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Letter of Recommendation Form

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Confidential Letter of Recommendation

Directions for the applicant: Please print the information in the box below, sign the waiver statement, and forward this form to the individual making the recommendation.

Name

Mailing Address

City State Country Zip

Home Phone Work Phone

E-mail address Date of Birth

Country of Birth Country of Citizenship

Graduate program applied for

Optional Waiver of Rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974:

I hereby waive my right to have access to this recommendation when completed, and understand that this confidential recommendation is to be used only in consideration for admission to the Graduate School at Bradley University.

Term of Entry (Check One)

Applicant's Signature

Date

Directions for the recommender: The person whose name appears above is applying to Bradley University's Graduate School. Your recommendation will be included as part of the information upon which we will base our decision for admission. Please give your appraisal of the applicant in terms of the qualities listed on both sides of this form. Return the completed recommendation to The Graduate School at the address above.

Abilities and Traits Top 2%
Usually Outstanding		 Next 13%
Superior		 Next 10%
Good		 Next 25%
Average		 Poor No Information
Creativity
Sense of responsibility
Motivation
Perseverance/Ability to complete projects
Ability to work effectively with others
Ability to work independently
Written communication skills
Oral communication skills
Problem-solving skills
(Ability to formulate logical solutions to problems)

Do you recommend this applicant?

1. How long and in what capacity have you known the applicant?

2. What characteristics do you consider to be the most significant talents and strengths of the applicant?

3. What characteristics of the applicant need some improvement?

4. If the applicant's native language is not English, please tell us how well the applicant speaks and understands English.

5. How will a graduate degree benefit this applicant?

Please provide any additional comments about the applicant.

Recommender's Information:

Name: Position/Title:

Institution/Company:

Address: Daytime Phone:

E-mail address: Fax Number:

Recommender's Signature

Date

Please return this form to The Graduate School (see logo above for address)
Thank you for your assistance.

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What a Letter of Recommendation Form Is and When It’s Used

A Letter of Recommendation Form is a structured document used to record an individual’s assessment of another person’s skills, character, and suitability for a role, program, or opportunity. Commonly requested by schools, employers, licensing bodies, and scholarship committees, the form standardizes information such as the recommender’s relationship to the subject, duration of acquaintance, specific qualifications or achievements, and a signed affirmation. The form can be completed on paper or electronically and may accompany applications, portfolios, admission packages, or personnel files where consistent, comparable references are required.

Why Use a Standard Letter of Recommendation Form

Using a form ensures consistent, comparable recommendations, reduces turnaround time, and documents key facts and dates that decision-makers rely on when evaluating candidates.

Why Use a Standard Letter of Recommendation Form

Who Typically Completes or Requests This Form

The form is used across academics, hiring, licensing, and scholarship programs to capture consistent references and factual endorsements.

  • Academic admissions officers and graduate programs seeking standardized faculty references.
  • Hiring managers and HR professionals collecting professional references for employment decisions.
  • Licensing boards and credentialing organizations verifying competence and character.

Clear templates reduce follow-up requests and make it easier for committees and HR teams to evaluate multiple applicants.

Core Elements of a Professional Letter of Recommendation Form

A well-designed form balances factual fields with space for qualitative examples so reviewers get consistent metrics plus concrete evidence of performance.

Header

Document title, issuing organization, and date so recipients can track submission origin and version.

Recommender Info

Full name, job title, organization, contact details, and relationship to candidate to establish authority and traceability.

Candidate Details

Candidate name, program or position applied for, and identifying information to avoid mismatches between recommendation and application.

Assessment Sections

Structured rating scales or checkboxes for skills plus open fields for examples demonstrating strengths, growth areas, and achievements.

Summary Paragraph

Concise evaluative statement summarizing overall suitability and any reservations in clear, comparable language.

Signature Block

Signature, printed name, date, and optional notarization or authentication line when required by the recipient.

