Sample 4: Inquiry about a Person

North Central University

Pemberton Hall · Mills Road · Ames, Iowa 50012
Letterhead Graduate Admissions · 515/555-1908

Date March 15, 20xx

Dr. Margaret Porter

Inside Address (Use Management Information Systems
the appropriate College of Business
courtesy title.) California State University
Long Beach, CA 90840

Salutation Dear Dr. Porter:

Begin with the Please use the attached form to give us your opinion of Linda M. Mishall's
request, and provide chances of succeeding in graduate school. She listed you as a reference on
any required
explanation.
her application for admission and has waived her right of access to your
reply.

Put specific In addition to completing the form, your answers to the following questions
secondary questions would help us assess Ms. Mishall's application. You may use the reverse
in a numbered or
unnumbered list.
side of the form or prepare a separate statement.

• How long and in what capacity have you known Ms. Mishall?
• In what ways has she demonstrated superior academic skills?
(Please cite specific projects, papers, examples of class leadership,
and similar activities that indicate superior abilities.)
• What is her attitude toward work and achievement? Did she
complete assignments on time? Did her work indicate thorough
analysis and thoughtfulness? Did she make good use of her time? Is
she courteous in dealing with her professors and fellow students?
• What characteristics does she possess that you think will enable her
to succeed in a rigorous program of graduate study?
• How would you rate her in comparison with the other students you
have taught? How would you rate her chances for success?

Request additional In addition to answering these questions, please send us any other
information and information you think might help us decide about Ms. Michall's application.
offer to keep reply We will keep your reply strictly confidential. Because we will complete
confidential when it our review of applicants by May 15, we would appreciate receiving your
is possible to do so.
response by mid-April.
Sincerely,

Calvin Luther, III

Director of Admissions