Scholarship letters of recommendation?

Hi, I need to get some letters of recommendation for a few scholarships I'm applying for. How can I approach my teachers or coaches for strong letters? Any tips on ensuring they showcase me well? Thanks!

It's crucial to have strong letters of recommendation for your scholarship applications. Here are a few tips for approaching your teachers or coaches and ensuring they showcase your strengths effectively:

1. Choose the right recommenders: Consider asking teachers, coaches, or mentors who know you well and can speak to your academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities. It's essential to select individuals who have observed your growth and can provide specific examples of your strengths. Depending on the criteria for the scholarship, some recommenders may make more sense than others - if it's a community service award, for example, you may want to ask your supervisor for your volunteer work, whereas if it's an award for academic achievement, you'd want to ask a teacher.

2. Provide ample notice: Give your recommenders at least three to four weeks before the deadline to write your letter, but the more the better, really - asking at the very beginning of your senior year, or even floating the idea at the end of your junior year, would be ideal. Providing them with sufficient time shows respect for their schedule and increases the likelihood that they'll submit a thoughtful and well-prepared letter.

3. Provide necessary information: Prepare a folder or email with all the required details, including your resume, a list of scholarships you're applying for (as well as details on deadlines and mailing instructions), a copy of your personal statement or essay, if available, and any specific points or anecdotes you'd like them to highlight in the letter.

4. Offer to meet with them: Schedule a meeting or a phone call with your recommender to discuss your goals and what you'd like to accomplish through the scholarships. Explain why you are applying for each scholarship and how it's relevant to your future plans. Being specific helps your recommender gain a better understanding of what to emphasize in the letter.

5. Provide guidance on the content: While it's not appropriate to write the letter yourself, you can offer suggestions on what aspects of your character, achievements, or challenges you'd like them to elaborate on. Think about the attributes that resonate with the scholarship's mission or focus. Providing examples of instances where you've showcased these traits would also be a good idea.

6. Thank them: After your recommenders have agreed to write your letters, make sure to express your gratitude, both in person and in writing. For guidance on how to appropriately thank your recommenders, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-thank-teachers-who-wrote-recommendation-letters

7. Follow up and share updates: Maintain communication with your recommenders throughout the scholarship application process. If you receive a scholarship, make sure to let them know and thank them again for their help.

By giving your recommenders enough time and providing them with a clear understanding of your goals and the scholarships you're aiming for, you'll ensure that they can write strong, detailed letters that effectively showcase your strengths and achievements. Good luck!