College applications contain a few key parts: test scores, a high school transcript, essay(s), and letters of recommendation. Some colleges, such as UC colleges, do not require applicants to send any letters of recommendation. Most colleges require between 1 and 3 letters of recommendation. For schools that require 3, 1 will come from your counselor and 2 will come from teachers.

Get to know your teachers and counselor

It is really important to make connections with your teachers and counselor. They won’t be able to speak to your abilities and accomplishments if they don’t know who you are as a person. It may be uncomfortable at first, but do your best to really engage. Here are some techniques you can use to get on your teachers and counselor’s good side:

  • Ask questions in class
  • If your teacher offers office hours, attend!
  • Offer to take a leading role in class projects
  • Email your teacher if you have questions about assignments (or talk to them after class)
  • Stop by your counselor’s office and have a conversation about how your school year is going. Come prepared with questions and goals for how to improve your academic performance.

Decide who to ask

If you are considering a specific major, you might want to ask for a recommendation from a teacher of a related subject. For example, if you are considering majoring in engineering, you could ask a math or science teacher. Since teachers’ letters provide a more specific focus than a counselor’s letter, this is a great way for colleges to learn how you might perform in your desired major!

You don’t need to ask a teacher who relates to your intended major. You can always ask an English, math, science, or social studies teacher if you feel that they know you well. If your teacher can write about your potential outside of the school realm, that’s even better.

Only ask teachers from your junior or senior year if they know you well enough to write a positive, detailed letter. It’s not recommended to ask teachers you have only had one class with a long time ago. Colleges are looking for letters from teachers who know about your current work ethic and accomplishments, not how you behaved and what you accomplished three years ago.

 

Ask for letters early!

It’s best to not ask for a letter less than 1 month before your earliest application deadline. The earlier you ask, the better! Things happen, and your teachers and counselor need time to prepare a great letter for you. Rushing the process might lead to a less-than-desired letter.

If you can ask in person, do so. Having a face-to-face conversation is more polite in this case, and it gives your teachers and counselor the opportunity to ask you for more information. If they say no, don’t be too discouraged. It’s wise to have a list of 3-5 teachers who could write a good letter for you.

Offer to provide some information

Teachers and counselors frequently have to manage high workloads and writing multiple letters of recommendation. It can be difficult for them to keep track of each student’s achievements and progress. When asking for a letter, you can offer to provide some positive, detailed
information about your achievements and your potential. Information you might provide:

  • Challenges you have overcome in school or in a particular class
    • Example: When I started this year, I really struggled to write essays. It was difficult for me to think of ideas and write more than half a page, and my papers were usually disjointed. I worked with my teacher to learn more about writing and come up with a plan to help me improve. After lots of practice, I am now able to write essays that are multiple pages long, stay on topic, and use examples that support my argument.
  • Awards you have received
    • Example: sport championships, sport records, art or writing awards
  • Accomplishments you have made
    • Example: I have been volunteering with the Kiwanis Club since my freshman year. In my junior year, I campaigned to be elected president, and I succeeded! As president, I have implemented the following measures: X, Y, and Z.
  • Activities you have excelled in
    • Example: sports titles, club officer positions

 

Have questions? Reach out!

Your counselor should be able to guide you through the process of applying for college. It’s definitely okay to follow up with people if they haven’t written your letter after a few weeks.