Letters of Recommendation

How to Get the Best Letters of Recommendation for College

If you're planning to apply to college this fall, now is the time to start thinking about letters of recommendation. They are a key piece of your application—but you aren't even allowed to see them! To ensure that you get the best possible letters, watch this before you ask prospective recommenders.

PLAN AHEAD

As soon as you know which schools you will apply for, be sure to check how many letters of recommendation are required and when they need to be submitted by. Giving recommenders plenty of time to write your letter of recommendation is important. Consider asking as soon as you narrow your college list. You can create a spreadsheet to keep track of the deadlines and recommenders. Your spreadsheet can look something like this:

ASK SOMEone who knows you well

Think about teachers, coaches, or instructors who have gotten to know you throughout high school. You should feel confident that these individuals will be able to speak to your work ethic, academic performance, character, and willingness to persevere in the face of adversity.

Keep in mind, if you want to study Biology or English in college, forming good relationships with teachers who are experts in those fields will help when comes to asking for a letter of recommendation. So if you are a freshman reading this, it's never too early to keep these tips in mind and start building great working relationships with school staff.

WHAT TO GIVE to YOUR RECOMMENDERs

Provide your teacher, mentor, instructor, or coach with materials to help them write you a great recommendation letter. This can include:

  • A high school resume with a list of extracurricular activities, jobs, volunteer work, accomplishments, awards, and skills

  • College/university's letter or recommendation guidelines

  • Deadlines

  • Standardized test scores (*NOTE - UC will not consider SAT or ACT test scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. If you choose to submit test scores as part of your application, they may be used as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum requirements for eligibility or for course placement after you enroll.)

  • Transcript

  • College essays (if applicable)

  • Enough time to write, so asking two weeks before the deadline is typically not ideal

Remember to indicate how the letter of recommendation should be submitted. Is it through an online portal or through the mail. If so, provide any information like email addresses or mailing addresses. Also, don't forget to say thank you. Writing a nice handwritten note is a nice gesture that lets them know you appreciate their support.