The recommendation letters – ah, a part that you DON’T have to put together on your own. While you might not be doing the writing, there is still some time, effort and consideration you need to put in. The letters of recommendation are a crucial part of your college application, and should not be taken lightly. Broadly, you need to:
- Be aware of which schools need recommendation letters, and how many. Know the specifics of what they want.
- Know when your deadlines are – especially if you’re applying early
- Pick people to ask
- Ask them
- Refresh their memory with some relevant information
- Follow up with them
Colleges often ask for two or three recommendation letters from people who know you well. This is a fantastic opportunity for them to learn about you through the eyes of people who have interacted with you one-on-one, and over a period of time. They have your grades and test scores, they have a glimpse into you and your life through your essays, they know about the stuff you do outside of school; what better way to round the picture out than asking for a second and/or third opinion?
The letters of recommendation should be written by someone who can describe your skills, personality, efforts, and accomplishments.
Grades can show that you’re an average/good/great student, an essay can show how you view yourself and talks about what matters to you, but the letters of recommendation provide personal opinions of your character and can help set you apart with a unique perspective. They show who is willing to recommend you to a school and tell them that you would be a good addition to their campus and program. They also provide further context to a certain extent.
The letters should show you in a good light; ideally in a GREAT light. While the actual words are out of your hands, there are some things you can do to facilitate having a solid letter of recommendation written on your behalf.
How To Ask for a recommendation?
DO ask; don’t just add a recommender’s name and have them be blindsided with an email. Ask the person in a respectful and straightforward fashion – teachers especially are used to being asked and this is not out of the norm for them. It might be tempting to go in with a friend, especially if you are nervous, but resist the urge to make the request as a group. You’re going to be going off to college soon – do this individually.
When Should You Ask for a Letter of Recommendation?
Sooner is better. A rushed letter of recommendation means the recommender might not have the time or bandwidth to properly consider you as an individual student amongst others, or take into account some of the things you’d like to point out to them before they sit down and write about you. Some teachers receive many requests for LoRs – and each one takes time.
Try to give your recommenders at least one month before your earliest deadline to work on and send in your letters. If you’re applying Early Action or Early Decision, ask them as early as possible – at the beginning of your senior year. Teachers are people too! Give them the flexibility to write your letter when it is comfortable, rather than having to hurry them into writing something for the sake of submitting it in time.
Who to choose?
As with every single part of the application process, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS! Colleges often ask for letters of recommendation from an academic teacher, a school counsellor, or both.
If you have a choice, try to avoid choosing two recommenders from the same subject. You might be the best in your English class over several years, but that’s still one recommendation – don’t opt for recommendations from two teachers from the same department.
Try to get a recommendation from a teacher who has known you for a while – someone who taught you in your junior year or a current teacher who knows you. Don’t opt for someone who knew you from middle school – schools want a current perspective on prospective students.
Don’t worry about if your grades in a particular class haven’t always been stellar – no one is born perfect. Showing improvement – i.e. if you were struggling in a class but worked to improve your grades – is good! It shows that you are willing to put in the effort where it is required.
If the school has some flexibility on who can recommend you, consider people outside your classes as well. A direct supervisor or employer who can highlight your work ethic or other skills, or a coach who has worked with you for some time could also be good options. DO pick someone who would be happy to recommend you.
How to help your recommender
Help your recommender out with context and detail.
- Have a conversation with them. Talk to them about what you are proud of, and any challenges you might have had in the past couple of years. Essentially, give them a bit of context.
- You could also consider giving them a short brag sheet that lists your accomplishments. Don’t embellish – stick to the facts, but include specifics. Refresh their memory and help them write a detailed recommendation for you.
- Some things you could include are specific projects, assignments, and topics. Discuss how you used the resources they provided to your advantage. Talk about your class participation.
Make sure that your recommenders know the deadlines, and follow up with them about a week in advance to make sure that they have been completed and submitted.
Remember – writing a good recommendation can take time. Teachers and other recommenders write them because they want to, not because they have to, so take a minute to thank them for their time, effort, and energy.
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