A reference letter file is a packet of recommendation letters and information about candidates that is submitted to an employer or graduate school as a part of the application process.
Candidates for employment in educational institutions and those seeking admission to graduate or professional schools are the primary users of reference letter files.
Detailed information about our specific policies and procedures for establishing and submitting each type of reference letter file is outlined below.
Reference Letter File Fees
File set up....................................................................................................no charge
Sending a file via U.S. Mail.......................................................................$7.00
Forwarding materials after the initial set of references are sent to
an employer or graduate school..............................................................$3.00
Master and Doctoral Candidates
The University Career Center establishes and manages reference letter files for KU master and doctoral level graduate students as well as those students seeking admission to graduate or professional schools.
Alumni
The University Career Center manages already established reference letter files for undergraduate and graduate level alumni.
IMPORTANT POLICY CHANGE:
As of July 1, 2010, KU undergraduate alumni whose file has been destroyed due to lack of use will not be able to re-establish a university managed reference letter file. They will be required to self-manage their file.
Medical School Candidates
All students seeking admission to any type of medical school must first meet with Paul Crosby, Pre-Medical Advisor in the
CLAS Undergraduate Services Office, located in 109 Strong Hall. Paul Crosby can be reached via e-mail at
pcrosby@ku.edu or by phone at 785-864-3500.
K-12 Education Students
Current trends in the K-12 job application process have prompted us to establish new policies and procedures (see below) for reference letter files for K-12 education undergraduates. School districts across the country are requesting that candidates upload their job application materials, including letters of recommendation directly into the district's online application system, which requires candidates to have access to and self-manage their reference letters.
IMPORTANT POLICY CHANGE:
As of July 1, 2010, the University Career Center will not establish nor manage new reference letter files for K-12 education undergraduates. Candidates will need to collect and manage their reference letters and other forms and submit them directly to an employer.