When requesting a letter of recommendation, please follow these helpful hints:

1.   Plan ahead to meet your timeline.  Allow a week to ten days for the completion of your letter.  This person possibly has other letters to be written ahead of yours.  Do not request last minute recommendations.

2.   Ask a teacher, counselor, administrator, employer, scout master, group advisor, or clergy man/woman who knows you well and can recommend you positively.

3.   Make your request personally to the one who is to write your recommendation and give the person a copy of your resumé. However, ask the individual to personalize the recommendation as much as possible.

4.   If the letter needs to emphasize a special accomplishment or skill such as leadership, community service, or music, please indicate the emphasis to the person writing the recommendation.

5.   In most cases, have the person return the letter to you or the college counselor in your high school.  If it is to be sent directly to the sponsor, be sure to supply an addressed, stamped envelope.  Do not include a return address.

7.   It is recommended that you do not photocopy letters of recommendation.  Current date, most recent academic data, and an original signature should be included in the recommendation.

8.   Be sure to thank these individuals formally for their time and effort.