Often, students will ask me the following question (or a variation of): “How do I ask a teacher for a letter of recommendation?”

This article will break down the process for students by offering some top insider tips, strategies, and things to consider when asking teachers, school counselors, and other professionals for recommendation letters, typically for college—especially for selective and highly selective institutions, as a large number of colleges do not require letters of recommendation from students (and also for summer programs, and scholarship applications, etc, as well).

With that in mind, let’s look at nine top-tips for students to consider when asking adult professionals to write them a letter of recommendation.

1. Identifying Whom to Ask (for Letters of Recommendation):

This is probably the most important tip for students to consider: Knowing how to identify a teacher that really knows your ability and character; who can accurately describe how you best learn (and problem-solve); how your brain works; how you interact (and participate) in class, etc. (Bonus: Maybe they are a teacher you have had multiple times and/or a teacher that teaches a subject area that you have a keen interest in studying in college). Yes, students can (and probably should) look to ask the teachers with whom they received a high grade in their class, of course, but this first tip goes beyond just letter grades. It digs down deeper into the how and why, and forces students to think about identifying a teacher (or teachers) that really knows them as both a student and individual.

Something to avoid, however, is asking a teacher that you are not 100% sure will write you a supportive letter of recommendation—particularly letters for colleges (because those letters almost always are confidential, or, in other words, letters that students usually will not have any access to seeing before being sent out to one or more colleges). You want to be completely confident that the teacher you ask will, indeed, write a supportive letter on your behalf. If not, it might be a prudent idea to consider another teacher to ask.

One additional thing to consider, too, is if you can potentially identify a teacher who is also a strong writer. Teachers, like anyone else, have their strengths and weaknesses, and some teachers may be able to write better letters of recommendation than others. Of course, it is not always easy for students to recognize—or to know how to identify—that. However, if you believe the teacher that you have identified to write you a (supportive) letter of recommendation is a also a strong writer, you may have found a really good match for an extra-great letter of recommendation written on your behalf.

2. Have a Back-Up Teacher (or Two) in Mind:

Things happen: Every year, teachers retire, transfer buildings (or move across different districts), or even leave the profession, altogether. It is a good idea for students needing recommendation letters to have a top teacher (or two) in mind to write for them, but to then, likewise, have a back-up teacher possibly also available to write for them—just in case. Always have a Plan B, students—even with recommendation letters.

3. Consider Non-Teachers (and School Counselors), too:

Sometimes, it might be a coach, religious instructor, work supervisor (or boss), or another community member that you feel truly knows you the best. These folks might be some of the best individuals to ask to write you that dynamic recommendation letter. They may need you, however, to provide more structure or direction, such as whom to write a recommendation letter to; how long to make it; and what to include in the letter, particularly when first approached (mainly because they might not often be approached to write a lot of letters for other students). Make it clear and easy for them, and they will almost always be very happy to write a supportive letter for you.

4. Ask Early:

Teachers often work long hours preparing for each and every day of instruction. They may also be coaching or assisting with other school activities—not to mention, having additional responsibilities outside of school (including at home, with their families, and at second jobs, etc.). You probably guessed it: They are busy professionals who work hard and are expected to complete a lot of various tasks often with little time to get everything done. Because of that, you will want to ask them early!

Pro-Tip: If you are a Junior, ask later in your Junior year—but before school lets out for the summer. Don’t wait until your Senior year. You want to give teachers plenty of time to write for you, as some teachers may even prefer to write recommendation letters in the summer when things settle down more (while others may want to write them when school is still in session). Teachers will appreciate it more (by asking early); you will be more likely to receive a more personalized, detailed letter; and you won’t have the stress and worry of asking mere days before you need a personalized letter sent to colleges, application-based programs, or for scholarship forms. Ask before other students ask (as some teachers might put a cap on the number of letters that they write each year). Teachers will appreciate that level of proactive thoughtfulness and you will be happy, too, that you asked early. Finally–at a minimum–please give your letter-writter(s) at least a two-week notice before you need your letter of recommendation to be completed. Obviously, time beyond a two-week notice will also be greatly appreciated.

5. Provide Clear Information on Deadlines and Other Pertinent Information When Requesting Letters:

Just as students like to know when an assignment or project is due, so do teachers. Teachers need to know when you need your recommendation letter to be written (and submitted) by. Give them a firm, concrete date, along with any pertinent directions, such as to whom the letter is intended for—the audience (i.e. is if for a specific college? Does it go out to all colleges? Is it for a summer program? Or scholarship application?). Be clear. Give teachers (and all letter-writers) all the information that they need—upfront—for writing you a letter of support. Make it easy for them, because teachers are writing letters of recommendation for students not because it is a required part of their job (it’s not), but because they are caring, amazing educators and professionals, and want to see students be able to fulfill their biggest dreams!

