What You Need to Know About Letters of Recommendation
If you are a junior thinking of applying to colleges, you should start thinking about who to ask for your letters of recommendation in May or June. Letters of recommendation are a component of the college application process in the US where your teachers and guidance counselors tell admissions officers what kind of student—and person—you are. Let us dive into what letters of recommendation are and who you should ask for one.
Why Do US Colleges Ask for Letters of Recommendation?
American colleges—especially selective private universities—often use a holistic admissions process. That means they don’t just tally up your GPA and test scores. They also want to understand your motivation, values, personality, and potential. Recommendation letters give them a way to hear about you through the eyes of someone who’s seen you in action: tackling tough coursework, contributing to class discussions, or growing over time. They can confirm the story your application is trying to tell.
A good recommendation says more than “this student got good grades.” It offers personal, detailed insights—like how you bounced back after struggling with a concept, or how you helped elevate a classroom conversation. A great letter might highlight intellectual curiosity or creativity, leadership or collaboration in group work, growth over time (academically or personally), character traits like kindness, honesty, or resilience, or contributions to the school or broader community. In other words: it adds color and context to your story. Teacher letters of rec focus on you as a student in the classroom, whereas guidance counselor letters of rec compare you to your peers at your school. Both bring different perspectives to the college application.
Choosing the Right Recommender
This is one of the biggest decisions you do control. Pick someone who knows you well, not just someone with an impressive title. Choose teachers who taught you recently. Junior year is the best year to choose from because it is your last full year of academics before you apply to college. Prioritize teachers in core academic subjects—like math, history, English, science, or foreign language (unless a non-academic recommender offers a perspective no one else can).
Ask in May of June of your junior year. Give your teacher the opportunity to write a thoughtful letter of recommendation over the summer. Ask in person. Be polite and professional. A clear request and a sincere thank-you can go a long way. Provide context by giving them a printed resume or a brag sheet like this. A short summary of your academic interests, goals, and achievements can help your recommender personalize their letter. Waive your right to view the letter (FERPA waiver). Colleges expect that recommendation letters are confidential and waiving your right builds trust in the process.
Conclusion
Think of recommendation letters as one more lens through which colleges will view your application. Choose recommenders who have seen you at your best, give them time and context to write well, and trust that their words will reflect what you’ve already worked hard to show.
