The majority of scholarship applications and many university applications require a letter of recommendation. Letters of recommendation help provide information on an applicant that even grades or extracurriculars cannot. Asking for a letter of recommendation should be done with consideration and careful planning. This article will provide a few tips on the process of doing just that so you can maximize your success.
Written by Rohan Kumar
1) Research!
Before asking for a letter of recommendation, briefly research the components of the letter of recommendation. For example, research can be on topics such as past applicants letters of recommendations and suggested references. Brief research on the process will help clarify decisions relating to the letter of recommendation, who an ideal person to ask would be, and what to expect from the process as a whole.
2) Brainstorming References
The next step is to brainstorm possible references for your letter of recommendation. Picking the right reference can increase the letter's impact on your application. When making this decision, some factors that should be considered include your relationship, their involvement with your academics and/or extracurriculars, and their position.
3) Asking for a Recommendation
Once you have decided on who to ask, now it is time to ask for a letter of recommendation! Whether you are asking in-person, through email, or any other medium, it is also important to include certain details. Above everything, make sure to be thorough in your explanation of the letter. For example, outline relevant dates and requirements, what activities should be discussed, etc. This will increase your mentor’s willingness to write the letter and allow them to speak more accurately to your accomplishments. Other things to keep in mind include when to ask them concerning application deadlines, demonstrating the importance of the letter of recommendation, and providing detailed answers to any of their questions.
4) Followup - Once they have accepted, depending on the timeline, make sure to follow up at least once
Once you have asked for a letter of recommendation, there are still steps that can be taken. Above everything, make sure to be accessible to any questions or concerns they have. Additionally, if applicable, make sure to follow up 1-2 times if they have not responded within a reasonable time frame.
Hopefully, the tips provided above will help provide support when asking for a letter for a recommendation!
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