{"id":1339,"date":"2022-07-15T11:23:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-15T11:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.wordvice.com\/?p=1339"},"modified":"2023-04-11T23:10:52","modified_gmt":"2023-04-11T23:10:52","slug":"how-to-request-a-college-letter-of-recommendation-sample-template","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordvice.com\/blog\/how-to-request-a-college-letter-of-recommendation-sample-template\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Request a Recommendation Letter\u2014\u200aSample & Template"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Why do You Need a Letter of Recommendation for Admissions?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The college or graduate school application process is a long, difficult one. It can test one\u2019s organization, planning, goal-setting, academic skills, and personal relationships. It can be overwhelming and confusing, with standardized test scores, application deadlines, personal statements and admissions essays<\/a>, and requesting transcripts all part of the admissions process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But one of the most important but overlooked details in the college application process is a strong letter of recommendation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many high school students applying to college and candidates applying to graduate school fall into the trap of procrastinating or undervaluing the recommendation letter. It is pretty easy to understand why: it is written by someone else!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a huge mistake. Because the letter of recommendation is one of the most important factors that college admissions officers consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s think about what else goes into college admissions: Grades are a snapshot of your academic results. Your SAT\/ACT test scores are a standardized comparison. Personal statements demonstrate your communication skills<\/a> and self-image but are, by nature, self-biased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That leaves the letter of recommendation or reference letter as the only<\/em> factor showing how successful professionals and academics view YOU.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"how
Give yourself the best chance for success by preparing your information in advance of sending an email to your recommender.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Letters of recommendation allow admissions officers to learn about your personal strengths, skills, narrative, and performance in the context of real life. What good is your ace SAT score if you can\u2019t apply that knowledge in a class project? Maybe your grades suffered a bit during sophomore year but your professor has a legitimate explanation to put this in context. Perhaps you had to drop out of college for a year or two before finishing your degree. Grad school committees will want to understand the reason for such holes in your academic timeline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your reference letter should also sound comfortable to the reader while putting your character traits, personal strengths, and prior academic achievements in context for a successful future. In short, a strong recommendation letter ensures you\u2019re a well-rounded individual, shows off your personal qualities, and answers all important questions admissions officers have about incoming students.

Before downloading the letter of recommendation request template linked further in this article, read up on some of the details for how to ask for a LOR from a professor, boss, peer, or other recommenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Include in a Request for a Recommendation Letter<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Convinced of the importance of a strong letter of recommendation? If so, you can check out this detailed guide to writing a LOR and a letter of recommendation template<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a complete guide covering the following questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n