Few parts of the college application carry as much weight—or require as much trust—as the letters of recommendation. While applicants are responsible for their GPA, test scores, and essays, a recommendation letter allows admissions officers to see a student through the eyes of someone who knows them well. When approached thoughtfully, these letters can illuminate qualities that no transcript or personal statement ever could.
Mentorship for Every Stage of the Process
At Command Education, our Senior Mentors work closely with students to navigate this aspect of the application with the same intentionality and strategy they bring to every other part of their application—from identifying the right recommenders to ensuring each letter tells a cohesive, compelling story. Explore our services to discover how mentorship can help you achieve your collegiate dreams.
The guidance below provides everything students need to know to secure letters of recommendation that admissions officers can’t ignore.
Why you should ask for a letter of recommendation
The letter of recommendation is an integral part of the college application for a reason. Much like your personal statement, a recommendation letter provides more insight into the person behind the application. In a way, your letters of recommendation provide an even better picture of you, because they allow your prospective colleges to see you through the eyes of a trusted teacher, counselor, or mentor.
These individuals can speak to your best qualities as a student and as a person: Do you work hard to improve your grades when you struggle with a particular unit? Crack a joke when your teammate seems upset about losing a game? Hold the door open for your peers? Lend a helping hand to your confused classmate struggling through a problem set? These are all questions a good recommender can answer in a strong letter of recommendation.
Key Tip
Aside from the fact that most college applications will require you to provide one or more letters of recommendation, asking for letters of recommendation is a great way to practice skills of self-advocacy, time-management, and even humility.
Who to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation
Perhaps the most important question you should ask yourself is who to ask for a letter of recommendation. Depending on the schools to which you’re applying, you may need three or more different recommenders:
- Counselor
- Teacher
- "Other" Recommender
The first two are fairly self-explanatory; you can choose any teacher and counselor at your school, but don’t ask just anyone. You should choose a teacher who knows you well and who you believe will put time and effort into writing a recommendation letter that reflects your unique personality and skill set. Choosing a teacher who also advises an extracurricular activity you’re in or a teacher you’ve known since sophomore year can help ensure your letter reflects a meaningful connection and attests to your qualities outside of the classroom, as well. It is also a strategic move to choose a teacher who can speak to your passion and preparedness for your particular area of study.
Some schools have specific guidance for who you should ask to write letters on your behalf if you want to apply to their programs, so be sure to research each school’s specific requirements. For instance, MIT provides applicants with the following instructions:
“MIT requires two letters of recommendation from teachers. One recommendation should be from a math or science teacher, and one should be from a humanities, social science, or language teacher, although this is not a hard requirement.” - MIT Admissions
The third category, “Other Recommender” might be a little more confusing. The Common App describes “Other Recommenders” as “Arts Teacher, Clergy, Coach, College Access Counselor, Employer, Family Member, Peer, or Other.”
With these wider parameters, you should be additionally strategic when selecting your outside recommender. This recommendation letter is a chance to reveal more than what your test scores and transcripts disclose about you; choose a recommender who understands your character, interests, and potential and will be able to relay that to your college admissions officer. For all of your recommenders, you should ideally choose individuals who have known you for multiple semesters and can provide honest and unique insight into who you are as a person.
Key Tip
Think strategically about how your recommendation letters can strengthen your application as a whole. While many students assume that the best recommendations come from teachers whose courses they have aced, this is not necessarily the case.
If you have established through your extracurriculars and transcripts that you are a particularly strong science student, but you have scored lower in English courses, you might choose an English teacher who knows you well to attest to the progress you’ve made, the hard work you put in to improve your writing, and the dedication you had to learning the material.
All of these things are not apparent in a numerical score or letter grade, and having a teacher attest to those qualities can make even the weaker points in your application look more like strengths.
When to ask for a letter of recommendation
Many colleges and universities have different deadlines, and Early Action and Early Decision applications complicate this even further. For this reason, there is no single date by which you should request a letter of recommendation. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should ask your recommenders for a letter in the late spring of your junior year and at least two months before the submission deadline. This will give your recommenders plenty of time to review your resume, write the letter, and tackle any technical issues they might encounter during the submission process.
Keep in mind that you can submit your application through the Common App before your recommenders submit their letters. That means you can’t use your teachers’ potential procrastination as an excuse for your own. Getting your application in early means less stress, so make sure you stay proactive about submitting all of your materials ahead of time and check in with your teachers to ensure they submit your letters on time.
How to ask for a letter of recommendation
Unless you’ve applied for competitive internships or summer programs before, you might not have had the chance to learn the etiquette for asking for a recommendation letter. The first thing to bear in mind is that, as awkward and new as this feels for you, your teacher has likely written dozens of letters of recommendation for other students over the years. They already know the drill, so let that give you comfort if you have been nervous about asking them. Rest assured that they want the best for your future and are eager to help you achieve your goals!
If you are asking a current teacher, you should ask them privately after class or during an extra help session. If you plan to ask a teacher whose class you aren’t currently in, you can stop by their classroom in between classes, before or after school, or write them an email asking them to meet.
Top 4 Must-Haves
to prepare before your letter of recommendation meeting
You should approach your teacher in a one-on-one setting when asking for a letter of recommendation. Here are four things you should prepare in advance of the meeting.
You want to provide as much context as possible so they can tailor the letter toward your application or help complement what you include in your application. You should also ask them if they’d like you to provide any additional information that might aid them in the process.
Some teachers will ask students to complete a letter of recommendation questionnaire, while others prefer to schedule a meeting to discuss students’ accomplishments, goals and future plans in person or over Zoom.
