School
How to ask a professor for a recommendation letter
You’re talking to Professor Hale. The goal: ask clearly, give the deadline, and offer what they need from you.
Your first line
Professor Hale starts with “Come in. What can I do for you?”
“I’m applying to graduate programs, and I’d really like you to write me a recommendation letter. The first deadline is December 15th.”
Make it easy: the ask and the deadline up front, with weeks of notice, so they can say yes without hunting for details.
What Professor Hale might say, and what to say back
Professor Hale: “I’m writing quite a few of these already.”
You: “I understand. Only if you feel you can write a strong one. I’ll send everything you need by Friday.”
Professor Hale: “Remind me what you did in my class.”
You: “I wrote the research paper on city bus routes, and I came to office hours most weeks to work on it.”
Professor Hale: “I need more time than that to write a good one.”
You: “That’s fair. Should I ask someone else for this one? No hard feelings either way.”
Two things that trip people up
- A long wind-up before you ask, or assuming they’ll say yes.Ask in your first sentence or two, and give them an easy out.
- Asking two weeks before the deadline with nothing ready.Ask three or four weeks ahead, and offer your resume, the program list and the deadlines.
Now say it out loud
Reading the words isn’t the same as saying them. Practice this one with Professor Hale pushing back like the real person would. Then your coach, Quinn, fixes your exact words. The move to focus on: Make it easy.
Practice this one free3 free reps a day. No sign-up. Out loud or typed.