Hey I was wondering if anybody knew when the right time to ask a teacher for letter of rec is? I have two teachers in mind and was thinking about asking them tomorrow, my first day of senior year. Any advice? And is this a good time?
Personally, I think you shouldn’t ask on the first day. The first day of school is usually quite busy, if you asked, they may be already too preoccupied with other things. It may simply slip their mind.
If you feel like asking them tomorrow though, then maybe go ask during lunch or after school.
Maybe ask them the second day? But you have the right thinking, in general, the earlier, the better.
Hi, I’m a senior as well and I actually asked two teachers for letters of rec the spring of my junior year, however that is the time that my guidance counselors suggested I ask because I go to a big high school and many of my teachers need to write at least fifteen letters of rec each year. If you go to a smaller school (I have 450+ kids in my graduating class) then there is no need to worry about a teacher not having enough time to write you a letter of rec. My suggestion is to ask them within the first few weeks of your senior year however the first day is normally very hectic. Teachers are still becoming acclimated to their new schedule just like you are to yours. They may forget that you asked them and you will most likely end up asking them again a week or two later. Ask them after a week and a half of school has passed so this way they have settled into the new year and can actually sit down and talk to you about the letter. DO NOT try to ask them right before or after class because that makes you look foolish and like it isn’t a big deal. IT’S A BIG DEAL. You are basically asking someone to spend a good deal of time thinking of you and praising you, so make sure you ask them in a serious way. Doing it after school or during lunch is good, and do not ask them via email. Arrange a time that you can meet with them and be polite. Asking for a letter of rec was hard and scary but once they say yes you will feel amazing! Good Luck!
I asked for them May my junior year.
I’m starting my junior year this year, and I’m wondering if I should get letters of recommendation this year and around what time? I have one teacher in mind so far that I’d like to ask, since I had him last year and he asked me to take AP Biology which I’m taking this year.
I would normally say as soon as possible, but absolutely NOT the first day of school.
Give it a day or two… ask on Friday.
Last year I wrote 40 different letters, 38 the year before. It’s HARD to write 38 or 40 letters without them sounding identical, so I can only write 1 or 2 a day. (My husband is on something like # 25 today.)
You’ve got to give the teacher time if you want a well written letter. And any requests you submit at the last minute, no matter how close your deadline is, no matter how good a letter that teacher could have written, run the risk of “I’m sorry, I can’t. I have a wedding to attend this weekend” as a response.
Ok. Thank you guys all for your response. I think I’ll ask another time this week.