Essential Fields to Include

Recommender Name: Full legal name
Recommender Title: Official job title
Relationship: Nature and duration of association
Candidate Name: Full legal name
Assessment Date: MM/DD/YYYY format
Signature: Signed and dated

Step-by-Step: Completing the Form

Follow these sequential steps to complete a clear, legally reliable Letter of Recommendation Form.

  • 01
    Gather details: Confirm candidate name, program, and deadline.
  • 02
    Complete header: Enter date and your organizational affiliation.
  • 03
    Provide examples: Use concrete incidents to support ratings.
  • 04
    Sign and submit: Sign, date, and send per recipient instructions.

Customizing and Completing the Form Online

Configure an online template to capture required fields, preserve formatting, and automate distribution to recipients.

Field Configuration
Required Fields Make name, relationship, date mandatory
Conditional Fields Show notarization line only if needed
Authentication Enable email or SMS signer verification
File Output Generate PDF/A for retention

Where to Send the Completed Form

Choose the recipient method required by the application or organization and follow any authentication instructions they provide.

  • Email Submission: Attach signed PDF to specified admissions or HR email.
  • Portal Upload: Upload directly to the institution’s application system.
  • Mailing Option: Print, sign, and mail if a physical copy is requested.
  • In-System Delivery: Use application vendor’s internal delivery where available.

Delivery Channels and Platform Considerations

Select delivery channels that match the recipient’s requirements and the sensitivity of the information being shared.

  • Email: Common, low friction
  • Secure Portal: Preferred for confidential data
  • eSignature Platforms: Support signatures, audit trails

Timelines and Typical Submission Deadlines

Plan ahead: recommender lead time and recipient deadlines determine the ideal submission window.

Academic Admissions:

Request letters 4–6 weeks before application deadlines.

Scholarships:

Allow at least 3–4 weeks for review and edits.

Employment:

Provide references within 1–2 weeks of request.

Licensing Boards:

Check board submission deadlines and processing times.

Late Submissions:

Contact recipient to confirm acceptance of late letters.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Missing identifying information for the candidate, which creates mismatches and delays in processing.
  • Vague language that offers praise without examples, reducing the recommendation’s usefulness to decision-makers.
  • Failing to include dates or duration of the relationship, which weakens credibility and verification.
  • Using casual email signatures or unsigned PDFs, which recipients may reject for lack of authentication.

Risks and Legal Considerations

Privacy Risk: FERPA concerns for student records
Protected Health Info: HIPAA applies if PHI disclosed
Defamation: False statements may create liability
Authentication Failure: Unsigned or unverifiable letters rejected
Data Retention: Improper disposal may breach rules
Conflict of Interest: Undisclosed relationships undermine credibility

Who Is Authorized to Sign a Letter of Recommendation

Faculty or Academic Supervisor

A tenured or tenure‑track faculty member, department chair, or thesis advisor should sign academic recommendations; include institutional affiliation and contact information for verification and to establish evaluative authority.

Direct Supervisor or Manager

For employment references, the candidate’s direct supervisor or HR manager signs to confirm role, dates of service, and performance; include business contact details to allow third‑party verification if requested.

Practical Examples of How the Form Is Used

Two concise examples show typical academic and employment scenarios for completed Letters of Recommendation.

Academic Example

An admissions officer requests a recommender form

  • recommender outlines research experience and teaching ability
  • the standardized form lets the committee compare candidates consistently and shortens review time while preserving specific evidence.

Employment Example

A hiring manager asks for a reference form

  • supervisor provides role, performance ratings, and a brief example
  • receiving a structured recommendation speeds verification and reduces phone follow-ups.

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about preparation, authentication, privacy, and electronic submission for Letters of Recommendation.


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Comparing eSignature Options for Completing and Sending Recommendation Forms

Select an eSignature provider that matches required authentication, volume, and compliance needs; the table summarizes common commercial options.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes Varies
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

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