Everything You Need to Know About Recommendation Letters

As you prepare your Tufts 2027 application, you may have questions about recommendation letters. Recommendation letters are an important part of your application, and with a little planning, the process doesn’t have to be stressful. Here’s what you need to know.

Why are recommendation letters important?
Recommendation letters give your department of interest another perspective on you as an applicant. While your application materials tell us about your academic and professional experiences, a recommendation letter allows someone who knows your work to speak directly to your strengths, accomplishments, potential, and readiness for graduate study.

Who should write my letters?
It’s best to choose recommenders who can speak directly to your ability to succeed in the program you are applying to. Depending on your background and program, this might include professors, research mentors, supervisors, or professional colleagues. Focus on someone who knows your work well, rather than someone based simply on their title or position. A recommender who can provide specific examples of your skills and accomplishments can share valuable insight into what you would bring to a graduate program.

Some programs have specific requirements for recommenders. For example, the Middle and High School Education MAT program requests that two of the letters be from academic professionals representing the subject area in which the applicant is seeking licensure. Because requirements vary, always check the requirements for your specific program. Visit the Explore Graduate Programs page, select your program, and click the “Application Requirements” tab to review your program-specific requirements.

If you graduated several years ago and are no longer in close contact with your professors, don’t worry! Depending on your program’s requirements, a current or former supervisor, research collaborator, or professional mentor may be able to provide a stronger and a more current perspective on your abilities.

Tip: Ask first before registering someone as your recommender. Make sure they are able to write a strong letter before registering them to your application.

How many letters do I need?
The number of recommendation letters required varies by program and degree. In general, master’s and PhD programs require three letters, although some programs require two (such as our Biomedical Engineering MS and Chemistry MS). Certificate programs generally require one
letter, with some exceptions (such as our Pre-Health Post-Baccalaureate Certificate and Studio Art Post-Baccalaureate Certificate), which require two. If you are a current Tufts student or a recent Tufts alum, you will only be required to submit two recommendation letters for master’s and PhD programs. Be sure to check our website for program-specific requirements.

When should I ask?
It’s important to give your recommenders plenty of time to write a thoughtful letter. Reach out several weeks before your application deadline, or earlier if possible. Provide your recommender with your program information, application deadline, résumé or CV, and any other information that may help them understand your goals and accomplishments. The more context you give, the easier it may be for your recommender to write a strong, personalized letter.

What is the submission process?
Once your recommender agrees to write your letter, you will register them on your application and complete all required fields (including their name, contact information, organization, and relationship to you). They will then receive a link via email to submit their letter through the official Tufts portal. Letters should be submitted from an institutional or organizational email address (such as .edu,.org,, etc.). If a letter is submitted from a personal email address (such as @gmail.com), it must be submitted on an official institutional letterhead or include a handwritten signature to be considered official. If your recommender cannot submit through our portal, they should contact us at gradadmissions@tufts.edu. 

Can I submit my application if my letters are still pending?
Yes! As long as the required number of recommenders have been registered, and your application is otherwise complete, you can submit your application while your letters are pending submission. You can monitor your recommendation letters through our application portal’s checklist. Once a letter has been received, it will update to a green check mark.

When are letters due?
Recommendation letters should be submitted no later than two weeks after the program’s deadline. If a program deadline has been extended, it is in your best interest to have your letters submitted as soon as possible, as applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, Please note that you are responsible for following up with your recommenders to make sure their letters are submitted in time for the review. If a deadline is approaching, a friendly reminder is appropriate and can help ensure your application is complete.

Final Tips
When it comes to recommendation letters, be sure to start early, choose recommenders who know your work well, and keep track of your letters through the application portal. Most importantly, remember that your recommenders are there to help tell your story from a different perspective. Give them the time and information they need to put your best application forward.