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Letters of Recommendation

Introduction

Most institutions will require 1 or more recommendation letters. These letters and the college essay are your opportunity to show who you are rather than what you’ve done. Therefore, it is important to be thorough when filling out recommendation request forms. This will give the individual(s) writing your recommendation letters a well rounded understanding of who you are. Each school has a different letter of recommendation form. Please select the button for your school to be brought to this form.

LOA

LPA

Who to Ask

It is recommended you ask a teacher you have a good connection with who teaches a core subject. Core subject areas are English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. A teacher who is in the field you are considering for a major is also suggested. More competitive schools may require 2 letters. The additional letter can come from a teacher, counselor, mentor, coach, religious leader, or supervisor. Each individual you ask will require a completed recommendation form. Some schools might also require a letter of recommendation from your counselor. Check the application and/or the institution's webpage to understand the requirements. 

When to Ask

You MUST ask a teacher to write a letter of recommendation before requesting for them to write it on your application. It is important to ask for a letter of recommendation AT LEAST 2 weeks before the letter is due. Teachers only have the capacity to write so many essays, so if you are asking last minute for a letter of recommendation, do not be surprised if a teacher says they do not have the capacity to complete the request. The earlier a student asks a teacher, the more likely you are to receive a thoughtful and well-considered letter. Students can verbally ask faculty as early as the spring of their Junior Year. 

Note: Wait until Aug 1 before your senior year to formally request your letter of recommendations on the Common App. Common App refreshes the "My Colleges" page on that date and any recommendations requested on this page will be deleted.

Letter of Recommendation Submissions

YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION BEFORE A TEACHER UPLOADS THEIR RECOMMENDATION. Please do not wait on your teacher's recommendation to submit your application. Teacher's have a different timeline than students.

Steps for Requesting Letters of Recommendation

  1. Complete your school’s recommendation request form (see buttons above)
  2. Ask your teacher and counselor (in-person if possible) at least 2 weeks ahead of time if they would be willing to complete a letter of recommendation for you. (This would ideally be completed in the spring of your junior year.)
  3. Enter your teacher’s information in your application (under “My Colleges” in the Common App).
  4. Write thank you letters to the people taking time to write you recommendations.