Are letters of recommendation not allowed to include my name?
I’ve been applying for various scholarships, and one local scholarship specifies that if my name appears in the letter or its file name, it won’t be accepted. However, all of my letters of recommendation currently include my name. I was under the impression that it was standard practice for letters to have the applicant’s name included, so I’m a bit confused about needing to obtain revised letters without my name. Can anyone clarify this for me?
It’s understandable to be confused about this requirement, as many letters of recommendation typically include the applicant’s name. The reason behind this specific rule is likely to ensure a level of impartiality in the scholarship review process. By removing your name from the letter, the reviewers can evaluate each application more objectively, without any bias related to the identity of the applicant.
To address this, you might want to reach out to the individuals writing your letters of recommendation and explain the situation. You could ask them to write a new version of the letter without your name mentioned. Alternatively, you could suggest that they focus on your skills, achievements, and character traits without directly naming you, if that aligns with the scholarship’s requirements. It’s a good opportunity to communicate the specifics of the scholarship process to your recommenders, helping them understand the context and why this is important. Good luck with your applications!