STEP 1: Identify Adults Who Might Write a Letter – Counselor, Teachers, Administrator, Other Counselor

• Who is your counselor?
• Teachers: Identify at least two teachers from ACADEMIC subjects who know you well (preferably from your junior or senior year)
• Other Teacher / Administrator / Coach / Community Member
• Identify other adults from school or extracurricular activities who know you well

STEP 2: Ask Early!

• Ask the person from whom you need a recommendation (teacher, counselor, administrator, coach, community member) if he/she might be willing to write a recommendation for you.
• Be sure to do this a minimum of 10 working days prior to the deadline.
• During December and January, more time needs to be allotted. Any recommendations and/or college applications due in December must be requested by November 10th. Any recommendations and/or applications due in January must be requested by the first Friday in December.
• The more time you give the person to write the recommendation, the better it will be. Please do not expect counselors and teachers to write letters over winter break.

STEP 3: Provide to the Recommender:

• A copy of your Academic Resume 
• A list with the date(s) the recommendation(s) are due
• You will invite your teachers to submit their letters of recommendation on Naviance. This is found under the "college" tab under letters of recommendation.
• If you need a letter of recommendation mailed instead of submitted online, please provide the teacher with a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

STEP 4: Say thank you! Follow up with your requests to make sure that the letter is completed on time. Many recommenders are writing several letters.

• After the letter is completed, send a thank you note to your recommender.