How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation for College

One part of your college application that is quite crucial is how to ask for a letter of recommendation.

Admissions officers look into letters of recommendation to gain insight that goes beyond your test scores and grades.

Letters of recommendation hold quite a lot of influence when it comes to your college apps. It adds to your character on the application and gives more insight into your strengths and potential as a student.

Not to mention, these letters serve to emphasize your attitude towards your academic potential and your strengths in learning and mastering material.

A strong letter of recommendation can help you stand out by showcasing your qualities and contributions as a student.

Who To Ask?

The key to great letters of recommendation are the individuals you ask to write them.

Ask teachers to write you a letter of recommendation. It might be to your advantage to ask teachers who taught classes related to your intended major or can speak to relevant skills. Teachers can speak to your work ethic and academic contributions.

You can also ask your school counselors as they know more about your academic journey throughout your years in high school. They also tend to be individuals who can emphasize your extracurriculars and community work.

Moreover, as a student, you can also ask coaches and other professional mentors for letters or rec. They can highlight the work they have seen you do, whether that’s academic or extracurricular. They can highlight qualities such as teamwork, leadership qualities, work ethic, and personal growth as a student.

As you go through this process for letters of recommendation, look at the requirements each college has set for this portion of your application.

Myths Around Letters of Recommendation

Some myths need to be addressed when you ask for a letter of recommendation for your college applications.

• The first myth is that you need straight A’s to ask a teacher for a letter of recommendation.

While good grades are important, letters of recommendation aren’t solely based on academic performance. Teachers can speak on a student’s work ethic, teamwork skills, contributions to the classroom, etc. Even if you don’t have an A in the class but a teacher sees you trying and putting in your effort, that will be a strong letter of rec.

• The second myth is that you can write a letter of recommendation for the individual you are asking.

Writing your own letter of recommendation will seem inauthentic and biased to the admissions officers. Not to mention, the writing of a mentor or teacher is going to be written a lot more professionally compared to a student.

What you can do is talk to your teacher or whoever is writing this recommendation letter and talk through what strengths and abilities you want to highlight.

• The last myth is you need to ask the teacher everyone else is asking for a letter of recommendation

Just because a popular teacher is writing everyone a letter of recommendation doesn’t mean that individual knows you well enough to write a strong one for your college apps.

You need to ask someone who has seen you grow and knows you as a student. This will let them speak to your qualities.

Ultimately, asking someone you have a strong relationship with will serve to your advantage as it will show the admissions committee a deeper look into who you are as a student.

How to Actually Ask for A Letter of Recommendation

Asking for letters of recommendation can be intimidating, but with the right thoughtful approach, you can navigate this process successfully.

Here are some steps to help you make the ask:

Before reaching out, take some time to brainstorm talking points that highlight your achievements, skills, and growth.

Reflect on specific experiences and qualities you would like the recommender to emphasize.

This will help you articulate how to ask confidently and guide your recommender in composing the letter.

Additionally, consider the format of your request.

You can ask over email, but if possible, have an in-person conversation.

When asking for a letter of recommendation via email, be sure to personalize your message. Start by expressing your gratitude for the recommender’s time and consideration.

A good template for an email starts with briefly sharing your goals and aspirations. Touch on the specific program or college you are applying for.

Then, explain why you believe the recommender is ideal for speaking to your strengths and qualifications.

It’s essential to mention your understanding of their busy schedule and offer to provide any additional information they may need.

If you want to ask in person, schedule a meeting with the individual you are asking to write you a recommendation letter.

Begin the conversation by expressing appreciation for their guidance and sharing why their recommendation is essential.

Talk about your goals in college and what you want to achieve in your academic future. Specifically, highlight the strengths and accomplishments you have touched on in other parts of your application in this letter.

Ensure you give enough time for the recommender to write your application. I would say at least a few weeks to a month and a half in advance so the letters of recommendation are not rushed.

It’s more than normal to feel anxious when approaching someone for a letter of recommendation.

Remember that most recommenders are accustomed to being asked for these letters and are often happy to help deserving students.

They understand the importance of these recommendations and are willing to help.

By approaching potential recommenders with respect, gratitude, and a well-prepared request, you increase the likelihood of receiving strong and personalized letters of recommendation.

I think it’s an important touch to always follow up with a sincere thank-you note after they have submitted the letter.

Follow-Ups

After you first ask for a letter of recommendation, it’s essential to follow up with your recommenders.

Following up shows your dedication and commitment.

Here are some tips on how to effectively follow up without being pushy or annoying:

• Ask at least a few weeks to a month and a half in advance.
• Give a timeline to your recommender on when you want the letter of recommendation. Make a list of all your college application deadlines and then set a deadline for the letters of rec.
• As the deadline for the recommender to submit their letter gets closer, and you haven’t heard anything, follow up with them either in person or via email. Sending a courteous email one to two weeks before the deadline should be sufficient. In your reminder, express your gratitude once again so you show you are being respectful of their time.
• Once they have submitted their letter, make sure to thank them for their time and effort.

Having to ask for a letter of recommendation can be quite daunting. But with planning ahead, navigating this part of your college applications can be done successfully!