Getting a strong letter of recommendation for college?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior, and I need to start thinking about letters of recommendation for my college applications. How do I go about choosing the right teachers to ask? And how can I make sure they write a strong recommendation for me? Any advice would be super appreciated!

Hey there! When choosing teachers for letters of recommendation, there are a few factors to consider:

1. Choose a teacher who knows you well: This is typically someone who has taught you in junior or senior year, as they would have interacted with you more recently - some colleges may even require this. Ideally, you should have a strong relationship with the teacher outside of just classwork, built by discussing shared interests, being active in class, or participating in extracurricular activities they lead.

2. Pick teachers from different subjects: It's a good idea to ask teachers from different academic areas, such as one from a STEM subject and another from humanities. This way, you give colleges a clearer sense of your strengths across various disciplines. Be aware that colleges typically require your recommenders to have taught you in a core subject (math, science, English, history, or foreign language), as your performance in those classes is generally more indicative of your ability to succeed in college.

3. Select someone who can speak to your personal qualities: Ideally, you want a teacher who can attest to not only your academic abilities but also attributes like your curiosity, work ethic, leadership, or collaboration skills. These details help give a more well-rounded image of you as a student and individual.

To ensure they write a strong recommendation:

1. Ask politely and give plenty of notice: Approach teachers well before the application deadlines (at least a month or two) and politely ask if they'd feel comfortable writing you a strong letter of recommendation. Giving them ample time shows respect for their schedule and lets them put more thought into the letter.

2. Provide them with helpful information: Offer your teachers a brag sheet that includes your accomplishments, extracurriculars, future goals, and anything you'd like them to emphasize. This information will help them tailor their letter to highlight your strengths and personalize it.

3. Stay in touch and express gratitude: After they agree to write your recommendation, stay in communication and update them on your college process. Be sure to thank them earnestly and keep them informed about any acceptances or updates, as doing so can strengthen your relationship and ensure that it extends beyond your college application season. You can read more about how to thank your recommenders on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-thank-teachers-who-wrote-recommendation-letters.

Remember that a thoughtful and well-written recommendation can significantly help your application, so invest time in building relationships with your teachers and choosing the ones who know you well. Good luck!