Most American colleges and universities require one to three letters of recommendation before they’ll seriously consider your application. Why?
Unlike many universities around the world, which focus primarily on whether you’re academically prepared to complete a specific degree program based on grades and test scores alone, American colleges practice holistic admissions. They’re evaluating not only your grades and test scores, but also the kind of person you’ll be on campus.
Admissions officers want to know what teachers, counselors, and mentors think of you. Are you curious? Responsible? Resilient? Kind? What qualities do you contribute to your classroom and community? Strong recommendation letters help colleges picture the person behind the transcript.
Who should you ask?
The best recommendations come from professionals who know you well—not necessarily the people with the most impressive titles.
A strong recommender might be:
- A teacher whom you consider a mentor or who has taught you recently (particularly in academic areas pertinent to your application or relevant to your future career)
- Your school counselor, if they know you well
- A coach, employer, research mentor, or activity advisor (when a college allows an additional recommendation)
Choose someone who can tell specific stories about your work ethic, character, intellectual curiosity, leadership, or growth.
Who shouldn’t you ask?
Avoid asking:
- Family members or friends
- Someone who barely knows you
- A famous or influential person who can’t genuinely speak about your abilities
- A teacher who is likely to write only a generic letter
A heartfelt, detailed recommendation from someone who knows you is far more valuable than an impressive name attached to a vague letter.
When should you ask?
Ask at least one to two months before the recommendation is due—earlier if possible. Teachers and counselors often write dozens of recommendations each fall, so giving them plenty of notice shows respect for their time and usually results in a stronger letter.
What’s the best process?
- Ask politely—and preferably in person when possible.
- Explain why you’re asking them, specifically. Explain what they mean to you and what you’d like from them. For example, “I’m asking you for a recommendation because you inspired me to [X, Y, Z] and you’re the best person to explain [X, Y, Z] to colleges.”
- Give them plenty of time! Asking less than 30 days prior to the due date is disrespectful and they’re more likely to refuse due to time constraints regardless of how much they like you.
- Provide a résumé or activities list, your transcript (if appropriate), and a short summary of your goals, interests, and accomplishments.
- Include a list of colleges and deadlines, along with clear instructions for submitting the recommendation.
- Follow up with a gentle reminder about two weeks before the deadline if necessary.
- Most importantly, send a sincere thank-you note after they’ve submitted the letter. Let them know where you ultimately decide to enroll. They’ll appreciate hearing how your journey turned out—and you may need their help again in the future!
One final thought
A recommendation letter should never be an afterthought. The strongest letters aren’t written overnight; they’re built on genuine relationships that develop over months or even years.
If you’re planning to apply to American colleges, start thinking about your recommenders well before senior year. Building strong relationships with your teachers today can strengthen your college applications tomorrow.