6 Tips on How to Ask for College Recommendation Letters

Let’s say you have a 4.5 GPA; you are a star athlete; your extracurriculars are a testament to your leadership abilities; and you’ve taken the time to develop strong relationships with teachers, school counselors, and mentors. Receiving a strong letter of recommendation should be a no-brainer.

But not everybody scores a 10 on all of these key factors. Your GPA may be stronger in some years than others. You may not be in AP classes. Your interests may be more artistic than athletic. No matter what, it’s all about how you develop your own special talents. However, in addition to your academic achievements, your relationships with teachers and mentors should be just as high on your priority list!  Remember, educators want their students to succeed, and their recommendations will be key to your college preparations process. But don’t forget, it’s never too late to achieve your aspirations; and your teachers, counselors, & mentors are on your side.

We asked some of our Prelum experts their thoughts on the subject of preparing for college, and how to ask for recommendation letters in the process. Here's what they shared.

What Matters When Preparing for College Applications

Grades:

Yes, grades are important, but college admissions also look at the accumulation of your grades throughout your education, not just senior year. With the return of the ACT and SAT tests, these are also a key factor in your total profile, as well as your essay.

AP Classes:

How important are AP classes? They are definitely worth it if you score well on AP tests; this allows you to earn college credit, making it worth the effort. However, AP classes are more on a college level and require considerably more time than a typical high school curriculum. If the goal is to apply to the best colleges, it is recommended that you take between 7-12 AP courses. However, you need to ensure you’re doing well in the AP classes you choose. More isn’t necessarily better. 5-7 AP courses with higher marks still look great on a resume.

Extracurriculars:

Extracurriculars, such as internships, sports, and volunteer work, are definitely a plus on your college applications. It demonstrates your aptitude in juggling more than just schoolwork in areas beyond the classroom. 

Also great on your resume: high school enrichment programs or college prep programs. These are available for you if you’re 13 years and older, and can give you a significant lift when it comes to showing your passion for particular subjects and future majors or careers.

Recommendation letters:

Next to your college essay, nothing communicates your personality and contributions better than letters of recommendation from a teacher and a school counselor who are familiar with you — both your scholastic record and your personality. As noted, if you’ve maintained a solid relationship with these people, asking for a letter of recommendation should not pose a problem. If not, here are 6 tips on how to ask for that important communication.

6 Tips On Asking For a Letter of Recommendation

1. Plan ahead: Many of the people you request a letter of recommendation from have many students asking for the same service. If you give them ample time to prepare, you’re much more likely to receive a more thoughtful letter. Use our handy Prelum College Application Tracker [LINK] to keep this deadline — along with all the other deadlines and information — organized so nothing falls through the cracks. 

2. Select those you wish to write letters on your behalf: Teachers who are familiar with your skills, reliability, leadership potential, and your academic achievements are best. Also on the list should be school counselors, employers, and coaches who can speak to your performance, drive, and character. 

Be certain that at least one letter is from your school counselor. If you don’t know them well, ask for an in-person meeting where you can get acquainted and share your goals and accomplishments. Remind them of all your hard work, including any clubs you belong to, and any college prep courses you’ve taken.

3. Create a brag sheet: Since it’s likely you haven’t written a resume yet, brag sheets are your next best choice. This is a list that highlights your qualifications and best characteristics. What should you include?

• The notable courses you took, and the grades you received.
• One or two of your top attributes, with examples of how you demonstrated them in class or at work.
• Your overall GPA, test scores, and top academic accomplishments.
• Extracurricular activities including pre-college immersion programs and other enrichment activities.
• Volunteer work.
• After-school jobs, internships, or shadowing opportunities.
• A short blurb about your goals.

4. First ask: Before listing someone as a reference, speak to each person personally. This will ensure you get a fair recommendation, maybe even a glowing one. But allow them time to prepare. Make sure they have your most recent brag sheet so that they can talk about specific accomplishments.

5. Send a formal request: Each person who has agreed to write a letter on your behalf deserves a more inclusive review of your accolades. Include details such as:

• Your brag sheet.
• The school(s) to which you plan to apply.
• Details on when and to whom the letter should be submitted.
• A pre-addressed, stamped envelope (make it easy on them), or the email address to use (will vary by school).
• A sample letter, if they ask for one.

6. Follow up: Make sure to send polite reminders to anyone who has yet to provide your letter of recommendation. And make sure to include a sincere “thank you” for their willingness to help.

Remember, getting into the college of your choice takes a good amount of college preparation, and the earlier you start the better. If you believe you know where you want your college major to take you career wise, sign up for a top high school enrichment program before even graduating  high school . This will not only show you are serious to prospective college admission officers, but to your teachers and school counselor as well. Good luck!