Choosing Your Recommender

One letter of recommendation is required with your application. Do not submit more than one letter of recommendation and adhere to these other guidelines:

• The recommendation may be academic or professional in nature.
• The recommendation should come from an individual who can objectively assess your performance and your potential for success in the program and in your future career.
• Recommendations from family members, family friends and close friends are discouraged.

Recommendation Questions

Your recommender will be asked to rate you on a number of professional abilities and qualities, as well as provide an answer to these three questions:

• How long have you known the applicant and in what capacity?
• How do the candidate's performance, potential, background, or personal qualities compare to those of other well-qualified peers? Please provide specific examples.
• How would you describe the applicant's interpersonal skills?

Instructions for Submitting Recommendation Letter

Recommendations must be submitted online

• You will be prompted to enter your recommender's information via the "Add Recommender" function in the Recommendation section of the application.
• Once you enter a recommender's information, he or she will receive an email notification and instructions for completing the recommendation.
• There are instructions in the application for sending reminders to your recommender, if needed.
• Please note that if your recommender chooses to upload a recommendation letter, the recommendation letter should be on letterhead, dated, and signed by him or her.

Exceptions to the online recommendation

• If your recommender cannot submit an online recommendation, you must email shanghai.gradadmissions@nyu.edu to explain the circumstances and request approval for your recommender to submit a paper recommendation.
• If your recommender cannot complete a recommendation in English, he or she will need to complete a paper recommendation, following the instructions above, and have it translated into English. A certified English translation through a translating service must be obtained and submitted in a sealed envelope with the original recommendation, endorsed across the seal.
• If your recommender chooses to submit a paper recommendation letter, the recommendation letter should be on letterhead, dated, and signed by him or her.