Hello, I'm a junior and I need to ask some teachers for letters of recommendation soon. What's the best way to approach them and how can I ensure they write strong letters for me? Thanks for your help!
Hey there! It's great that you're thinking about your letters of recommendation early. In my experience, the key to getting strong letters is to build solid relationships with your teachers and give them enough time and information to write a meaningful letter. Here's what I suggest:
1. Choose teachers who know you well and have a positive impression of your work and character. Ideally, pick teachers from subjects where you've excelled or shown significant improvement.
2. Approach the teachers well in advance (at least a month before the deadline) and ask them politely if they feel comfortable writing a strong recommendation for you. This gives them the option to decline if they don't think they can write a strong letter, which is better than a lukewarm recommendation.
3. Provide your teachers with a 'brag sheet' that includes your accomplishments, extracurricular activities, and any specific experiences you've shared with the teacher that could be mentioned in the letter.
4. Follow up with a thank you note and keep them informed about your college application progress. This shows your gratitude and helps maintain a good relationship.
Good luck with your college applications!
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