Asking for a Letter of Recommendation

STEPS FOR REQUESTING A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION:
1. Choose 2-3 general studies teachers who you want to ask to write you recommendation letters.
  • Letters should be requested at the end of junior year or the very beginning of senior year.
  • Ideally, you should ask teachers who taught you during your junior year. Consider asking teachers who you formed good relationships with, whose classes you excelled in, or maybe whose classes you didn't start off so strongly, but significantly improved in as the class went on.
2. Verbally request a letter of recommendation from each teacher.
  • For example: "I really enjoyed your class. I've learned a lot from you and feel like you've gotten to know me well. I'm applying to College X for next year and would be really flattered if you could write me a strong letter of recommendation for my application" (blog.prepscholar.com).
  • Be sure you are requesting the letter at an appropriate time - i.e.: before or after class, before or after school, during a free period
  • If your teacher says yes, be prepared to hand them a Brag Sheet that you have already filled out. This will show your teacher that you are prepared.
  • Be sure to politely inform your teacher the date you need the letter by, and to give the teacher enough time to write the letter.
3. Once your teacher agrees to write you a letter of recommendation, you should follow up with a written request via email.
  • Be sure to thank your teacher!
 4. Submit your requests via Naviance.
  • Log in to your Naviance account.
  • On the left side of the screen under "My Colleges," click on colleges i'm applying to
  • Scroll down to Letters of Recommendation, and click the blue "letters of recommendation section" link.​
  • Click "Add request" and fill out the information accurately for each teacher that will be writing your letters.
5. It is the student's responsibility to follow up with his/her teacher to ensure that the letter is submitted on time.
Brag sheets can be picked up in the college office. You can also get an electronic copy here:

Advice from an Admissions Counselor

Recommendations tell us a great deal about the way you think and learn, how you contribute to your school community, and what you add to a classroom dynamic. The best recommendations are not always from the teachers in whose class you earned the highest grades, but rather from those teachers who know you best and can discuss the substance of your intellect and character. We are as interested in your intellectual curiosity and resilience as in your innate ability and work ethic. A string of generic superlatives is not as useful as a specific, thoughtful discussion of your strengths.

We prefer these letters to be from teachers who have taught you in your junior and/or senior years.  These teachers will best speak to your recent progress, your preparation for rigorous collegiate coursework, and your potential contributions beyond the classroom.