*If you are a Junior, for instance, who follows the previous tips, and you ask a teacher to write you a recommendation letter before the school year lets out for the summer, follow up with them in the late summer or when the next school year starts back up in the fall. That way, you can receive a built-in status update on your request for a letter of recommendation. Particularly, this will come in handy if they still need to write it for you. If they already wrote your letter for you, then you have peace of mind, and it will be one less thing to have to worry about before your submission deadline(s), during what usually promises to be a busy Senior year for many students.

6. Thank Your Letter-Writers (and at Least Twice!):

You will, of course, want to thank the person who is initially agreeing to write you a supportive letter of recommendation. Likewise, you will also want to thank them after writing you a letter of recommendation. Teachers—like everyone else—like to be appreciated and thanked for doing extra things—especially when, for instance, they are taking the time to write recommendation letters, which, easily, can take an hour or more of their time to write for each student.

As a high school counselor, I write about fifty—yes, Five Zero — letters of recommendation a year for students. Each letter—from the very beginning of the process to the final submission—takes me, on average, two to three hours of time (sometimes even a bit longer) to complete. I usually write recommendation letters six months out of every year, to space-out the process, and always appreciate thankful students.

Lastly, students: If you get accepted into your dream college; or you receive that generous scholarship; or gain the entrance into an awesome program that you applied for, let your teachers (and school counselor) know! Their letter might have really helped push your application over the top, as a majority of colleges rate letters of recommendation as either highly important or moderately important in the college application process. I always appreciate when students let me know where they have been accepted to because it gives us a chance to collectively celebrate, and to also know that the work that we did for our students may have really made a difference. Keep your teachers (and school counselor or other letter-writers) in the loop, students, so that we can celebrate the good news together.

7. Ask In-Person (If at all Possible):

Students often ask me how to ask a teacher to write them a letter of recommendation. What I always say is this: Ask a teacher in-person, if at all possible. Teachers will appreciate, and respect, you asking them in-person; it gives students good practice for clearly asking for things (and making requests); and will allow students to explain to whom the letter is for and when the deadline is, etc. As far as the ask? Just make your ask naturally. Be cordial, gracious, respectful, clear, and confident. You don’t have to prepare a speech or use grandiose language (and if you don’t know what the word grandiose means—that’s OK. It’s not a word you need to know, or use, when asking for a letter of recommendation, anyway). Another tip: Consider making your request at a good time. You want to approach a teacher when both of you are calm and can have time to have a short, distraction-free conversation. If a teacher looks super busy, wait for a time when both of you can devout full attention to your important request.

If you cannot ask a teacher in-person to write you a letter of recommendation, then a short, polished email request usually will also suffice. Just make sure that you then craft a professional-looking (proofread and spell-checked) and courteous email. Which, of course, will routinely be much more likely to be answered (and well-received) by the recipient.

8. Let the Teacher Know What You Learned and How They Have Impacted You:

When asking a teacher to write you a letter or recommendation, share with them a happy memory of their class; what you learned from them; how they inspired you; or what you appreciate about them. Think about sharing something of substance from them and/or their class that made you a better person and/or learner. Was it a specific project or classroom experience that you will forever take with you? Was it something they said to you that boosted your confidence or made a positive difference in your life? Let them know! It will give teachers a better understanding of why you want to choose them to write your letter of recommendation. It will also provide the added benefit of jogging their memory to that specific event (something that they may even include in your recommendation letter) or may simply allow both of you, in the moment, to laugh, cry, or fondly recall some of those memories that really stuck with you.

9: Provide Written Information About Yourself:

This last tip—while completely optional—can come in very handy for teachers, allowing them to perhaps write an even stronger letter of recommendation than normal for you. While most teachers will not need you to provide a completed student profile packet, form, or resume, etc. (because, after all, they spent dozens–or even hundreds–of hours working with you and know your strengths and abilities usually in very detailed, unique ways), it still is a nice gesture, and shows a certain level of thoughtfulness, courtesy, and seriousness. Let teachers know about any awards you have received; jobs you hold; clubs you started, or actively participate in; volunteer work that you have completed; websites (or digital content) that you have created; responsibilities you have at home, including caring for other family members; or sports team that you have participated on, for example. This may help teachers to make stronger connections and to also see the inter-connectedness of the things that you are most interested in and passionate about—inside and outside of class.

—The Blue-Collar Counselor