How to Ask Your Teacher for a Recommendation Letter in 3 Easy Steps

By Amelia Cucchiara

As a high schooler, why is knowing how to go about this process important?

• Recommendation letters are required by college admissions. Someone (most likely a teacher) must be able to speak to your character and/or your academic/athletic skill set.
• The task can seem daunting, especially if you are asking to be recommended for the first time. However, if you are thoughtful and diligent in the process, it will almost always go your way.

Step 1: Decide who you want to ask

Choose a teacher(s) that knows you well. You may be doing well in their class or be working with them closely through a club or project. It is important to ask a teacher who knows you well because they will be able to write a more personalized letter of recommendation instead of a generic one. This allows colleges to get to know you better. Do not simply choose a teacher based on the highest grade you have. Instead, think about the classes in which you have grown the most, worked the hardest, and overcome the most challenges. These are the letters that will highlight your character the most. Additionally, if you need to request two recommendation letters, try to ask one STEM teacher and one humanities teacher as it shows you are a well rounded student.

Step 2: Reach out, early

If you are a rising senior, now is a good time to ask for a letter of recommendation for your college applications. If you are asking a teacher, it is best to either politely email them or ask them in person/virtual platform. Make sure to include why you are asking them, in particular, to write your recommendation as well as any important deadlines they must be mindful of when getting it back to you. To be safe, ask for your recommendation at least a month beforehand. That way, any changes that need to be made can be made comfortably and within the allotted time frame. Remember, teachers often have to write many recommendation letters so don’t take it personally if they are unable to write one for you.

Step 3: Provide more information if necessary

Your teacher will most likely ask you to provide them with more information about who you are as a person, your extracurriculars, awards, accomplishments, interests…etc. If this is the case, do not hold back! Show off your strengths so that your teacher can write you an even stronger recommendation letter.

About the Author ~ Amelia Cucchiara (she/her) is a Philly native and a rising senior at Central High School. Since 2019, she has worked with Bridges to Wealth supporting social media and increasing high school engagement. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer for Central and for her club team.