COVID or no COVID, juniors should begin thinking about teacher letters of recommendation for college. Not all colleges require them, so the first thing to do is determine if you need letters. If you are planning to apply to Washington State public colleges (the University of Washington, Washington State University, Western Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Central Washington University, and Evergreen State College), you do not need any letters. These colleges will not accept them.
Each college will have different guidelines for required recommendations and optional recommendations. The application platform used by a college is a good source of information (examples include the Common App and the Coalition App). For example, the University of Michigan required applicants for Fall 2020 to submit one teacher recommendation but allowed three additional. That is a total of four letters of recommendation. Many students make the mistake of submitting the minimum amount required. At highly selective schools, this can put a student at a disadvantage.
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Find out if your high school has any policies about letters of recommendation. If your school uses Naviance, request the letter of recommendation through Naviance.
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Next, decide which teachers to ask. Students typically ask core teachers (English, Social Studies, Math, Science); it is okay to ask other teachers. Students should be strategic. A student planning to apply to an engineering program might ask a math or physics teacher. A nursing student might ask a chemistry or statistics teacher. Students should ask at least two teachers (from different subjects). Junior year teachers are the most popular ones to ask, but you can ask any teacher who taught you in high school (including Running Start). All you need is the teacher’s current email address. The teacher does not have to still be employed at your high school as long as the teacher taught you during high school.
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You will not be able to ask the teacher in person right now, but you can send an email asking the teacher if they are willing to write a letter of recommendation for your all college applications. Teachers are not required to write letters of recommendation (they are a lot of work). Teachers are experiencing stressful situations also so please be kind and courteous in your requests.
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If they respond “yes”, ask them how they would like you to handle the request. If your school uses Naviance, you will request through the Naviance system. Pay attention to what the teacher says. For example, they may ask you to remind them in the fall. They may ask you to fill out a form, etc.
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From personal experience, I find it helpful when the person asking for the letter of recommendation provides some guidance. Many high school counseling offices have a standard form for students to use.
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In the college application process, letters of recommendation may be the piece that drives you crazy because it is out of your control once you ask for it. Make sure to follow-up with the teacher and be polite.
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Do not wait until the last minute to ask for a letter of recommendation – you should ask at least four weeks in advance. This is not an issue now but may become one in the fall.
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In most cases (non-Naviance), you will officially invite the teacher through a college application (Common App or Coalition App) and will need the teacher’s email address. Students need to waive the right to see letters of recommendation. The application platforms have not yet been updated for Fall 2021 admissions (this will happen later this summer). While teachers cannot yet submit letters of recommendation, they can write them.
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Many colleges also allow letters from “other recommenders”. The specific categories will depend on the college. Many colleges allow letters from employers, arts teachers, clergy, sport coaches, etc. This information is found on the application platform.
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After a teacher has submitted a letter of recommendation, you should write a thank you note to the teacher (or anyone else who has written you a recommendation).
The actions that students do now can help them feel more in control of the college application process and make things less stressful in the fall.
Mary Pat O’Neil
True Fit College Counseling