What's the best way to approach getting a solid recommendation letter? Should I give my teacher a list of accomplishments or trust them to know my strengths?
When asking for a recommendation letter, you want to balance between providing your recommender with ample information and trusting their knowledge of your strengths. Here's a possible approach:
1. Choose wisely: Carefully choose who to ask for a recommendation. Choose a teacher, coach, or mentor whom you've had a strong relationship with, and who knows you well in the context of their respective fields. Asking a teacher from a class you excelled in, or a coach from a team where you demonstrated leadership and teamwork could make for a strong letter.
2. Provide context: It's not out of line to provide a short list of specific achievements or experiences with that person that you think would be worth highlighting. What's key here is to be respectful and non-presumptive. You can say something along the lines of "I've listed a few key highlights from my time in your class/under your guidance which I believe embody my growth and strengths. Please feel free to use these if you find them helpful."
3. Balance: Trust your recommender to know your strengths, but also provide them with the context they might not be aware of. For example, if you are applying to a program that values community service and your recommender knows you solely from your math class, be sure to inform them about your community service experiences.
4. Timing: Make sure to ask your recommender for the letter well in advance of the deadline. They will appreciate having plenty of time to write and perfect their recommendation.
Remember, your recommenders want to help you succeed. A blend of trust in their understanding of your strengths and offering them an insight into your experiences can help them write their most effective letter.
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