By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed.
The college application process has many moving parts, each of which requires advance planning. (Hello, SAT prep!) And each of them can be stressful. One part of the college application process that often overwhelms or confuses students is the teacher’s recommendation letter.
This tutorial will teach you everything you need to know about college recommendation letters, including how to request college recommendation letters, who to ask to write them, and when (nicely!) to make your requests.
Do I need college recommendation letters?
Yes, you will almost always be required to submit letters of recommendation from teachers as part of the application process. Although some schools do not require letters of recommendation, these are rare.
According to common applicationwhich is the online portal through which you will apply to almost any US-based college, letters of recommendation are essential because “their insights help application readers get to know a student better by identifying accomplishments, perseverance, character, personality and potential fit. ”
How many college recommendation letters do I need?
Each school has its own requirements. Some schools, though few in number, require no letters, while others require four. The average is two; most colleges and universities in the United States require students to submit two letters of recommendation as part of the college application.
Who should I ask to write my college recommendation letters?
Getting the right person to write your letter of recommendation is important. Here are some key rules to follow when considering who to ask:
- Always ask for college recommendation letters from qualified adults who know you best.
- Don’t ask family members for letters of recommendation.
- Don’t ask for letters of recommendation from teachers or contacts from years ago; stick to the people who are in your current connection sphere.
- Follow each college’s specific requirements. Some colleges and universities want one letter from a teacher and one from an advisor; some schools want both letters from the teachers; and other schools are more flexible, allowing letters from teachers, counselors, coaches, and other members of the community with whom you have a relationship.
- If you are applying to field-specific programs, ask for a letter of recommendation from a teacher in that field. For example, if you are applying to a computer science program, ask your computer science professor for a letter.
When should I ask my professors for letters of recommendation?
Ask your professors and advisors for letters of recommendation the semester before you plan to apply to college. Traditional high school students who plan to apply to college in the first semester of their senior year should contact teachers before the end of the junior year.
A word of warning: As someone who has personally written over 100 letters of recommendation for college students over the years (!), I can assure you that they take a lot of effort and time to write. Asking a teacher for a letter should never be a last minute request – trust me.
College Recommendation Letters and Gap Years: If you’re taking a gap year after high school and plan to apply to college in the fall one year after you graduate from high school, talk to your current high school teachers. while you are still in school. Explain to him your intention to take a year off and ask him if he would be willing to write you a letter in the near future. Then follow my instructions on how to apply for college recommendation letters in the section below.
How to Apply for College Recommendation Letters
Let me repeat that writing college recommendation letters takes a lot of time and effort. Teachers, counselors and coaches often receive multiple simultaneous requests from students and are sometimes forced to decline requests due to limited time and resources. (We to want to write all the letters! We want nothing more than to support our students by singing your praises in a letter of recommendation! But sometimes we’re just maxed out.)
Knowing this, you should apply for college recommendation letters with great tact and gratitude.
Below are the exact steps I recommend for asking someone to write you a college recommendation letter.
1. Prepare a complete resume before asking anyone to write you a letter of recommendation.
When someone agrees to write your cover letter, give them a copy of your resume so they have key information to help build their cover letter. Your CV should have three sections: education, activities and employment/volunteering.
2. Ask your teachers (advisers, coaches, etc.) in person, not by email.
Whenever possible (sometimes not), approach your letter writers in person. Find a good time before or after school – not in the two minutes before class starts – to strike up a conversation.
3. Enter the conversation with hope, but not completely expectant.
Remember that the person you ask to write your letter of recommendation can say no, and that’s okay. Don’t take it personally – they might just be too engaged to write other students’ letters.
4. Be respectful and polite.
Approach your recommenders with courtesy and gratitude. Be clear about why you’re asking them specifically and why you value their opinion. Don’t forget to express your appreciation for their time and effort.
5. Offer to help.
Once a recommender is on board, ask if there’s anything you can do to help with the process, besides providing your resume. Sometimes a teacher will ask you to send a follow-up email or call them back in a few weeks; if so, do that.
6. Say thank you.
After your recommenders submit the letters, express your gratitude by sending a heartfelt thank you note or email. Let them know that you appreciate their support and the time they spent writing the recommendation.
What if I think my sponsor forgot my reference letter?
It can happen. If so, that’s usually not a problem. If your deadline is approaching and your recommender has not yet sent their letter on your behalf, simply contact your recommender (or send an email) with a friendly reminder. Here are my tips and best practices for emailing teachers.
A reminder email might look like this:
Dear Madam Teacher Name,
We talked again in [June] about you submitting a college recommendation letter on my behalf. Again, thank you very much for agreeing to do this – I really appreciate it!
The deadline for applying to the university is approaching [November 1st]and I will need to upload all my letters of recommendation before that date.
Can I do something to make this process easier? If yes, please let me know. I have attached my resume again for your reference.
Thank you so much!
Your name
What is the total time frame for applying for college recommendation letters?
When applying for a college recommendation letter, timing is very important. I’ve outlined the general timeline below, as well as in an infographic below.
Note: This is the deadline for traditional high school students applying to college for the fall semester after graduating from high school in the spring.
April-June of the first year in high school: Initiate requests for in-person letters of recommendation for colleges.
Summer between junior and senior: Work on all other parts of the college application, including the personal statement and any additional college-specific essays.
September of the terminal: Reconnect with those who have agreed to write you letters. You can do this by email or in person. The goal is to a) maintain a friendly connection, b) confirm their agreement to write the letter
November-February of the terminal: Letters of recommendation must be submitted before the application deadline for your college. Send reminder emails if needed.
