how to ask a teacher for a letter of recommendation

[private_ryan]

maybe if you don't know how, you don't deserve a recommendation :) but I want to try anyway. My GPA is great so I have plenty of teachers to ask but not sure how to approach it. What to write and how to do it. I planned on writting a letter and handing it to them, or dropping it on the mailbox (since it's grade time and they're busy). I was also going to include an envelope with my address and a stamp so it's easier for them to just drop it in the mailbox.

How many teachers should I ask (want to transfer to another school) and how would you write the letter?


please help....

[Commendatori]

1. As many as it takes, and I wouldn't write it.

Most teachers who have written them before have a template set up where they make minor changes here and there to suit the student in question.

[dryan]

2. Here it is!

Today's date

Dear Dr. (or Professor) their last name:

I am applying for (Whatever-graduate school/a job/a loan, an apartment whatever). I know that you are very busy but I would appreciate you taking a few minutes to write me a letter of recommendation using the University/College/Department's letterhead. I am attaching a copy of my application for your review. Your recommendation would be very helpful to me. If you have any questions, please call me at (your number) or email me at (your email).

Once again, thank you for your help in this matter.

Sincerely,

Your name

PS - Make sure that you write this out using correct English, punctuation, and spelling. I work at a school and nothing irritates me more than when I receive requests like this and they have poor English or spelling.

PSS - Good luck!

[private_ryan]

5. I don't have any applications yet

but the teachers I'll ask are very friendly so...

thank you for the suggestions

[trof]

3. Praise them and the school you're leaving.

Not too sucky, but folks like to hear nice things about themselves, and don't run down the place they work.

Three seems like a nice number.

[Bossy Monkey]

4. Have you checked with the other school? Some have forms for this (I think)

If not, just ask. If your grades are good as you say, they'll be glad to help.

[dryan]

6. Something else to remember

If you are applying to graduate school, include the envelope to the school along with the application. Many schools insist that the person making the recommendation mail it themselves. Include a stamp--this shows professionalism.

[private_ryan]

7. undergrad

I wonder if each school I apply to demands their own format of recommendations. Also, if I get a letter, are copies OK since I'll apply to more than one? I don't think I can ask them to write 5 copies each ;)

[eileen from OH]

10. Um, private ryan

seems you need to find this kind of stuff out BEFORE you go getting letters. If you need multiple copies, they can just print that many and sign them all - not a biggie.

eileen from OH

[private_ryan]

16. doing it as we speak

I'm checking out the forms online for nearby colleges and take it from there.

thanks,

[JVS]

18. I think asking for the letters well ahead of time is a good idea

The first time I asked for a letter was after my topology professor had collected the final exams from the class and was wishing us a happy winter break. It was a year before I would apply, but I had already had a course with this professor and I had performed well in both courses. He said he'd be happy to write it and that when I should drop by when I'm ready to apply. So later when I was ready, I wasn't nervous and he had had plenty of time to write a good letter without being rushed. All I had to do was bring the forms around as I got them from the schools.

[damnraddem]

13. Some want the person writing the letter to sign on the envelope closure.

Note whether this is true, and if it is, point it out to the teacher. In those cases, a teacher will often be willing to place the letter in the envelope, sign on the envelope, and let you mail it.

[JVS]

15. I would recommed signed-seal envelopes.

I don't much trust the mail and using signed and sealed envelopes lets you send the entire application in one piece.

[eileen from OH]

8. Combine it with a thank you

for what they've done for you and just ask. Be aware that most teachers do a ton of these all the time and that your request is no biggie and they probably have a template they use and vary. Including the stamped addressed envelope is a must as you figured out. A sample is below for you to tweak. If the letters are just coming to you, I'd just ask 4 or so teachers. You can always use these. Be sure to make multiple copies of each for your files for future use. Oh, and be sure to send or drop off brief handwritten notes to each teacher after they send you one.
Dear __________,

Please allow me to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and guidance during my time at (name of school.)

I will be transferring to (name of school) in (month) Along with my application, I am required to include reference letters from teachers. I would very much appreciate a letter from you, because of our association at (name of school) and because of your insights into my abilities and goals.

