Letters of Recommendation

Up to 2 letters of recommendation are required for undergraduate applicants.

At least one of the two letters must be from a college professor who has taught you in a course related to your academic major or field of study. In certain situations (e.g., enrollment only in large lecture courses), a teaching assistant may be an acceptable alternative. The second letter can come from another professor, academic advisor, research mentor, or other individual who can speak to your academic abilities and potential.

If you have been out of college for several years and have been active in the workforce, you may substitute one work reference in place of one academic recommendation. Similarly, if you have significant research or internship experience, you may submit a letter from your research advisor or internship supervisor.

Recommender Guidelines

Strong letters of recommendation provide specific examples that demonstrate your academic excellence, innovative thinking, and commitment to positive change. We encourage you to select recommenders who can speak to these qualities and provide meaningful insights about your academic achievements and personal character.

Please give your recommenders sufficient time to write their letters. It's considerate to provide them with at least 2-3 weeks notice before the application deadline.

Optional Letter

You may submit one optional letter of recommendation if there is another person who knows you well and will provide new insights about you. This could be from an employer, community service leader, or other individual who can speak to your qualities outside the academic environment. Please ask your recommender to note your full legal name, university name, and date of birth at the top of the letter.

How to Submit Letters of Recommendation

• Recommendation letters should be submitted online through the Lu Scholar Application portal whenever possible. This is the fastest method for materials to reach your file.
• If online submission is not possible, recommenders may send their letter as an email attachment to scholarship@lu-memorial.org. They should include your full legal name, university name, and date of birth at the top of the letter and in their email.
• Materials submitted by recommenders may take up to one week to process after we have received your submitted application. As a standard practice, we offer a grace period after the application deadline during which recommenders may submit their letters.
• You can check the status of your recommendation letters in your Lu Scholar Application portal after submitting your application.

Updated on March 28, 2025