Hey everyone, I need to ask one of my teachers for a letter of recommendation for college applications. I've heard it's a good idea to provide them with a template to make things easier for them. Does anyone have a good template they can share? Thanks in advance!
Hello! It's a great idea to provide your teacher with some guidance when requesting a letter of recommendation. While I don't have a specific template, I can give you an outline and some tips that'll help you create an organized document for your teacher.
1. Start by introducing yourself (if needed) and expressing your gratitude for their consideration in writing your letter of recommendation.
2. Provide a brief overview of why you're requesting the letter, including the colleges or programs you plan to apply to and their deadlines. It's helpful to specify the purpose (e.g., for college applications) and whether the letter should be general or tailored to specific schools.
3. List the key points or accomplishments your teacher might want to highlight in the letter. You can arrange these in categories such as academics (your performance in their class), extracurricular activities connecting to the subject, leadership skills, and personal traits or relevant anecdotes.
4. Include any specific requirements or prompts that colleges may have for the letter of recommendation. Some colleges might ask recommenders to address certain aspects of your character or achievements.
5. Offer your resume and any other relevant information (awards, certificates, etc.) that could be useful for your teacher when writing the letter.
6. Provide any submission details, such as whether the letter should be submitted electronically through the Common App or sent directly to the colleges via email or mail. Make sure to give the recommender instructions on how to submit the letter and any necessary links or addresses.
7. Wrap up by expressing your appreciation once more and offering your assistance in case they have any questions, need clarification, or require additional information.
Remember to keep your guidance easy to read – use bullet points and clear headers to organize the information. Doing so will help your teacher find the relevant details and craft an effective letter of recommendation for you. Good luck with your college applications!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.