The Why
A short blurb about why you want them to write your recommendation letter
Resume
Your updated resume of experience and extracurriculars
Goals List
The list of your academic or vocational goals
Schools List
The list of schools you're considering applying to
How to ask a teacher, internship supervisor or coach for a letter of recommendation over email
Between school and sports practice or your many other extracurricular involvements, it might not be possible for you to meet with your recommender in person. If that is the case, it is appropriate for you to send your request for a letter of recommendation over email.
Asking for a letter of recommendation from a coach will be slightly different from asking for a letter of recommendation from a teacher, employer or internship supervisor.
How to ask a research supervisor for a letter of recommendation over email
If you completed a research internship at any point during your high school career, you might consider asking your internship supervisor to write your third letter of recommendation. An internship supervisor can likely speak to your interest in a field or research topic, your work ethic, and your ability to be resourceful as you seek answers to your questions, among other things. They can also write about your capstone project or final research presentation, if you completed your internship with either.
How to ask a coach for a letter of recommendation over email
While your teacher can speak to your qualities in the classroom, a coach can speak to your qualities on and off the field. A coach can tell admissions officers about your dedication to your sport, your ability to collaborate and communicate with your teammates, or your experience leading your team through a difficult game or scrimmage.
How to Submit Your Letters of Recommendation Through the Common App
In order to submit your letters through the Common App, log into the Common Application website after it opens on August 1st and add your recommenders to your “Invite and Manage Recommenders” list. Go to the Recommenders and FERPA section of one of your schools in the My Colleges tab. Before you can assign your recommender(s), you must complete the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) release authorization process. Then, you can assign your recommender(s) to each school you are applying to.
By assigning recommenders, you are notifying the Common App which letters you want to be sent to which school on your list. Make sure to meet each of your school’s specific requirements regarding letters of recommendation as you choose which letters are sent to which school. Some schools allow three letters while others only allow two, so be sure to double check each school’s policy on their admissions website.
Your recommenders will be invited to submit their letter of recommendation online (either through Common App or Naviance eDocs, depending on the school).
Check in online periodically. If the submission deadline is drawing near and your recommenders haven’t yet submitted their letters, check in with each one. Be patient with your recommenders throughout this process.
Finally, once they have submitted your letter, be sure to take the time to write them a handwritten note thanking them for writing your letter of recommendation! As you start hearing from colleges, keep them updated with your success stories so that they can celebrate your successes.
For more guidance on how to assign your recommenders on the Common Application, check out the guidance provided on the Common App website.
Expert Guidance for Eyecatching Letters of Rec
A great letter of recommendation isn’t spontaneous; it’s the result of fostering genuine relationships, choosing the right recommenders, and giving them appropriate context to speak to your strengths. Our Senior Mentors equip students to develop this kind of strategic, long-term thinking from the very beginning of their high school journey, long before application season arrives.
For more personalized guidance on how to approach your recommenders and position every element of your application for maximum impact, schedule a complimentary consultation with our team to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I thank my teacher for writing my letter of recommendation?
One of the best ways to say thank you and express your appreciation for a teacher or other recommender is by giving them a handwritten card. You should write your note in your own voice, genuinely and thoughtfully expressing how they have supported you in your academic and/or personal journey. Avoid using platitudes like “you are the best teacher in the world,” and instead, write a note that conveys their unique contribution to your growth. You can write about fond memories and stand out events you’ve shared with the teacher in or outside of their class. Even as you express your thanks in writing, you should also make an effort to verbalize your gratitude in person when you give them your letter. Spark a conversation, thank them for advocating for your candidacy, and let them know you will keep them in the loop about your college decisions.
Are letters of recommendation important?
Yes, letters of recommendation are an essential component of the college admissions process. They provide valuable insights into a student's character, academic abilities, and personal qualities from the perspective of teachers, counselors, or mentors. Strong letters of recommendation can positively influence an applicant's chances of acceptance, highlighting their strengths and potential for contributing to their future campus communities.
Why are letters of recommendation important to colleges?
Admissions officers use letters of recommendation to gain a holistic understanding of applicants and assess their suitability for admission to their institution. Letters of recommendation speak to the qualities of a student that are not encapsulated in their “on-paper” materials and provide a third-party perspective on a student’s candidacy.
Are letters of recommendation confidential?
Yes, letters of recommendation are typically confidential documents. While students are given the option to waive or not to waive their right to access their letters of recommendation (the FERPA Waiver on the Common App), it is typically encouraged that students waive this right. Admissions officers expect recommenders to provide candid and honest assessments of students' abilities and character without fear of repercussions or influence from the student or the student’s family. Confidentiality ensures the integrity and authenticity of the recommendation process, allowing recommenders to provide genuine and unbiased evaluations.
How do recommenders submit letters of recommendation?
Recommenders will send their letters to counselors, upload them to Naviance or the Common App, or send them directly to the colleges or universities electronically or via mail.
Can letters of recommendation be sent before or after an application?
It is essential for students to check the specific requirements and deadlines set by each institution to which they are applying and communicate deadlines to their recommenders to ensure that their letters of recommendation are submitted on time. Do not worry if your recommender sends your letter before you send in your other application materials. If letters are submitted before students’ applications, they will be stored in students’ files for safekeeping until applications are complete and ready for review. On the other hand, while some colleges may allow recommenders to submit letters after the application deadline, not all do, so it is best to adhere to the designated timeline to avoid any delays or complications in the admissions process.
Can letters of recommendation be from anyone?
Depending on the schools to which you’re applying, you may need three or more different letters of recommendation from a teacher, a school counselor, and one other recommender, such as a mentor, employer, or coach who has had significant interactions with you and can speak to your strengths and accomplishments. Students should be diligent in checking each school’s requirements for recommendations before requesting their letters.