Hi all! I just received my letters of reference. The one is one page length but the other one is just one paragraph. Should I expect that it's really bad, right? What's the normal length of references in UK and Netherlands? I am really disappointed right now, as I have no time to ask from another professor. Would the fact that the professor is a well-known expert in the field, count in favor of me?

What is written in the one paragraph, do you think this paragraph is sketchy or strong? if you think it doesn't show your strength, you can ask the same professor politely to amend the letter. I know how it is daunting to ask professor multiples, but you have no other options, good luck.

I am not sure about the length, it seems bizarre! I am not aware of the UK system, logically the quality of letter is more important than the length, however, maybe someone here in the platform can benefit you more.

You mean it sounds like it is too short, right?

I don't know honestly, it sounds bizarre from me how should the length of the letter be, I think the most important thing is the quality, I don't know if this is a requirement to have a one-page letter, I don't have any idea about this strange requirement. Again, it depends on how you find the letter, you can judge it.

It is the quality of the reference more that matters more. I have a reference from my undergraduate tutor saying " I would take him as my own PhD" and "he certainly is capable of doing a PhD if kept motivated". It is only 153 words but it is definitely a good reference.