How to get a great MS Engineering reference letter

For entrance into any level of higher education, you’ll need at least 1 reference letter. If you’re considering an MS Engineering degree, you're probably looking at 2 or 3 reference letters. And that's per programme. If you apply to a few different schools, you’ll need to start multiplying the number of letters you need.

And you can’t write a single reference letter yourself.

Still, you have more control than you think.

What's the point of reference letters?

Some applicants don’t spend more than a minute wondering why colleges require reference letters. They’re needed and that’s all that counts.

But, a few moments reflecting on the purpose of these recommendations might make all the difference between a decent letter and shot at a seat or a stellar letter and early acceptance. Great reference letters can tip the scale in your favour, so you should give a lot of thought to this.

MS Engineering programmes request references because they want a glimpse into the person you are beyond grades, test scores, and work history. They want to know what other people think are your strongest traits and competence levels. (Your perception of yourself goes into your Statement of Purpose essay.) So, a masters degree reference letter (or recommendation letter) should include attributes about you that differentiate you from others.

Your ability to work with others, collaborate on projects, put in the extra effort to get the job done, or even just the way your brain tackles an assignment aren't things the admissions offices will see from your test scores.

Remember that everyone else applying to your MS Engineering programme will have similarly impeccable test scores and awesome undergrad results. What they won’t have is the glowing reference letter you have. 

Who should write your reference letters?

The biggest mistake applicants make when selecting their recommenders is to ask the president of their company or the dean of their alma mater to write a reference letter.

If you’re close with those people and have spent time together on projects, by all means, ask them. But there's no point in asking someone who wouldn’t be able to pick you out of a lineup. They can't possibly add an anecdote about your time together or provide admissions teams what they’re looking for.

The title, level, and perceived importance of a person is unimportant to admissions teams; how well a person knows you is what truly counts – even if their title is barely a notch above yours.

If you’ve recently completed your undergrad, a professor or advisor is a strong choice. But you should also consider direct supervisors at your current or previous jobs. Don't stress if your work experience isn’t exactly in your field of study. It’s something you can explain in your Statement of Purpose.

A letter of recommendation should be written by someone who is well-versed with your professional life and achievements. Never ask a family member or close friend to write you a reference letter for admission to a university; you need a recommendation from someone in your professional or academic life. For example, a letter of recommendation for MS Engineering from your employer.

Guiding the MS Engineering reference letter

You really shouldn’t ask someone to write a reference letter for you, hand them the name of the school and whatever forms they need, and walk away. You want to give them more information so their letter supplements your entire application.

Generally speaking, you should let your recommenders know why you’ve asked them to speak on your behalf. They’ll want to know which aspects of your time together you want to highlight.

That’s just the beginning. You should also let your reference letter writers know why you want to go back to school, which courses interest you most, why you’re applying to a certain programme, and what you hope to do with your degree. Getting a good letter of recommendation is important because it has the potential to make or break your application.

Every bit of information you can provide your recommenders will assist them to write the great reference letters you truly want – without you writing it yourself. Going through a sample reference letter for masters programmes will help you get an even better idea about what the evaluators want to read.

Reference letter tips

1. Ensure that your skills and abilities are highlighted. A recommendation letter for masters degree programmes will typically state that you are well-suited for the programme, and your employer/professor will vouch for your credibility. Great reference letters will endorse a candidate’s personal qualities and attributes.

2. The reference letter for masters degree programmes cannot be written if the person doesn’t know you well. Make sure that you take some time to communicate with the person writing your academic reference letter for MS engineering, or choose someone who already knows you well.

3. A letter of recommendation from employers is generally considered to be trustworthy. Similarly, a letter of recommendation for MS from professors will hold up under scrutiny. So, ensure that you select the right people to write your reference letters.

4. A letter of recommendation for a masters programme in engineering adds a lot of value to your application. Make sure that your recommendation letter does not contain any false claims, as this can undermine the credibility of your entire application.

5. If you’re looking for a recommendation letter for loan applications, you will also be required to submit a financial reference letter. The financial reference letter will be used to assure financial institutions of your credibility and will help you in getting a loan from such institutions. 

Don't forget to follow up

No matter how much a person likes you or respects your work, a reference letter is a favour. It’s extra time away from their work and their lives to support your pursuit of an MS Engineering degree. Make sure you take time to say thank you. A token of appreciation won’t go unnoticed (though it should only arrive after the letter has been sent), and it can be as simple as a hand-written thank you card.

But, that’s not the last time you should make contact with your recommenders. Take the time to let them know if you did (or didn’t) receive an acceptance letter. Even if you choose a different school, anyone who is willing to write a letter of recommendation for a masters programme in engineering for you will be interested in your successes.

You don’t want to wait too long to get the ball rolling on your reference letters either. Writing a letter of recommendation can be a lengthy task, so you should make sure that you give people enough time to write one. Keep in mind that not everyone is comfortable with formal writing and will want to take their time to do you justice.