Do I Need a Letter of Recommendation for Scholarships?

I'm getting ready to apply for several scholarships and am wondering about the requirements. One thing that's confusing me is whether I need to submit a letter of recommendation for every scholarship. Also, what should a good letter of recommendation include, and how can I politely ask a teacher to write one for me?

Yes, many scholarships do require a letter of recommendation as part of the application process. This is because the organization wants to get a well-rounded perspective of who you are as a student, both in and out of the classroom. However, requirements can vary greatly among scholarships, so it's crucial to check individual scholarship application guidelines to confirm.

As for what a good letter of recommendation should include, it should be written by someone who knows you well and can speak in detail about your relevant academic or extracurricular experiences, personal growth, and characteristics. It should:

1. Convey how well the recommender knows you - ideally, they should not only know you well but also have a high opinion of you.

2. Highlight your relevant skills and accomplishments - the purpose is to convince the scholarship provider that you're a deserving candidate.

3. Provide specific examples - general statements are less convincing than detailed anecdotes that demonstrate your skills, perseverance, leadership, or other relevant qualities.

4. Ideally, it should also draw a connection between these qualities and the scholarship goals: for instance, if it's a scholarship for aspiring engineers, the letter could discuss your passion for problem-solving and detail a school project where you excelled.

For strategies on asking a teacher, firstly choose someone who knows you well, ideally someone who has taught you recently, who you've interacted with outside of class through clubs or projects, etc. When you approach them, be polite and make your request nicely. Give them plenty of time before the deadline (at least a month is generally advisable), and provide them with all necessary information such as the scholarship name, what it's for, and any specific points they should cover.

Lastly, don't forget to thank your teacher for their time and effort, regardless of the outcome. They are doing you a favor by writing this letter, so showing your appreciation is essential.