How to Get Great Teach Recommendations

Getting stellar teacher recommendations for college admissions and scholarship consideration is not as difficult as it seems. Read on for advice on how to get the letters you deserve---or even better ones than you’ve really earned:

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. At the start of junior and senior years, choose one teacher: At the start of junior year, choose one teacher who seems to be competent and good-natured in a subject in which you normally do well. If the teacher seems to be a strong, persuasive writer or speaker, even better. Then follow these tips and repeat for senior year, since many schools require two teacher recommendations.
2. Be polite: Once you’ve chosen the teacher who’s going to write your recommendation, you have to be on your very best behavior for this one. Of course, you should be respectful of all your teachers, but you really have to be polite with The Chosen One. If the teacher needs someone to run an errand, be the first to volunteer. Avoid having side conversations in this class at all costs; never chew gum while in this teacher’s class; always arrive on time.
3. Put in the effort: Work especially hard in this class. Always turn your homework in on time, complete all projects and papers to the best of your ability, actively participate in classroom discussions, and take a leadership position. Stand out from your classmates by showing a dedication for learning and asking questions that contribute to your teacher’s lectures.
4. Give your teacher plenty of advance notice: Sometimes scholarship opportunities seem to pop up out of nowhere, but if possible, always give your teacher two-four weeks to write a recommendation so s/he can collect her/his thoughts and compose a convincing letter. After all, your teacher probably has to write recommendation letters for several other students, as well, so you don’t want to make your teacher feel (even more) overwhelmed by adding a tight deadline.
5. Provide your teacher with an activities list: Ideally, your teacher wouldn’t need any additional information about you and would know you so well that s/he could write a raving recommendation, but in larger, public schools in which teachers often have over one-hundred students to remember, that’s not always possible. Give your teacher whatever s/he needs to complete the letter, including a stamped envelope to the college or scholarship office. Make sure that your activities list is complete, thorough, and accurately reflects what you do outside of school.
6. Be persistent, but not aggressive: A week after you’ve asked your teacher to write the recommendation letter, politely ask how it’s coming along. With all the other letters the teacher probably has to write (in addition to planning lessons, grading papers, tending to family affairs, and having a social life), your teacher might have forgotten about the letter. Be helpful and ask your teacher is s/he needs any additional information.
7. When it’s all done: After you’ve confirmed that your teacher has sent in the recommendation letter, demonstrate your good manners by writing her/him a nice Thank You note. At this point, it’s also appropriate to present your teacher with a holiday or end-of-the-year gift, depending on the season. Doing so before the letter is sent may be interpreted as sucking up.

Tips & Warnings

• Getting accepted into top colleges has never been more competitive, so increase your edge by ensuring that all of your teacher recommendations are fabulous. While a terrific recommendation alone can’t get you into your dream school, it can certainly augment an already strong application.