Letter of Recommendation for College

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I'm not entirely clear on how to ask for a letter of recommendation for college applications. Since I've been considering Early Decision at a college, I need to ask soon. I've decided on the two people who I think will be the best at writing one for me, but I haven't asked them yet. I'm not entirely sure whether I need to give them anything when I first ask or if I should ask them if there's anything they'd like from me to help them with writing it. Obviously I would tell them I'm considering doing an Early Decision application, but other than that, I'm not sure. As for the asking, I was thinking of saying something like this: "I was wondering whether you would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for my college application process." Yes? No?Anyways, unless I'm told that I absolutely need something to give them, I'll be at the very least asking the harder to reach teacher tomorrow morning. Feel free to say more about Letters of Recommendation. Thanks for any of the help.

I agree with all of Rad's points.Also, your letters should preferably come from people who are able to give examples of your ability to knuckle down and work hard - even better if they can give examples of fine scholarship. Past teachers are good if they will say that you are much more than an ordinary student. Past employers are good, if they'll say you worked hard. People who would say that you are the life of a party are not good. Letters from ministers of religion who say you seem a nice person don't help much.

When I went about that process a year and a half ago or so I picked teachers that I had a good relationship with and also did well in their class. You don't necessarily have to have had straight A's in that class but if the teacher knows that you showed interest and put forth your best effort during your time with them then they should be more than happy to do it. When I approached one of the teachers I asked he actually told me he had been waiting for me to ask and was overjoyed when I got around to it. All they asked of me and other students they were recommending was that we bring in the stamps and envelopes to mail them out.

Asked both of them today. My Math teacher (who used to teach at my top choice college) said yes before I even finished asking. I got to "would be willing-" and then he said yes and I finished :P The other person I asked said he would be able to write a good letter of recommendation as well.

Not entirely sure what you mean by that.

It would be a nice gesture, after the letters are sent, to offer a token gift in appreciation of their efforts. To write a good letter takes time. You can't just say "Jane would be a good student at your school."I agree with Rad. If two letters are required, ask for four people to each send one. College is an important step to your future and you want to do everything you can to tilt the odds in your favor. Colleges receive many more applications than they have slots to admit. Don't assume anything. Go the extra mile. At this point you can't do anything about improving your transcript or resume for the application process, but you can be sure to meet all the application requirements and deadlines. Don't let your application be set aside on a technicality.And, don't assume that the letter of admission, when it comes, is the end of the journey. Be sure to keep your grades up in your final year(s). It is not uncommon for colleges to withdraw offers if your efforts after admission do not equal those before.

Also one other tip. Try and get an english teacher to review your essay. Essays are very important to allow the college to get to know you (in addition to the letters of recommendation). They don't just want good academics, they want to make sure you'll fit in and be a positive addition to their community. Try to make your essay stand out, for example, when I wrote my essay, I didn't really talk about myself, what I'm like, what I've done, etc. Instead I wrote a 1st person narrative from myself while laying awake in a cot in Nicaragua (where I did a lot of humanitarian aid) thinking, and the essay is a reflective look at what I've done and what I want to do with my life.

We're actually doing a whole unit on personal essays for college in L.A. Although almost all of the places I might apply also have a supplement, so I'll have to do a bunch of essays if I don't make it to Early Decision.