A person who provides references for the applicant (i.e., a reference) must write a letter of support and complete a Reference Rating Form. Applicants will submit the names and contact information for each reference within the Application for Admission and applicants are asked to waive the right (but are not required to) to review the letter of recommendation and responses to the Reference Rating Form questions. Each reference will receive an automatic email from the UAA Office of Admissions with instructions on how to submit the letter of reference and complete the Reference Rating Form.

The list of individuals who serve as references should include a major academic advisor (e.g., a thesis advisor), a long-term instructor (e.g., someone from whom the student has taken multiple classes), and a supervisor (e.g., a clinical supervisor or job supervisor). 

The Reference Rating Form will ask references to estimate an applicant’s overall potential as a Ph.D. student in the following areas:

• Academic potential
• Research potential 
• Therapeutic potential
• Community potential
• Relevant personal characteristics
• Writing skills
• Oral communication skills
• Contribution to diversity
• Commitment to rural work and/or Alaska
• Willingness to work diligently