Always seek a reference before releasing a name, so start there. Then, make certain the letter writer respects your abilities and is aware of what makes you special. You don’t want to be the student who introduces themselves as “Hello, I sit in the back of your class and never participate,” Do you think this teacher will agree to write a letter of recommendation for me? Do you think I wrote a letter for the students I mentioned above? Interact with teachers and put in a lot of effort in your studies. Everyone does not receive the same letter because teachers are paying attention.
Requesting a letter of recommendation is similar to requesting any other favor. Someone will be more likely to agree and perform well if you give them enough notice. But a last-minute request will not only irritate and alienate the author, it will also result in a letter of poor quality. Nobody wins. Generally speaking, provide the writer with at least a few months’ notice.
Ideally, the letter writer will be familiar with you and will naturally have lots of complimentary things to say. However, it never hurts to provide the writer with a personal statement outlining your achievements and interests. The particulars in a letter are what stand out and show how the teacher and you are related. Giving the letter writer more information about you will only make their job easier and result in a stronger letter of recommendation. Remember that it will take your instructor at least an hour to write the letter of recommendation; don’t you think you should use the majority of that time to respectfully, gratefully, and helpfully frame your request?
Another thing to remember is that this is your request, not your parents’. It is inappropriate for your parents to request a letter on your behalf in a letter. (No, I’m not making this up. I frequently receive emails from parents requesting letters for their children enrolled in my college courses. ).
This one is a little challenging because it appears to conflict with the prior advice. Consider the personal statement as a way to provide the writer with a general overview of who you are and what is important to you. However, refrain from directing the writer’s every word; that’s just impolite. Additionally, the majority of teachers are likely to be able to write a strong letter of recommendation. This isn’t their first rodeo.
Writing a thoughtful letter of recommendation takes a teacher hours. And odds are you aren’t the only one asking. Each teacher writes dozens of recommendations, if not more. Make sure to express your gratitude to the authors for their time and effort. You spent years building a strong relationship. Don’t risk ruining it by forgetting to say thanks. Be sure to handwrite a personalized thank you note.
In my first year, I went to 116 interviews and had no idea what the research field was like. I began working at the lab in 2015, and since then I’ve volunteered at various labs. I am sincerely grateful for the chance you gave me, and I owe you the credit for setting me on this course. Now, using what I’ve learned along the way, I hope to land a full-time job.
For a position as a research assistant at UCSD, I was hoping to use you as a reference. I think there is a “reference survey” in it that you can finish online by clicking on a link that would be sent to you. Please let me know if you’re willing to do this.
Winward Academy provides web-based academic support that improves students’ knowledge, confidence, and competitiveness in middle and high school academics as well as in college applications. Winward Academy is one of the world’s leading innovators in the online education space. Every year, we assist thousands of students by offering individualized, thorough ACT and SAT test preparation and extensive math curriculum support. The Winward Academy learning platform incorporates tried-and-true methods that foster effective learning, paying homage to more than 40 years of educational and cognitive psychology research.
Dr. Jennifer Winward is the founder and principal instructor of Winward Academy, a prestigious college professor with 20 years of experience tutoring high school students. She earned her Ph. D. specializing in adolescent brain development and adolescent learning. She graduated summa cum laude with the highest distinction honors and is a Phi Beta Kappa member. Dr. Winward has received awards from the American Psychological Association, the American State Assembly, Rotary International, the Marin County School Administrator Association, the American Psychological Association, and the National Science Foundation in recognition of her academic accomplishments, published research, and charitable work.
- DO Choose Your Letter Writers Carefully. …
- DON’T Use Someone as a Reference Without Contacting Them First. …
- DO Ask Early. …
- DON’T Be Offended if They Say No. …
- DO Give Them Information. …
- DON’T Keep Them in the Dark. …
- DO Send a Reminder. …
- DON’T Forget to Say Thank You.
7 do’s of asking for letters of recommendation
It’s important to follow some guidelines when requesting letters of recommendation for an academic program, internship, or job to ensure you get high-quality recommendations. Here are seven suggestions to help you successfully request a letter of recommendation:
1. Choose your recommenders carefully
You might request letters of recommendation from several people, depending on the type of application. Think about people who are aware of your character, work ethic, and potential when choosing who to ask for a recommendation from. Ask those who are familiar with you well to recommend you highly based on your distinct qualities and noteworthy accomplishments. For instance, you might decide to request a letter from a professorial advisor who assisted you in finishing a research project during the semester. By carefully selecting your recommenders, you can guarantee that the letters you submit are thorough and genuine.
2. Request a letter formally
Ask someone to write you a letter of recommendation in person, if at all possible. This formal request gives the person you’re asking for a recommendation the impression that you understand the importance of doing so. If you can’t speak with them in person, call them or send them a formal email to make your request. Include a formal salutation, a paragraph explaining why you need a recommendation, and pertinent details about the application, such as the deadline, when writing an email. Make sure there are no grammatical or spelling errors by proofreading your message.
3. Ask early
Because writing a recommendation from a teacher or employer takes time, it is best to request one as early as possible. Try to request recommendations four to six weeks prior to the application deadline when applying to academic programs. Even though you might only have a short window to gather recommendations for a job application, it’s still crucial to contact your references in advance so they can provide you with a strong letter. Giving your references a deadline earlier than the application deadline is beneficial to allow for processing times or delays
4. Provide information
Make sure to inform the person you ask to write you a letter of recommendation about the position or program for which you are applying. They can use this information to determine the kind of information to include in their letter. If you’re applying for a management position, for instance, this information can let your references know how to describe your leadership abilities. Provide additional details, such as a copy of your resume or a transcript showing your grade in the professor’s class, in addition to the information about the job or program.
