For many students, the process of asking for recommendation letters is often somewhat nebulous. What do teachers and counselors write about? How can recommendation letters help admission officers make decisions? Will a letter really distinguish one student from the next? Although many letters of recommendation confirm a student’s qualities and accomplishments that appear within the application, some letters may actually advocate for the student if they provide additional information, context or stories that aren’t shared otherwise. So how does this process work?

1. Think about who can best advocate for you
When considering who to ask for a recommendation letter, some people immediately jump to the teacher, counselor, or even an administrator with the flashiest background or most visible position in the school. Yet, oftentimes, the strongest letters of recommendations come from the teachers who have the closest relationships with the student, both academically and personally. Before asking for a letter of recommendation, consider which teachers know you best and ask yourself what stories or qualities they’ll be able to share about you. These may even be teachers that you have had for multiple years or multiple classes in academic areas related to your intended major. Your teacher should be able to speak to your classroom presence, but they may have also been a sponsor for your club or coached you in a sport. What personality traits, skills or experiences  would this teacher best be able to illuminate? For example, students who want to showcase their writing, critical thinking or public speaking skills might consider asking the teachers who helped them finesse those skills or witnessed them in action.  

2. Ask for recommendation letters before summer
The standard practice is to request a recommendation letter at least one month in advance. However, teachers are often asked to write over 50 letters for students in the fall semester on top of a very full teaching load. Counselors may write even more letters, ranging anywhere from 50 to 200. That is a lot of work! In order to get the best letters, try to ask before the summer or at the start of the fall semester to ensure that your recommenders have plenty of time to write a letter that is personalized for you.

3. Share what you’re proud of!
Because they write so many letters, a common challenge for recommenders is illustrating what makes the student unique. Make it easier for them by providing a “brag sheet” that highlights your achievements in their class, the personal qualities you're proud of and your activities outside of school. Here is a great example of a brag sheet, but check with your teacher as they may have a preferred format of their own. In the same way that recommenders can highlight your accomplishments, they can also share more about the hurdles that you’ve overcome. Oftentimes, teachers and counselors are able to shed light on the personal, health or family challenges that may have impacted a student’s high school journey. If you’re comfortable with your teacher sharing this context, it can help to demonstrate student resilience.

4. Make sure they know what schools you’re applying to!
It is common for admission counselors to see the names of other colleges accidentally mentioned in the recommendation letters! While this is certainly not held against the student, it is best practice to let your teachers know where you’re applying. They care about your future, and they’ll be better equipped to support you if they understand your goals and the types of schools you are applying to.

5. Follow up with a thank-you note 
For most teachers, writing recommendation letters is not part of their job description. This is something that they do, often in their personal time, because they care about their students. Show your appreciation for this extra effort by writing a thank-you note. And once you make a college decision, let your recommenders know where you’re going in the fall! Your teachers and counselors are personally invested in your future, and it means a lot to them when you share what they’ve helped you accomplish!

Lastly, the best way to get a strong recommendation letter is to bring your full, authentic self to school every day, and cultivate relationships with your teachers and counselors. They already have your best interests at heart, so just be yourself. As you prepare your application for Rice, keep in mind that we ask for recommendation letters from two teachers and one counselor. You can find more information on our Apply Page. We hope these tips will help ease your stress about the application process and help you put your best foot forward.

-Maggie Fazio (Published 6/10/2025)