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The Etiquette of the Ask:
Some Pointers About Teacher Recommendations from the College Office

  1. Ask the teacher in person.

  2. Ask in such a way that the teacher is free to decline your invitation if he/she feels a strong, positive letter is not possible.  (“Would you be willing to write a college letter of recommendation for me?”)

  3. Ask the teacher as soon as possible - October 1 for early applications and October 15 for regular applications at the latest.

    You do not need to have a finalized list before you ask.  Teachers know to write a letter for you and then attach a copy to whatever form(s) you eventually provide.

  4. Make sure you fill out the student section of the form before giving the form to the teacher. The Buckley Amendment gives the student the right to examine his or her recommendations at the school where he or she finally matriculates.  Students have the option to waive this right of access.  While this is a choice, we strongly encourage students to waive their right of access.  Admission offices will weigh more seriously what writers say if the student has waived his or her rights.

  5. Make sure you provide a form and a stamped, addressed envelope for each letter you want sent, as well as clearly noted deadlines. The return address should be the teacher’s name c/o Milton Academy, 170 Centre Street, Milton, MA 02186. Envelopes should be regular business size (4-1/8" x 9-1/2"), preferably with a pull-and-seal closure. Make sure to provide enough postage.

    The occasional exception involves the Common Application.  Some teachers want you to provide a copy of the form for each college.  Others, however, prefer to fill out the form only once and then copy it themselves.  Ask the teacher how he/she would like the Common Application forms.

  6. When you hear from the colleges, make sure you inform the teachers who wrote for you and thank them for their help.  Remember that they have something invested in your college process, too.

  7. Above all, remember that writing a good letter of recommendation requires a significant amount of time, time that is above and beyond the call of duty.  Make sure that you stay on top of deadlines and paperwork, so that you do not make unnecessary work for the teacher and so that the writing of the recommendation is as uncomplicated as possible.


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