Adding Letters To Your Reference File

After you have opened your reference letter file, you may begin asking letter writers to submit letters on your behalf. All letters should be accompanied by one of the following evaluation forms. Be sure to follow these steps:

• Access the appropriate evaluation form on line
• Before printing it, type the required information on the top portion of the form.
• Indicate your choice for a confidential or non-confidential letter, by signing the appropriate line as illustrated below
• Give the completed form to your reference writer
• Ask the reference writer to attach the reference letter to the completed evaluation form and return it to: Attn: Reference Letter Service, The Career Center, University of Michigan, 3200 SAB, 515 E. Jefferson Street, Ann Arbor, 48109-1316.
• Remind the reference writer that letters should be typed (not handwritten) on the letter writer's department or organization's letterhead. The letter writer's original signature is also required. Photocopied or faxed letters are not accepted, nor are stamped signatures.

Please note:

Sometimes letters do not make it to The Career Center's Reference Letter Service (RLS). The RLS has no control over the U.S. postal service or campus mail. If you ask an individual to write a letter of reference on your behalf, agree upon a timeline for the production of the letter and periodically check the status of your file online to see if the letter has indeed been submitted to the RLS. It is your responsibility to follow up with the reference writer if the letter is not received by the RLS.

Reference letters written for inclusion in your file at the RLS cannot be school/organization-specific since they are meant to be duplicated and sent to multiple recipients. If you need school/organization-specific letters, please ask your reference writer to return the letter directly to the intended recipient. The RLS cannot house school/organization-specific letters in your file.

If a letter arrives at RLS without an attached evaluation form, or if you do not sign the form, the letter will automatically be designated as non-confidential.