Many scholarships and college applications require letters of recommendation from teachers and/or members of the community.

General Guidelines:

• Read the application instructions carefully.
• Give the writer a stamped properly addressed envelope.
• Give the writer any forms that need to be send with the letter.
• Indicate deadline.
• Request a letter well in advance of the deadline. The writer should have a minimum of 2 weeks to write the letter. 
• Check back to see that the letter has been mailed.
• Recommend the writer save a copy.
  

Selecting Writers:

• Select people who know you well and show interest in you, i.e., teacher, activity advisor, job supervisor, youth minister, volunteer coordinator, etc.
• Select people who are familiar with your potential and your achievements.
• Select teachers whom you have had as instructors in an academic subject.
• Ask teachers with whom you have had more than one class (when possible).
• Select people who could best explain your extra efforts in school or on the job.
• Ask the person how they feel about writing a good recommendation for you.

Letter of Recommendation Request Form

Write a Thank you note shortly after the letter has been completed!