When it comes to recommendation letters for the MPA application, I frequently receive the following questions:
- Who should write my recommendation letters?
My general answer to this question is to find someone who knows you well and can provide the admissions committee greater insight into your academic or professional strengths. Therefore, your recommender might be a professor, an internship supervisor or other professional reference. The ideal recommendation would include observations about your leadership skills, motivation, team building abilities, dedication, quantitative and analytical skills, academic or professional performance, maturity and/or communication skills, for example.
- How many recommendation letters do I need to submit?
The Texas Common Application will have space for up to three recommenders’ names, but you are required to supply only two names for application to the MPA program. If you prefer to submit more than two recommendation letters, the committee will review all that are received. However, do not feel pressure…the majority of our applicants submit only two.
If you’re thinking about applying to the Texas MPA program, tune in to Admissions Manager Keri Ledezma’s blog. She shares tips about applying, updates on the admissions process, and what to expect once you’re in the program. Have questions? 
2 responses so far
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1 Thandi John-Scotland // Aug 4, 2009 at 11:14 am
Do the recommenders have to submit actual letters, or will the standard form suffice?
2 Keri Ledezma // Sep 9, 2009 at 4:02 pm
The narrative provided in a letter offers greater insights and observations on your strengths and abilities than the standard form, so I highly recommend that your recommenders submit one. Please note: we prefer that your references submit an online recommendation rather than a paper version. Please see the application instructions on our website for more details.
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