Key Takeaway
- Your college application will require anywhere between one and four letters of recommendation.
- Recommendation letters can be written by a teacher, employer, mentor, or coach of your choice.
- A letter of recommendation will give colleges a view into your strengths, interests, and relationships from a different perspective.
- You’ll want to choose people who can speak positively about you and you’ll want to ask them to do it four to six weeks in advance.
Flickr user Allison Mickel
In addition to your high school transcripts, essay, and FAFSA paperwork, colleges will often require letters of recommendation as part of your application to the school. They could also be required for a scholarship or internship opportunity. But what is a letter of recommendation? Are they actually important in the college application process?
The answer is yes! Letters of recommendation play an important role in your college acceptance odds. Let’s take a look into why they’re so important:
What Is a Letter of Recommendation?
A letter of recommendation is like a trusted friend recommending a great restaurant—because you trust their judgment, you’re more likely to try it. Similarly, a strong letter of recommendation from someone who knows you well can positively influence a college’s decision to accept you.
This important piece of your college application is usually written by teachers, employers, or mentors who can provide colleges with a complete picture of who you are beyond grades and test scores. This letter vouches for your academic achievements, skills, and personal qualities. It should highlight why you’d be a great fit for a particular school.
Why They’re So Important
Letters of recommendation are more than just a requirement—they’re a vital component of your application. Here’s a few reasons why these letters carry so much weight in the application process:
They’re A View Into Your Strengths
Letters of recommendation can provide valuable insights into how well you’ll perform in your chosen major. The teacher you choose can share details with your future school about your classroom engagement and passion for any given subject—insight that goes beyond a simple letter grade. They can also inform the school about your enthusiasm for learning and your future career goals.
Most schools will recommend two letters of recommendation. It’s highly suggested that you choose the teacher you are closest with, but who also aligns with your future career goals. If you are majoring in history, for example, you will want to try to choose a professional in that field.
They’re A View Into Your Interests
Your life extends past the classroom, as do your interests. If you have a passion for sports, volunteering, working with children, music, or more, the letters of recommendation give your future university a chance to see those passions, written by someone close to you. They provide insight into the person you are, even outside the classroom, and show what you can bring to your school.
It’s important to remember that a letter of recommendation doesn’t solely have to be from your high school teachers, so feel free to consider other professionals in your life such as your volunteer coordinators, coaches, or other members of your community.
They’re A View Into Your Relationships
One thing students don’t often realize is that letters of recommendation provide a view into their relationships and connections with their teachers, the school, and their community. Since you’re often choosing a professional you’re close with to write the letter, the recommendation will reflect on your own professionalism, respect for others, and actions in the classroom. It’s a testament to how you treat and get along with faculty members as well as your peers.
This is a major reason why it’s important to cultivate strong relationships with your teachers. If you have a teacher who knows you as accountable, honest, or a pleasure to have in class, this is one you’ll want to pursue for your letter.
Requesting a Letter of Recommendation
Before requesting a letter of recommendation, brainstorm a list of potential people who would be a good fit. You’ll want to choose someone who can speak positively about your abilities, character, and accomplishments. If possible, ask in person. (But you can also ask via email.) Make sure to ask well in advance of the deadline—at least four to six weeks before the letter is due.
If they say yes, be sure to provide as much context as you can. Tell them about the program you’re applying for and any specific points you’d like them to mention. After they submit the letter, send them a thank you note thanking them for the time and effort they put into it. Don’t forget to send them updates on the progress of your application!
How Many Letters of Recommendation Do I Need for College?
The number of letters will vary by school, but you can expect to need between one and four letters of recommendation. Try to get a variety if you can—choosing someone from your local community, a teacher, a mentor, an employer, or a coach. Keep in mind that the majority of colleges will want to see at least one letter of recommendation from a teacher.
To find information on the specific colleges you’re applying to, look on their admissions websites. If you’re using the Common Application, your application can be customized to each school’s expectations.
Letters of Recommendation Reflect You
Even though your letters of recommendation are a reflection of your time in high school or in the local community, they’re also a picture of who you will be at your college, as well as in your future. They give your choice of university a clear idea of what to expect and the type of person you are, far beyond what letter grades are capable of.
When choosing a teacher or another member of the community to write a letter of recommendation for you, make sure they are a professional who knows you as a person and can really express to your future college why you’ll be a great fit at their campus and classrooms.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s:
- Be polite. Be sure to ask politely and no matter the answer, thank them for their time.
- Consider your intended major. If you’re intending on majoring in English, you might not want to ask your Chemistry teacher for a letter of recommendation. It’s a better idea to ask an English teacher. They’ll know your strengths and weaknesses in the subject and can attest to your ability. And be sure to let the individual know your intended major ahead of time.
- Let them see your college essay. This will help them see your mindset and goals when it comes to your college education. They may be able to incorporate some of what you’re expressing into the letter itself, which further backs up what you’re trying to tell the admissions department.
- Ask for the letter of recommendation in person. It may feel intimidating to walk up in person and ask, but face to face is the way to go. The request can get lost in text and email and asking in person shows extra initiative.
Don’ts
- Leave it to the last minute. Teachers, coaches, etc., all have busy lives so make sure they have ample time to write up a great letter.
- Automatically ask your favorites. You want a teacher or writer who knows you as a whole person. Above all, you’ll need an effective, well-rounded letter to impress the admissions department, and this won’t always come from your favorite teacher.
- Consider the bare minimum number of people. It pays to ask a few extra people for a letter of recommendation. If you need three letters, try asking five people. You don’t have to mention you’re asking extra people. That way, if one of the teachers or adults you asked falls through, forgets completely, politely declines, or ignores your polite nudges, you have backups without having to worry.
- Forget to write a thank you. Writing thank you letters are ALWAYS a good rule of thumb. Even a quick, handwritten thank you letter lets them know you appreciate their time and assistance will go a long way!
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