Letters of recommendation
Letters of recommendation in support of graduate program applications are submitted through an online form. The link to the form will be emailed to the applicant within seven days of receipt of the application fee. The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) does not send the letter of recommendation form to referees. Applicants are responsible for distributing the link and other required information.
Submission of the form is mandatory; additional written letters are not required. However, your referee may upload a supplementary letter (PDF format only) along with their online form should they wish.
Letters of recommendation may be verified for authenticity. Referees must have an institutional or professional email address in order to complete the online form. Recommendation forms submitted from email addresses that are not linked to a business or institution (i.e. Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo Mail etc.) will not be accepted.
The content of the recommendation form must be written in the referee's own words. If recommendation forms submitted on your behalf contain the same content or follow a general template, they will not be accepted.
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Will the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) send the letter of recommendation form to my referees?
No, SGPS does not send the letter of recommendation form to referees. Applicants are responsible for distributing the link to the online letter of recommendation form, providing required information (Ontario Tech University student ID number, program applied to and term that studies will begin), and ensuring that letters are submitted by the appropriate application deadline.
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Where can I find the online form to send to my referees?
Within two to three business days of submitting your application, you will receive an email containing a link to the letter of recommendation form. It is your responsibility to forward the link to each referee. Be sure to provide your referee with your Ontario Tech University student ID number, program applied to and start term, as they will be required to indicate this information on the form.
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How many letter of recommendation forms are required?
A minimum of two letters of recommendation from persons having direct knowledge of your academic abilities and potential must be submitted with your application. Please note that some faculties may require three letters (see individual program pages for details).
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Who can complete the letter of recommendation form?
The letter of recommendation form must be completed by individuals under whom you have worked closely or studied, such as a professor, supervisor or manager. Academic references are preferred; however, professional references will be accepted. Referees who have knowledge of your ability within the last four years are preferred. Referees should have familiarity with your recent activities. Applicants are encouraged to send a current copy of their Curriculum Vitae to their referees.
A potential supervisor is permitted to act as referee*.
*The Department of Energy and Nuclear Engineering does not accept potential supervisors as referees for graduate applications.
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What do I do if my referee does not have an institutional or professional email account?
If your referee does not have a business or institutional email address, a written letter of recommendation may be submitted. The letter of recommendation must clearly assess your suitability for the program of study and cover the same information as detailed in the online letter of recommendation form.
The letter of recommendation must be printed on official stationery (from the referee's institution or business) and submitted in an official envelope that has been signed or stamped on the flap by the referee. Letters of recommendation are confidential and the envelopes must not be opened.
Mail the sealed envelopes to the following address (they may be mailed by you or directly by your referee):
Mailing address:
School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS)
Ontario Tech University
2000 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa, Ontario L1G 0C5 -
May I submit letters of recommendation through the form used to upload my admissions-related documents?
No. Letters of recommendation are only accepted via the online letters of recommendation form. Do not submit letters of recommendation via the admissions-related documents form.
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Will my referees be contacted?
Upon receipt of letters of recommendation, we may contact referees to verify letter authenticity. Other communication, such as distributing the link to the online recommendation form or providing program details, is the responsibility of the applicant.
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How will I know that SGPS has received a letter of reference? When will my portal be updated?
You should receive an email confirming LOR submission from each of your referees on your behalf. Please check your junk mail to ensure it has not been sent there.
Please hold on to all confirmation emails as they act as a receipt that the references have been received.
TIMELINES FOR LORS to BE REFLECTED IN THE PORTAL (PLEASE READ):
If your portal is NOT updated by the date(s) listed below, then please email us at gradstudies@ontariotechu.ca to inquire about the status of your letters of recommendation.
DOMESTIC APPLICANTS
Admission intake:
References will be updated by:
Fall 2024 - Feb 1 Application Deadline
March 1, 2024
Fall 2024 - May 1 Application Deadline
May 15, 2024
Winter 2025
September 24, 2024
Spring/Summer 2025
January 23, 2025
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
Admission intake:
References will be updated by:
Fall 2024 - Feb 1 Application Deadline
March 1, 2024
Fall 2024 - May 1 Application Deadline
May 15, 2024
Winter 2025
August 2, 2024
Spring/Summer 2025
December 5, 2024
