How to Get the Best Letters of Recommendation for College
The Princeton Review
Welcome back, my friends.
Here’s something I want you to consider.
Imagine that you’re submitting an important part of your college application.
But you’re not allowed to read it or even see it.
It almost sounds like an anxiety dream, doesn’t it?
Except...
This is not a bad dream or a thought exercise, folks.
It’s the process for your college recommendation letters.
That may sound kinda stressful—it is kinda stressful.
But here are two facts that I hope will give you solace.
Fact #1: Your teachers are used to getting these types of requests.
They understand how important college recommendation letters are.
They know the drill.
Fact #2: You are not powerless here.
There are concrete things that you can do to ensure you get the best-possible letters
of recommendation.
That’s what we’re going to cover together today.
One of the most important things you can do to secure solid letters of recommendation
is to plan ahead.
I don’t just mean “plan ahead on being a good student and person.”
By all means, do that too.
It’s extremely important.
But in this context, I mean: plan ahead for your recommendation letters specifically.
As soon as you winnow down your list of best-fit schools, look up their requirements for letters
of recommendation.
Create a spreadsheet, and fill in information regarding:
How many?
Which teachers?
(Some programs may want a letter from at least one math teacher, or teachers in two different
subjects.)
When are they due?
How should the letters be submitted?
(Must they be submitted online, or are mailed letters permitted?)
Is there anything else you need to make note of for a particular school?
As soon as you have this spreadsheet, start asking.
Right out of the gate senior year is a great time.
If you can ask at the end of junior year, even better.
But your teachers should have at least a month’s notice before the first due date.
And speaking of requirements, I’d be remiss if I didn’t note that you shouldn’t submit
any letters of recommendation beyond what a college asks for, unless the college has
said that this is optional or permitted.
This leads me to the next tip, about whom to ask.
In a nutshell, folks, you’ll want to ask wisely.
Part of planning ahead entails building relationships with your teachers as early as your first
year in high school, and then staying in touch with the ones you like the most.
Here are things to consider when you’re asking:
How recently did you study with this teacher?
If the answer is “freshman year,” you’re probably going to want to find a teacher who’s
had you more recently.
Ideally, during your junior year, and even better, during more than one year of high
school.
What subject does this teacher teach?
This is important for two reasons: For starters, you probably don’t want to get recommendation
letters from only math teachers, or only English teachers.
It’d be great if you could show that you excelled in more than one discipline.
Another reason—and this is the other side of that same coin—is that, if you’re applying
to a school or program with a particular focus, or declaring a possible future major on your
application, you’ll want to show that you’re aces in that field.
Applying to MIT?
It’d be curious if you didn’t have a recommendation from a math or science teacher.
In fact, MIT requires one from a math or science teacher, and another from a humanities, social
science, or language teacher.
But even if that weren’t a requirement, you’d be well served to nab a recommendation
from someone who’s an expert in the field you hope to study.
If you’re not sure whom to ask, feel free to discuss your options with your college
counselor.
You can also schedule a free college consultation with us at The Princeton Review.
Finally, if you’re not sure, you can directly ask prospective recommenders about whether
they feel comfortable writing a letter on your behalf.
If they say no, that is helpful information for you to have!
You can’t know what they’re going to say, in so many words, but you should be able to
feel confident that they’ll be saying something awesome.
And this leads me to the third essential tip for getting a great letter of recommendation:
Help your recommenders help you.
Here’s what I mean:
Give your teachers all the materials they’ll need, along with a cover note thanking them
and providing a list of the schools, due dates, and any additional information they might
need.
If they’ll be submitting anything on paper, provide addressed, stamped envelopes.
In a nutshell: Streamline this process for them!
You should also put together a high school resume, and give that resume to your recommenders.
It should list any extracurricular activities you’ve participated in, any jobs you’ve
held, your accomplishments and awards, your skills, and the like.
If you have a copy of your college essay draft, provide that, too.
And if you’ve got copies of graded work from that teacher’s class, include those,
as well.
It’ll be helpful for the teacher to be reminded about the quality of your work—and about
the praise that your work earned at the time.
Above all else, be kind and considerate when interacting with your teacher.
You’re essentially assigning homework to your teacher—so be mindful of the time and
effort investments you’re requesting.
And be sure to say thank you.
A handwritten note, after your letters have been submitted, is not only appropriate—it’s
essential.
A token gift, again, after your letters have been submitted, is also a nice (but not necessary)
touch.
Remember that your letters of recommendation are yet another opportunity for you to shine.
Seize that opportunity, and be glad and grateful that your teachers are singing your praises.
Sometimes it’s actually easier to let someone else compliment you than it is to compliment
yourself.
So, revel in this, folks.
If you leave yourself enough time and preparation, this process can be seamless—and even...fun.
As you walk down memory lane, recalling your favorite academic essays and assignments,
thinking about your accomplishments, and preparing the materials for your recommenders, I hope
you’ll take a moment to feel proud about all you’ve done so far—and all you’re
going to do next.
Thanks so much for watching, folks.
Subscribe to our channel for more tips on getting into your dream college.
See you here next time.