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Reference Providers

SMART applicants are required to submit three reference letters. All reference letters are read closely, and are frequently the distinguishing element in a successful application.

If you are a reference provider for a SMART applicant please address the following topics, being as specific as possible, in  your reference letter:

• Your general role (employer, professor, etc.) in interactions with the applicant.
• How long you have known the applicant.
• Place the applicant into a general peer group and rate the applicant against that group. For example, is the applicant in the top 5%, 10%, 25%, etc? Please justify the ranking.
• The applicant's strength's, weaknesses, and potential as a scientist or engineer.
• Why the applicant would be a strong candidate for the SMART Scholarship in particular.
• SMART is both an academic scholarship and a hiring program so please address, if t able to do so, the applicant's potential as an employee.