How (& When) To Ask For A Letter Of Recommendation
When it comes to college applications, letters of recommendation can be a compelling factor to set you apart from thousands of other qualified candidates. Strong recommendations provide admissions officers with unique insights into your character, work ethic, and potential that simply can't be captured through grades and test scores alone.
However, many students struggle with the crucial questions: who should you ask to write your letters, when should you ask for these letters, and what information should you provide to ensure your recommenders can write the strongest possible letter? Drawing from our years of experience working with students nationwide, here's your comprehensive roadmap to securing outstanding letters of recommendation.
Strategic Recommender Selection
Core Academic Recommenders
Most selective colleges require two teacher recommendations from core academic subjects. We advise students to choose:
Primary Recommenders:
Teachers from junior year who saw you develop intellectually
Core subject teachers: English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, or Foreign Language
Teachers who know you beyond just grades - those who can speak to classroom participation, intellectual curiosity, and character
Optimal Combination Strategy:
Choose teachers from different subject areas to showcase your versatility. For example, pair a STEM teacher with a humanities instructor to demonstrate well-rounded academic strength.
School Counselor Letter:
Typically required but automatically handled through your school
Provides overall academic context and school profile information
Usually doesn't require individual student requests
Optional Third Recommender:
If allowed, consider including a supplementary letter from:
Athletic coaches who can highlight leadership and teamwork
Activity advisors who've observed your commitment and growth
Employers or internship supervisors who can speak to work ethic and professionalism
Community service coordinators who've witnessed your civic engagement
Note: Only include optional letters if they add a unique perspective to your application profile.
When To Make Your Request
We recommend making your letter of recommendation requests during late spring of your junior year - ideally April through early May. This timing strategy has proven most effective for our students across all 50 states.
Why This Timeline Works:
Teachers have complete memories of your junior year performance and growth
Recommenders have their entire summer break to craft thoughtful, detailed letters without the pressure of daily teaching responsibilities
You secure your spot before the senior year rush when teachers become overwhelmed with requests
Many educators limit the number of letters they'll write annually - early requests guarantee consideration
Creating Your Recommendation Request Package
When requesting letters of recommendation, prepare a comprehensive information packet that makes your recommenders' job easier and more effective:
Administrative Details:
Complete deadline calendar with all application dates clearly marked
Submission method instructions (Common App, other application platform)
College list
Intended academic major and career aspirations
Contact information for any technical submission questions
Academic Context:
Current transcript highlighting your grade progression
Standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, AP results)
Activity resume or list of extracurricular activities
The North Shore College Consulting Brag Sheet Strategy
A comprehensive brag sheet is your secret weapon for exceptional recommendations. This document should tell the story of who you are beyond grades. Often teachers will ask you to complete and submit a specific questionnaire or brag sheet they have created themselves:
Academic Achievements Section:
Specific projects or assignments where you excelled in the teacher’s class
Academic challenges you've overcome and growth you've demonstrated
Research projects, presentations, or creative work you're proud of
Leadership roles in academic contexts (study groups, peer tutoring, academic clubs)
Personal Qualities with Evidence:
Rather than simply listing qualities, provide specific examples:
Leadership: "During our semester-long environmental physics project, I facilitated group discussions that helped the class reach consensus on research methodology, and coordinated with three classmates to create presentation materials that earned the highest grade in the class"
Resilience: “After struggling with calculus concepts in the first quarter, I actively sought help during office hours, formed a study group with struggling classmates, and improved my personal understanding while helping two peers raise their grades from D+ to B-"
Community Impact: "I initiated peer tutoring sessions in AP Chemistry, volunteering two lunch periods weekly to help classmates understand complex molecular structures, resulting in improved test scores for five students and creating a collaborative learning environment that the teacher incorporated as a regular class feature"
Future Goals and Context:
Why you're interested in your intended major
How your college choices align with your career aspirations
What you hope to contribute to college communities
Long-term professional or personal goals
The Request Process
Initial Request: In-Person When Possible
We always recommend making your initial request in person whenever feasible. This personal approach:
Demonstrates respect for your teacher's time and consideration
Allows for immediate questions and clarification
Shows maturity and professionalism
Creates opportunity for meaningful dialogue about your college goals
Professional Email Template
When in-person meetings aren't possible, use this template for inspiration for your own email:
Subject Line: Letter of Recommendation Request - [Your Full Name]
Dear [Teacher's Name],
I hope you're having a wonderful [semester/summer]. I am writing to ask if you would be willing to write me a letter of recommendation for my college applications.
