Existing HGS Dossier File Holders

Procedures & Policies

Your Dossier File - Contents Your dossier consists of the letters of recommendation that you have asked people to write in support of your application for academic positions and fellowships and of your official Yale University Graduate School transcript. Only official Yale Graduate School transcripts will be included in your dossier. It is your responsibility to request and mail transcripts from other schools you attended.

Application materials other than letters of recommendation and official Yale Graduate School transcripts are not included in the dossier file. It is your responsibility to send these materials (c.v., application letter, writing sample) directly under separate cover.
Upon receipt of updated letters of recommendation, the Dossier Service will destroy earlier letters from the same parties unless you specifically request the Dossier Service to do otherwise.

Processing of Dossier Requests All requests must be made in writing using the "Dossier Request Form." We will accept faxed requests, 203-432-8356, followed by a hard copy of the original request within five business days. When you mail in the hardcopy with payment, write "FAXED" and the fax date on the top of the form. All requests must be accompanied with pre-addressed, typed or neatly printed mailing labels. Dossier requests will be processed within three to five business days.

We cannot fax your dossier to a prospective employer.

Fee Policy The fee for each dossier request is $5. Payment, in the form of a check payable to Yale University, cash or bursar charge (if you have an account), must accompany all written requests. Fees for faxed requests must follow along with the hard copy of the original request form within five business days. For rush requests (overnight or second day), the fee is $15 for each addressee.

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Forms

In order to print the forms, you need to have Acrobat Reader. If you do not have it, you can download it by clicking on the Adobe icon below. If you have any questions regarding these forms, please contact our office.
Personal Reference
Recommendation
Dossier Request
Adobe Acrobat Reader Download

Tips

Letters of Recommendation We suggest that you request three to five letters. Too many letters, even if they are superb, can become tedious for a reader. Select recommenders who know your work and are certain to write favorable and strong recommendations. Advise your recommenders to return their completed letters (by mail or hand-delivered) as soon as possible to the Dossier Service Office, Hall of Graduate Studies, Room 126. Give the recommenders ample time to write and submit these letters. Be sure to update your letters of recommendation so that they speak to your current (as well as your past) activities and accomplishments.

Confidential or Non Confidential Option On the Letter of Recommendation Form you select whether you wish the recommendation to be confidential or not confidential.  This is an important individual choice for which your signature is required. Note that most students choose to have their recommendations be confidential.

Transcript Ordering Only
Transcripts will be ordered only if you request one to be sent with your dossier file. If you require a transcript only (no dossier file), you will need to order this via the FAS Registrar's office. Please fax or mail a request for transcripts only to 203\ 432.2334 or mail to: 

Yale University FAS Registrar
P.O. Box 208321
New Haven, CT 06520-8321 

Please include the following information with your request: Full Name, Social Security Number, Dates of Attendance, and a billing address.

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