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Tips for Getting Good Letters of Recommendation
By Rebecca | March 24, 2008
Letters of Recommendation are an important component of a Scholarship Portfolio, but getting good letters can sometimes be a challenge. You may be tempted to think that since someone else is writing the letters that there is little you can do to ensure their quality. However, if you do a little work beforehand, you will make it easier for your leaders and teachers to write letters that highlight your achievements. (And it will show that you are serious and make them more likely to remember to get your letter written.)
The first hurdle is to decide whom to ask for letters. You should consider what accomplishments and qualities you want highlighted in your letters. Keep in mind that these letters are a good place to explore those traits that are not easily defined by other sources such as GPA, test scores, or extra curricular titles. (Of course, they should also build up those talents that are shown in these areas.)
What I mean is this: Perhaps you are a good student but not quite getting straight A’s. A letter from your teacher stating that you study and work hard in their class can both accent your good GPA but also acknowledge your efforts. Or maybe you are on the basketball team but not the star player. A letter from the coach talking about your team spirit and good sportsmanship can highlight that extracurricular activity and explain your contribution to the team. Also, things like church activity and leadership can be shown more easily in a letter of recommendation.
Once you have thought what you would like your letters to show, you can think of those adults who know you best and can attest to those traits. Those who hold respected titles in the community look especially well as letter writers. When I was in high school I asked a former bishop to write a letter for me. As my bishop he had known me well and I thought it would be a good reference. When he gave the letter to me, however, he had signed it, not as my bishop, but as a member of the County Sheriff’s department. (He was also a member of the School Board.) The combination of his ecclesiastical calling and his prominent social positions made him a more ideal reference than I appreciated at the time.
After you have decided whom to ask for letters, it would be good to write a letter yourself–to your letter writers. In it, politely ask for the help of the individual. Explain why you are collecting the letters and briefly outline what you would like them to focus on. Don’t try to write the letter for them, merely suggest one or two of your accomplishments or characteristics that you would like them to write about in their letter. Also, be sure to ask if you would like the letter on a certain letterhead or signed in a certain way. The letter mentioned above was delivered to me on Sheriff’s department stationary. However, had I not wanted the endorsement of a Sheriff’s deputy, my bishop was willing to reprint the letter and sign it with a different title.
You may also want to ask for several signed copies of the letter. Some scholarships will only request a copy of the letter but some may require an original with a signature. It is best to have extra on hand. It is easier to get these up front than to bother the person each time you need one.
Give the letter writer a deadline–a definite date by when you need the letters. Be sure to give them enough time to fit writing your letter into their busy lives. It is best to ask at least one month in advance of when you need the letters. This gives them plenty of time to write you a good recommendation and you plenty of opportunities to, politely, remind them. Remember, they are doing you a great favor. It is okay to follow up but do not get pushy or nagging.
Make sure you have back up candidates for reference letters. This way, if someone says “no” or is unable to complete the letter by your deadline, you can ask another person who will be able to talk about roughly the same qualities you are hoping to highlight. It is always better to have too many letters than not enough.
Last, but not least, be sure to show appreciation for those who helped you by writing the letters. Write them a thank you note or bake them cookies. Then let them know of the scholarships or awards that their letters help you achieve. In most cases, the best reward these people can have is know that they have helped you to succeed.
Topics: Advice, Education, How To, Knowledge, Life, Young Women |
