One of the main mistakes international applicants make in their application process to universities abroad, involves getting the wrong letters of recommendation (or ‘references’) from the wrong people, or managing the recommendation process poorly. Use the cumulative experience of the GradTrain team and follow these rules to choose the right references and learn how to manage the process in order to avoid some common mistakes that can become the “kiss of death” for your application. Get references who know you well; Choose references who can make you stand out; Choose wisely: Academic vs. professional letters; Be relevant; Don’t be shy; Read the signs; Allow your references enough time and make their lives easier; Fit the narrative of your application; Be appreciative; Don’t ever use a reference without their permission.