Recommendation Letter Requirements for College?

Hi guys! So, I'm starting to think about who to ask for letters of recommendation for college apps. How many do I need typically, and do all colleges want a letter from a STEM teacher and a humanities teacher, or what's the usual expectation? Also, any tips on how to ask teachers would be really helpful. Feeling a bit confused and stressed about making sure I do it right. Thanks!

Hi there! It's perfectly normal to feel a bit stressed about recommendation letters, but you're on the right track by thinking ahead.

The typical requirement for most colleges is two letters of recommendation from teachers, ideally from junior or senior year. While some colleges have specific preferences, such as one STEM and one humanities teacher, others may not specify. They do typically want these teachers to be from the core subjects of English, science, social studies, math, and foreign language, however, so keep that in mind.

If you're unclear about any of the rec letter policies at one of your colleges, you can check their website, or reach out to the admissions office directly for clarification.

When asking teachers, approach them with a respectful and genuine request, either in person or via email. Be sure to do this well before application deadlines to give them plenty of time, and provide them with a summary of your achievements and involvements to help them write a more detailed letter.

And don't hound them—they have a lot on their plates already, including other students' rec letters, and in reality they're doing you a big favor by providing such an important piece of your college application! Trust that they'll get it done in time, and only reach out if you receive a message from one of your schools saying that they're missing one of your rec letters.

Finally, the most important thing is to choose teachers who know you well and can speak to your strengths and character, as they'll do the best job of showcasing exactly what you have to contribute to a college campus. Don't worry, you've got this!