How to Ask for Recommendation Letter

Learn how to write a strong recommendation Letter request for a scholarship. Get step-by-step guidance and email templates for teachers, professors, and employers.

A strong recommendation letter can significantly boost your chances of success, but a weak one can hurt them. By approaching the request thoughtfully and professionally, you can set yourself and your recommender up for success.

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This guide will walk you through the entire process, from choosing the right person to providing them with the information they need to write a fantastic letter.

What is a Recommendation Letter?

A letter of recommendation is a formal document from a teacher, professor, mentor, or employer that evaluates your skills, character, and achievements. It is a critical component of many applications because it provides an outside perspective on your potential. It is your opportunity to go beyond your GPA and test scores, articulating your story and convincingly demonstrating that you are not just a good student but also a sound investment.

The committee is essentially asking for a return on their investment. They are stewards of a fund, and their goal is to provide that money to a student who will use it effectively, fulfill their potential, and, in some way, honor the mission of the organization.

What Are The Key Aspects of a Strong Recommendation Letter

Recommendation Letter Character

A winning essay is built on three essential pillars. Neglecting any of these will weaken your argument. The committee is looking for an investment, and they want to know:

1. Who are you? What is your personal story? What values and experiences have shaped you into the person you are today?
2. Why us? Why are you a perfect fit for this specific scholarship? How do your goals and values align with our mission?
3. What will you do? How will this scholarship empower you to achieve your future goals, and how will you, in turn, make a positive impact on the world?

When you answer these three questions, you are no longer making a plea but you are making a case. You are showing them why an investment in you is the best possible choice.

Recommendation Letter Reference

Choosing the right person to be your reference is the most important part of this process. A great recommender is someone who:

• Knows you well: They can speak to your character, work ethic, and specific achievements from direct observation. A professor you had in a large lecture hall may not be the best choice unless you actively engaged with them during office hours.
• Respects you: They genuinely believe in your potential and will be enthusiastic about your application. Their enthusiasm will come across in their writing.
• Is familiar with the context: A teacher, professor, or mentor in your field of study is often the best choice for a scholarship, as they can speak to your academic strengths and future potential in that area.

How to Ask For A Recommendation Letter: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Give Them Enough Time

Respecting your recommender’s schedule is critical. You should ask for a letter of recommendation at least 2-4 weeks before the deadline. This gives them ample time to write a well thought out letter without feeling rushed. A rushed letter is often a generic one.

Step 2: Make the Request

Making the request in person is always best, as it shows respect and gives you a chance to have a conversation. If an in person meeting is not possible, a professional and concise email is the next best option. Your request should be polite and to the point. Start by asking if they would be willing to write a strong letter of recommendation for you. This gives them an easy way to decline if they do not feel they can provide a glowing endorsement.

Step 3: Provide a Brag Packet

Once they agree, immediately provide them with a brag packet or a recommendation packet. This is a collection of documents and information that makes their job easier. Your packet should include:

• • A Brief Introduction: A reminder of who you are, the class you took with them, or the project you worked on together.
  • The Purpose: A clear explanation of what the letter is for (e.g., “the XYZ Scholarship for students in the field of engineering”).
  • Key Details: The submission deadline and instructions (e.g., an online portal link or an address).
  • Your Resume/CV: A document outlining your academic and professional achievements.
  • Your Personal Statement/Essay: This helps them understand the story you’re telling in your application.
  • A Why Me Summary: A one-page document with a few bullet points highlighting specific achievements or qualities you want them to emphasize. For a scholarship, this could include your GPA, a difficult project you excelled in, or a leadership role you held.

Step 4: Follow Up and Say Thank You

A few days before the deadline, send a polite follow-up email to gently remind them. Once the letter has been submitted, be sure to send a thank-you note or email expressing your gratitude for their time and effort. It’s also a thoughtful gesture to let them know the outcome of your application, whether you were successful or not.

Recommendation Letter Examples

How to Ask a Teacher for a Letter of Recommendation

Example 1: You are a high school student with strong grades, and you are asking your English teacher, Mr. Thompson, for a scholarship recommendation. You got an A in his class and wrote a standout research paper on Shakespeare.

Email Template:

Subject: Letter of Recommendation Request

$$YourName$$

Dear Mr. Thompson,

I hope you are having a good week.

I am writing to respectfully ask if you would be willing to write a strong letter of recommendation for me for the upcoming

$$Scholarship\; Name$$

The Application deadline is

$$Date$$

.

As you may recall, I was in your English 11 class last semester. I particularly enjoyed the course and truly appreciated the feedback you gave on my research paper about the themes in Hamlet. I believe this scholarship is an excellent fit for me, and I would be grateful for your support.

To make the process as easy as possible, I have attached my resume, a copy of my personal statement, and a summary of my academic achievements. The instructions for submission are included in the summary.

