Asking for a Letter of Recommendation
How to Request a Recommendation for College or Career
Dec 1, 2008
Requesting a letter of recommendation is a big deal – one that plenty of people have ruined by not considering the needs of the person they are hoping will write a recommendation. Fortunately, a little effort and a little etiquette are all that is needed to properly request a letter.
Choosing Who To Ask
- DO ask people who have known you for several years (or at least for more than one class), preferably under a variety of circumstances (student, employee, club/church member, etc.)
- Do NOT ask people solely because they are well-known or powerful. For instance, a thoughtful recommendation from a teacher is better than a vague letter from a senator.
- Do NOT ask people whom you have let down.
Knowing How to Ask
Ask in person if possible. If not possible, send a short note explaining not only the request, but the context:
“Professor Smith,
As you might remember, after graduating, I moved to Far Away Land, where I have been working as a [Position] at [Organization]. Well, I’ve recently decided to take the plunge and apply to graduate school! The program(s) I am looking at compliment both my undergraduate work and things I have learned and done since then.
Your recommendation was vital in my getting my current position, and I was hoping you would be willing to do the favor once again. The deadline is a month away. Let me know what you think, and I’ll send you all the details.
Thanks for your continued support.”
After the person has agreed to write the letter of recommendation, provide him or her with supporting documentation (see below) and a short reminder/thank you note.
Give the recommender plenty of time (at least a month is possible). If the person has not told you the recommendation has been sent, send a polite reminder a week before the deadline.
Providing Basic Information
Make the recommender’s life easier by providing all the necessary information. Ask if electronic or print materials are preferable. Include:
- The requester’s contact information
- The name, title and address of the person who will receive the letter
- Any guidelines mentioned or specific documents provided by the college/internship/company
- A current resume or CV
- An example of pertinent work (like a research paper or art portfolio), if relevant
- A pre-addressed, stamped envelope for sending the letter
- A deadline for writing the recommendation
Ghost-Writing a Letter
People will sometimes ask that the first draft of a letter of recommendation be written for them. This is perfectly acceptable – so long as the person sees, approves (and, usually, edits), and signs off on the letter. This letter should be written just as if the actual recommender was doing so.
Sending a Thank You Letter
Saying thank you for a letter of recommendation is important. First, it is the right thing to do. After all, the other person did not have to write a recommendation, but was doing a favor. Second, a person might need to ask someone for more than one letter, so it is a good idea to stay in that person’s good graces. A thank you letter should be sent promptly, but it need not be detailed. A couple of sentences should suffice:
“Dear NAME,
I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the letter(s) you recently wrote for me. You have been a wonderful teacher/employer, and I am truly thankful for your support as I begin this next stage in my life.
Thank you once again.
Sincerely,
Name.”
The thank you can reflect a specific relationship – formal or humorous. Also remember that one of the best “thank you’s” anyone can give is letting the recommender know the outcome of the application.
In short, people should be polite, informative, and timely when asking for letters of recommendation, sending reminders, and giving thanks.
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