2 ways to get Letter of Recommendation with ease

Students seeking admission in foreign colleges and study in USA need to get ‘letter of recommendation’.

Extra weightage and value is given to letter of recommendation by the foreign colleges because:

• This letter tells much about the student that grades and test scores does not.
• It shows which people are willing to speak on your behalf.
• It provides personalized outlook of the student’s character.

These letters solve the purpose if they are successful in presenting you in positive light, highlighting your skills and capabilities.

Whom to Ask?

Usually good Colleges in USA ask for 2 or 3 recommendation letters from people you know quite well. These letters should be written by people who can properly describe your skills, personality and accomplishments.

If you aim for scholarship, then pay heed to its key areas like community service, sports, academics and so on. Ask for letter of recommendation you know is the best in that area of specialization. For instance, if a scholarship someone who has done something for the community, avoid going to your accounts teacher for a recommendation!

Read the college application carefully before asking for letter of recommendation. Usually they ask it from an academic teacher of a specific subject, school counselor or from both. Consult with your family, teachers and counselor as to who can provide good references. Select a teacher from junior year or current teachers who know you well. Colleges value current perspective thus past teachers are not a good choice for it. Consider a teacher who knows you outside the classroom, maybe through medium of any extra-curricular activity. You can also ask the recommendation letter from other people like a coach, adviser or employer outside the school. They should have good understanding of your skills and abilities.

Choose the person who is willingly writes for you. In case whether you are hesitant in asking someone in particular, then ask them politely if they are comfortable recommending you for foreign education.

How to ask for it?

When you seek a favor from any person to write letter of recommendation for you, the best approach would be to send them a formal and friendly email request even if you meet that person on daily or occasionally basis. In the email include instructions for completion of your recommendation and the details that are needed in it. If entire information is in one place it saves time and energy. Most of the email programs have facility to flag messages and set reminders. If the recommenders want to use these features, then they can have all guidelines in one place and can write up easily.  

Some teachers at good position write such letters of recommendation every year. If they happen to know you well, it would be better to take some time to speak to them about yourself. This would make it easy for them to provide positive and in-detail information about your potentials and achievements.

When you contact any counselor, teacher or any other reference, you can provide them your latest resume that precisely states your activities and goals academically and outside classroom.