Updated May 06, 2024
A letter of recommendation request is a written note asking someone to formally write a letter of recommendation on one’s behalf. A letter of recommendation can be requested from professors, teachers, counselors, employers, and more.
Common Uses
- Applying to college, grad school, med school, or other higher education
- Applying to a scholarship, residency program, etc.
- Applying to a new job, internship, or fellowship
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What is a Letter of Recommendation Request?
A letter of recommendation request is a written note asking someone to write a formal letter of recommendation for you. The request—which can be delivered via email, in person, or by mail—informs the person about why you need a letter of recommendation, details about the program or job, and the deadline for the letter.
Who to Ask for a Recommendation Letter
A letter of recommendation is most effective when the writer provides personal anecdotes and details that clearly demonstrate your character traits, qualities, and skills relevant to the application. As such, you should ask someone who is deeply familiar with you and your work related to the position or program you are applying to.
This can be:
- A former or current teacher, professor, or instructor
- A former or current supervisor, manager, or employer
- A mentor, counselor, or coach
How to Request a Letter of Recommendation (5 steps)
- Provide Details in Your Request Letter
- Email or Hand Deliver the Letter
- Provide Additional Documents If Requested
- Follow Up Before the Deadline
- Express Your Gratitude
1. Provide Details in Your Request Letter
Once you have selected who to ask to write your letter of recommendation, begin putting together your request letter. It’s recommended that you personalize the letter to the person you are asking.
Be sure to include the following in your request letter:
- What the recommendation letter is for: Information about the program, school, or job to which you are applying.
- Reminders of your accomplishments: Provide a detailed list of your accomplishments under their supervision to highlight your strengths
- Requirements for the letter, if any: Some applications may require the recommendation letter to be on a letterhead or provide a hand signature.
- When the recommendation letter must be completed: Specify when it must be completed or received.
- Where to send the completed letter of recommendation: Should they send it directly to the school or employer? Or should they send it back to you so that you can enclose it with your application?
2. Email or Hand Deliver the Letter
If possible, print out the letter and deliver it in person. Especially if they are a professor or teacher with hundreds of students, it can be helpful to put a face to your name. If this is not possible, email the request letter to them and follow up by phone to ensure that they have received and seen the request.
3. Provide Additional Documents If Requested
The individual may ask you to provide one or more of the following:
- A sample recommendation letter, i.e. a template of what you want them to write and include in the letter
- Your resume or transcripts to have a better understanding of your strengths in a larger context
- An addressed envelope, if they are required to send the completed recommendation letter by mail
Be sure to respond to their request in a timely manner. Even if they don’t make the request, it may be a good idea to provide these documents anyway.
5. Express Your Gratitude
Once they have sent the recommendation letter to the appropriate recipient, be sure to send them a thank-you letter or a small gift to show your gratitude. Remember that they wrote this recommendation letter in their own time outside of their job description to help you achieve your goal. Let them know that you value their time and effort.
How to Write a Request for a Recommendation Letter
1. Personalize the request letter to the person you are asking. If this is a professor, include which classes you took with them and when. If you do not have a personal relationship with them, be sure to provide a brief introduction of who you are and why you are asking them to write this recommendation letter for you.
2. Be concise and specific about your ask. Keep the request letter under a page. Make the letter easy to follow, and clearly state important facts about the program or role to which you’re applying, the deadline for the letter, and where it should be sent.
3. Proofread the letter. Make sure you spelled their name correctly, and check the rest of the letter for any typos, grammatical errors, and other mistakes. Read through it again to make sure you included all the important details.