Letters of Recommendation
It's only February, so why should you be thinking about Letters of Recommendation (LORs) already?
Because they matter.
Most universities and colleges require at least one letter of recommendation. They can be a valuable part of your application and help admissions officers get to know you beyond your transcripts and test scores. LORs can provide personal insight into an applicant's character, work habits, interests, and accomplishments and may become a deciding factor when weighing whether or not to admit you.
Juniors should start thinking NOW about who you will ask. Choose adults who can speak to your strengths. Build a relationship with them by asking questions and being proactive. Most LORs say nice things but the ones that stand out are from people who know a student well and can provide specific examples to support their statements.
Who to ask?
Think about what information the college is looking for before deciding who to ask.
The UK's UCAS reference should be written by a single person but reflect multiple perspectives. UK universities want to know about the school context, the student's aptitude and demonstrated interest for the course applied to, and any extenuating circumstances. Pick a teacher or school counselor who is willing and able to collate multiple perspectives from different teachers and after school activity coordinators. In schools used to UK applications, school counselors usually take on that role, but it is good to confirm that.
In the US, the student's characteristics may be considered alongside their academic ability. Many colleges prefer an 11th grade teacher from a core subject, such as math, science, or English, but check each college for specific requirements. Just make sure that the recommender knows you well. The academic recommender should be able to speak about your intellectual curiosity, work ethic, and active participation in the classroom and outside of it too. If allowed, non-academic recommenders, like an employer, volunteer coordinator, or coach, can be chosen to show a different side to you, such as your leadership skills, ethics, or compassion.
When to ask?
For UK applications, September is a good time to discuss the reference requirement with your school counselor.
For U.S. applications, follow any guidelines set by your school, but, typically, plan to ask teachers early in April or May. Some teachers prefer to write their letters over the summer. Non-teacher recs, like coaches, should be asked at least a month in advance of deadlines to give them time to write a thoughtful response.
How to ask?
Don't ask when lots of people are around. It can awkward for both of you if they decline.
Do write a polite email outlining what you are applying for and why you chose them to be your recommender. A few details reminding them of your accomplishments in and out of the classroom will help provide context and give them ideas on what they might include in their recommendation letter.
Attach an activity resume or brag sheet along with your request to show the recommender that they will have plenty of material to work with. Include information on work & volunteer opportunities, job shadowing experiences, honors, awards, and scholarships, leadership examples, personal projects, research, and what you did over the last few summers, including travel.
Get organized
Once known, write them an email clearly outlining all the submission instructions and deadlines.
For UK applications, the reference will be submitted via UCAS.
For US colleges, most LORs will be submitted via the Common App, but there are bound to be some that have separate submission processes. Online is the norm, but provide properly addressed envelopes for those that need to be mailed. Be prepared to send a polite reminder a few weeks ahead of deadlines asking your recommender to let you know when it has been sent and a refresher on how to send it.
Say thank you
Remember to send thank you notes to all recommenders once you can confirm that colleges have received the letters.
Final Tip
If it is an option, waive your right to review recommendation letters on your application forms. Admissions officers will find the information provided in the LORs a lot more reliable if you haven't seen them.
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