Hello all,
Just want to clarify on what is the best way to ask for a recommendation letter from a teacher. I have been told that there is a certain way to approach your teacher, a certain way to remind them of all of your feats, etc.
Care to mention any specific tips/strategies for this? I appreciate any and all help.
If anyone cares to know, we use the Naviance program, and I believe that Letters of Recommendation are sent through there.
Ask the teacher for an appointment either before or after at school or during lunch. Meet with them and tell them about your college application plans and ask if they would be willing to write a letter of recommendation. Provide a resume that includes a list of any awards, extracurriculars, employment, etc, and information about your grades and test scores. Let them know when the deadline is, and ask if they might need a reminder, and if so, when.
I’d approach your teacher after class with something along the lines of “hey, Mr. X. I’m applying to University this fall and wanted to know if you’d be willing to write me a reference (based on my performance in your class).”
There is nothing special to asking. Find a time when you can catch the teacher for a few minutes, perhaps between classes, after school etc. Ask if he/she would be willing to write you a positive recommendation for college. If he/she says yes, ask if there is anything you can provide (ex. a resume, list of activities etc.) that could be helpful to him/her. And definitely remember to thank him/her as writing a recommendation requires time and effort on the part of the teacher.
I would do this very soon after school starts. Both of my kids had their recommendations lined up by the end of junior year.
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It’s best to ask in person, as the people above had said. However, if you can’t for any reason, consider emailing the teacher- a benefit of this is that they can take their time to read it and consider it.
Here is a site with good tips on writing the proper email: http://edityour.net/email-templates-for-asking-for-a-letter-of-recommendation/
Many of those tips can be transferred to asking in person, too! Good luck 
I would definitely ask in person, when the best time to do so is depends on the teacher. If your asking for a recommendation, you should be familiar enough with them to know whether or not you can catch them before/after class or if you should request it one on one during office hours.
One thing that hasn’t been brought up yet is that every student asking for recs should ask the teacher(s) whether they can write a positive letter for you. This is always appropriate, phrased politely of course. For example, “Am I a student you would write a strong letter of reccomendation for, or do you suggest I ask someone else?” Don’t argue or question why if the answer is ask someone else, simply to thank the teacher for their honest answer.
While it can be uncomfortable for a student to ask a direct question like this to a teacher, it HAS to be done. I know someone who was on the alumni scholarship committee for a well-known U and they regularly received letters of “rec” for the full-tuition scholarship that raked the kid over the coals. In “The Gatekeepers”,in which a NY Times reporter followed the admissions committee at Wesleyan for a year, is a real-world example of a bad rec. Obviously when the student asked for a rec she assumed it would be positive, but here is what she got:
This could have been avoided if the teacher had been asked if they would write a strong rec. The student did not get in.
Thanks to all who responded, but just 2 quick questions.
Why would I have to supply the teacher with records of other classes, activities, etc. Wouldn’t I just have to supply him with my records for his/her class? Also, 2 letters of recommendation is enough, correct?