How to secure strong letters that actually move the needle
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Who Should Write Your Letters?
The Golden Rule
Choose people who know you well over people with impressive titles. A glowing letter from your English teacher beats a generic letter from a Congressman you met once.
Ideal Recommenders
Teachers from junior year — they know recent you + have time to write
Core academic subjects (English, Math, Science, History) carry more weight
Teachers where you showed growth or engagement, not just got an A
A coach, employer, or mentor for the supplemental/optional letter
⚠️ Who to Avoid
Teachers from freshman year, family friends with impressive titles, anyone who will write a generic "good student" letter, teachers from classes where you didn't participate.
How to Ask (The Right Way)
Timing
Ask early — at least 4-6 weeks before the deadline
Ideally ask in spring of junior year for senior fall deadlines
Teachers get swamped; early requests = better letters
The Ask
Don't just say "Can you write me a rec?" Instead:
"Would you be able to write me a strong letter of recommendation? I really valued [specific experience in their class], and I think you've seen a side of me that would be relevant to admissions committees."
Giving them an out ("strong letter") lets them decline gracefully if they can't write something great.
What to Give Your Recommender
Make their job easy. Provide a one-page "brag sheet" including:
The Essentials
Your full name, email, and the colleges you're applying to
Application deadlines for each school
Your intended major or academic interests
Any specific submission instructions
The Good Stuff
2-3 specific memories from their class (projects, discussions, moments)
Challenges you overcame that they witnessed
Growth — how you improved or changed
Extracurriculars and context they might not know
What you hope to study and why
💡 Example Prompt to Include
"In your class, I remember struggling with [X] at first, but by the end of the semester I [Y]. You also saw me [Z]. I'm applying to study [major] because [reason]."
What Makes a Strong Letter
Admissions officers read thousands of letters. The ones that stand out:
Include Specific Stories
❌ "William is a hard worker."
✅ "When William's group project fell apart two days before the deadline, he reorganized the team and delivered a presentation that exceeded expectations."
Show Character, Not Just Achievement
How do you handle setbacks?
How do you treat classmates?
What do you do when no one's watching?
Provide Context
How do you compare to other students they've taught?
Top 5%? Top 1%? Most memorable in 20 years?
Structure of an Effective Letter
Opening — How they know you, how long, in what context
Academic ability — Specific evidence of intellectual engagement
Character story — An anecdote that reveals who you are
Comparison — Where you rank among students they've taught
Closing — Enthusiastic endorsement, confidence in your future
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Student Mistakes
Asking too late
Not providing context/materials
Choosing recommenders for prestige over relationship
Forgetting to waive your right to view the letter (waive it — schools trust sealed letters more)
Recommender Red Flags
Very short letters (suggests they didn't care)
Generic praise without specifics
Focusing only on grades
Damning with faint praise ("William was always on time")
Before You Ask
Identified 2-3 teachers who know you well
Confirmed they teach core academic subjects
Gave yourself 4+ weeks before deadlines
When You Ask
Asked if they can write a "strong" letter
Provided your brag sheet / context document
Gave clear deadlines and submission instructions
After They Agree
Sent a thank-you note
Followed up 1 week before deadline (politely)
Sent a thank-you after decisions come in
For Non-Traditional Applicants
If you're applying as a veteran, career changer, or returning student, your recommendation strategy looks different — and can actually be a strength.
Who Should Write Your Letters
Direct supervisors — Commanding officers, managers, team leads who saw your work ethic and leadership
Colleagues who became peers — People who watched you grow or solve hard problems
Professors from recent coursework — Community college, online courses, or professional development
Mentors from volunteer work — Especially if it connects to your intended field of study
💡 The Non-Trad Advantage
Your recommenders can speak to real-world skills that 22-year-olds don't have yet: leadership under pressure, managing teams, handling ambiguity, and professional maturity. Lean into this.
What to Emphasize
Leadership and responsibility — Did you manage people, budgets, or high-stakes decisions?
Intellectual curiosity — How have you continued learning outside formal education?
Why now? — Your recommender should address why you're pursuing education at this stage
Transferable skills — Connect your professional experience to academic potential
For Veterans Specifically
Military supervisors make excellent recommenders — they understand evaluation and can speak to character under pressure
Ask them to translate military experience for civilian admissions officers
Include context about your role, unit size, and scope of responsibility
If possible, get one letter from military and one from civilian/academic context
⚠️ Common Non-Trad Mistake
Don't assume admissions officers understand military ranks, corporate titles, or industry jargon. Give your recommender a brief on how to contextualize your experience for an academic audience.
The Bottom Line
Letters of recommendation are one of the few parts of your application where someone else vouches for you. Choose recommenders who will be specific, enthusiastic, and genuine. Then make their job easy by giving them the material they need.
A great letter doesn't just say you're smart — it makes the admissions officer feel like they know you.
📄Ready to ask for letters? Get the template to give your recommenders.
Have questions about your specific recommendation strategy?