5. Outline your skills and achievements
Send the person who agreed to write you a recommendation a letter with some information you want them to emphasize. Make a list of your accomplishments or qualities in bullet points to assist them in deciding what to mention in their recommendation. You could tell them about the courses you’ve taken, the jobs you’ve done, any honors you’ve received, or even the adjectives you might use to describe yourself. This template can assist your references in creating thorough, compelling letters that will help set you apart from other applicants.
6. Keep copies of letters
Make copies of your letters of recommendation once you’ve received them, then store them someplace you can find them later. By taking this precaution, you can make sure you have a backup letter in case your original is destroyed or lost during the application process. You might want to use the same letter of recommendation if you decide to apply for a job or academic program that is similar to the one you are applying for. Before using your reference’s letter for a different application in this situation, get their permission.
7. Be gracious
Always be polite when asking someone to write you a letter of recommendation to respect their time. When requesting a letter, don’t forget to be courteous and thank the person. Thank the person for their time and consideration if they choose not to write you a letter. Being polite demonstrates professionalism and lets the other person know you mean business. Although teachers and employers might receive a lot of requests for recommendations, they are more likely to remember those who ask politely, which may show in their recommendations.
What is a letter of recommendation?
A letter of recommendation is an official statement endorsing a person’s work or academic achievement from a previous employer, coworker, teacher, or mentor. In a letter of recommendation, the author emphasizes the traits or accomplishments that make the person qualified for a position or a course of study. Letters of recommendation are frequently requested by colleges when students apply for undergraduate or graduate programs. These letters may be required by some employers in addition to job applications. By revealing specifics about a candidate’s character, abilities, and accomplishments, these letters can help candidates stand out from the competition.
7 don’ts of asking for letters of recommendation
You can request a letter of recommendation while maintaining professionalism by being aware of some behaviors to avoid. When asking someone to write you a letter of recommendation, keep these seven things in mind:
1. Use a reference without their permission
Make sure to ask someone permission before using them as a reference on a job application. This action demonstrates your respect for the person in a professional manner. Ask the person if they feel comfortable writing you a letter of recommendation after explaining why you need one. When it is convenient for them, such as during a professor’s office hours, make your request. Asking someone’s permission before using them as a reference ensures that they are willing to attest to your qualifications.
2. Get upset if someone says no
Thank them formally for their time and consideration if someone declines to write you a letter of recommendation. If someone declines your request, try not to lose your temper. Instead, consider finding someone else to request a recommendation from. Another reference can strengthen your application because they might have more time to write a letter that is effective or are more likely to recommend you favorably. Consider a refusal as an opportunity to strengthen your application by providing a stronger reference.
3. Be vague about details
Make sure they meet the requirements for the application by being clear about the letter’s specifics when you ask someone to write a recommendation. Tell your references when the letter is due so they have enough time to write their recommendation. Let your reference know if the employer or institution prefers to receive the letter in a particular format, such as a hard copy or PDF, so they can write their letter accordingly. If mailing the letter is required, give your reference an addressed envelope and a stamp.
4. Provide false information
Make sure you only provide references with accurate and true information. Although you want letters of recommendation to be positive about you, it’s more crucial that they highlight your real strengths and abilities. Your suitability for a program or organization can be demonstrated to a school or employer with the aid of a letter of recommendation. If you select references who are familiar with you, they will be able to speak positively and honestly about your character, accomplishments, and qualifications.
5. Write a letter for them
While it can be helpful to let your references know what you want them to emphasize or include in their letters, avoid giving them specific instructions. Trust the majority of employers and teachers to prepare their own letters as they have experience writing these letters and know how to do so in an effective manner. Decide to request recommendations from those who are acquainted with your achievements and special abilities. If you have the right references, they’ll probably write you a letter of recommendation expressing their confidence in your future potential, which can help you stand out from the competition.
6. Hesitate to ask for more letters
Consider requesting more recommendation letters than are necessary for the application. You could, for instance, ask five references to write recommendations for you if you need to submit three letters. If one of your references cannot complete their letter of recommendation by the deadline, having additional letters on hand can be useful. If you have additional letters, you can also decide to submit the ones that most effectively highlight your skills and abilities. No matter which letters you choose to submit, be sure to express your gratitude to each of your references for their time.
7. Forget to say thank you
Once your application has been submitted, be sure to thank everyone who wrote you a letter. The polite way to express your gratitude is to send a handwritten note or an email. Thank them for taking the time to write you a personal recommendation in your message. Additionally, it’s polite to inform your references of the outcome of your application as soon as you do. Your references might be grateful that they could assist with your application if you were successful in getting the job or being admitted into a program.
How to get a strong recommendation letter (Get Accepted to Your Dream University Part #8)
FAQ
What should you not do in a recommendation letter?
- general terminology or overly broad descriptions of a student’s classroom performance;
- concentrating on a student’s punctuality or capacity for reading
- Spending excessive time and energy on describing the interaction with the student or the course material
What are the 6 details that should be included in a letter of recommendation?
- Create a new letter for each recommendation. …
- Review the resume. …
- Request some bullet points. …
- Prepare a list of qualities. …
- Introduce yourself. …
- Include language from the job description. …
- Focus on one or two qualities. …
- Quantify the strengths.
