How to ask for a letter of recommendation (and other questions)
One of the things that you have to do when applying to college is to ask for a letter of recommendation. Thank goodness someone else gets to do some writing, right? It may not seem too hard, but there is a craft to asking for a letter of recommendation. What teacher should you ask? When should you ask? And should you provide them with any information?
Below are some tips that address common questions when asking for a letter of recommendation.
When is the ideal time to ask for a letter of recommendation?
The ideal time to ask for a letter of recommendation for college is the spring semester of your junior year. If you are a sophomore and need a letter for a competitive summer program, give at least two weeks notice before the letter is due. If you want to wait until your senior year (say if you are new to a school, or you forgot to ask before you left for the year), you can but you will want to ask right at the beginning of the school year. With that said, never feel shy asking a teacher. Writing letters is part of a teachers job and they are proud of you and usually want to help you.
How should I ask my teacher? What should I say?
If you are asking your teacher in person, make sure you are not with other students, because your teacher may not be willing to write them a letter of recommendation. When you ask in person, explain when you are applying and where you think you may apply. Then politely ask if they would they be willing to write you a letter. Later you will follow up in an email if the teacher says yes. If you did not get a chance to ask in person, send a formal email to your teacher. Make sure you say Dear so and so, and make it short - two or three sentences politely asking.
Here is an example:
Dear Mr. Smith,
Hello! I missed you in person the other day at school and so I wanted to follow up via email to see if you would be willing to write me a letter of recommendation for college. I am not applying until the fall of 2022, but I thought I would ask you now, and then send a follow up email closer to the date with specific information. I have valued our time together in class and learned so much from you. Would you be willing to write one of my recommendations?
Sincerely,
Your name
How do I submit letters of recommendation?
Once you receive confirmation, you can go ahead and list the person’s name and email on the management system. Sometimes this means Naviance. For outside letters from a community member or coach, you may list them directly in hte management system ( common app, UC, Suny, etc. ) Then at least one month to two weeks prior to the due date, send an email to your teacher that reminds the teacher of the recommendation, and gives all the information that the teacher should know. Specifically when are you applying, to what schools. Remember, you always want to waive your right to see the letter. It is common practice for all letters to be submitted electronically without the student seeing the letter.
Should I give them information about myself?
Yes. You want to make it as easy as possible for the teacher to write the letter. Include all information in the email. You could write a paragraph that reminds the teacher of what courses you took from them, what some of your projects were like that you remember doing well on, what extracurriculars you are involved with and where you plan on applying and what your general interests are. The more information you give the teacher, the easier it is for them to write a letter of recommendation.
Want more advice about letters of recommendation and other parts of the college application?
Reach out to us at The Gesso! Let our expert team guide you through your college applications. We specialize in working with aspiring artists and students with creative passions, but we have helped students with many different interests find success.