As a junior, I'm starting to think about teacher recommendations for college applications. How do I go about asking a teacher for a recommendation? What should I be prepared to share with them, and how far in advance should I approach them?
It's a great idea to start thinking about teacher recommendations now, as they can have a significant impact on your college applications. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to approach the process:
1. Identify the right teachers: Choose teachers who know you well and can speak to your academic abilities, personal qualities, and growth as a student. Ideally, select teachers from core subjects (math, science, English, history, or a foreign language) and from your junior or, possibly, sophomore year.
2. Timing: Approach your teachers at the end of your junior year or very early in your senior year. This way, they'll have ample time to write a thoughtful letter and you'll demonstrate that you're organized and respectful of their time.
3. Set up a meeting: Request a meeting with each teacher you've chosen to ask in person, during a time that's convenient for them. Alternatively, you can ask during a virtual meeting if in-person interactions are limited.
4. Prepare: Before the meeting, prepare a 'brag sheet' or list of accomplishments, extracurriculars, and any other relevant information you want your teacher to know. This information can help them create a more compelling recommendation.
During the meeting:
5. Be polite and direct: Express your gratitude for their support, and ask if they feel comfortable writing you a strong letter of recommendation. Be understanding if they decline, as it's better to have someone who is confident in their ability to write a strong letter.
6. Provide materials: Share your brag sheet and be open to discussing any other information they may want to know, like your college goals, intended major, or specific experiences in their class that impacted you.
7. Deadlines: Clearly communicate the recommendation deadline for each college, and ask if they need a reminder along the way. Be sure to give them at least a month's notice before the deadline.
8. Stay organized: Create a document outlining each teacher's contact information, their subject area, the colleges you need recommendations for, and the corresponding deadlines. This will help you keep track of your requests.
9. Follow up: Check in with your teachers about two weeks before the deadline to ensure they're on track. Be polite and express gratitude for their time and effort.
10. Show appreciation: After your recommendations have been submitted, send a heartfelt thank-you note to each teacher. Additionally, keep them updated on your college admissions journey and let them know the outcome.
To learn more about recommendation letters, read this blog post: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-get-a-standout-recommendation-letter/
By following these steps, you'll ensure a smooth recommendation process and lay the foundation for strong letters that showcase your best qualities as a student.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.