Recommendations

Getting Started

Make sure you know the requirements for each college or scholarship application, including the number and types of recommendations you need to submit, and follow them. Some schools require recommendations from teachers of specific subjects; some scholarship funders will ask for a recommendation from a community leader who can attest to your character. Do not submit more than the required number of recommendations; this may show you don't respect the application reviewer's time.

Help Them Help You

Many teachers are inundated with requests for recommendation letters during the fall semester. Make sure you reach out to your teachers at least three weeks in advance of your application deadline, although a month is even better. You can check in with them as your deadline gets closer.

When you approach a teacher or community leader for a recommendation letter, make sure you have a completed activities chart or academic resume to share with them, and give them as much additional information as you can about your application, including:

• your college plans, including what schools you are applying to and what you plan to study, or key information about the scholarship you are applying for;

• instructions on how to submit their recommendation; and

• the application deadline.

You may also wish to share a memory of a particular lesson, project, or event from your time with your recommender, as well as any specific skills or interests of yours which you would like them to highlight in their letter.