Please let me know if you would be able to assist.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Best regards,

$$YourName$$

$$YourStudentID$$

Key Brag Packet points:

• Mention the specific class and your grade.
• Highlight the research paper and a specific piece of positive feedback he gave.
• Note your overall GPA and any relevant extracurricular activities.

How to Ask a Professor for a Recommendation Letter

Example 2: You are a third year computer science student asking your Professor Dr. Chen, who taught your favorite class and supervised a research project you completed.

Email Template:

Subject: Recommendation for the

$$Scholarship\; Name$$

Dear Dr. Chen,

I hope you are doing well. I am applying for the

$$Scholarship\; Name$$

, an award for undergraduate students demonstrating excellence in computer science, with a deadline of

$$Date$$.

Would you be able to write a strong letter of recommendation for me?

I thoroughly enjoyed your Machine Learning course last fall and learned a great deal from your lectures and our discussions during office hours. I especially valued the guidance you provided on my final project, which focused on predictive models for urban traffic. I believe my work in your class directly aligns with the mission of this scholarship.

I have attached a packet with my resume, a draft of my scholarship essay, and a brief list of the key skills I hope to highlight, including my work on the traffic modelling project. I have also included the link to the submission portal.

Thank you for considering this request.

Sincerely,

$$YourName$$

$$YourStudentID$$

Key Brag Packet points:

• Remind them of the class and your interaction outside of class (e.g., office hours).
• Specify the project you worked on and the skills you demonstrated.
• Show how your experience in their class connects to the scholarship’s criteria.

How to Ask For A Letter Of Recommendation From An Employer

Example 3: You are an adult returning to school to study nursing after a career in business, and you are asking your former manager for a letter of recommendation for a scholarship for non-traditional students.

Email Template:

Subject: Letter of Recommendation for

$$YourName$$

Dear Manager′s Name,

I hope you are doing well.

As you know, I have decided to pursue a new career path in nursing and am currently applying for a program at

$$UniversityName.$$

I am also applying for the

$$Scholarship\; Name,$$

 which supports career changers entering the healthcare field. The deadline is

$$Date.$$

I am writing to ask if you would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for me. During my time at

$$PreviousCompany,$$

I learned a great deal about leadership, teamwork, and problem solving while managing the

$$Project\; Name$$

project. I believe these skills are directly transferable to a career in nursing and would be a strong asset in my application.

I have attached my resume and a one page summary highlighting key experiences from my time at

$$PreviousCompany$$

that demonstrate my ability to succeed in this new field. The scholarship application portal link is also included.

Thank you for your time and for all your support over the years.

Best,

$$YourName$$

$$YourPhoneNumber$$

Key Brag Packet points:

• Clearly state the purpose of the scholarship and your new career goal.
• Connect the skills you developed in your previous job to the new field (e.g., “leadership” and “empathy”).
• Provide a specific example of a project you led or a situation where you showed initiative.

Frequently Asked Questions About How To Ask For A Recommendation Letter

How far in advance should I ask for a letter of recommendation?

You should ask your recommender at least 2 to 4 weeks before the deadline. This gives them enough time to write a thoughtful and well-crafted letter without feeling rushed.

2. What is a “brag packet” and what should I include in it?

A “brag packet” is a collection of documents you give to your recommender to make their job easier. It should include your resume or CV, a copy of your personal statement or essay, the submission deadline and instructions, and a short summary highlighting specific achievements you want them to mention.

3. What’s the best way to ask for a recommendation?

Asking in person is always best, as it shows respect. If an in-person meeting isn’t possible, a professional and concise email is a good alternative.

4. Should I ask my recommender to write a “strong” letter?

Yes, the guide recommends starting your request by asking if they would be willing to write a strong letter. This gives them a polite way to decline if they don’t feel they can give you a glowing endorsement.

5. How do I choose the right person to write my recommendation?

Choose someone who knows you well, respects you, and is familiar with your work in the context of your application. The best recommenders are often teachers, professors, or mentors who can speak to your character and achievements from direct observation.

6. What are the key elements a scholarship committee looks for in an essay?

The committee is looking for an essay that answers three core questions: Who are you? Why are you a good fit for this specific scholarship? What will you do with the scholarship in the future?

7. Can I use the same recommendation letter for multiple scholarship applications?

No, the guide advises against this. Scholarship committees can tell if a letter is generic. You should tailor each request and provide your recommender with specific information for each application.

8. Is it okay to use a former employer as a recommender?

Yes, especially if you are a non-traditional student or are returning to school after working. An employer can speak to your professional skills like leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving.

9. What should I do after my recommender submits the letter?

You should send a thank-you note or email to express your gratitude for their time and effort. It’s also a thoughtful gesture to let them know the outcome of your application, whether you were successful or not.

10. What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a scholarship essay? Avoid sounding entitled or arrogant, don’t just list accomplishments (tell a story instead), and never submit a generic, one-size-fits-all essay to multiple scholarships.