Teacher Recommendation(s): Required by many colleges, but not all. Typically one is required, a few schools may require two.
Counselor Recommendation: Required by most colleges, HHS School Counselors plan to write a letter for all their seniors, no need to request this as you need to teacher letters of recommendations. Just make sure to complete your "My Story" assignment. This is very helpful for your counselor, as is the Parent Brag Sheet.
Outside/Other Recommendations: These are almost never required, but some colleges may accept additional letters of recommendation. These should offer a new perspective on you and add to the overall application. Be sure to find out if your colleges will even accept these. If they do, you may consider a coach, advisor, clergy member, or other adult who has gotten to know you well.
In an ideal world, you’d ask someone who teaches a core subject (English, math, science, history/social science, foreign language), who taught you recently (junior year is prime) and who knows you well. If you can’t find one person who fits all of those things, this is what you should prioritize:
Someone who knows you well and actually likes you
Someone who taught you recently
Someone who teaches a core subject*
Overall, think of it this way — it won’t help the college get to know you if your recommender doesn’t know you as a student.
*Important note: Some colleges require or recommend that students submit recommendations from teachers in certain subject areas (i.e. Engineering schools may want a STEM rec, Visual or Performing Arts programs may want a teacher in that area, etc). Be sure you double check that.
How many teacher recommendation letters will I need?
Most colleges require just one (or none!), but some may require two. It's important to check the requirements for any college you may apply to. If you do need more than one rec letter, pick teachers who can highlight separate strengths. For example, your band teacher knows things about you that your English teacher doesn’t, and vice versa. Think of the 'big picture' of your application and how to paint a fuller, more colorful picture of yourself overall.
Ask in person. An email ask should be a very last resort. If you or they have moved, and asking in person isn’t possible, opt for the phone call first, email second, text never.
Ask in advance. The end of junior year is ideal, if possible. Three weeks before the application deadline should be your minimum, try to avoid this. Teachers are as busy as you are in the fall, giving them the summer to work on it if they want is the best move.
Don’t group-ask the teacher. This should be obvious, but it has happened. Make sure you ask one-on-one, you don't want to put the teacher in an awkward position and you want it to be a private conversation.
Be sure to complete the questionnaire for your teacher. Some teachers may have their own form, but most will utilize this one
Know your teachers (and school counselors) may have their own process — and follow it. For example, they may have their own questionnaire for you to fill out. Whatever it is, follow through and respect their timeline.
Be gracious. These rec letters — especially the good ones — can take three hours to write. And the thing is, teachers don’t have to write these letters. They don’t get paid for them. They do them out of kindness and care on top of their other work. At the very least, plan to write thank-you notes.
Once a teacher has agreed to write you a letter, it is important to fill out the Questionniare for Teacher Recommendation to help him/her to be as specific as possible about your performance as a student. Please complete this form at least a month ahead of your first deadline so they can have ample time to write the best letter possible.
Most importantly, be sure to follow up with whatever they need - like the questionnaire - in a timely fashion.
Follow up in person in the fall when you have confirmed your earliest deadline to thank them again for being willing to write the rec letter, and ask if they need anything from you. If you have done everything you're supposed to, you should not need to remind teachers or bug them to find out if the letters have been completed. Since you do not need to wait for them to be done before you apply to college, so there is no need to rush them to submit prior to the colleges deadline, so please don't!
Send a thank you! It's just a nice thing to do.