How to Ask for Letters of Recommendation as an Online Student

Many colleges and universities request letters of recommendation from applicants as part of the college admissions process.

 

These letters are important because they give context to the other, more quantitative aspects of your college application, such as your GPA and standardized test scores. 

 

Letters of recommendation allow college admissions officers to see you from the perspective of your teachers, advisors, or other mentors. This can help them determine whether you’re a good fit for their school. 

 

For both in-person and online high school students, submitting strong letters of recommendation can make a big difference when it comes time to apply for college!

What are Letters of Recommendation for? 

A letter of recommendation is a formal written document that can be submitted during the college application process. 

 

It provides insight into your academic skills, achievements, and positive attributes and can increase your chances of being accepted. 

 

Although there are some colleges that don’t require letters of recommendation, most will request between one and three during the application process.

 

Most colleges view online students in a positive light. However, a good letter of recommendation can highlight that you’ve made strong connections with your mentors throughout your online education.

How To Request Letters of Recommendation From Mentors

Before emailing your instructors or other mentors, it’s always best to ask them face-to-face first, if possible. For online students, this generally means visiting your professors during their office hours or requesting to speak with them briefly after class.

 

Whether you’re able to ask them verbally first or not, you should always send a written formal request via email. In general, this kind of email should include the following.

1. Introduction

Your mentor should know what to expect from your email right away. Include the following elements:

• Subject line: [Your name] – Letter of Recommendation Request

• Greeting: Dear [Your mentor’s name]

2. Body

The body of the email should include the following:

• The request: Get right to the point and tell your mentor that you’re writing to request that they write a letter of recommendation on your behalf.

• Background information: Write a brief description of who you are and how you know them, to remind them in case they don’t remember you completely.

• Important details: Mention any details you think they might want to include in the recommendation letter; for example, you could express how much you learned while completing a particular project or in a particular course.

• Resources: Attach any documents they may need, including your academic transcript, a summary of your achievements, and resources they may find helpful as they write, such as an online template or guide.

• Instructions: Tell them where and to whom they should send their letter; in most cases, this will be an email or physical address.

• The timeline: If there is a deadline by which your mentor must have completed their letter, make sure they’re aware.

3. Conclusion

To conclude your letter, make sure you show your appreciation and explain that you understand if they’re unable to fulfill your request. Include the following:

• A direct thank you: Tell them you appreciate them taking the time to consider your request.

• An invitation for questions: Make sure your mentor knows to reach out to you with questions if anything is unclear.

• A farewell: Include a formal sign-off such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards,” followed by your name.

Who Can Write a Letter of Recommendation?

When it comes to finding mentors to write letters of recommendation, most students immediately think of their favorite high school teachers.

 

But anyone who holds a position of authority and can vouch for your work ethic, skills, character, and other positive traits can write a letter on your behalf.

 

In general, it’s a good idea to seek out people who know you well and can write a truly personalized letter. These may include mentors at your school as well as people from other areas of your life:

• Teachers
• Academic advisors and counselors
• Sports coaches
• Summer-job employers
• Volunteer-program coordinators

 

If you need to submit multiple letters, it’s sometimes a good idea to get a variety of people you know in different contexts to write letters for you.

What Should a Letter of Recommendation Include?

Every letter of recommendation is different.

 

You want the letters your mentors write to be personal, unique, and sincere. But in general, a good letter of recommendation follows a basic structure and includes the following:

1. Opening

The letter should begin by establishing the relationship between the mentor and the student/applicant. The writer may choose to include how long they’ve known the applicant, specific projects or experiences that are relevant, and why they’ve chosen to recommend the applicant.

Example: “Sarah Jones took three mathematics courses with me over the course of her high school career. I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation on her behalf, and I believe she would be an excellent addition to your institution.”

2. Body 

The bulk of the letter should include substantive and specific information about the student/applicant. There’s a lot of variety in terms of the content, but successful letters generally include the following information:

• Positive personal traits: Examples may include enthusiasm, poise, reliability, work ethic, confidence, and responsiveness to feedback.

• Specific achievements: Examples may include grades received in specific courses, promotions or awards, or notable improvement in a particular area.

• Skills and abilities: Examples may include problem-solving skills, the ability to work collaboratively in a team, or excellence in a particular field of study.

3. Closing

The letter should conclude with a brief summary of key points and a clear declaration that the mentor recommends the student/applicant.

Example: “I have been consistently impressed by Sarah’s dedication to her studies and her ability to work collaboratively with her classmates and adapt to new challenges. I believe she would be a wonderful addition to your program, and I am proud to recommend her.”

How Letters of Recommendation Help Students

Quantitative achievements like your GPA and entrance-exam scores can tell admissions officers a lot about your potential. But a letter of recommendation offers a more in-depth look into your overall character and interpersonal skills.

 

Here are a few key ways a letter of recommendation can help you reach your goals:

• It helps you stand out from other applicants.
• It gives your academic and personal claims more credibility.
• It adds valuable insight to your achievements.
• It highlights why you’d be a good fit for a specific program.
• It can increase your chances of being accepted.

Tips for Getting Letters of Recommendation

It’s a good idea to ask for letters of recommendation well in advance of any deadlines.

 

You want to make sure your mentors have time to write in-depth and personalized letters. When reaching out, be polite and appreciative. It’s a good idea to begin by highlighting the reasons you value their opinion and provide some details on your long-term goals.

 

Some of your mentors may feel confident they know how to write a letter of recommendation. But for others, it may be the first time they’ve been asked. It can be helpful to provide them with online resources, lists of your accomplishments, and letter-of-recommendation templates to help them write.

 

As you begin thinking about your post-graduation goals, you may want to look into how your current high school can help. Many in-person and virtual academies offer advice on getting letters of recommendation as part of their college prep resources.

 

Lastly, as a courtesy, it’s best to write a thank you letter to anyone who writes you a letter of recommendation. This shows that you appreciate the time and effort they put into writing a raving review about you. 

Prepare for Graduation and Beyond at Summit Learning Charter

The college application process can be stressful. But a letter of recommendation can help you reach your goals. Having an endorsement from a trusted authority figure is a great way to strengthen your position, help you stand out, and build your confidence.

 

At SLC, we’re committed to helping students prepare for college and succeed in the next steps in their academic careers. Learn more about our virtual academy and take a look at our most frequently asked questions!