The title says it all. We ended school on June 14th so I hope it’s not too late to ask, or too rude…
Our school always asks the student to ask in person first, but if you will be a senior in the fall you may want to reach out via e-mail.
@NJWrestlingmom would it come across as rude? I sincerely wish I could have asked my teacher during school, but I didn’t know that we were supposed to ask that early
Honestly, I’ll take an email request in June over an in person one in September any day!!! I have two months off in which I’ll find time to write any letters I need. I HATE being hit with requests in the fall, after that 2 month vacation.
But PLEASE give me something to go on! Make up some sort of a brag sheet, or fill in the surveys on Naviance and send me a copy. But let me know how you did in my class, what significant contribution you made, how you’ll use the material I taught you… anything I can use.
It is definitely best to ask in person (is there a reason why you didn’t ask before school ended?) but most teachers would rather be asked over the summer. Be sure to start off the letter by apologizing for doing it by email. If the teacher agrees to write the LOR ask if there is anything you can provide (ex. resume, list of activities) to help him/her write the letter and if the answer is “yes” provide it quickly.
I think it is okay if it is summer.
Just realize though: not EVERY teacher checks email during the summer. I do, as do some of my friends. But the year is over and we’re between students… in theory, there should be no reason to check email.
Agree with @happy1 - start off with an apology. Tell the truth- you didn’t realize you were supposed to ask before school ended and wanted to ask as soon as possible. Definitely include a resume or brag sheet. My Husband is a teacher and checks his email all the time over summer so you should be fine.
@bjkmom He’s an AP Calculus teacher so he’ll probably check his email in case students are asking questions regarding the summer work course load. Also, I requested on Naviance officially so he’ll be notified through there!
It may be too late, but I think it is better form to wait for the teacher to agree to write a LOR before requesting it on Naviance. You don’t want to appear presumptuous.
@happy1 I think it’s okay. I did it for my AP Chem teacher and she said that is fine. Plus, I already asked him for a recommendation for a research program before so I assume he’d be fine with it
Asking – and getting an affirmative answer-- though email is very different from assuming through Naviance.
I know teachers who won’t write a letter unless or until they’ve been requested by the student. And I don’t blame them.
We don’t owe you a well crafted letter. Let me know through Naviance that I’m writing a letter, and I’ll write one. It will acknowledge that I taught you and the grades you got. But if you want me to put in the time it takes to get you the kind of letter you want, then give me the common courtesy of asking me. Otherwise, you get what you get.
@bjkmom I sent him a letter after the naviance request telling him that I apologize if it seems presumptuous, that I only did it because it would alert him officially that I requested one from him. I honestly don’t think it’ll be a big deal to him like it is for other teachers. He’s a great teacher that I’ve talked to and emailed informally. I already did it so I can’t really change anything…
It sounds like you should be fine. It would be with me.
@bjkmom Hi. Update here. He said it was chill xD. I honestly don’t think he even cared that much lol!! Glad he already replied though, sheesh! 
Good, I’m glad it worked out so well.