Reference Letter Service

The Career Center’s Reference Letter Service (RLS) offers University of Michigan degree-seeking students and alumni/ae the opportunity to have letters of reference on file to use in support of their application to graduate and professional school or employment.

The service is convenient both to the file holders—especially those who wish to maintain the confidentiality of their letters, are applying to multiple programs or institutions, or anticipate needing reference letters after their graduation—and to the letter writers, since they are only required to submit one original letter. Reference files may only contain original letters. The RLS is unable to house transcripts, resumes, cover letters, school-specific forms or any other materials.

A file of original reference letters is maintained for five years from the day the file was established. There is $25.00 fee to open and maintain a reference letter file with the RLS for five years. File longevity may be extended beyond the initial five years for a $25 renewal fee. In addition, there is a charge to process requests to have letters sent to prospective employers or graduate and professional schools.

As a University of Michigan degree-seeking student or alumnus/a, you may establish a reference file with the RLS as soon as you complete twelve credit hours at The University of Michigan. At your request, copies of your file will be mailed to graduate and professional school admissions offices, potential employers, and scholarship and fellowship granting organizations. Based on feedback received from admissions officers and employers, you should collect no more than six letters of reference in your file.

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