How to Ask a Teacher for a Letter of Recommendation

If you’re trying to get into a college or internship, you need at least two letters of recommendation from a teacher or school counselor. This can lead you to wonder how to ask a teacher for a letter of recommendation and get it. It can feel overwhelming, and you worry that they might turn you down. Fortunately, if you choose the right teacher and approach them the best way possible, you’ll get your letter of recommendation so that you can take the next steps in your educational journey.

What Is a Letter of Recommendation?

A letter of recommendation introduces you to the college. It lends credibility to your application and the information you provided. The person who writes the letter verifies your qualities, characteristics, and capabilities for the college you are seeking. These letters are typically written by someone you worked with closely, such as a teacher or school counselor.

Why Letters of Recommendation Are Important?

Letters of recommendation are important as they show that you can be academically successful in college. They also show that you have earned the respect of someone in a position of authority. A letter of recommendation shows a personal view of capabilities and skills.

How to Ask a Teacher for a Letter of Recommendation

There are a few steps involved in asking one or more of your teachers for a letter of recommendation. We recommend giving the teacher or school counselor your resume and asking the summer before your senior year to make sure you get a letter of recommendation before they get busy. You should also consider these factors below:

Choose a Teacher Wisely

You want to choose the teacher, you ask for a letter of recommendation wisely. Choosing one that teaches a core subject like math or science that lines up with your major would be a good idea. You need a teacher who can attest to your work ethic and believes that you’re a good student.

Explain the Purpose of the Letter

Why do you need a letter of recommendation? Your teacher will want to know why you need a letter and what you hope to gain by pursuing the objective. You might mention how it fits into your educational journey or your future work plans.

Provide All Necessary Information

The teacher giving the letter usually submits it online to a platform like Naviance, Scoir, or the Common App. You need to make sure you provide the teacher with the correct platform to submit the letter. You might consider writing the information out or typing it and printing out a sheet with the relevant details.

Give the Teacher Time to Consider

When a teacher writes a letter of recommendation, they are putting their seal of approval on you. Your teacher will probably ask for time to consider.

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