The Easy Guide With Examples
Have you ever been in the position where you’ve had to ask one of your professors for a letter of recommendation? Have you ever struggled with finding the best way to actually address your request with your professors? Letters of recommendation are often needed when applying for postgraduate studies or sometimes even when applying for certain jobs. So, it’s really good to have some guiding steps on the best way to ask professors for a letter of recommendation.
Here are 8 Easy Steps on How to Ask Your Professors for a Letter of Recommendation:
1. Address them personally
Example: Dear Mr./Dr./ Prof.
2. Remind them of who you are
My name is [insert your full name and course of study]
3. Explain your connection to them
Example: This term/ last year/ in 2020/ I attend your seminar/lecture on…
4. Explain your reason for writing to them
Example: For my postgraduate application/ job application I am required to provide a letter of recommendation
5. Ask for the letter of recommendation
Example: Would you be willing to…/ would you able to…/ I would kindly like to ask you if you could….
6. Explain for what you need it and when you need it
Example: The letter would have to be submitted directly to the institution via this link/this address by [insert date]
7. Thank them in advance for their support and their time
Example: Thank you very much for taking the time/ Thank you very much in advance for your support in this matter
8. Send well wishes
There you have it, the easiest way to ask your professors for a letter of recommendation. Don’t forget: professors are busy people, so give them enough time in advance. This will already increase the chances of them responding positively to your message.
Have you ever had to ask your professors for a letter of recommendation and were you successful the first time? Let us know in the comments!
If you’re interested in everything university-related, check out this post on how to choose the best university and this one on how to benefit from the pandemic as a student.
If you’re interested in everything work related, you might be interested in this post on how to prepare for an only interview in 2021.
See you soon,
Hannah
