How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation During COVID-19

Ever wonder how to ask for a letter of recommendation? What are the proper or official steps if any? Or what teachers should I ask for letters of recommendation?

Whether you’re applying for summer programs like UC COSMOS or you’re getting ready to apply for colleges this summer, getting letters of recommendation is a standard part of any application process. Things used to be easier, but that was prior to COVID-19. For one, building relationships with teachers was a lot easier in person. Secondly, asking them was usually as easy as showing up before class or waiting a bit after class. So, how does one effectively ask for letters during a pandemic when everything is virtual and online? Here are our few tips:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Choose the Right Teacher

It’s not just about how to ask for a letter of recommendation. It is also about choosing the right teachers. You may have asked already “What teachers should I ask for letters of recommendation?”

A recommendation letter for student from teacher is not about selecting a teacher from STEM because you are applying to a STEM program. In fact, most of the time, it has little to nothing to do with that. Sure, you may have some programs that openly prefer or even require a STEM teacher’s letter. But almost all the time, a program is trying to just gauge someone else’s perspective about you, be it a teacher or a coach.

Getting A Teacher Letter of Recommendation for Student

Here are three questions to follow when thinking about who to ask for a letter of recommendation:

Who likes you the best?
- Who likes you the best is most likely to write you a letter.
And which teacher knows you the best?
- Who knows you the best can speak towards specifics rather than general character traits.
Who writes the best?
- And who writes the best can make the strongest impressions with language.

Pro-tip: You can create a make-shift spreadsheet to rate and prioritize your teachers along the above three questions.

Schedule a Time to Talk.

Before class. After class. On a weekend. Whatever will work, but remember to try getting in the habit of doing this before you need a letter of recommendation. You want to get to know your teachers if possible; they have lived interesting – and at times – extraordinary lives. Take it upon yourself to schedule time to learn about them and to get advice about your life and direction. Not to mention, tips for the upcoming quiz or essay as well 😉

If you don’t have time to build a relationship with your teacher, then schedule a time to talk anyway. When asked about what, simply respond that you’d like to get some advice on how to learn better for class and about summer plans. Just 5 minutes should be enough.

Be Grateful. Be Helpful.

The first feeling you should have in this entire process is the word “Thanks.” You want to and should be really grateful for your teacher’s time. Chances are, they aren’t getting paid to do this extra work and you are probably not the only one asking for a letter of recommendation. Be thankful and show you are grateful.

Whether or not your teacher agrees, still say “thank you.” If a teacher does agree, however, make their life easier by sending him/her a short number of talking points. This will provide the teacher with some more context about yourself and even something to copy and paste on your letter of recommendation. Thereby, granting you some control over what is written about you.

Recap & Conclusion on How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation:

Choose the right teacher. Schedule a time to talk and ask for advice. Be grateful no matter the teacher’s response and be helpful by sending talking points. Remember to ask yourself the three important questions when thinking about how to ask for a letter of recommendation:

Who likes you the best?
Which teacher knows you the best?
Who writes the best?

We hope that this provides some valuable insight into how to release some of the stress you may have while making your college application profile even stronger. We specialize in youth mentorship and college counseling. From 8th grade to 12th, we have you covered for any stage in your high school career. Schedule a free consultation with us here.

We are always posting more helpful tips and tricks to help reduce the stress of college application season. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube.

See you soon!

Sarah Gooch

Essay Editor

Q:How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: I have five years' experience in coaching student writing, but this is my first year with ReadyEdgeGo.

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: I love helping students find depth and meaning in their own stories—but I also just love it when they make me laugh!

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: In theory, I enjoy painting and writing poetry, but these days I actually spend most of my free time socializing or watching movies with my husband.

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: Don't just focus on achieving top grades and credentials because they look good on applications, or your education will be meaningless. The numbers and awards have their place, but stay connected to your sense of curiosity, discovery, excitement, and wonder so that the content you're learning is constantly transforming you—it's something you care about, something you remember after the final exam. Work on the aspects of yourself no one can measure, like integrity, wisdom, kindness, and compassion, so that you're not only developing your academic and career potential but also investing in the type of adult you're going to be, the person you'll have to live with after you clock out every day for the rest of your life.

Doing the hard inner work of building your character and learning deeply instead of just earning grades will set you up for a satisfying, well-rounded life. Strange as it sounds, it will also put you ahead in your academic and career goals, because colleges and hiring managers aren't looking for an empty set of data on a spreadsheet; they want a fully fleshed-out person marked by passion, creativity, and a story no one else has lived.

So go on studying hard for tests, but also spend some time asking yourself what matters in life and who your role models are. Read up on topics that amaze you, and build something incredible just for fun. Cultivate that spark of joy you feel when you're immersed in a subject that fascinates you. If you can hit that balancing act of doing your homework and meeting deadlines but also investing in the kind of person you want to be, then trust that all the rest will follow: schools will recognize you as a dynamic, all-star person, and you will also build a life of happiness, close relationships, and peace.

GoBlog