Why Juniors Should Start Thinking About Recommendation Letters for College Admissions Now

As the school year winds down, many students are looking forward to summer break. But there is one important task juniors should handle now—deciding who will write their recommendation letters for college admissions.

These letters are a key part of the college application and can provide admissions readers with valuable insight into a student’s character, work ethic, and potential for success. Many colleges require recommendations from a school counselor and one or two teachers, especially those in core subjects like English, math, science, social studies, or foreign language. Some schools also use these recommendation letters for college admissions to determine scholarship eligibility or honors program admission. That’s why it’s crucial to plan ahead and secure the strongest recommendations possible.

Why Now?

The best time to ask for a letter of recommendation is when your performance in a class is fresh in your teacher’s mind—typically, this means asking a teacher from your junior year. Teachers are also much less distracted now than they will be at the end of the year and much less busy than they will be in the fall when they are flooded with recommendation requests. Asking early gives them time to craft a thoughtful, detailed letter rather than rushing through it at the last minute.

Additionally, thinking about recommenders now allows a student to reflect on how they are doing in a particular class. If a student is barely passing a class or has had a difficult time keeping up, that teacher may not be the best choice for writing about academic abilities. Instead, students should consider a class where they’ve performed well, actively participated, and/or demonstrated improvement over time. A strong recommendation should reinforce the positive aspects of the application, so choosing someone who can genuinely speak to success is key.

How to Choose the Right Recommender

The best recommendations come from teachers who know the student well and can speak to their strengths, growth, and contributions in their class. Students should consider:

• Who has seen your academic improvement or work ethic? Maybe you started off struggling in a class but worked hard to improve, showing persistence and dedication.
• Who has seen your passion and engagement? A teacher who has witnessed your enthusiasm for the subject—through class discussions, assignments, or projects—can write a compelling letter.
• Who genuinely likes you? A recommendation letter should be supportive and enthusiastic. A teacher who appreciates your contributions will write a stronger letter than one who barely remembers you.

Making the Ask

Once a student has decided which teachers to ask, they should approach them respectfully and directly. If possible, ask in person, explaining why they value their recommendation. If an in-person request isn’t possible, an email works too. Be polite, and make sure to give them enough time to say yes before recommendation season gets overwhelming.

Helping Your Recommender

A great letter of recommendation doesn’t just list grades—and especially should not be a re-hashing of the student’s resume. A great teacher recommendation should provide insight into who a student is as a person and student in their class. Once a teacher agrees to write the letter, the student should provide them with helpful information:

• Your full name and contact information
• A reminder of the class(es) you took with them and any projects or assignments you were especially proud of
• College deadlines and submission details
• A “brag sheet” that includes your accomplishments in their class and/or challenges you overcame in their class

While it may be tempting to hand over a resume, teachers should really write about their own experiences with a student rather than list extracurriculars that appear elsewhere in the application.

Don’t Forget to Follow Up

After your teacher submits the letter, don’t forget to thank them! A handwritten note or a thoughtful email expressing gratitude goes a long way. Teachers don’t get paid extra to write these letters, and a simple thank-you can show appreciation for their time and effort.

Final Thoughts

Asking for recommendation letters for college admissions may not seem urgent now, but getting ahead of the game will make the college application process much smoother. By choosing the right recommenders and giving them enough time to write a strong letter, students will set themselves up for success when application season rolls around. So, students should take a few minutes now to think about who to ask—their future self will be thankful!

INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS

No matter where your family is in the college admissions process, International College Counselors can help you with every aspect, including building and honing the college list, fine-tuning college applications, and writing admission essays. The expert team at International College Counselors includes former college admission officers, high school directors and counselors, and writing professionals with a combined 250+ years of experience, helping students and families successfully navigate the college application journey. For personalized guidance, contact International College Counselors at 954-414-9986 or email Marlene at [email protected]