We often receive requests from externs asking if we can provide letters of recommendation or references following program completion. Please review the following policy carefully:
Verification of Participation and Completion
Extern can verify your participation and successful completion of an externship. Verification may include confirmation of program dates, host organization, and your completion status (for example, “Completed Successfully” or “Completed with Outstanding Performance”).
No Verbal References or General Letters of Recommendation
Extern does not provide verbal references or general recommendation letters for externs. We will verify your participation, completion record and include tasks and skills accrued over the course of your externship. Recommendations and references will only be sent to specific recipients (i.e. potential employers and admission offices). However, for SHIP program applications, Extern can serve as a reference. The process for SHIP references is standardized and involves listing Extern as a reference through the student portal.
Centralized Request Process
All verification and reference requests must be directed to: larae.snoddy@extern.com For SHIP program applications, reference details can also be accessed through the student portal, which provides all necessary information for listing Extern as a reference.
Please include:
Your full name (as registered with Extern)
The program name and host organization
Your externship start and end dates
The recipient’s contact information or verification form, if applicable
This helps our team process requests efficiently and maintain consistency across all verification documents. For SHIP program applications, once Extern is listed as a reference, no further action is required from the extern. The admissions office will contact Extern directly to request the necessary information.
Eligibility Requirement
We only provide verification for externs who have successfully completed their externship.
Externs who withdraw, cancel, or do not finish the program are not eligible for verification or reference documentation.
Note on Awards
This process is separate from the Extern Awards program. Awards are based on performance and engagement metrics, while reference verifications simply confirm participation and completion.