Letters of Recommendation | Strategies and Tips

In recent years, the UIC Liautaud Graduate School of Business has moved to an online submission process for all letters of recommendation. Applicants should provide the names and emails of their recommenders on the online application. We will then email recommenders directions for uploading their letters of recommendation online. As you prepare your online application, here are a few things to keep in mind regarding letters of recommendation.

  1. Because we offer professionally-oriented programs, it is better to have letters written by work supervisors rather than professors (although not required). If you do plan to submit academic references, the best letter writers are professors who have academically evaluated you in an upper-division class, know you well and can provide an evaluation of your ability to perform and succeed at the graduate level.
  2. Do not submit letters from family friends, political figures, friends, or the like. These types of letters can actually do more harm than good in the admissions process.
  3. Provide your recommender with your resume, a list reminding them of accomplishments and skills you would like them to highlight, submission deadlines and a brief explanation of our online submission process as described above so they know what to expect.
  4. Give your recommenders plenty of time to draft and submit their letters. Do not wait until the last minute.

If you have any additional questions about this or any other aspect of the application process, please e-mail Admissions at lgsb@uic.edu.