Recommendations
Strong letters open doors
A great recommendation letter can make the difference at selective schools. Here is how to set your recommenders up for success.
Who to ask
The best recommender is not necessarily the teacher who gave you the highest grade. It is the teacher who knows you best and can speak to your character, growth, and engagement.
- Junior-year teachers are ideal — they know recent, relevant work.
- Choose teachers in core academic subjects (English, math, science, history, foreign language) unless a school specifies otherwise.
- Pick teachers who have seen you struggle and grow. A story of improvement is more powerful than a story of easy success.
- Match recommenders to your intended major when possible. Applying for engineering? A math or science teacher carries weight.
When to ask
Ask in the spring of junior year — April or May, before summer break. This gives your teachers time to write thoughtful letters without the rush of fall deadlines.
If you miss that window, ask at the very start of senior year. Give at least 4-6 weeks before your earliest deadline.
Timeline
- April-May (Junior Year): Ask in person. Provide your brag sheet.
- August-September: Send a friendly reminder with deadlines.
- 2 weeks before deadline: Gentle follow-up if not yet submitted.
- After submission: Send a handwritten thank-you note.
How to ask
Ask in person, not by email. It shows respect and gives them a chance to say yes (or gracefully decline if they are overcommitted).
What to say
“I really valued your class and how you pushed me to improve my [specific skill]. I am applying to college this fall and would be honoured if you would write me a letter of recommendation. I will provide you with all the information you need and the deadlines well in advance.”
- Give them an out. Say “If you don't have time or don't feel you know me well enough, I completely understand.”
- Provide a brag sheet. This is the single most helpful thing you can do. Generate one below.
- Share your college list and deadlines. Make it easy for them.
AI brag sheet generator
Generate your brag sheet
A brag sheet gives your recommenders the details they need to write a specific, powerful letter. Add your activities and achievements below.
How many letters do you need?
Most colleges require two teacher recommendations and one counsellor recommendation. Some allow or encourage additional letters.
- 2 teacher letters: One STEM, one humanities is a strong combination.
- 1 counsellor letter: Your school counsellor provides context about your school and circumstances.
- Supplemental letters (optional): A coach, employer, or mentor who knows a different side of you. Only if they add new information.
More is not better. Three strong letters beat five mediocre ones. Only send additional letters if they reveal something new.
Following up
Teachers are busy. A respectful follow-up is not rude — it is responsible. Here is how to do it well:
- Send a brief email 2-3 weeks before your earliest deadline with a friendly reminder.
- Include the exact deadlines and submission instructions in the reminder.
- After they submit, send a handwritten thank-you note. This matters more than you think.
- Update them on your results in the spring. They are genuinely invested in your success.
What makes a strong letter
You cannot control what your recommender writes, but you can set them up to write a great letter. The strongest letters share these qualities:
Specific anecdotes
Not 'She is a hard worker' but 'She rewrote her paper three times because she wanted to get the argument right.'
Context of growth
How you developed over time — from struggling to confident, from quiet to leading discussions.
Intellectual character
How you think, ask questions, engage with ideas, and push yourself beyond what is required.
Personal qualities
Kindness, humour, resilience, integrity — the human qualities that make a campus better.