Securing recommendations for postgraduate research students from developing countries: A critical concern

As an associate professor in my diaspora, I am often approached by aspiring graduate students from developing countries who seek letters of recommendation. While that may seem like a straightforward request, choosing the right person to write a recommendation letter is a critical concern for postgraduate research students. In this blog post, I aim to outline the importance of building a connection with potential recommenders and why choosing a random individual can result in a lackluster recommendation that fails to accurately reflect the student's strengths and potential.

Choosing the right person to write a recommendation letter is a critical concern for postgraduate research students.

The letter of recommendation is a crucial component of a graduate school application. It can play a significant role in determining the outcome of the admission process. A strong letter of recommendation does not only highlight a student's achievements but it also provides insight into their character, work ethic and potential to succeed in their chosen field. Therefore, it is imperative that students take the time to identify potential recommenders who can write personalised and meaningful letters that accurately reflect their skills, experiences and achievements.

For students from developing countries, securing strong letters of recommendation can be particularly challenging. They may have limited access to professional networks, and they may not have the opportunity to build relationships with potential recommenders. Choosing a random individual who has had limited interaction with the student may not result in a comprehensive assessment of their abilities, and such people may not be able to communicate the student's strengths in a compelling manner.

What are the problems with choosing random person?

Choosing a random person to write a recommendation letter can cause a number of problems:

1.         Lack of credibility: If the recommender is not well-acquainted with the student's academic and professional backgrounds, their recommendation may lack credibility, and as such it may not carry much weight with the admissions committee.

2.         Inadequate knowledge: If the recommender does not have a good understanding of the student's research interests and goals, their recommendation may not accurately reflect the student's potential as a researcher.

3.         Insufficient detail: A random person may not provide enough detail in their recommendation, thus making it difficult for the admissions committee to gain a comprehensive understanding of the student's strengths and potential.

4.         Inconsistency: If the recommender does not clearly understand the student's academic and professional backgrounds, their recommendation may be inconsistent with other aspects of the student's application, such as their personal statement or resume.

5.         Lack of personal connection: Recommendations from random people may lack a personal connection, and so they may not provide insight into the student's personality and/or interpersonal skills, which are important traits for success in a postgraduate research programme.

The first step in securing a good recommendation is to develop a relationship with potential recommenders.

The first step in securing a good recommendation is to develop a relationship with potential recommenders. For students from developing countries who may not have access to experienced researchers and academics, alternative recommendation sources can be explored. For example, former teachers or professors can provide a strong recommendation, as can supervisors from internships or work experience. The key is to find individuals who are well-acquainted with the student's academic and professional backgrounds and who can hence speak to their potential as a researcher.

How to build a connection with the intention to secure recommendations

Building a connection with the intention of securing a recommendation requires a combination of effort and strategic planning. Here are some steps that can help:

1.         Get involved in research projects: Participating in research projects can help students build relationships with potential recommenders and demonstrate their dedication and aptitude for research.

2.         Attend seminars and conferences: Attending conferences and seminars can help students network with researchers and academics in their field, and this can potentially lay the foundation for future recommendations.

3.         Seek out mentorship opportunities: Working with a mentor can provide students with guidance and support, as well as offer opportunities to build a relationship with an experienced researcher.

4.         Be proactive in reaching out: Once a relationship has been established, students should reach out to potential recommenders well in advance of their application deadlines to ask for recommendation letters.

5.         Provide relevant information: When reaching out to potential recommenders, students should provide information about their academic and professional background, their research interests and the postgraduate research programme they are applying to. This will help the recommender understand the student's background and aspirations, and so allow them to craft a strong recommendation.

6.         Be considerate and respectful: Students should be considerate of their potential recommenders' time and resources, and be respectful of their decision if they happen to feel unable to provide a recommendation.

Building a connection with the intention of securing a recommendation requires effort, patience and persistence. However, the rewards of securing a strong recommendation can make all the difference in securing acceptance into a top-notch postgraduate research programme. 

In conclusion, securing a recommendation for postgraduate research students from developing countries can be challenging, but it is not impossible. By developing relationships with potential recommenders, being proactive in securing a recommendation and exploring alternative sources, students can increase their chances of success. With a strong recommendation, students from developing countries can pursue their research goals and make a significant impact in their field.

Dr Helen Onyeaka is an industrial microbiologist with over 25 years of experience. She has published more than 75 journal articles and garnered more than 1000 citations. Helen is an Associate Professor in the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham, where she lectures and supervises MSc and PhD projects.