Teacher? Coach? Friend? Tips on Letters of Recommendation
Many scholarships require letters of recommendation to accompany a student’s application. Letters of recommendation, when required, are one of the most valuable documents in the application process, as your letter writer is essentially providing his or her opinion and credentials as a way to back up all of the information you have already provided about yourself. The letter of recommendation writer is providing credibility to your statements by using their own reputation and signature to affirm what you have already stated. Picking the appropriate person for each letter of recommendation you need is of the utmost importance, and picking a person who can write about the skills or traits you possess which are the highlight or theme of the scholarship is essential.
What’s The Scholarship Supporting?
Start by noting the highlight or theme of the scholarship. Is it geared towards academics? Sports? Community service? Who can give you the best recommendation for the activity the scholarship is sponsoring? If the scholarship is based on academic merit, ask a teacher who can attest to your talent in the classroom. If it is a sports scholarship, ask a coach or athletic department head who can describe your achievements on the playing field. If it’s a scholarship for a specified activity, such as community service of student leadership, ask the program coordinator or your advisor to write your recommendation. If the scholarship asks for more than one letter, or asks for letters describing your various achievements and letters testifying to your personal strengths in more than one area, then you have more discretion to ask a teacher or coach to write a broader, more general letter. Be sure to pick someone who truly knows you and can attest to your various abilities.
Be Considerate
Once you have decided who the appropriate person is to write for you, be sure to give that person all the consideration and respect possible. Leave plenty of time for him or her to write your letter, revise it and mail it in before the scholarship’s deadline. Many letter writers will have more than one letter to write and count on you to provide them with enough time and information. Give your letter writer all the necessary material as well. Do not expect your writer to have all the documentation relevant to the scholarship. Provide envelopes and stamps and ask your writer to prepare the letter on letterhead if possible. Keep your letter writers informed and check in with them occasionally.
Thank You!
Once your writers have completed the letters and mailed them in, don’t forget your manners. Your writers have provided you with recommendations that could mean the difference between winning and losing a scholarship. They have taken their personal time to write on your behalf and are genuinely interested in your future and in helping you to reach your goals. Write thank you cards and be sure to keep your writers apprised of your scholarship status. Your recommenders like to know if their letters assisted you in winning a scholarship; Be sure to let them know if you have been successful in your quest. The thousands of dollars you stand to gain in tuition assistance for college is well worth the time you have spent preparing applications. Your letter writers do not stand to gain anything by the extra, personal time they have taken to write your letters. Let them know how much you appreciate the time they have taken.