommendation from more than two references?

No. Only submit letters from two different sources. Any extra letters will be discarded upon arrival.

What if I’m afraid one of my references won’t write her letter before JRF’s deadline?

JRF isn’t able to accept any documents that are postmarked after the March 1 deadline. So, if you’re worried that one of your references won’t finish your letter in time, we suggest you ask a third reference to write a letter. If all three references come through, you can choose the two letters that you like the best to submit with your application.



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