Recommendation Letters

Do you need to send recommendation letters and who should write them?

Most public colleges and universities in Texas don't require applications, but recommend or will accept two letters.   

However, if you have the option to apply "test optional," recommendation letters are preferred or required.  

Some private colleges and out of state public ones may require them.  Always, always check each university's application checklist on the website to see if recommendations are required or accepted and if your recommendation needs to come from a particular teacher (such as an academic teacher instead of an elective teacher) or another type of adult.  

Most colleges prefer recommendations from adults who know your from an academic, extracurricular,  volunteer, or work setting. This can include teachers,  club/organization sponsors, coaches, employers, religious leaders.

Special Note for UT Austin:  As of 4/1/2024, UT has said it wants recommendation letters for Fall 2025 applicants from people who know them outside of the school setting.

How and when to request recommendation letters:

1. At least three weeks before the letter needs to be submitted,  ask each person you wan to write a letter if they will do so. 

2. Let them know you will share the your responses to the Letter of Recommendation Request Form and ask them to let you know if they need any additional information.

3. Fill out and submit the Letter of Recommendation Request Form.  An email with your responses will be sent to the person you list as your recommender and to you.

4. You can forward your copy of the responses to other recommenders.  The form only emails one person other than you.

NOTE: Your counselor will only submit a recommendation letter to colleges that require a counselor recommendation.