I have an outstanding letter of recommendation from someone who I am no longer in regular contact with and it would be a hardship to contact them in person (to receive a signed letter). This is the kind of letter that I could run for president on. I did not receive the scholarship that I originally needed it for. Contacting the original author is no longer a real option. Is it appropriate to use this letter again for a subsequent application for an unrelated scholarship? (Note that the letter specifically mentions the first scholarship, not the one I am not considering using it for.) I was considering simply attaching a short note to the front stating the reason for this. However, something is nagging me in the back of my mind that this seems a little unprofessional. Should I pursue a letter from a different author instead?
asked May 3, 2015 at 15:05 Bassinator Bassinator 205 2 2 silver badges 5 5 bronze badgesI feel I should note that the latter scholarship, the one I intend to use the letter for, is not an especially large/prestigious one; $500 per year.
Commented May 3, 2015 at 15:06 It's already a bit weird (to this American reader) that you even have a copy of the letter. Commented May 3, 2015 at 16:08 He gave me 3 copies. One to submit and two more. Commented May 3, 2015 at 16:26Yeah, exactly: That's weird. In the US, students are expected never to see recommendation letters written on their behalf. Recommenders always submit their letters directly.
Commented May 3, 2015 at 16:27@JeffE Not to mention the unusual situation that these letters are apparently physical copies, rather than electronic.