Letters of Recommendation

✴Teachers, club moderators, coaches, bosses, service coordinators, etc

✴Teachers who know you well, and can speak to your Skills/performance

✴Select teachers from who can speak to your most current performance. Colleges like

a recent impression of the student.

✴Consider asking teachers whose subject may relate to a future area of study. For

example, students who plan on studying engineering should ask a math or physical

science teacher. A student interested in communications should ask an English teacher.

Who should you ask???

✴Choose teachers who can comment upon growth and willingness to work to

improve. Colleges are more interested in learning how a student strives to

improve than about how easy it is for him to earn A's.

✴Choose a person who knows you long and well enough to be a credible source

✴Is this person likely to be an effective writer?

Who should you ask???

✴Ask teachers early, at least 3-4 weeks in advance of the deadline.

✴Many senior year teachers are flooded with requests for recommendations.

✴Approach the teacher when they are NOT busy or surrounded by many

students

✴ask for the letter verbally first

✴Give Envelope filled with:

✴Cover letter

✴Activity list/resume

✴Any other necessary documents

How to ask...

1. Introduction/Cover Letter

• Briefly describe why you are asking this person to write a Letter of

Recommendation for you? What relationship do you have?

• Purpose of the letter (general admission, scholarship, etc)

• Name of schools / person to receive the letter of recommendation

• Your intended academic majors/programs

• Any special information or personal qualities you wish emphasized

• Delivery instructions

o Naviance Link

o PDF file that can be emailed to Guidance Counselor

o Hard copy/printed copy in sealed envelope

2. Your Activities list/resume

3. Any additional forms (if necessary)

In the Envelope...

✴Realize these letters take time and effort and be appreciative; thank your

letter writer

✴ at the time you request the letter

✴when it is delivered

✴follow-up with a short, but sincere WRITTEN note.

✴Also let the writer know later the results of the letters (for example, did

you get in the university? Did you get the scholarship?

✴RESPECT THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE LETTER! You may or may not

see the actual letter, but if you are given a copy (which is commonly done) do

not share it with friends or use it for other purposes without the permission of

the writer

Special Items to Note...

✴Realize these letters take time and effort and be appreciative; thank your

letter writer

✴ at the time you request the letter

✴when it is delivered

✴follow-up with a short, but sincere WRITTEN note.

✴Also let the writer know later the results of the letters (for example, did

you get in the university? Did you get the scholarship?

✴RESPECT THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE LETTER! You may or may not

see the actual letter, but if you are given a copy (which is commonly done) do

not share it with friends or use it for other purposes without the permission of

the writer

Special Items to Note...