If you are looking for tips on a letter of recommendation, you’re in the right place. You may need a recommendation letter for college applications, graduate school, an internship, or a job application. Either way, you need to find someone who will write one for you.
If there is one person to have in your corner, it’s one of your high school teachers or college professors. This guide will show you how to ask for a letter of recommendation. You may have a couple of teachers or professors you like and trust that you can enlist for help.
Once those letters of recommendation are ready, you can send them to the colleges on your list. It’s nice to have someone that knows you speak highly of your skills to help you reach your goals. Now, let’s take a look at what you need to do to ask a teacher or professor for a letter of recommendation.
How do you politely ask for a letter of recommendation?
One of the best ways to do this is by asking for a letter of recommendation in person. An in-person request allows you to explain your plans and what made you reach your goals. In addition, when you politely request in person, the process becomes a lot easier, especially if you already have a positive relationship with your teacher or professor.
Remember always to be polite when asking for a letter of recommendation. You don’t want to show any kind of desperation or neediness. You want to be authentic with your intentions. Your teacher or professor may trust you well enough to follow your post-graduate or post-academic goals. Mention the letter of recommendation and the teacher or professor will be happy to oblige.
How do you ask for a letter of recommendation via email?
If you cannot visit your professor in person, your next best option is to send an email request. The approach will be similar. Explain your current situation regarding your university or post-academic future.
It would be best to keep it short and to the point rather than write long and drawn-out paragraphs. You want your subject line in the email to catch the professor’s attention. So, for example, go for something like, “A question for you.”
Keep in mind that the response time won’t be instantaneous. It can take hours or even days before you receive a reply. Therefore, make sure you send your recommendation letter request early enough to have ample time left before application deadlines. Then, if needed, you can send a follow-up email within 24 to 48 hours from sending the initial email.
Why do you need a letter of recommendation?
A letter of recommendation is ideal for those who want to further their academic or post-academic career, but some may also need a recommendation for college. In addition, some of the programs you are interested in may require you to submit at least one reference letter as part of your resume, cover letter, and application package, while others may require multiple rec letters.
Let’s take a look at some reasons why it may also be needed:
You want to pursue a degree
This can be an Undergrad program, a Master’s degree, a Juris Doctorate (J.D), or a Ph.D. It all depends on your career goals and your aspirations for the future. If there is a program that you want to enroll in, admissions would love it if you have a letter of recommendation on hand and a strong recommendation they can consider.
If you need additional help, there’s MORZEP college admissions coaching that will be available to you. You’ll learn the process and what steps you must take to get from start to finish.
You want to be part of a certification program
Perhaps you want to be certified to further your career. There may be programs for certification where the application process can be a challenge. Letters of recommendation can give you a leg up in the process, although they cannot always guarantee to earn your spot.
The process: what you need to do
Let’s take a look at the following process, so you can get your letter of recommendation written and sent:
1. Choose who you want to write the letters
Choose the professor or high school teacher who will write your letters of recommendation. To go further, choose a teacher or professor you have taken multiple classes and with whom you have an excellent professional relationship. This teacher or professor can be your academic advisor.
2. Prepare a resume or brag sheet
A professional resume is one thing you don’t want to miss in your application process. So add your list of accomplishments, including your extracurricular activities, academic achievements, and other relevant experience.
3. Ask in person first
Your best bet is to ask the professor in person first to ensure that your intent is clear, authentic and you are diligent in achieving your goals. Keep it professional, though, and compose yourself. Present your case objectively and show the proper etiquette.
State your case in an academic setting and get to the point. Then politely ask your teacher or professor for a letter of recommendation. Hand them your resume if they need time to think about it. You may not get an immediate answer. However, your professors will appreciate that you stepped forward and took the initiative to ask them.
The earlier you ask, the better. This way, you’ll have plenty of time to send your application on time.
4. Send a formal letter of recommendation request
Asking in person is always a good idea. However, even if you get a verbal “yes,” you’ll still want to send an email request to the teacher or professor to ensure he or she will not forget about your encounter and request.
5. Follow up before the due date
Check on the status of the letter by sending a follow-up email. Kindly remind your recommenders of the approaching due date. The earlier you ask before the actual deadline, the better. Remember, professors may be operating on a busy schedule. So be patient and choose a time to send them a follow-up.
6. Say a final thank you
Once you have received confirmation that your letter of recommendation was received, it is common courtesy to send them one last thank you.
Final Thoughts
A letter of recommendation could be an essential part of the admission requirements. Or it may be an add-on to your resume and cover letter. Either way, it’s relevant to have it sent to the right place.
Who better than your teacher or professors to do it for you? Especially those who have been important to you throughout your academic career. While recommendation letters may be great to have for the process, they may not be a guarantee for you to get accepted.
Still, it’s worth the effort to trust your teacher or professor to get the job done for you. Whether it’s your academic or post-academic career, your future is important. So do whatever you can (within reason) to make sure you achieve the goals you set forth.
