---
title: "Standard External Reference Page (Legacy)"
slug: "standard-recommendation-form"
description: "Implement the standard recommendation form in Slate to allow applicants to request references directly, ensuring seamless integration of recommendations into their application records."
tags: ["Recommendations", "Standard Application Pages", "Slate-Hosted Application"]
updated: 2026-04-16T21:39:38Z
published: 2026-04-16T21:39:38Z
---

> ## 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.

# Standard External Reference Page (Legacy)

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

Applicants can [request a reference from a recommender](/v1/docs/reference-overview-getting-started) in the Slate-hosted application.

The individual chosen by the applicant as a reference receives an email with a link to a **form**. The form lets the recommender submit a letter of recommendation, which is attached to the application record in Slate.

> [!TIP]
> ⭐ Best practice
> 
> Newer databases are provisioned with more flexible, form-based [external reference pages](/v1/docs/external-reference-page), which you can use to replace the standard reference pages that may be in your database by default.

## Testing the standard external reference page

To test the recommendation process administratively:

1. Impersonate a test applicant and add a recommender in the Slate-hosted application.
2. Once the recommendation has been added to the application, go back to the record and select the appropriate application tab.
3. Select the recommendation and select Edit. This will open the default recommendation form.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/cd8ea7a6-07f3-4846-a554-627ac016d3e3/Images/Documentation/wwssha3bseqlnz3kictbpamceclip1.png)

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

Upon selecting "Send to Recommender" within a Slate-hosted application, Slate [automatically sends an email to the recommender listed](/v1/docs/system-emails#recommendation-request-to-recommender).

Included in this email is a recommendation link that is unique to both the application and the recommender.

Be aware that this link expires after one of the following occurs:

- The applicant manually "Excludes" a recommender from consideration.
- 24 hours after the recommender has submitted their unique recommendation form.