This study examines students' perceptions of reference letters. Students (n = 444) were asked to describe how they perceived reference letters. Four themes were uncovered. First, some students perceived reference letters as useful for employers. Second, some students perceived the letters as important for students seeking employment or admission to law or graduate school. Third, some students identified specific problems they had with the letters (e.g., distance education students). Finally, some students perceived the letters as entirely useless. Implications are provided.