Do I still bring my teacher envelopes for letters of recommendation?

Question

I've heard that it's a good idea to bring your teacher stamped and addressed envelopes when they agree to write you a letter of recommendation for college, because it's more polite and convenient. After all, they are doing us a big favor. Well my teacher told me to bring her a list of my student activities and addresses of the universities... so, does this mean I don't need to bring her envelopes? Or should I still bring stamped envelopes and let her write in the address?

Answer 1

Recommendation/reference letters follow a business letter format. Letters written in the business format include the address of the receiver in the header. Your professor is requesting a list of addresses for that purpose, so that she can properly head the letters. So make sure you include the person to whom the letters must be addressed, their title, and institution address.

It is still your responsibility to provide stamped and addressed (typed) envelopes so as not to incur an additional cost/trouble to the professor. The last thing you want is poor etiquette to affect the strength/enthusiasm of your professor's recommendation.

Also, always provide an updated resume (which will include your student activities) with a clearly stated objective so the professor can play up your attributes and there is no question as to what your purpose is. That way the professor can tailor the letter and make it sound less cookie-cutter.

Answer 2

I think your initial instinct is right... I would provide her with as much as possible so all she has to do is write the letter and send it in. The list of your activities will help her know what good things to say about you when she writes the letter. I would say that addressing the envelopes yourself will make things more convenient for her, so I say go ahead. I'm guessing she's used to writing letters for students who don't provide the envelopes and don't realize that she'll have to look up the addresses yourself. I think she'll be pleasantly surprised when you have everything ready for her.

Answer 3

I agree with the first part of lfh1213's answer, but don't bring baked cookies. That is a little too over the top and it will make it seem like you are trying to bribe her into writing good letters of recommendation. However, do give her stamped, addressed, envelopes. It is pretty standard to do that.

Answer 4

Option 1) Personally, if I was going to do you that favour, I would be very glad that you went and brought me the pre-addressed & stamped envelopes (labels typed) .

As it is, your teacher has to take the time to initially write the letter of recommendation in her busy schedule. She will probably get the paper from the school, then print out enough copies required. She would then have to stuff the envelopes and send them out on your behalf.

BEST: Option 2) Another simpler way, for the teacher's benefit, is to just get the signed letter (1 copy) on your school's letterhead from the teacher and say you will attach a photocopy of her letter to your applications when you send them out to the various universities yourself (keeping the original safely in case a university asks to see the original). You can then photocopy the letter and stuff the envelopes yourself and mail out.

Option 2a) If the teacher will be typing her letter and printing on the school letterhead, ask the teacher to if there would not be a problem in printing the required number of original letter copies and 5 more at least "just in case".

This method (Option 2) is used for when you are leaving a job and you ask for a letter of reference/recommendation from your employer before you leave that position. They only give you the letter typed up once and it is up to you to make future copies to pass onto future respective employers. Over the years, you will accumulate quite a few of these letters which definitely are worth their "weight in gold" in opening up other employment opportunities.

Hope this helps,
Wendy
(daughter to an ex-teacher)

Answer 5

Bring the addressed, stamped envelopes and the lists she asked for. Don't assume that she is willing to pay for postage and do take the trouble to address the envelopes for her. If she wants lists, provide them. And a glass of milk and a plate of freshly-baked cookies while she's working on them, if she'd like. :)

Answer 6

I would just bring her the envelopes and a thing of stamps & of course the address to the university.But don't write on the envelopes.Let her do that.