---
title: "Getting Started with References"
slug: "reference-overview-getting-started"
updated: 2025-11-18T21:02:38Z
published: 2025-11-18T21:02:38Z
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledge.technolutions.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting Started with References

> [!NOTE]
> 📚 Part of the series **Application Building Phase II:**[**The Slate-hosted Application**](/v1/docs/introduction-to-the-slate-hosted-application)

The Slate-hosted application includes a **references page** that lets students request recommendations from references.

[Final Getting started with the reference module](https://player.vimeo.com/video/1138217734?badge=0&autopause=0&player_id=0&app_id=58479)

## The references page and widget

Your Slate for Admissions database is provisioned with a custom form page called *References*.

Find this form in **Forms → Folders → Slate-hosted application pages → References.**

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/References.png)

> [!WARNING]
> 📝 Older databases may use a [previous version of this page with limited configurations](/v1/docs/standard-recommendation-form). You can replace it with a custom form page.

Also in the *References*folder, you’ll find the form *Slate-Hosted Application Widget - Recommendation*. This form is the popup that appears when they select *Add Reference*.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/Reference widget popup(1).png)

📖 [Learn how to make changes to this form and its embedded widget, or create your own](/v1/docs/custom-reference-page).

## The *Recommendation Request (To Recommender)*system email

When the applicant selects **Send to Recommender,**Slate sends the reference a system email. This email informs the reference that their recommendation has been requested and provides a link to an external reference form.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/image(810).png)

You can edit the content of this email, but not the *Submit Recommendation* link.

📖 [The *Recommendation Request (To Recommender)* system email](/v1/docs/system-emails#recommendation-request-to-recommender)

## The external reference page

When the reference selects the *Submit Recommendation* link in the email, they’re brought to the **external reference page**. This is the form references complete on behalf of the applicant.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/image(809).png)

This is the third form found in **Forms → Slate-hosted application pages → References.**

📖 [Customize or replace the external reference page](/v1/docs/external-reference-page)