Ideally, your goal is to build a team of recommenders who can write different kinds of letters for you, including: 2-3 professors a research or project mentor a job or internship supervisor a club or ...

Personal character reference: A community leader, coach, or family friend who knows you well. Give your recommender plenty of ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Mark C. Perna is a generational expert who covers education & careers.