Tips For Asking For Letters of Recommendation

If you’re a senior applying for college, or looking to prepare for college soon, a letter of recommendation may not be on the top list of things for you to prepare. But it’s definitely something you should be thinking about because colleges will be asking for it when you’re applying for different schools (or if you’re applying for jobs as well).

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1. Solidify a list of 3-4 people

You should be asking people who know your character and work ethic well enough to write a letter of recommendation for you. This can be a teacher who have taught you before and know the work you’re capable of, or someone that you’ve worked with (like a work partner or co-worker). Most college applications will ask anywhere from 2-3 letters of recommendation, but it’s always good to have a back-up person in mind, just in case someone on your list isn’t able to.

Letters of recommendations are a way for people to understand who you are as a person from another person’s point of view. So you want to make sure the person you’re asking knows you well enough to write about you.

💡 It could help to ask someone who is knowledgeable about the career or study field you want to enter. For example, if you are applying to major in Literature, then asking your english teacher who can speak about your skills in writing and reading can be helpful.

2. Ask early

When application deadlines come around, everyone will be busy asking people for letters of recommendations. To make sure your letter doesn’t get pushed down to the bottom of the list, ask early. Especially if you’re looking to do any early-action college applications.

Ask about a month or two before your applications are due, so that whoever is writing your letter will have plenty of time to write.

3. Give additional information

If you’re in a situation where you have to ask someone who may not know you or your work ethic very well, then give them some information about your accomplishments (what you have on your resume). This information will give them a better understanding of what you have done in the past, and help them write their letter of recommendation for you.

4. Thank them

Most importantly, thank those who are writing you letters of recommendations. Give them a small gift or a thank-you card to show them your appreciation for taking the time to help you on your college application.