Experts recommend choosing 3 people: a counselor, a math teacher, and an English teacher.
Scheduling a time to chat is nice because you know your teacher won’t be rushed. That way, you can explain everything about your application and what you need from them without feeling like you’re bothering them. Email them something like: “Dear Mrs. Harding, Do you have time to chat with me for about 5 minutes after class on Tuesday? I’d like to talk to you about a letter of recommendation. Thanks, Jessica. ”
It can feel a little awkward to talk so much about yourself, but don’t sweat it—your teacher will be grateful for the reminder, and it will help them craft their letter of recommendation.
Most colleges won’t let you read the letters of recommendation before they’re submitted. That way, your teacher can be honest about your academic performance and their experience with you.
Typically, you only need to send your teacher 1 reminder. Emailing them too often can get a bit irritating. Email them something like: “Dear Mrs. Fravel, Just wanted to send a reminder that the deadline for my letter of recommendation is Friday, June 16th. Let me know if you have any questions, and thanks again! Best, Emily. ”
If you can’t make time to see them in person, send them a quick email instead.
