How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation

Getting great LORs takes planning!

Your college application tells your story through your grades, course rigor, activities, and essays. But there's another crucial piece: letters of recommendation. These letters provide admissions committees with an invaluable third-party perspective on who you are in the classroom – your intellectual curiosity, work ethic, character, and potential to contribute to a learning community.

A generic letter won't move the needle, but a thoughtful, detailed, and enthusiastic recommendation can significantly strengthen your application. So, how do you ensure your teachers write glowing reviews? It's not just about asking; it's about asking the right person, at the right time, and with the right preparation.

Why Teacher Recommendations Matter So Much

Admissions officers rely on these letters to get a sense of qualities that don't always show up in transcripts or test scores. They want to know:

• Are you intellectually curious? Do you ask good questions?

• How do you engage with challenging material? Are you persistent?

• What are your discussion and collaboration skills like?

• Do you demonstrate maturity, integrity, and a strong work ethic?

• What unique perspectives or skills might you bring to their campus?

A strong letter provides specific examples that illustrate these qualities.

Step 1: Choose Your Recommenders Wisely

Selecting the right teachers is critical. Don't just default to the teachers who gave you the highest grades. Consider teachers who:

• Know You Well: This usually means teachers from your junior year, or perhaps early senior year, in core academic subjects (English, math, science, social studies, foreign language). They've seen your work over an extended period.

• Taught Subjects Related to Your Interests: If you're aiming for engineering, a letter from your physics or calculus teacher carries weight. If you love history, choose your history teacher.

• Witnessed Your Engagement and Growth: Pick classes where you actively participated, showed genuine interest, contributed thoughtfully, and perhaps even improved significantly over time.

• Genuinely Seem to Like and Respect You: You often have a sense of which teachers you connected with. Choose those who saw your potential and effort.

Tip: Most colleges require one or two teacher recommendations in addition to one from your school counselor. Check each college's specific requirements. But ask as many as your applications will allow!

Step 2: Timing is Everything - Ask Early!

Teachers are incredibly busy, especially during application season when they may be writing dozens of letters. Respect their time and workload:

• Ask Early: The ideal time is at the end of your junior year or the very beginning of your senior year.

• Give Ample Notice: Provide at least 3-4 weeks of lead time before your first recommendation deadline. More time is always better. This allows them to write a thoughtful letter rather than a rushed one.

  
  

Step 3: How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation - Politeness & Preparation

How you ask matters! Don't just ask for a letter of recommendation - use this formula instead:

• Make the ask - Would you be willing to write me a letter of recommendation...

• Be specific - That talks about my (insert thing you think they would notice - ie work ethic, intellectual curiosity, etc.)

• I thought of you because - and let them know why you thought they might be a good candidate!

If they say no, be polite and simply say, I understand. A polite no, is much better than a lukewarm recommendation.

Here is an example -

Dear Mrs Jones -

I'm wondering if you would be willing to write me a strong letter of recommendation for college that speaks to my academic and writing ability. I thought of you specifically because of the research writing we did in your class last year.

Step 4: Make Their Job Easy - Brag Sheet and More

Once a teacher agrees, your job is to provide them with everything they need to write a fantastic, specific letter. Prepare an organized packet (digital or physical) containing:

• Your Full Name and student ID (if applicable).

• An Organized List of Deadlines: If you are NOT using the Common App to apply, then make sure that you list the college, deadline, and submission method. However, if you're using the Common App, simply give the teacher your earliest deadline. (ie I am applying Early Decision and my materials are due no later than November 1.)

• Confirmation You've Invited Them: Let them know you've officially added them as a recommender on the relevant application platform(s).

• Sign the FERPA Waiver: You cannot add recommenders to your Common App until you do this. If you're not using the common app, you will still need to sign the FERPA Waiver, but you may want to confirm with your recommender that you have done so.

• A "Brag Sheet" or Information Form: This is VITAL. Don't make them guess or rely solely on memory. Include:

  • The course(s) you took with them, the year(s), and your final grade(s).

  • A few reminders of specific assignments, projects, papers, or class discussions you particularly enjoyed, excelled at, or found challenging but rewarding. Help them recall specific examples of your work and contributions.

  • Your intended major(s) or academic areas of interest. If you are planning on applying undecided, let them know where you are applying and why. (ie I'm applying to XYZ University, and although I'm undecided, I like their allied health program.)

  • Brief information about your key extracurricular activities, passions, or relevant work experience.

  • Your future goals or aspirations (briefly, no more than one sentence).

  • A sentence or two explaining why you valued their class or why you asked them specifically.

  • Mention any specific skills or qualities you hope they might be able to comment on (e.g., creativity, analytical skills, leadership in group work, improvement over time).

• Your Resume: Provides broader context.

• Any Required School-Specific Forms: If the college requires a unique form.

Step 5: Gentle Follow-Up & Genuine Gratitude

• Check Portals: Keep an eye on your application portals to see when letters have been submitted.

• Polite Reminder (If Needed): If a deadline is approaching (about 1-2 weeks away) and a letter hasn't been submitted, send a brief, polite reminder email. Example: "Dear [Teacher's Name], I hope you're having a good week. I just wanted to send a gentle reminder that the recommendation letter for my college applications is due on [Date]. Please let me know if you need any additional information from me. Thank you so much again for agreeing to write on my behalf!"

• Say Thank You! Once the letters are submitted, write each recommender a handwritten thank-you note. This personal touch is greatly appreciated and shows respect for their time and effort.

  
  

  

  Write a hand-written thank you note to all of your recommenders!

  
  

• Share Your Results: Later in the spring, follow up to let your recommenders know where you were accepted and where you ultimately decide to enroll. They invested in your future and will be happy to hear about your success!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Asking teachers at the last minute. While your teacher may not say no, rest assured a last minute letter of recommendation, at best, will be luke warm.

• Choosing teachers who don't know you well or can't speak to your strengths.

• Forgetting to provide the essential information packet/"brag sheet."

• Not clearly communicating deadlines or submission procedures.

• Failing to send a thank-you note.

Securing strong letters of recommendation is an active process, not a passive one. By choosing your recommenders thoughtfully, asking early and respectfully, providing them with detailed information to make their job easier, and expressing your sincere gratitude, you can significantly increase your chances of receiving powerful letters that truly enhance your college applications.