Many colleges and universities request letters of recommendation from applicants as part of the college admissions process.
These letters are important because they give context to the other, more quantitative aspects of your college application, such as your GPA and standardized test scores.
Letters of recommendation allow college admissions officers to see you from the perspective of your teachers, advisors, or other mentors. This can help them determine whether you’re a good fit for their school.
For both in-person and online high school students, submitting strong letters of recommendation can make a big difference when it comes time to apply for college!
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A letter of recommendation is a formal written document that can be submitted during the college application process.
It provides insight into your academic skills, achievements, and positive attributes and can increase your chances of being accepted.
Although there are some colleges that don’t require letters of recommendation, most will request between one and three during the application process.
Most colleges view online students in a positive light . However, a good letter of recommendation can highlight that you’ve made strong connections with your mentors throughout your online education.
Before emailing your instructors or other mentors, it’s always best to ask them face-to-face first, if possible. For online students, this generally means visiting your professors during their office hours or requesting to speak with them briefly after class.
Whether you’re able to ask them verbally first or not, you should always send a written formal request via email. In general, this kind of email should include the following.
Your mentor should know what to expect from your email right away. Include the following elements:
The body of the email should include the following:
To conclude your letter, make sure you show your appreciation and explain that you understand if they’re unable to fulfill your request. Include the following:
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When it comes to finding mentors to write letters of recommendation, most students immediately think of their favorite high school teachers.
But anyone who holds a position of authority and can vouch for your work ethic, skills, character, and other positive traits can write a letter on your behalf.
In general, it’s a good idea to seek out people who know you well and can write a truly personalized letter. These may include mentors at your school as well as people from other areas of your life:
If you need to submit multiple letters, it’s sometimes a good idea to get a variety of people you know in different contexts to write letters for you.
Every letter of recommendation is different.
You want the letters your mentors write to be personal, unique, and sincere. But in general, a good letter of recommendation follows a basic structure and includes the following:
The letter should begin by establishing the relationship between the mentor and the student/applicant. The writer may choose to include how long they’ve known the applicant, specific projects or experiences that are relevant, and why they’ve chosen to recommend the applicant.
Example: “Sarah Jones took three mathematics courses with me over the course of her high school career. I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation on her behalf, and I believe she would be an excellent addition to your institution.”
The bulk of the letter should include substantive and specific information about the student/applicant. There’s a lot of variety in terms of the content, but successful letters generally include the following information:
The letter should conclude with a brief summary of key points and a clear declaration that the mentor recommends the student/applicant.
Example: “I have been consistently impressed by Sarah’s dedication to her studies and her ability to work collaboratively with her classmates and adapt to new challenges. I believe she would be a wonderful addition to your program, and I am proud to recommend her.”
Quantitative achievements like your GPA and entrance-exam scores can tell admissions officers a lot about your potential. But a letter of recommendation offers a more in-depth look into your overall character and interpersonal skills.
Here are a few key ways a letter of recommendation can help you reach your goals:
It’s a good idea to ask for letters of recommendation well in advance of any deadlines.
You want to make sure your mentors have time to write in-depth and personalized letters. When reaching out, be polite and appreciative. It’s a good idea to begin by highlighting the reasons you value their opinion and provide some details on your long-term goals.
Some of your mentors may feel confident they know how to write a letter of recommendation. But for others, it may be the first time they’ve been asked. It can be helpful to provide them with online resources, lists of your accomplishments, and letter-of-recommendation templates to help them write.
As you begin thinking about your post-graduation goals, you may want to look into how your current high school can help. Many in-person and virtual academies offer advice on getting letters of recommendation as part of their college prep resources .
Lastly, as a courtesy, it’s best to write a thank you letter to anyone who writes you a letter of recommendation. This shows that you appreciate the time and effort they put into writing a raving review about you.
The college application process can be stressful. But a letter of recommendation can help you reach your goals. Having an endorsement from a trusted authority figure is a great way to strengthen your position, help you stand out, and build your confidence.
At SLC , we’re committed to helping students prepare for college and succeed in the next steps in their academic careers. Learn more about our virtual academy and take a look at our most frequently asked questions !
Mr. Gallagher has been working at Summit Learning Charter since 2008, the school's founding year, and has been the Principal since 2014. Sean has been an educator for 27 years working in alternative education, teaching English, and school leadership. Sean's passion as a school leader is constructing Summit towards continual growth and student centered solutions.
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