How to Ask a Teacher For a Letter of Recommendation

Learning how to ask a teacher for a letter of recommendation can turn the tide in your favor if you're pursuing college applications, scholarships, or jobs. A teacher's recommendation letter contains opinions about your strengths and personality, which gives admission officers a chance to see you beyond your  GPA and MCAT scores. 

What makes teachers the most suitable people to pen these letters?  Well, they have seen your progress in school academically and in other aspects of your life. They know how you cope with different issues and can thus point out traits that may be crucial when entering college. This guide will teach you how and when to ask teachers for letters of recommendation. These strategies will help you maximize your chance of getting your request accepted.

How to Choose the Right Teachers for a Letter of Recommendation

Before asking for a letter of recommendation from a teacher, you must ensure they are the right fit. Here's how to do that

1. Choose Teachers Who Know You Well

When seeking a teacher’s recommendation, it's always advisable to go for a teacher who knows you not only as a student but also as a person. An instructor who has taught you for many years or in various classes with you will understand your progress better than any other person. They talk about matters not only related to your academic performance but also your working habits, character, and approach to other people in the classroom.

“You can have the smartest person in the world write a recommendation letter for you, but if that letter has nothing unique to say about you, it makes no difference” 

Gabe Gladstein - CEO, Indigo Research in Behind the Scenes of Ivy League Admissions

2. Select Teachers from Relevant Subjects

Request recommendations from teachers who teach subjects related to the field you’re pursuing. If you are applying to a science or engineering program, for example, a math or science teacher's reference letter will be more valuable as it focuses on your capabilities in the fields that are relevant to the program of your choice. However, do not confine yourself to teachers in your most fundamental subjects alone. Selecting a teacher from a creative domain or an area in which you have shown interest, can create an impression of a versatile candidate.

3. Consider Teachers Who Are Familiar with Your Extracurricular Involvement

Some of the most compelling recommendation letters are written by teachers who had an opportunity to see your success in other areas of life. If a teacher supervises a club you volunteer in or coaches a team you play on, they will have a good sense of your leadership skills, teamwork, and determination. These qualities are highly desirable in college admissions because they demonstrate that the applicant is not only a studious individual, but is also a productive member of the school population. 

4. Think About the Teacher’s Writing Ability

The quality and formatting of the teacher recommendation letter are just as important as the message being conveyed. It's good that a teacher who is writing the reference letter knows you very well, but you should also insist on a good writer who can deliver a neat and presentable letter. If you are unsure about a teacher's writing skills, look back at the feedback they have made on your work in an assignment or an essay. Teachers who consistently provide detailed, thoughtful comments on your work are likely to write strong recommendation letters as well. Also, observe their writing in class. Check if their handwriting is legible and if their notes are well-organized.

How to Ask a Teacher For a Letter of Recommendation

Requesting a recommendation letter from a teacher in your school is not as hard as you think. Here are some steps to do it right 

1. Ask in Person

Asking for a letter of recommendation in person is far more courteous and effective than writing an email. This is because face-to-face communication allows you to show genuineness and gratitude which makes your request more compelling. Going directly to the teacher gives them a better understanding of your requirements right off the bat. They can ask you questions on the spot about your goals, interests, and the purpose of the recommendation. 

Here's how to ask for a letter of recommendation in person: wait for a time when the instructor is not busy, this may be after class, during office hours, or make an appointment for some time. Avoid asking during exam week or any time there is a deadline for group projects or assignments due.

2. Include Necessary Details

When requesting a letter of recommendation, it's important that you give your teacher all the information that they will need as far as writing the letter is concerned. This includes the nature of the recommendation whether it's for college, scholarships, or a job. While some people include a list of their accomplishments, you might consider sharing specific examples of your contributions in class. 

Too much information can result in a letter that merely echoes information already presented on your transcript or resume. Leave your recommender to the task of positioning you, and you'll get a more meaningful letter. Don't forget to include the deadline, submission instructions, and other forms required.

3. Send a Reminder

Teachers are often juggling so many duties so it might be considerate to politely remind them of the date when you need the letter. Send a brief note or text a week or two before your deadline double-check that they didn't forget your request.

 In the note, say what needs to be done, perhaps the various points they need to cover. Include any details you must have left out earlier, and finally, thank them.for agreeing to pen the letter for you.

4. Show Appreciation and Send a Follow-Up

Having signed off on the letter of recommendation and sent it on its way, the next order of business is to thank your teacher. Here's how to thank teachers for writing letters of recommendation: write a simple ‘Thank you’ note by hand or send a few words in an email message. They will appreciate the gesture and will feel better about you as a person.

Besides saying “thank you,” it's also important to brief your teacher about the status of your application, and to inform them of the result, whether you get in or not. Next time, it will be easier to ask for their recommendation in the future since they are aware of your progress and achievements.

How Many Teachers Should You Approach for Recommendation Letters

The number of teachers to ask for recommendation letters depends on the requirements of your desired college. On average, most colleges request two teacher recommendation letters. However, students should double-check since institutions may request more or even fewer letters. For a balanced opinion about your strengths, you may select teachers from different fields, for example, a STEM teacher and another one from humanities.

Also, note that quality is far more important than quantity when it comes to recommendation letters. It's better to have two good letters, than several generic ones. In most cases, two letters are enough, but have another teacher in mind in case your preferred teachers are unable to write a letter for you.

Tips for Getting the Best Letters of Recommendation

Here’s how you can ensure you get the best letters of recommendation

1. Ask Early

Start approaching your teachers early enough before the submission of your application. This way they have enough time to write a letter full of inspiring and detailed messages to make it more positive and convincing that you are an ideal prospect for the college.

2. If You Sense Hesitation, Ask Someone Else

Take note of the teacher’s response when you ask for a recommendation. If they appear to be apprehensive or have doubts, then it may be a signal that they do not feel capable of writing a compelling letter. In such cases, the best thing to do is to gracefully thank them and look for another teacher who will give a more glowing recommendation.

3. Handle Any Mail-in Duties or Purchases

Taking care of the logistics of the mail-in duties or purchases is an easy way to facilitate your teacher’s recommendation. If mailing the recommendation will be part of the process, let your teacher know that you will provide a printed and prepaid envelope and a stamp. Offering to assist in the process tells the teacher that you are responsible and thoughtful.

When to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation from a Teacher

You also need to think about timing if you want a strong, thoughtful response to your request. It’s a good practice to ask a teacher for a recommendation about one-two months before you apply to college. This way you give your teachers enough time to write a proper, professional-looking letter for you without making them do it at the last minute.

 For early decision or early action applications, you might consider going even earlier, perhaps just before the end of the junior year, or the beginning of the senior year if your deadlines are tighter. 

Unless you have a relationship with your instructor, avoid barraging them with emails during midterms or finals. Next, don’t schedule a meeting for your break or over a long weekend, like the 4th of July or Memorial Day. Finally, don’t forget that some instructors take the summer months off email or even longer. Plan ahead and allow them more than enough time to write it.

Boost Your Application with Research Opportunities

When asking a teacher for a recommendation letter, do so as early as you can. If you get blank stares or two-sentence letters, choose a different teacher to write a letter for you — one you know well. It is much better to have a two-paragraph, personally addressed letter from a friendly teacher than to have a long generic letter from a teacher who does not even remember you or your strengths. You will often find that teachers who know you and like you are also the most willing to write a glowing letter. That’s why you should be on good terms with your teachers, especially in high school.

‍