If you’re applying for admission to a university or college overseas, you’ll likely be asked to provide at least one letter of recommendation in addition to other admissions requirements. Letters of recommendation are important for college admissions committees to get idea of your character and abilities. Here are some tips on how you should ask your professors for letters of recommendations:
- Carefully Choose your References: High school or college professors, particularly those who have taught you in multiple classes, can provide powerful recommendations for undergraduate and graduate schools respectively. It is important to pick references based on those who know you best; choose professors who can confidently write about your skills and talents in a convincing way.
- Request your Professors Nicely: Writing recommendations is not a mandated part of your professor’s job. Sharing a great rapport with a professor isn’t enough to have them write you a recommendation; take the time to see them outside of the classroom and ask them politely if they have the time to write you a recommendation letter. It is important to show them you are asking them to do it for you because you trust them with the same.
- Request a Meeting, if Possible: It is best to meet your professor in person to request them for a letter of recommendation. Politely ask if the faculty member would be comfortable endorsing you as an applicant for the types of colleges and universities you’re applying to, and be as clear as you can about what you want. If meeting them in person is not possible, a video conversation, phone call, or email exchange works well.
- Give as Much Notice as You Can: It’s important to plan ahead and give your professors as much advance notice as possible. Towards the end of the semester/year, they may be already burdened trying to juggle grading papers and exams as well as writing recommendations for many other students. It is best to send your request for a recommendation at least 2 weeks before you will need it. This way, your reference will have enough time to properly prepare & write a great recommendation.
- Include all relevant Details: Prepare a summary document that lists each course you took with the professor and the grades you received along with references for any papers/projects that you successfully completed. Refresh their memory on your skills and qualifications by providing an updated resume detailing your academics, extracurricular achievements and work experience. Include a cover letter if you can to help.
- Follow-Up after Putting in a Request: After your professor agrees to write you a recommendation, follow up via email to ask if they need any more information from your end that can help the process. You can also ask how they usually format their letters and whether or not they need you to provide them with a specific format. If some universities have specific requirements in terms of formats or otherwise, be sure to provide your professor with details of the same.
- Send Periodic Reminders: Professors may lose track of your college deadlines as time passes and they get busy with their academics duties at school/college. Send periodic reminder emails to check on the progress of their recommendation but make sure you aren’t doing this too often. Repeated and extremely frequent reminders may rub your professor the wrong way.
- Remember to Say Thank You: Once your professor writes the reference, make sure to send a thank-you note to your reference, acknowledging the time and effort they put in to help with your college applications. You can either send them a handwritten note or thank them through an email, or a small gift as a token of your appreciation. Update them with the status of your college applications as and when you receive acceptances as well.