Recommendation Letters: Who Needs Them and How to Ask

A recommendation letter tells a college what a teacher or counselor has seen you do. Not every application needs one. Here is who asks, how to ask, and what to give your writers.

Who needs letters

UC: doesn't read letters with your application. A campus may ask for one later.

CSU: the first-year application doesn't ask for letters.

Many Common App colleges: ask for a letter from your school counselor and one or two from teachers. Each college lists its requirements in Common App.

Scholarships and programs: often ask for a letter too. Check each one.

How to ask

Ask in person, at least 3 to 4 weeks before the deadline.Teachers write many letters each fall. More time means a better letter.
Pick someone who saw you work.An 11th or 12th grade teacher who watched you improve can say more than one who only saw easy A's.
Give them a brag sheet and the deadline.Use the brag sheet below. Include every deadline in one list.
Add them in the portal.In Common App or a scholarship portal, enter their name and email so they get the request.
Say thank you.A short handwritten note after they submit goes a long way.

Your brag sheet

Your writers know you from one class or one office. A brag sheet fills in the rest. Answer in your own words, in a few sentences each.

1. The class you had with them, and one moment they saw you work hard. (class, year, and the moment...)

2. What you're most proud of. (what you did, with a number if you have one...)

3. What you hope they'll mention. (a skill or quality, and where it shows...)

4. What you want to study or do. (major or career...)

5. Anything else they should know. (optional...)

Add a short list of your activities at the bottom, and every deadline with the name of each college or scholarship.

Working with an Empowered Admissions coach? Track these steps in Launch Lab with your access code. Your work saves to your account.

Questions families ask

How many letters do I need?

The number depends on the college. Many Common App colleges ask for one counselor letter and one or two teacher letters. Check each college's requirements in Common App.

Can a coach, employer, or pastor write one?

Some colleges and many scholarships accept an extra letter from someone outside school. Use it when that person knows a side of you your teachers don't.

Should I read my letter?

Common App asks whether you waive your right to see your letters. Most counselors recommend waiving it, so colleges know the letter is the writer's own view.

Where these facts come from

Dates change every year. We check them against the official sources above and update this page when they change.

More guides: Financial aid · The UC application

Recommendation letters: who needs them and how to ask