Tips for Requesting a Letter of Recommendation

Tips for Requesting a Letter of Recommendation

~ Give the person writing the letter a sufficient amount of time to write a strong recommendation.  Begin brainstorming who you  would want to write the recommendation as soon as the application is available.

~  Ask the recommender if they will be able to complete a strong letter by the deadline and follow up with them four weeks before the deadline to remind them to submit it.

~ Have a backup recommender in the situation that the original person you asked is not able to complete the letter in time.

~ Provide the recommender a chance to get to know you better; sit down and have a conversation with them about your goals and passions, family history, or provide them with a resume or the college essays you have already written.

~Do they know what your short and long term goals are?  Are they aware of your community service and leadership experience?  If not, tell them.

~ Do they know why you are applying to the scholarship?  How your passions line up with the organization's missions?  What will the impact of the scholarhip be on your future and your family's future?

Be sure to provide your recommender an envelope with a stamp and the address of the scholarship neatly printed. Also send them a thank you note whether or not you get the scholarship.