One of my biggest fears right now is having to ask teachers for recommendations. This year, none of my teachers really like me that much despite having top grades in the classes. Should I still approach them? I’m scared that they will say no or if they say yes, write me a subpar letter.
I would do it in stages. They need to come to know you as a person not the first person in row 4. This kind of thing needs to laid out for people who are not naturally good at schmoozing.
First start off by asking if you can have a few (15-20) minutes of their time before or after school, whenever is convenient for them.
At the meeting tell them you are thinking about how you will be writing applications in the fall. You have done well in their class and wonder if they have any advice about colleges that are good in this topic area. Where did they go to college? You are looking for a college that will expose you to many fields of study. Any others that they think highly of? How do they value liberal arts colleges versus larger universities.
Snowball City’s rules of life:
- everyone likes to talk about themselves.
- everyone likes to give advice.
Go home and look up any colleges that they mention even if it is one that you had already dismissed. Doesn’t hurt to look at something again through another person’s lens.
Touch base with them again. Talk about what you liked or are hesitant about the colleges mentioned. Let them know about your summer plans, novel you are working on, whatever they may not know about you from your life outside of school. Was there something in that week’s classes that you went home and looked up more about or explained to your younger sibling/grandmother/neighbor? Yes, there was because you read this and did your preparation!
Now you look like your are intellectually curious.
New encounter. Ask the teacher that you heard from the guidance officer, online crazy mom, or in a book that it is a good idea to line up recommendations as school ends for the summer. Ooo look at you being proactive. Ask if they would feel comfortable writing one for you.
If they say yes, send an email note thanking them for agreeing to it. You feel so fortunate to have teachers that take time to mentor students.
Once the falls starts, even if you do not have class with the teacher stop in and catch up with them as to how the summer went. Did you do any interesting reading or volunteering?
After the recommendation is written, hand write a thank you note. You could attach it to a nice box of chocolates, gift card to the local coffee house, or favorite cookies made with your grandma’s recipe.
Rule 3: Everyone likes to get mail. Counts even if it does not go through the postal service.
Let the teacher know as you get acceptances and any scholarships. Thank them again.
I would first ask the teacher if he/she would be willing to write you a positive letter of recommendation for college. If the teacher says yes thank him/her and ask if there is anything you can provide (ex. resume, list of activities) to help with the letter.
You might also consider asking a teacher from sophomore year.