Recommendation Service

For programs other than those in the arts and sciences or education, please click here.

The Office of the Dean of Studies provides, at no charge, a dossier service for current students and alumnae applying to graduate schools. The Office of Career Development maintains a separate file of recommendations for those seeking employment.

Students interested in opening a recommendations file may obtain a packet from the receptionist in the Dean of Studies Office (105 Milbank), or by clicking here. The packet consists of the following forms:

• Policies and Procedures
• Graduate and Professional School Applicant's Information Sheet (to be submitted when starting a file).
• Letter of Recommendation for Graduate School (to be given to faculty member). If you wish to waive your right of access to the letter, please sign in the appropriate place on the form before giving to your recommender.
• Graduate Recommendation Request (to be submitted with stamped, addressed envelopes)


Be sure to read the policies and procedures carefully, and see Dean Schneider or Sarah El Attar, the Graduate Recommendations Assistant, if you have questions. You will need to submit envelopes which are stamped and addressed to each school to which you are applying. Give recommendation forms to those faculty members from whom you are requesting references. Faculty members should then return the forms directly to the Recommendations Assistant for your file, and it is incumbent upon you, the student, to check for their receipt.

Keep in Mind: If you plan to apply to both professional and graduate schools, be sure to sign up with both the Graduate School Recommendations Assistant, Sarah El Attar (212 854-2024), and the Pre-Professional Recommendations Assistant, Paula Hercules (212 854-2024).

You are responsible for seeing that your obligations in this process are carried out. The Dean of Studies Office processes recommendations for about 400 students each year, and we need your help to assure that matters are taken care of quickly and smoothly and without unnecessary delays.