Letters of Rec

If you are applying to college, a summer program, or scholarship, you may be asked to provide one or more Letters of Recommendation.  There are a few things to consider before asking for a Letter of Recommendation:    

• For college applications, please check each college admissions website to verify that a Letter of Recommendation is required or recommended, how many, who should write the letter, and the deadline.

• California State Universities (CSUs) and University of California (UCs) DO NOT require a Letter of Recommendation (if a supplemental application is required for your intended major at one of these universities, you may be asked for a Letter of Recommendation).

If you do need a Letter of Recommendation, consider the following process:

• Ask your teacher and/or counselor in person if they are able to write you a Letter of Recommendation.

  • • Keep in mind that you should ask them at least two weeks in advance, if not earlier, as they receive many requests throughout the school year.

• If they agree to write you a letter, submit a Letter of Recommendation request for your teacher using their preferred method. 

• Be sure to add your recommenders in Common App or send them a link to where the letter needs to be sent - letters are not handed to the student to send in, most (if not all) need to be electronically sent in by the recommender

• See below for links to request a counselor Letter of Recommendation.