I realize this is a busy time for you and especially appreciate your assistance. A stamped, self-addressed envelope is included for your convenience.

Thank you again,

[Bossy Monkey]

9. On second read, it doesn't appear that you're in college. Still...

contact the other school and ask them what their procedures are. You won't have any trouble getting recommendations if you ask; just be sure you jump through all the hoops of the new school and your current one.

PS Congratulations in advance on your impending 4000th post!

[PragMantisT]

11. Depends on the teacher

Some want you to write it or at least tell them what they should say about your schoolwork. Professors have about fifty students a semester. Sometimes they can't keep them straight, especially after several semesters

Others are happy to write a letter from scratch. These are the professors that talk to you in the hall and that you go to chew the fat with in their offices.

These are not personal recommendations so they shouldn't sound like they come from a friend. They are from supervisors.

Many universities have a form to send with the letter. Fill it out and give it to the prof in question, along with the addressed envelope. A cool professor will even use departmental postage; you paid for it as a student.

I usually have the letters sent to me then include it all in the application package. Admissions offices get a lot of mail, and they can easily lose things.

Good luck

[damnraddem]

12. Find teachers who have some reason to remember you -- ...

positively. Provide them with a resume. Remind them of classes you took with them or other activities in which you participated of which they would have knowledge. Don't approach it as if it were your right to get a latter of recommendation: such letters are a personal decision to extend recommendation, not a required element for an educator. Don't offer to write something, but respond if the teacher asks you to draft something -- that is actually a compliment to you, whatever laziness it may entail on their part. Prepare for a letter that contains a good deal of boilerplate -- based on a template of previous letters the teacher has written.

I write many letters of recommendation for students and for colleagues. I do not ask students to draft the letters, but I often so ask colleagues. I do use boilerplate; but I then change it to fit the candidate and the position. I do check my records regarding how the student has done with me, unless the student was so outstanding that I automatically remember -- and it's better that I check records even then. A very good thing to be able to say about a student is that the student got an 'A' from me in a class; but there are other things, such as: the student worked for me (on research) and did a good job; the student volunteered to undertake certain research tasks or departmental tasks, and did a good job; the student was articulate, wrote well, and/or acted as a mentor for or facilitator for others in a class; and so on.

So, the best advice is that long before you need the letters, get to know your teachers, volunteer services or apply to work with them, play positive roles in class, and so on. Get noticed -- positively.

[JVS]

14. The first rule is to ask in person.

I'll need to read more of the thread to comment further.

[Endangered Specie]

17. Ok, heres how I did it

(and I got a 100% success rate)

First, you ask them in person, no letter crap, they need to see your face.

Second, give them PLENTY of time, like 3-4 weeks. If its <2 weeks, forget it.

Just go up to them, if you have to, remind them of what class you had with them, tell them where you are wanting to go to college (maybe even what you want to do there). Kindly ask them if they could help you by writting a letter, then hand them all that they will need, present it nicely and cleanly. Make sure to thank them alot.

On edit: With me, the teachers had to mail the signed sealed envelope instead of returning it to me... in this case, give them a SASE (WITH STAMP!!!!).

[private_ryan]

21. will do that

I have at least 4-5 who are really nice and they like me so will target those.

[Endangered Specie]

22. Best of luck!

[rockymountaindem]

19. I just walked up to the teachers who I knew liked me and

asked them. Then I handed them the forms. Maybe I'm just special... :evilgrin:

[ForrestGump]

20. Keep nagging them

I've lost shots at several grant and job opportunities solely because promised letters never showed up on time (or at all). Faculty are busy, but many seem to have forgotten what it was like to be a student and be dependent in that way -- when I'm asked to write letters of recommendation, I do it ASAP, regardless of how many other projects I've got going on.

Asking for letters of recommendation was and continues to be the bane of my existence, career-wise. Sometimes I don't even go for certain opportunities because letters are so hard or impossible to get on time. :-(

[Donkeyboy75]

23. Rule #1: Ask in person!

Make sure you already know what you need from them. Profs may want to ask you questions about future objectives, etc. etc. I think leaving a note behing for them is a breach of etiquette.