How to Get the Best Letter of Recommendation – Part 2

To continue on from our blog post last week about the college letter of recommendation, there are a few questions you need to consider first.

Whom to Ask

• What subject did they teach you in?
  • Generally, it’s best to choose a teacher who has taught you in a core academic subject such as English, math, history, science, or foreign languages.

• When did they teach you?
  • College admissions officers would like a current perspective about you. Choose one of your teachers from your junior year or your current year who has known you for a while and who has worked closely with you.

• What grade did you earn for their course?
  • It is ideal to ask a teacher who taught you an academically rigorous course such as AP, IB, or honors, and whose class you earned an A. However, if you do not have a personal relationship with that particular teacher, it is better to ask a teacher who knows you well, even if you did not academically do your best in his/her course.

• How well do they know you?
  • Choose a teacher who has worked closely with you, who really knows you, and who has seen you grow and improve throughout your high school career.

• How long have they been in the teaching profession?
  • Often, the teacher evaluation forms will ask teachers to answer basic questions relating to themselves, including how long they have been teaching and what classes they are teaching. A teacher who has been in the classroom for 20 years and writes that you are one of the five best students they have worked with in their career, speaks volumes to admissions officers when compared to a teacher who has only taught for one or two years.

When to Ask for Recommendations

It takes time to write recommendations and some teachers have to write many recommendation letters each year. If you want teachers to write a thoughtful recommendation for you, make sure to give them plenty of time to write it. It is suggested that you ask them during the second half of your junior year. At the very least, be sure you give teachers one month before your earliest deadline to complete and submit your letters. This will also give them opportunity to gather any additional information about you as well as give them plenty of time to refine their letters.

How to Get the Best Recommendations

It can be tough to ask favors of people, especially authoritative and intimating figures, however, if you choose teachers who know you well and respect you, they will want to support you in your academic pursuits. Be sure to take some time to meet and speak with them. Make the process as easy for them as possible by putting together a folder with all of your college application due dates along with your transcript, student profile, and resume so that when it comes time to write your letter, they will have all the necessary information ready to craft you the best letter possible. Don’t forget to also send them the link to the recommendation form in advance so that your teacher has time to set up a login, such as you will find with the Common Application. Following up with your recommenders a week or so before letters are due is also advised to make sure they have submitted your letter in a timely manner.

Remember, think thoughtfully about which teacher knows you best and plan ahead.

 

Photo credited to http://uncw.edu/.