I am applying to [number] colleges, including [mention 2-3 specific schools], with application deadlines ranging from [earliest deadline] to [latest deadline]. I believe you can provide valuable insight into my [specific qualities - analytical thinking, classroom engagement, intellectual growth, etc.] based on my experience in your [class name] during [time period].
If you're able to provide a positive recommendation, I have prepared a comprehensive information packet including my resume, transcript, brag sheet, and college list to help you craft the strongest possible letter. I would be happy to meet with you to discuss my college goals and answer any questions.
The submission deadline for my earliest application is [specific date], giving you [time period] to complete the letter. Please let me know if this timeline works for you or if you need any additional information.
Thank you so much for considering my request. Your mentorship has meant a great deal to my academic development.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information]
Strategic Follow-Up Schedule
Week 1 After Request or Beginning of Senior Year:
Send a thank-you email confirming the details and attaching your information packet
Final Reminder:
Gentle, yet professional follow-up sent 1 week before submission deadline if needed
Follow-Up Email Template
Subject Line: [Your Name] - Recommendation Letter Timeline Reminder
Dear [Teacher's Name],
I hope your [semester/break] is going well. I wanted to follow up regarding the letter of recommendation you kindly agreed to write for my college applications.
As a friendly reminder, my application deadline for [College Name] is [Date], which is [time period] away. I've attached an updated version of my information packet with any recent achievements or updates.
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need any additional materials or have questions about the submission process. I truly appreciate the time and effort you're putting into supporting my college goals.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Contact Information]
Post-Submission Gratitude
Send a heartfelt thank-you note within 48 hours of submission. This gesture:
Maintains positive professional relationships for future recommendations
Demonstrates maturity and appreciation for their investment in your future
Keeps you memorable should you need additional support during college
Ongoing Updates
Share your admissions outcomes with your recommenders. Whether you receive acceptances, scholarships, or face challenges, keeping them informed:
Shows the impact of their support on your journey
Maintains connections that may prove valuable during college
Demonstrates the character traits they highlighted in their letters
Common Mistakes
Waiting until senior year to build relationships with potential recommenders
Making requests too close to deadlines when teachers are overwhelmed
Not accounting for early application deadlines in your planning timeline
Casual requests made via text message or hallway conversations
Incomplete information that leaves recommenders guessing about your goals
Lack of follow-up that suggests disorganization or lack of appreciation
Generic requests that don't explain why you chose that specific teacher
Choosing recommenders based solely on grades rather than relationships
Not providing sufficient context about your achievements and goals
Assuming teachers remember everything about your performance without prompts
Quality Over Quantity
At North Shore College Consulting, we've learned that 2-3 detailed, specific recommendations far outweigh multiple generic letters. Focus your energy on cultivating meaningful relationships with educators who can provide:
Specific anecdotes about your classroom contributions
Evidence of intellectual curiosity beyond required assignments
Examples of character traits that predict college success
Context for your academic performance within their teaching experience
Take the Next Step with Expert Guidance
Letters of recommendation are too crucial to your college admissions success to leave to chance. The difference between a generic letter and a powerful endorsement often lies in the preparation, timing, and relationship-building that happens well before you make your request.
At North Shore College Consulting, we've spent over a decade helping students across all 50 states navigate every aspect of the college admissions process. Our comprehensive approach includes:
Recommendation Letter Strategy:
Recommender identification based on your unique strengths and college goals
Brag sheet development that tells your compelling story
Request timing optimization to maximize your chances of securing strong letters
Follow-up communication templates and strategies
Complete College Admissions Support:
Personalized college list development tailored to your academic profile and preferences
Essay coaching that helps your authentic voice shine through
Application timeline management ensuring no deadlines are missed
Interview preparation for competitive programs and scholarships
If you’d like extra support, we’ve created a brag sheet template and a college application tracking chart to help you stay organized.