Asking for a letter of recommendation?

Question

This is a dumb question for the most part, but I'm nervous in asking for a letter of recommendation. I know not to give my teachers pressure, but they have probably a week to write it. Is that enough time? How should I approach when asking for a letter of recommendation? After they do write it, is it casual to read what they wrote about you lol. I'm supposed to send in documents along with my letters of rec. after I complete the online application for admissions at George Mason this weekend. I want to give them time so they have about a week, and I just don't know how to approach them, if it's casual to read that they write, etc. I have no clue about the letters of recommendations. Any help or advice regarding these questions would be of great help.

Answer 1

Just ask. I've never heard of a professor agreeing to write a letter and then saying something bad. If they don't think favorably of you, you'll get an outright "No." or possibly an excuse, "I've written my quota for this semester." They've written many letters over the years so they know how to slap one together on short notice.

When I graduated from college the letters went to a repository at the job placement and recruiting office. Potential employers requested the letters from the office. No student ever got to see their letters.

Answer 2

Just be upfront with your teachers, let them know that you are applying to college and need a letter of recommendation and if they will be so kind to give it to you. Apologize for giving them such short notice but let them know that you need it by this weekend. If you were a good student and did your work in class then you have nothing to worry about. They do this all the time so they will know what to put into the letter. With regard to reading the letter I would say wait until you leave the room and then read it. I think the fact that you are applying to college says a lot about you and I am sure that your teachers will give you a good recommendation. Always keep this in mind the only dumb question is the one that you did not ask. Good Luck

Answer 3

Teachers will often get requests for letters of rec. It's part of their job.

Most of the time applications will either have a form for the recommenders to fill out or there's an online form to fill out.

First off, identify who you want to write the letters. Do you have teaches in classes that you've done well? Teachers that you've interacted with throughout your time in school? Any of them coached any teams you were on or were advisors in clubs you partipated in?

You will have to be careful, because despite being teachers, not all of them are good letter writers. It's also hard because if you have to submit paper forms, more often than not the forms ask that you waive your right to whatever is in the letters and the forms.

Once you identify the letter writers, approach them and ask if they are availible to write you a good letter of recommendation. Do they like your potential school? Do they support your goals and choices? Of course, give them an out. If they don't have enough time, then be gracious and find someone else. I had a professor disagree with me on a potential job. Needless to say, I didn't ask her to be a recommender for me.

If these are for college apps, you should do them soon. It's common courtesy to ask letter writers with a lot more lead time. If your letters arrive after your deadline, it may hurt your application.

Be sure to write a thank you letter and notes to your recommenders.

Answer 4

I totally agree with what was already written. Except for one part. Some schools expect to get the letter sealed in an envelope with the writer's signature on it. In that case you wouldn't be able to read it. But most teachers will give you a copy of it for yourself so you know what was said. But if they don't let you see it don't be offended. Because that's actually how letters of recommendation are supposed to be handled.

Answer 5

If you need three letters, ask four or five teachers for letters. A week isn't all that long, so when you ask them, politely say, "If you could have it written in a week, I could use it to send to ......, but I understand if you can't." This way, you are humbly asking them for it and I think they are more likely to get it to you on time. Oh, also, after you've sent off your application and letters, send a short thank-you note to those teachers. AND, it's perfectly fine to read what they wrote. They will expect you to.

Answer 6

One week is enough, but kind of pushing it. So I suggest you ask ASAP. If you wanted to give them time you should have given them 3 weeks. One week might seem like a lot of time on your scale but not on theirs. One week is barely withing the limits of appropriate but it is a short notice.

No, you don't want to ask to look at your letters after they wrote them. Most customary is you provide a stamped and addressed envelope and they send it off. Some schools give you an option to read it (it is usually written in the letter form; you state will you read it or not) but recommenders hate it if you insist on reading it. They usually write a lot shorter letter if you insist that you want to see it because they have to worry about how you take it and they feel mistrusted. In most cases, if they feel they can't give you a good recommendaton they will say they can't write you a letter. They usually don't say "Yes I'll write you a letter" and then write you a bad one.

How to ask? You just ask, either in person if it is possible for you to reach them, or via e-mail. Say you are so-and-so, you took thus-and-such course with them, and say that you are applying to this-and-that school and you would like a letter of recomendation.

Answer 7

Ask them civilly while they do no longer look to be busy, the two in individual or via email. supply them as plenty ideas as you could, the two approximately you and pertaining to to the standards for the letter(s). supply a resume. If there are issues you desire they are going to comprise or rigidity, point out them. "i'm extremely excited approximately this application/interest; i think of it is a stable in high quality condition because of the fact of [this undertaking I did/ my adventure with my volunteer paintings / my Latin prize". supply them the written-down training approximately what could be interior the letter and how it is going to likely be introduced. in the event that they agree, ask them if there is to any extent further ideas they choose. offering a stamped addressed envelope is a superb touch. Reminding them very civilly pertaining to to the cut-off date is okay too. in the event that they combat positioned you off, thank them and ask them in the event that they are in a position to signify somebody else to ask. do no longer push in any respect. they might imply "i'm too busy", or "i do no longer understand you ok and can't do a stable interest" or "i don't have an extremely valuable effect of you, and that i will tell the certainty." Or they might have a coverage of no longer writing the type of letter that the candidate gets to work out. Getting little supplies after writing the letters makes me uncomfortable, because of the fact it sounds like a bribe. thank you notes are high quality. Getting a word back that the guy have been given the interest or have been given the scholarship or desperate to bypass to a distinctive college is amazingly welcome and would not take place usually sufficient.