Asking For a Letter of Recommendation?

Answer 1

by Nancy Benton

This is the time of year when high school students are putting together college applications. A critical component for some universities is the letter of recommendation. How you approach your teacher is important and may have an influence on their decision as well as the quality of the letter they write. Below are a few pointers for making a great impression when you approach your teacher.

The Timing

Give your teacher plenty of time to write the letter, at least a month. If for some reason the deadline is closer than a month be sure to let your teacher know before they make a decision. Be polite and understand that it is reasonable for them to say no even if the professor has offered writing a letter before. Have a back up teacher in mind and let the professor know that that you are aware it is short notice, but they were your first choice and why. Also, ask them if there is anything you might be able to to do to help them meet the deadline.

The Approach

When asking for a letter of recommendation, always do it in person first and then follow up with the packet. Do not assume your teacher will agree and send them the information without talking to them first. Ask them if they would feel comfortable writing a letter of recommendation for you and then give them a little background about what you are applying for. If they appear hesitant, offer some time for them to think about it and then get back to them. Do not take it personally, the teacher may have hesitated simply because they already have a long list of students.

The Packet

After you have verbal confirmation from the teacher, put together an organized packet with all the information they will need. Start with a short cover letter that thanks the teacher for agreeing to write your letter, lists what is enclosed in the letter and provides contact information in case they have questions. Your packet should include the following;

• A typed list of the colleges they are writing for with the deadline for recommendations.

• The proper forms that the university may require with your name and any relevant information filled out.

• A profile of your academic achievements, including transcripts, extracurricular activities, awards and recognitions.

• Envelopes with the addresses and stamps already on it.

If you are using electronic submission for recommendations, you still need to provide a hard copy of a list of schools, and your academic achievements.

The Thank You

After recommendations have been submitted, follow up with all your teachers and thank them for taking the time to write your letter. If you want to give a gift, make sure that it is small and appropriate. Do not give large sums of money or lavish presents because it can be viewed as a bribe. A small gift card or a something thoughtful for the classroom would be fine, but often a simple thank you card with a hand written note is enough.

Asking for a letter of recommendation in high school can be daunting, especially if you are not sure if the teacher even remembers your name. You can help the teacher tremendously by jogging their memory with a few details, such as when you took their class, what was your favorite project and maybe even telling them your name if it’s necessary. Most of the time, when they have forgotten your name, they have not forgotten who you are. The most important thing to remember is to be confident and friendly when asking for a letter of recommendation, so at least the immediate impression is a good one.