What are the guidelines for letters of recommendation?
Format:
Letters of recommendation should be written according to the following guidelines:
- must be written in English
- on official letterhead of the writer’s organization or institution whenever possible
- include the writer’s signature/name and organization
- range from 500 to 1,500 words
Content:
Letters should reference the Penn Engineering Online program you are applying to and cannot be reused from a different program.
Letters should be written by individuals who have evaluated the applicant and can write objectively about their aptitudes and capabilities in an academic or work setting. Please note- recommenders should not be friends or family members.
The Questionnaire:
You can answer the questionnaire by interpreting the questions through an industry lens. For example, instead of “How many students do you supervise?”, you can answer as if the question was, “How many employees do you supervise?”, etc. You can also leave the questionnaire section blank.
Due Date:
All letters of recommendation are due by the application deadline. Late letters of recommendation will not be considered and may disqualify the applicant from the admissions process. Please be mindful of the application deadlines!