Online Letter of Reference Form

WARNING to MAC USERS: There is a known issue with the default MAC Preview application and Adobe Forms. If you fill out and save this form using the MAC Preview application the data becomes corrupted; which will prevent our office from being able to accept and process your submission. Instead open, complete and save the form using the regular Adobe Acrobat application (either the free reader or the full version).

Steps:

1. Download and save the letter of reference form to your computer or other storage device.
   1. Natural Resources: Integrated Coastal Ecosystem Science & Policy Management Applicants: In addition to their overall assessment of your candidacy for an interdisciplinary graduate program, like this one, please instruct the people who will be providing recommendations to include an additional letter that addresses 1) your capacity to integrate and synthesize information; and 2) any qualities that would serve you well in future efforts to connect science to decision making, especially in the context of complicated environmental problems.
   2. Whittemore School of Business Applicants: All Whittemore School of Business (WSBE) applicants need to use the WSBE Letter of Reference form when applying. The form has some additional questions but otherwise follows the same directions outlined below.
2. Open the form using the Adobe Reader application. On a PC right click on the form and select "Open With ... Adobe Acrobat" or just double click the form. On a MAC hold down the CONTROL KEY and then CLICK on the form and select the "Open With" and then select the Adobe application. DO NOT USE the default Preview option.
3. Fill out the top half of the form. If you do not yet have your UNH ID you can leave that field blank. By typing your name in the electronic signature field, you are verifying that the information supplied is accurate to the best of your knowledge and understand that misrepresentation of facts in this form will be viewed by the Graduate School as justification for revoking an acceptance or returning an application without consideration.
4. Save the form with the data you entered and then verify the data was saved correctly (by re-opening the form). Should you have any problems with the form it can also be completed manually on paper.
5. Email the form to each referee. In your email be sure to include a link to our website with the instructions for your referees, linked below, (or simply paste the instructions into the body of your email). Referee instructions can also be found on the back page of the form itself.

WARNING to MAC USERS: There is a known issue with the default MAC Preview application and Adobe Forms. If you fill out and save this form using the MAC Preview application the data becomes corrupted; which will prevent our office from being able to accept and process your submission. Instead open, complete and save the form using the regular Adobe Acrobat application (either the free reader or the full version).

Steps:

1. Save the form (emailed to you by the applicant) to your computer or other storage device.
2. Open the form using the Adobe Reader application. On a PC right click on the form and select "Open With ... Adobe Acrobat" or just double click the form. On a MAC hold down the CONTROL KEY and then CLICK on the form and select "Open With" and then select the Adobe application. DO NOT USE the default Preview option.
3. First verify that the applicant filled out the top half of the form and all the data is visible. If the top half of the form is not complete then return it to the applicant so they can fill out their portion. Should any problems occur with the form, it can also be completed manually on paper.
4. Fill out the bottom half of the form. By typing your name in the electronic signature field, you are verifying that the information supplied is accurate to the best of your knowledge and that you are providing the equivalent of your printed signature. The email field is required in case we have any follow up questions or need verification.
5. Save the form with the data you entered in it and then verify it was saved correctly (by re-opening the form). If you will be sending any additional documents, such as a written letter, prepare and save those as well. We accept most word-processing documents (if we have trouble opening a document, we may ask to have it sent in another format); or you can paste (or write) the letter in the body of your email message. Be sure any attached document(s) clearly indicate who the letter is for (i.e. the applicant's full name and program).
   1. Natural Resources: Integrated Coastal Ecosystem Science & Policy Management Applicants: In addition to their overall assessment of your candidacy for an interdisciplinary graduate program, like this one, please instruct the people who will be providing recommendations to include an additional letter that addresses 1) your capacity to integrate and synthesize information; and 2) any qualities that would serve you well in future efforts to connect science to decision making, especially in the context of complicated environmental problems.
6. Email the form, and any attachments, to the UNH Graduate School using our letter of reference email account: grad.lor@unh.edu. In the subject line please indicate who the letter is for (Example: LOR for Patty Smith). If you wish to add any comments about the applicant please feel free to write them in the body of your email.

Should you have any trouble using the electronic recommendation process, or if you prefer paper, you may have your letters of reference done on paper and mailed to us. Just use the PAPER version of the forms linked in the left hand menu on this page. All the basic instructions are included on the paper form.

Steps:

1. The applicant needs to fill out the top half of the form, signing and dating it in ink.
2. They then mail it to each of their referee's.
3. Each referee then needs to fill out the bottom half, signing and dating it in ink.
4. They then have three options for returning to it. They can mail it in a sealed envelope, signed across the back, along with any additional letters, directly to our office using the address provided on the form. They can fax the form to us at 603-862-0275 as long as they include a valid email address on the form for validation purposes. They can also scan and email us the form (to grad.lor@unh.edu), again providing a valid email address. If faxed or emailed it has to come directly from the referee. If mailed they can be mailed directly. They can also collected by the applicant and forwarded as long as they remain sealed in the original envelope.

We will only accept an emailed letter of reference if it meets the following conditions, otherwise it will be returned as unacceptable:

• The email must come from the referee and not the applicant.
• If the emailed letter is from a non-UNH faculty member then it must be accompanied with our official letter of reference form, with the referee contact information filled out at the bottom. However we strongly recommend that all letters of reference be accompanied with a completed reference form. If the applicant is waiving their right to view the letter then the form must be used, even if from a UNH Faculty member.
• The recommendations and reference form should be sent to our letter of reference email account at grad.lor@unh.edu.