Do schools call your reference(s)?

RNBillie · Dec 2, 2008

I received both my bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing from a well known school in the Northwest and from my knowledge they did not contact any of my references via phone or email.

Goodluck with your application...

zenman · Dec 3, 2008

I've never known a school to call.

UVA Grad Nursing · Dec 4, 2008

We call on occasion -- especially if there is a vague statement in a recommendation. Last year we phoned 5-6 references (out of 500 applications received).

allnurses Guide · Dec 4, 2008

Gotta say, I don't understand the whole process of written references. Surely every applicant is going to get people who like them to say "gee, jane is a great person, who works well and will be an excellent student"...? Doesn't that nullify the value of distinguishing between applicants?

UVA Grad Nursing · Dec 4, 2008

Ghillbert:

Excellent question. I've been reviewing admissions applications for 20+ years (and been writing them just as long). A conscientious recommender will give concrete examples supporting their glowing comments. When I write a letter, it is usually 1-3 typed pages that is attached to the form.

When I read letters, I also like these longer, detailed letters and comments that come from someone who knows the candidate. Recommendations that merely check off a few boxes (or give one sentence of approval) are of no help to me.

This being said, not all comments are helpful. Last year one recommender said that the candidate "made tasty cupcakes at the Christmas party". While this may be helpful for Martha Stewart Inc., it is not helpful for evaluating candidates for a Family NP prorgam.

To me, when a recommender takes the time to write carefully considered and detailed comments ---- that is the most valuable. I tell people when they consider who to ask to be their recomemders, we would rather have people who know them well than someone with many credentials who knows them slightly. A form letter from your US Senator is of no use at all! (I've received these too). But I also encourage candidates to choose wisely. Just as the letter from your US Senator is not helpful, neither is a note from the person you babysat for in high school when applying for a graduate degree.

zenman · Dec 4, 2008

A form letter from your US Senator is of no use at all! (I've received these too). .

A CNA once ought me a letter from his congressman which stated, "Mr. XXXX will be excellent in whatever position he should apply for." I kid you not!

caliotter3 · Dec 4, 2008

To the best of my knowledge my references were never called. The letters just became part of my application folder.

MzNC6 · Dec 4, 2008

thanks guys!

so if one of my reference preferred to be contacted by email instead of a phone call, then it wouldn't really matter right (since they don't call that often)?

YellowBoneRN · Dec 7, 2008

thanks guys!
so if one of my reference preferred to be contacted by email instead of a phone call, then it wouldn't really matter right (since they don't call that often)?

I think all email references are contact via the email route. The system sends them a form to complete. That is like it came directly from them. But the reference who wrote out your reference I am not sure. None of my 6 references have been called by anyone. Actually, I have had about 12 people that have said things and noone has called any of them and I applied to almost 30 schools. Thanks.

Dixiecup · Jan 29, 2009

Actually, I just wrote my own and had my reference people sign and mail them. People don't have time for that. I know myself, I always dread it when someone asks me to write a reference letter for them. I tell them to just write it up and I'll review it and sign it.

UVA Grad Nursing · Jan 29, 2009

Writing your own letter is dishonest. We have applicants sign an honor code that they agree to abide by as applicants and as students.

Submitting a letter that you wrote yourself is grounds for denying (or rescinding) admission.

I've written many letters of recommendation in my role (up to 150 people year with multiple schools each) and I write honest-to-good 1-3 page letters that are attached to the school's forms). If I am too busy to get a letter written for a person in under 2 weeks, I will tell them so. But I would never think to ask someone to write their own letter for my signature. I find that lazy and unprofessional.