Letters for a NonTrad Student?

Recently a reader wrote me with a question about applying to graduate school:

"I have been out of college for 17 years, so I do not think I could use my professors for references. Also, I have not done any work in the area that I am interested in, which is social work. All the experience I have has been strictly volunteer. Do you have any suggestions on who I could use as a reference?"

This is a challenging situation. In this case, look for letters from anyone who was in a supervisory position (preferable, if possible) who can write about skills that are important for graduate study. If your volunteer experiences are related to social work (e.g,. having anything at all to do with people) letters from those to whom you reported will be helpful. Letters are meant to tell the committee that you have the capacities and basic skills to perform well in the program and field. In your case, look for letters from people who have the degree you want, or in a related field, that describe your abilities. Three letters are hard to come by so a letter from an employer who can talk about your work ethic and motivation as well as capacity to meet deadlines (or some other desirable characteristic) will also do you well.

Learn more about letters of recommendations and letters of recommendation for nontraditional students