How many recommendation letters do I need for a PhD application at Yale?

If you are applying for a PhD at Yale, you need to submit three letters of recommendation. Stanford asks for the same number for its graduate degree program applications, though other universities set different requirements.

Recommendation Letter Requirements by University

Why the Number Varies

PhD recommendation letter requirements are set by each university and often by the specific department or field within it, rather than following one fixed rule across all schools. Always check your target program's own admissions page rather than assuming every university follows the same count.

My Advice

Confirm the exact number of letters your specific Yale department requires before you approach recommenders, since requirements can shift between programs even within the same university. Give your chosen recommenders plenty of advance notice so they can write a detailed, well considered letter rather than a rushed one.