College Letters of Recommendation: What Are They and How to Receive a Great One
By: Charlene Wu
24/7 Writing & Communications Superstar
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Grades and numbers aren’t everything, student character is also a key part in getting into your dream school. To learn more about applicants beyond their transcript, letters of recommendation are required by almost every university. So what are these letters, and how does one receive them?
Who to Ask
These letters are written by any person (not related to you) that can speak of your character. This could be school faculty members, coaches, group leaders, etc. Most schools require a letter of recommendation from your high school’s guidance counselor. This letter tells the university about your academic standing in school. Some high school guidance counselors will ask to meet with you to better understand your character and write a letter with more substance. You can show them your resume and elaborate on your hobbies and extracurriculars.
Having an active counselor willing to reach out to you is not always the case, though. This is why keeping in contact with them and maintaining a good relationship with your counselor or high school administration is important. Be proactive during your high school career by scheduling occasional meetings, or emailing them asking about opportunities every year.
If you had rough times in school, where grades may have dropped due to unforeseen circumstances, consider sharing the situation with your guidance counselor. They may be able to write and explain your situation and defend your case as an excellent applicant in their letter. This helps your application to schools go beyond just numbers and scores, the letter of recommendation does wonders in making you as an applicant stand out.
Some universities require additional letters of recommendation. Sometimes they give guidelines on who to ask. Some examples are requiring the letter to be from teachers of a certain subject, or maybe even a peer.
For any case, it is crucial that the letter comes from someone that can genuinely attest to your personality and growth. Generally, this would require the person to know you for a long period of time. It is suggested that you ask for a recommendation from a teacher, coach, manager etc. that you have known for at least one year. This allows them to expand more upon how they saw you grow as a student, team player, worker, etc.
How to Ask
Obtaining a letter of recommendation is a favor, not a right. The person writing it is doing so out of their own free time, it is critical that you respect them taking the time to do so. Because of this, give as much time in advance as possible, ask if they are willing to write one at least 3 months before the deadline.
You can also help them jumpstart the letter by providing your resume, some meaningful anecdotes you had with them, and what you learned during your relationship with them. For example, if your History teacher who you’ve had class with for two years was writing it, you can mention how a specific lesson they taught invoked your passion in social sciences.
It is recommended you ask in person, as this shows how important a recommendation from that specific person is to you. However, if this is not possible, you could also consider a video call. If all else fails, an email could work as well, however this depends on the person and whether they would find that impolite or not.
If there is a sense of hesitation from the person you asked, ask a different person. Someone who can immediately agree to speak upon your character will be the best person to write about you. Hesitation shows that they do not think they would write the best letter for your character, either from not knowing you well enough or not having enough commitment.
What to Do After They Say Yes
Send a formal recommendation request through your university application portal. Each portal differs, so make sure to research the platform before giving instructions to your recommendation writer.
Provide ample resources about your job or learning experiences, and anything you would like to be mentioned in the letter. Also follow up with the person close to the deadline to make sure the letter will be submitted in time.
Afterwards, thank them! You should not only thank them for writing you a letter, but for how meeting them changed you as a person for the better.
With these tips, you are bound to obtain a quality letter of recommendation in no time.
Did you know the earlier you start the college application process, the easier it is? If you are ready to start thinking about the college application process, set up a free strategy call with one of our 24/7 College Admissions specialists and learn everything you need to create a successful college application plan for yourself or your teen.
